who had banished him. Perhaps a labor of Hercules, a mighty and
perilous work of rescue, the saving of this lost and imprisoned
girl, would help him in his trouble. She might be his salvation.
Who could tell? Always as a boy and as a man he had fared forth
to find the treasure at the foot of the rainbow.




II. THE SAGI


Next morning the Indian girl was gone and the tracks of her pony led
north. Shefford's first thought was to wonder if he would overtake
her on the trail; and this surprised him with the proof of how
unconsciously his resolve to go on had formed.

Presbrey made no further attempt to turn Shefford back. But he
insisted on replenishing the pack, and that Shefford take weapons.
Finally Shefford was persuaded to accept a revolver. The trader bade
him good-by and stood in the door while Shefford led his horse down
the slope toward the water-hole. Perhaps the trader believed he was
watching the departure of a man who would never return. He was still
standing at the door of the post when Shefford halted at the pool.

Upon the level floor of the valley lay thin patches of snow which had
fallen during the night. The air was biting cold, yet stimulated
Shefford while it stung him. His horse drank rather slowly and
disgustedly. Then Shefford mounted and reluctantly turned his back
upon the trading-post.