He seemed rather annoyed than pleased by Jack's visit.

"I'm grieved to see Daniel so ill," said Jack in a low voice, which,
however, roused the attention of the invalid.

"Dying," said Jacob sternly, though in a voice that was scarcely
audible. "What have you got there?" he added, almost fiercely, as he
observed, and at once recognised, the bag in his visitor's hand.

"Your property," answered Jack. "Have you not missed it? I conclude,
of course, that it has been stolen from you, because it was gambled away
by a big rough fellow at Higgins' store this evening."

A peculiar smile flitted for a moment across the rugged face of Jacob
Buckley as he said, "No, he didn't steal it. Not being able to leave my
brother myself, I sent him with it to the store, to try his luck. It
was my last throw, contained all I had, includin' the dust and nuggets
you and your comrades sent me last night."

He said this in a hard, reckless, defiant manner, then looked suddenly
in Jack's eyes, and inquired with an expression of curiosity how he came
by the bag.

"I won it, God forgive me," said Jack, a deep flush of shame
overspreading his face, "and I now come to return what I had no right to
win."

A sound from the dying man attracted their attention at that moment.

"He wants to speak to you," said Jacob, who had stooped down to listen.

Jack bent over the sick man, who said in a low whisper, with occasional
pauses for breath, for his strength was almost gone.

"God bless you! You've saved his life. He said if he lost that gold
that he'd blow out his brains--and he'd have done it--he would; I know
Jacob--he'd have done it. Read to me--the Word--the only true gold."

Jack looked round. Jacob had sat down, and again covered his face with
his hands.

"I have not my Bible with me," said Jack, "but I can repeat passages
from memory."

He began with the words, "They that trust in Him shall never be put to
confusion," when the dying man roused himself, and with a strong effort
whispered, "O, sir, I _do_ trust in Him! Will you try to save my
brother from gambling and drink. Speak!--promise!"

"I will!" whispered Jack in his ear.

The man's energy left him at once, and he fell back on the pillow, from
which he had partially risen, with a deep, prolonged sigh. Jacob heard
it. Springing up, he fell on his knees by the bedside and seized his
brother's hand.

"O Dan! dear Dan," he exclaimed, passionately, "don't give way l