at wanst. Here we emigrate westward by the next
express."

The man quietly took control of the situation, and in a few moments the
Captain's commands were being carried out with the precision of a
military camp.

Bertha, alarmed by Humiston's letter, refused to go down to the public
dining-room. A fear that she might encounter the painter possessed her,
and the thought of him was at once a shame and torment; therefore, she
had her luncheon sent up, and Lucius himself found time to wait upon
them.

As they were in the midst of their meal, Haney remarked rather than
asked: "Of course, you're going back with us, Lucius."

"I have thought of it, sir, but it isn't in our contract."

"We can put it in," said Bertha.

"We can't do without you now," added Mart.

Lucius seemed pleased. "Thank you for that, Captain. I don't
particularly care for the West, but I find service with you agreeable."

Haney chuckled. "Service, do ye call it? Sure, man, 'tis you are in
command. I'm but a high private in the rear rank."

Lucius's yellow face flushed and his eyes wavered. "I hope I haven't
assumed--"

"Assumed! No, 'tis we who are obligated. We need you as bad as a
plainsman needs a guide in the green timber; and if you don't mind a
steady job of looking after us social tenderfeet, I'm willing to make it
right with you--and Mrs. Haney feels just the way I do."

"Sure, Mart--only trouble with Lucius is, he leaves so little for me to
do. He's _too_ handy--if anything."

"That'll wear off," replied Haney. "Well, then, it's all settled but the
price, and I reckon we can fix that. If I can't pay cash, I'll let you
in on the mine."

Lucius smiled. "Thank you, Captain; it's not entirely a question of pay
with me; my wants are few."

Bertha seized the moment to put a question she had been minded many
times to ask. "Lucius, what's your plan? You can't intend to do this all
your life? Tell us your ambition--maybe we can help you."

He looked away, and a deeper shadow fell over his face. "I had ambitions
once, Mrs. Haney, but my color was against me. Yes, I think I'll stay as
I am. There is a certain security in being valet. You white people know
exactly where to find me, and I know just how to meet you. In my
profession it was different--I was always being cursed for presumption."

"What was your profession?" asked Haney.

"I studied law--and practised for a year or two in Washington; but I
didn't like my position; I was neith