ill I come."

"Where's Mansfield's?"

"That's the store where I found you."

"But I can't wait a great while, Mr. Mason. You know I've got to be
back by to-morrow mornin'; an' I ought to be leavin' now, 'cause it's
pretty near noon."

"Don't worry your head about that, my son. You shall get to camp
before sunrise to-morrow mornin', an' without so very much work on
your part, either. Now go down to Mansfield's, an' wait there till I
come. Mind you don't leave this town till I'm back there."

Mr. Mason hurried away as he ceased speaking; and Dick walked slowly
down the street, debating in his mind whether he must obey this order.

CHAPTER V.

DICK "PULLS THROUGH."

When Dick had retraced his steps to Mansfield's he found no less than
ten of the citizens there, several of whom he had already met; and all
were evidently eager to talk with the boy who had walked across Smoke
Creek Desert.

There were but few in that section of the country who would have dared
to make the venture, although it was by no means a dangerous or
difficult journey for a horseman; and Dick's bravery, in connection
with all the circumstances, pleased the citizens of Antelope Spring
wonderfully well.

The package Dick carried told that he had been successful in finding a
physician, and Mr. Mansfield was curious to learn how much the medical
gentleman had charged for his services.

"He wouldn't take a cent," Dick said in reply to the question. "It
seems to me the folks in this town are mighty good."

"I don't reckon we'll ever be hung for our goodness," the proprietor of
the shop said with a grin; "but it is considerable of a treat to see a
kid with so much sand as you've shown. Dr. Manter knew which side his
bread was buttered on when he wouldn't take your money; an' if your
father don't get better with what you're takin' to him, you can count on
Manter seein' the thing through. You've got quite a load, my son."

"Yes; an' I'm countin' on carryin' more, if you'll take money for what
I buy. I don't want to set myself up for a beggar, 'cause I've got the
stuff to pay for everything."

"What do you want?"

"About ten pounds of flour, and the same weight in bacon or salt pork,
with a little pepper and salt, will be as much as I can carry."

"It's a good deal more'n I'd want to tote forty-five miles 'twixt now
and sunset," one of the visitors remarked; and Dick replied cheerily,--

"It wouldn't seem very heavy if you was carryi