easy flight. It angered him as he followed its every movement. Why
should a mere bird have such freedom of motion, while man was so
helpless? To the eagle, distance was nothing; it laughed the highest
mountain peak to scorn, and its food was wherever its fancy led. He
suddenly thought of the gold he had discovered. In the world of
civilization what a power it would mean. What could it not do toward
providing ease and reputation? And of what use was that treasure to
him now? It was of no more value than the stones beneath his feet, and
he would gladly have given it all for one good meal and a draught of
refreshing water.

The eagle was still soaring overhead, free and buoyant. It was nearer
now, wheeling closer and closer to Reynolds as he clung like a snail to
the side of the hill. And he was made in the image of God! The
thought stung him. Why should such things be? Instantly there flashed
into his mind a picture he had often seen. It was the side of a steep
cliff, and there a shepherd was rescuing a sheep from its perilous
position. The man was clinging with His left hand to a crevice in the
rock, while with His right He was reaching far over to lift up the poor
animal, which was looking up pathetically into the shepherd's loving
face. He knew the meaning of that picture, and it came to him now with
a startling intensity. Why did he think of it? he asked himself.
Although his life was clean, yet Reynolds was not what might be called
a religious man. He was not in the habit of praying, and he seldom
went to church. But something about that picture appealed to him as he
crouched on that burning hillside. Was there One who would help him
out of his present difficulty? He believed there was, for he had been
so taught as a little child. He remembered the Master's words, "Ask,
and ye shall have." "Here, then, is a chance to test the truthfulness
of that saying," a voice whispered.