the faint whisper, which was all the poor man had strength to
utter.

Just then, ere he could reply, the clatter of hoofs was heard, and a
bronzed, stalwart horseman was seen through the doorless entrance of the
hut, approaching at a brisk trot. Both horse and man were of immense
size, and they came on with that swinging, heavy tread, which gives the
impression of irresistible weight and power. The rider drew up
suddenly, and, leaping off his horse, cried, "Can I have a draught of
water, my good woman?" as he fastened the bridle to a tree, and strode
into the hut.

Kate rose hurriedly, and held up her finger to impose silence, as she
handed the stranger a can of water. But he had scarcely swallowed a
mouthful when his eye fell on the sick man. Going gently forward to the
couch, he sat down beside it, and, taking the invalid's wrist, felt his
pulse.

"Is he your husband?" inquired the stranger, in a subdued voice.

"No, sir,--my brother."

"Does he like to have the Bible read to him?"

"Sometimes; but before his voice failed he was always cryin' out for the
priest. He's a Catholic, sir, though I'm not wan meself and thinks he
can't be saved unless he sees the priest."

The stranger took up the Bible, and, turning towards the man, whose
bright eyes were fixed earnestly upon him, read, in a low impressive
voice, several of those passages in which a free salvation to the chief
of sinners is offered through Jesus Christ. He did not utter a word of
comment; but he read with deep solemnity, and paused ever and anon to
look in the face of the sick man as he read the blessed words of
comfort. The man was not in a state either to listen to arguments or to
answer questions, so the stranger wisely avoided both, and gently
quitted the hut after offering up a brief prayer, and repeating twice
the words--

"Jesus says, `Him that cometh to _Me_, I will in no wise cast out.'"

Kate followed him out, and thanked him earnestly for his kindness, while
tears stood in her eyes.

"Have you no friends or relations here but him!" inquired the stranger.

"Not wan. There was wan man as came to see us often when we stayed in a
lonesome glen further up the Creek, but we've not seen him since we came
here. More be token he didn't know we were goin' to leave, and we wint
off in a hurry, for my poor brother was impatient, and thought the
change would do him good."

"Take this, you will be the better of it."

The stranger thr