of despondency. While he could not do the things
that Dick did, he was improving, and he never lamented his lack
of strength. It seemed to him a matter of course, so far as Dick
could judge, that in due time he should be the equal of the older
and bigger boy in muscle and skill.

Albert, moreover, had no regrets for the world without. Their
life with the wagon train had been far from pleasant, and he had
only Dick, and Dick had only him. Now the life in the enchanted
valley, which was a real valley of enchantments, was sufficient
for him. Each day brought forth some new wonder, some fresh and
interesting detail. He was a capable fisherman, and he caught
trout in both the brook and the river, while the lake yielded to
his line other and larger fish, the names of which neither boy
knew, but which proved to be of delicate flavor when broiled over
the coals. Just above them was a boiling hot spring, and Albert
used the water from this for cooking purposes. "Hot and cold
water whenever you please," he said to Dick. "Nothing to do but
to turn the tap."

Dick smiled; he, too, was happy. He enjoyed life in the
enchanted valley, where everything seemed to have conspired in
their favor. When they had been there about a week, and their
home was ready for any emergency, Dick took his gun and went
forth, the hunting spirit strong within him. They had heard the
elk whistling on the mountain side nearly every day, and he
believed that elk meat would prove tender and good. Anyway he
would see.

Dick did not feel much concern about their food supply. He
believed that vast quantities of big game would come into this
valley in the winter to seek protection from the mighty snows of
the northern Rockies, but it was just as well to begin the task
of filling the larder.

He came out into the main valley and turned toward the lake.
Autumn was now well advanced, but in the cool sunshine the lake
seemed more beautiful than ever. Its waters were golden to-day,
but with a silver tint at the edges where the pine-clad banks
overhung it. Dick did not linger, however. He turned away
toward the slopes, whence the whistling call had come the
oftenest, and was soon among the pines and cedars. He searched
here an hour or more, and at last he found two feeding, a male
and a female.

Dick had the instinct of the hunter, and already he had acquired
great skill. Creeping through the undergrowth, he came within easy
shot of the anim