ing far in front, Crawley following
as closely as he could with the wagon. Some distance in the rear were
Shock and the doctor in the backboard. The Kid could hear Crawley
pointing out to Marion in a loud voice the striking features of the
beauty that lay around them in such a wealth and variety of profusion.
The words of Ike came to his mind, "mighty ingraciousin'."

"Confound his impudence!" he growled. "I wonder if she knows the kind
of snake he is? I believe I'll tell her, for her own sake. No, that
won't do, either. Well, I guess I must wait my chance."

Put the chance seemed slow in coming.

"Thought I would ride after you and offer--see if you--if I could be of
service."

"And we are very glad to have you," said Shock heartily.

"Yes, we found you useful on occasion before, and doubtless shall
again," said the doctor, in a tone of pleasant sufferance.

The Kid reined up behind the buckboard, waiting for an excuse to ride
forward, but for miles finding a none.

"I wonder now," said Shock at length, "if we had not better stop and
have tea, and then ride till dark before we camp. If Marion is not
tired that would be the better way."

"I'll ride up and ask," said The Kid eagerly, and before any other
suggestion could be made he was gone.

The proposition found acceptance with Marion and, what was of more
importance, with the half-breed guide.

If The Kid had any doubt of his reception by the girl the glad,
grateful look in her eyes as he drew near was enough to assure him of
her welcome; and as he took the guide's place by her side she hastened
to say, "I am glad you came, Mr. Stanton. It was very kind of you to
come. It was awful riding alone mile after mile."

"Alone!" echoed The Kid.

"Well, I mean you know he cannot talk much English and--"

"Of course," promptly replied The Kid, "I am awfully glad I came, now.
Wasn't sure just how you might take it. I mean, I did not like pushing
myself in, you understand."

"Oh, surely one does not need to explain a kindness such as this," said
the girl simply. "You see, the doctor and Mr. Macgregor are together,
and will be, and the others--well, I hardly know them."

The trail wound in and out, with short curves and sharp ascents, among
the hills, whose round tops were roughened with the rocks that jutted
through the turf, and were decked with clumps of poplar and spruce and
pine. The world seemed full of brightness to the boy. His heart
overflowed with kin