"Buy Baldy!" exclaimed the man in surprise. "Why, I thought you and
Baldy were chums--I had no idea he was for sale."

"He wasn't till jest now, not till I saw how yer dogs love you; but I
got t' git rid of him. It's been comin' fer a long time, an' I guess
to-day's finished it."

The man leaned over and looked into the tear-stained face. "Are you in
some trouble about him? Perhaps it's not so bad as you think, and maybe
we can help you without taking Baldy."

But the boy went on determinedly. "No, sir, I want you to take him; it'd
be the best thing fer him, an' I kin stan' it someway. A feller has ter
stan' a lot o' things he don't like in this world, but I hope,"
feelingly, "all of 'em ain't as hard as givin' up his best friend."

As if to avoid the sympathy he felt was forthcoming, he plunged hastily
into the details that had led to the unexpected offer. "I'm Ben Edwards.
Maybe you knew my father; he was killed in the cave-in on the June
Fraction. Baldy was only a little pup then, but Dad was awful fond of
him."

"I remember," said the Woman thoughtfully; "and you have been in
difficulties since, and need the money you could get for Baldy. Is that
it?"

"It ain't only the money, but none o' the men at the Camp care much fer
Baldy, an' they ain't kind to him. Only Moose Jones. When he was here he
wouldn't let the men tease Baldy ner me, an' he made the cook give me
scraps an' bones ter feed him. An' once he licked Black Mart fer