en! Appeal to Him and He will respond as He
did to this poor leprous man."

Over and over again he urged this upon them, heaping argument upon
argument, seeking to persuade them that it was worth while making the
attempt.

"Say, boss, seems reasonable, don't it, and easy, too?" said Ike to The
Kid, who was listening with face pale and intent. The Kid nodded
without moving his eager eyes from the speaker's face.

"But I can't just git the throw, quite," continued Ike, with a puzzled
air.

"Hush, listen!" said The Kid sharply. Shock had paused abruptly. For a
few moments he stood looking into the eyes of the men gaping back at
him with such intense eagerness; then leaning forward a little he said
in a voice low, but thrilling with emotions:

"Does any man here think his father or mother has forgotten him or does
not care what happens to him?"

Shock was thinking of his own dear old mother, separated from him by so
many leagues of empty prairie, but so near to him in love and sympathy.

"Does any man think so?" he repeated, "and do you think your Father in
Heaven does not care? Oh! do not think so!" His voice rose in a cry of
entreaty. The effect was tremendous.

"God in Heaven, help me!" cried The Kid to himself with a sob in his
voice.

"Me too, boss," said Ike gravely, putting his hand on the other's knee.

Shock's farewell was as abrupt as his beginning. In a single sentence
he informed them that the services would be discontinued at this end of
the field. He wished he could have served them better; he knew he had
failed; he asked their forgiveness as he had already asked it of his
God; but, though he had failed, he commended them to Him who had never
failed any man appealing to Him for help.

There was no hymn, but in a simple, short prayer the service was
closed, and before the congregation had recovered from their amazement
Shock had passed out through the back door.

"Well, I'll be blanked!" said Ike, with a gasp.

"Quit that, Ike," said The Kid sharply. "Look here--I am going to quit
swearing right now, so help me."

"All right, boss, I'm with you; put it there."

Then above the hum of conversation General Brady's voice was heard:

"Gentlemen, it is my opinion that we have lost a great man to-night, a
fearless man and a Christian gentleman."

"That's my entire prognostication, General," said Ike, with great
emphasis.

Meantime Shock had gone searching through the hotels for the doctor,
whom