"He must be told," said The Kid at length."Let's see--he'll want to get to the end of the line, anyway, and that's over a hundred miles from here.I say, Ike, you'd better tell him, I guess.""Well," said Ike slowly, "that there's a purty particular bit of diplomatics, and I aint used to it.I say," with a sudden inspiration, "you tell him.""Couldn't do it, Ike.How would it do to get Father Mike or Sinclair?""Yes," said Ike meditatively, "they'd do all right if we weren't here, but I guess we belong to him 'most more than they do.""That's so, Ike," said The Kid quickly."That's so; it's one of us.""Yes, it's one of us," said Ike, "and if I could do it well, boss, you wouldn't see no buck.""All right, Ike," said The Kid, drawing a long breath."I'll do it.""I'll remember it, boss," said Ike."Guess there aint much time to lose.How is he agoin' to git there?""Take the Swallow, Ike," said The Kid."She's good for a hundred miles.""Mr.McIntyre's team will be ready to go from his place," said the stranger, who had come near.
"Good!" said The Kid."Where are you going, Ike?""To git the horses.He'll want to git right off.I guess I'll put him on Slipper, and I'll take the Swallow.Slipper rides purty easy, and he's a purty big man.""All right, Ike," said The Kid."Remember every minute is precious.
Here, Mac," he continued, turning to Macnamara, who stood looking in at the door, craning his neck to see and hear what was going on, "slip around to the side door and tell Mr.Macgregor that I want him right away."In a few minutes Shock came running out in high spirits, elated with the success of the evening."Hello, old boy!" he cried to The Kid.
"It's great, isn't it? You're a great concert conductor! What do you want me for?"The Kid took him by the arm and led him away in silence toward the Old Prospector's shack, which stood near by.
"What's the matter, Stanton; anything gone wrong?" Still The Kid made no reply; but, walking to the door of the shack, opened it, and went in and lit the lamp."Sit down," he said, pushing Shock into a chair."I have something to tell you.There's--there's bad news, I'm afraid.I'll wait outside." He put the telegram down, went hastily out, and closed the door, leaving Shock to face the blow where no eye could see.
It seemed an hour to The Kid before Ike came up with the Swallow and Slipper saddled and ready for the journey.
"Where is he?" said Ike, in a whisper.
"In there," replied The Kid, with a groan."God help him!""I guess He will.He ought to," said Ike gravely, "Got grub, Ike, and blankets?"Ike nodded, pointing to the sack strapped to the saddle.
"He ought to start," said The Kid nervously, "That wire's two days old now.It will take till to-morrow night to reach town even if everything goes right, and every moment counts.Better go in," he continued, "and tell him the horses are ready."Ike nodded and went toward the closed door, opened it softly, and went in.He found Shock sitting at the table gazing vacantly at the telegram in his hand as if trying to take in its meaning.He looked up at Ike as he entered and, handing him the telegram, said:
"It's my mother, Ike.Do you remember my mother?""Yes, I know," replied Ike, approaching him timidly and laying a hand awkwardly on his shoulder."I don't want to presume," he continued, "but I was wonderin' if there was anyone who could help you to stand it?""There is, there is One, there is."
"That's all right, then," said Ike, as if an important matter had been settled."The horses are ready.""The horses?" said Shock, with a puzzled air.
"Yes; thought you'd want to ride to town to get to send a wire or somethin'.""Of course I do; thank you.I'll go to her at once.What a fool Iam!" He rose hastily as he spoke, changed his coat, and getting his hat and riding gloves came out to where The Kid stood with the horses.
"Why, it's the Swallow, and Slipper!" he said, "Boys, this is good of you."The Kid stood without a word, looking at Shock's white, dazed face.
He could not trust his voice to speak.
"You'd best get onto Slipper," said Ike."Rides easy and is mighty sure.The Swallow's all right, of course," he continued apologetically to The Kid, "but a leetle light ""But I don't want both," said Shock.
"Oh! I guess I'll go along," declared Ike."I know the trails and short-cuts a little better.Can save time, perhaps.That is," he added, "if you don't mind my goin' along.""That's awfully good of you, Ike," said Shock."I shall be glad to have you.""Good-bye, Kiddie," said Shock affectionately, holding out his hand to The Kid."I cannot say, much just now, but I appreciate this kindness, my, boy.""Don't, don't!" said The Kid, in a husky whisper."I wish to Heaven I could help you.Good-bye.""Good-bye," said Shock, taking up the reins."Oh! I say, Kid, don't tell anyone to-night.Keep the thing going; it would be a pity to spoil their fun, you know.You can do this for me, can't you?""I can try," said The Kid, setting his teeth together.
