ed
Jimmie Andrews.

"Get a horse," he said quietly. "I want you to carry a couple of
letters to Lebarge for me. If you can't get a horse any other way buy
one. Come back as soon as you're ready to start. I'll have the
letters ready."

He turned back into the dugout, closed the door and dropped the wooden
bar into place. Jimmie Andrews went hastily after a horse and twenty
minutes later rode out of MacLeod's Settlement, headed for the
railroad. He carried a letter to the Superintendent of the
Northwestern. The second letter was addressed to Dr. Thos. Levitt.

During the two days which followed the Settlement went tip-toe. No man
of them saw David Drennen except now and then through the door when
Marshall Sothern had opened it for the warm midday air. There were men
in the street who offered wagers that he was going to die and, what was
more to the point, that he would die without telling where he had found
gold. Sothern ministered to him day and night, letting no one in,
having his own meals sent here, sitting by the bunk or at the doorstep,
smoking. When a passer-by asked, "How's he gettin' along?" Sothern's
answer was always the same: "Slowly."

Drennen had been through much privation and hardship before his
discovery, severe bodily punishment and fatigue thereafter. On top of
physical suffering had been imposed the mental stress, the veritable
mad agony and strife of the dual emotions which Ygerne had inspired in
him. It was in the cards that he should come near death; but that he
should not die. A man's destiny is characterised at times by an
instinct of savagery; it tortures him until his sense of pain is dulled
and lost in unconsciousness; then it lets him grow strong again for
fresh tortures.

After the forty-eight hours had passed Jimmie Andrews had returned
bringing the physician with him. Dr. Levitt had stayed twenty-four
hours and had gone again, saying that there was nothing for him to do
that Sothern could not do as well. He rather thought that Drennen's
beautiful physique would pull him through. But it would take time,
careful attention, rest and properly administered nourishment.

"Can't you get a woman to help?" he asked as he was going. "I don't
give a damn what kind she is. One fool of a woman is worth a dozen men
at times like this." He pocketed his fee, bestowed upon Sothern a
gratuitous wink with the words, "I guess it's a good investment for
you, eh? Madden and Hasbrook