uble with my brother Gideon. I know that he
has been rough and hard with men, but many have been rough and hard with
him. This is a country where all the men are rough and hard. But I fear
that had it not been for the good God and these old hands of mine, my
brother would be now little else than a murderer. Tell me the story."
His voice trembled with apology and apprehension.

Parker stated all the circumstances faithfully and impartially. At the
conclusion Joshua's eyes glowed with fires that had not been seen in
them for years. He struck his brown fist down on his rude table.

"Defying God's law and man's law to the disgrace of himself and all his
name! And you had not been rough and hard to him," he cried. "Bitter,
bitter news you bring to me, Mr. Parker."

There was a long pause, and at last Joshua Ward went on:

"Mr. Parker, that man is my own--my only brother, no matter how other
people look at him. I have saved your life. Will you give me one chance
to straighten this matter out?"

"You mean?"

"I mean that if Gideon Ward will pay for the damage he has done your
property, ask your forgiveness as a man, and promise to keep away and
let you alone, will you be charitable enough to let the matter rest?"

Parker pondered a while with set lips. It cost a struggle to forego
vengeance on that wretch, but many issues were involved, principally
the early completion of the railroad and his consequent favor with his
employers.

"Mr. Ward," he declared, at last, "I came down here to build a railroad,
not to get entangled in the courts. For your sake and the sake of my
project I will give your brother an opportunity to make atonement on the
conditions you name. I owe my life to you, and I will discharge part of
my obligation in the way you ask."

"Are you afraid to accompany me back to Number 7 camp?"

"No, sir!" In his turn Parker struck the table. "I am ready to go
back there alone and charge that man with his crime, and depend on the
manhood of his crew to stand neutral while I take him and deliver him
over to the law. And that I will do if you fail in your endeavors."

The old man was silent. He made no attempt to soften the young man's
indignation or resolution. Parker noted that his lips tightened as tho
with solemn, inward resolve.

During the remainder of his convalescing stay in the camp the subject of
Gideon Ward was not broached again.

The hermit beguiled the hours with simple narratives of the woods