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went for Brooke, chasing him around the pasture. Prue chased Jehoshaphat, the mules chased Prue, the harem mares bit and kicked at everybody, Brooke galloped delirious in all directions, and I laughed until I could hardly hold down the rocks. "Of course, if Brooke hadn't been a mere mistake on earth, he would have herded gently to the nearest corral, and cut the two outfits apart. But Brooke proceeded to lose his temper, pulled his gun, jumped his wretched sorrel behind a tree, and let drive. He missed the stallion. He shot Prue through the heart. "There was nothing after that to keep the sixty Star mules together. Some went up the canyon, some down, a few even swam the Fraser, but the heft of them climbed the big cliffs and vanished into the forest. "I reckon Pete and his _arrieros_ could collect those mules and break them to loving a new _madrina_. But with Brooke as cargador, the great Star Pack-train's numbered with the past, and Mathson's partnership is scarce worth arguing. "I was sorry to see the fine mules lost, and in my grief I kicked Brooke about one-third of a mile on his way home afoot." CHAPTER VI THE BLACK NIGHT _Kate's Narrative_ "I, Boulton Wemyss Taylor, Commander R. N., retired, being of sound mind in a dying body, do hereby make my last will and testament: "And do appoint the lady known as Madame Scotson my sole executress and trustee of all property which I may die possessed of; "To pay my just debts, and to administer the remainder on behalf of my grandson, James Taylor, "Until at his coming of age he shall receive the whole estate, if there is any; "Save only that I bequeath to Madame Scotson my sword and the Victoria Cross; "And with regard to burial, it is my will that no money whatever shall be spent, but that my body, wrapped in the flag by right of her majesty's commission, shall be consigned to the earth by my neighbors; that no friend of mine shall be allowed to stand uncovered catching cold, or to wear unseemly black clothing at the service of the resurrection, or to toll bells which should be pealed when the soul passes to God, or to make pretense or parade of grief for one who is glad to go." The months of nursing were ended. No longer should Nurse Panton and I be afraid when our patient was good, or rejoice when fractious whims and difficult absurdities marked those rallies in which he fought off death. At the last, after many hours of silence, h
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