It must 'a' been somethin' powerful strong to make you do it, John." It was as close to a question as the miner dared come, although he was avid with curiosity, and, like the entire town, was in a fret to know what lay back of this midnight encounter, concerning which the most exaggerated rumors were rife.

These stories grew the more grotesque and ridiculous the longer the truth remained hidden, for Stark could not be seen, and neither Gale nor Burrell would speak.

All that the people knew was that one lay wounded to death behind the dumb walls of his cabin, and that the other had brought him down.

When the old man vouchsafed no more than a nod to his question, the prospector inquired: "Where's Poleon?
I've got news for him from the creek." "I don't know; he's gone." "Back soon ?" "I don't know.

Why ?" "His laymen have give up.