ture
to catch his horse. In the exuberance of the moment Pan would have
liked to try conclusions with the white-footed stallion or the blue
roan, but he could not spare the time. He led Sorrel back to camp and
saddled him. Blinky and Pan's father were also saddling their mounts.

"I'll take it easy," explained Charley Brown, who had made no move.
"My claim is over here in the hills not very far."

"Brown, I'm sorry you won't go south with us," said Pan warmly, as he
shook hands with the miner. "You've sure been a help. And I'm glad
we've--well, had something to do with removing the claim jumpers."

As Pan rode out that morning on the sorrel, to face north on the road
to Marco, he found it hard to contain himself. This hour was the very
first in which he could let himself think of the glorious fulfillment
of his dream.

His father was too lame to ride fast and Pan, much as he longed to
rush, did not want to leave him behind. But it was utterly impossible
for Pan to enter into the animated conversation carried on by his
father and Blinky. They were talking wagons, teams, harness, grain,
homesteads and what not. Pan rode alone, a little ahead of them.

Almost, he loved this wild and rugged land. But that was the ecstasy
of the moment. This iron country was too cut up by mountains, with
valleys too bare and waterless, to suit Pan. Not to include the rough
and violent element of men attracted by gold!

Nevertheless on this bright autumn morning there was a glamour over
valley and ridge, black slope and snowy peak, and the dim distant
ranges. The sky was as blue as the inside of a columbine, a rich and
beautiful light of gold gilded the wall of rock that boldly cropped out
of the mountainside; and the wide sweeping expanse of sage lost itself
in a deep purple horizon. Ravens and magpies crossed Pan's glad
eyesight. Jack rabbits bounded down the aisles between the sage
bushes. Far out on the plain he descried antelope, moving away with
their telltale white rumps. The air was sweet, intoxicating, full of
cedar fragrance and the cool breath from off the heights.

While he saw and felt all this his mind scintillated with thoughts of
Lucy Blake. He would see her presently, have the joy of surprising her
into betrayal of love. He fancied her wide eyes of changing dark blue,
and the swift flame of scarlet that so readily stained her neck and
cheek.

He would tell her about the great good fortune that had