levels, and the meadow pools, bright frozen under the blue sky. Late in
this day the amazed Brock by his corrals at Harper's beheld arrive his
favorite, his boy superintendent, driving in with the schoolmaster
staring through his glasses, and Uncle Pasco throwing out active strains
upon his concertina. The old man had been bidden to bellows away for his
neck.

Drake was not long in explaining his need to the men. "This thing must be
worked quick," said he. "Who'll stand by me?"

All of them would, and he took ten, with the faithful Brock. Brock would
not allow Gilbert to go, because he had received another mule-kick in the
stomach. Nor was Bolles permitted to be of the expedition. To all his
protests, Drake had but the single word: "This is not your fight, old
man. You've done your share with Baby Bunting."

Thus was the school-master in sorrow compelled to see them start back to
Indian Creek and the Malheur without him. With him Uncle Pasco would have
joyfully exchanged. He was taken along with the avengers. They would not
wring his neck, but they would play cat and mouse with him and his
concertina; and they did. But the conscience of Bolles still toiled. When
Drake and the men were safe away, he got on the wagon going for the mail,
thus making his way next morning to the railroad and Boise, where Max
Vogel listened to him; and together this couple hastily took train and
team for the Malheur Agency.

The avengers reached Indian Creek duly, and the fourth day after his
Christmas dinner Drake came once more in sight of Castle Rock.

"I am doing this thing myself, understand," he said to Brock. "I am