ructed Jim,
as he gave a wide leather belt to the teamster; "then if I happen for
to need both hands, he won't be able to git a fall."

The strap was adjusted about the two in the manner suggested.

"Good scheme," commented Field, and the others agreed that it was.

Then all the rough and awkward big fellows soberly shook the pretty
little pilgrim's hand in its mitten, and said good-bye to the tiny
chap, who was clinging, as always, to his doll.

"What you goin' to do with Tinterretter?" inquired the teamster as he
looked at the pup, while Jim, with an active swing, mounted to the
saddle.

"Take him along," said Jim. "I'll put him in the sack I've got, and
tie him on behind the saddle when he gits too much of runnin' on foot.
He wouldn't like it to be left behind and Skeezucks gone."

"Guess that's kerrect," agreed the teamster. "He's a bully pup, you
bet."

Poor Miss Doc remained inside the gate. Her one mad impulse was to run
to Jim, clasp him and the grave little waif in her arms, and beg to be
taken on the horse. But repression had long been her habit of life.
She smiled, and did not even speak, though the eyes of the fond little
pilgrim were turned upon her in baby affection.

"Well--you'll git there all right," said the blacksmith, voicing the
hope that swelled in his heart. "So long, and let us know how the
little feller makes it with the children."

"By jinks!--so long," said Keno, striving tremendously to keep down his
rising emotions. "So long. I'll stay by the claim."

"And give our love to them three little gals," said Bone. "So long."

One after another they wrung the big, rough hand, and said "So long" in
their easy way.

"Bye, Miss Doc," said Jim, at the last. "Skeezucks--say good-bye--to
Miss Doc--and all the boys. Say good-bye."

The little fellow had heard "good-bye" when the three little caps of
red departed. It came as a word that hurt his tiny heart. But,
obediently, he looked about at all his friends.

"Dood-bye," he said, in baby accents. "Dood-bye."

CHAPTER XX

IN THE TOILS OF THE BLIZZARD

Something was tugged and wrenched mighty hard as Jim rode finally
around the hill, and so out of sight of the meagre little camp he
called his home, but resolution was strong within him. Up and up
through the narrow canon, winding tortuously towards the summit, like
the trail of a most prodigious serpent channelled in the snow, the
horse slowly climbed, with Tintorett