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Perault drank, and, after a few moments, began his tale. "I can' spik much, me," he said, "when I tink how dat beeg feller pack me on hees back twenty mile, I fin' bad pain here," striking his breast, "and den I can' spik at all." And again the little Frenchman's voice broke down in sobs. "Take time, Perault," said Sinclair gravely. "We want to know all about it.
Low, deep oaths were heard on every side, while Perault, still weak and nervous from his recent terrible experience, was sobbing audibly. "I had plenty of grub," continued The Kid. "I did my best for them and helped them home. That is all I have to say." A deep silence fell upon the group of men. "Now, Perault," said Sinclair, "tell us your story."
"Carroll, this thing is too serious for any bluffing, and we are going to see it through. It is fair that you should know why we ask. Let me give you the facts we have found out." Sinclair gave a brief resume of the story as gathered from Stanton and Perault. As Carroll listened his face grew white with fury.
"Ma pauvre enfant!" she exclaimed, running to Marion as she entered and putting her arms about her. "Josie," warned Perault gruffly, "shut up you. You go for mak fool of yousef." But Josie paid no attention to her husband and continued petting the girl. "Josie," cried Marion, fixing her eyes upon the Frenchwoman's kindly face, "tell me, is my father badly hurt?
"Blank yer impudence," roared Carroll, "to be sittin' there laughin' in me face at the loss av me property. It's no better than a pack of thieves ye are." "Tieves!" answered Perault, in quick anger. "Dere's one beeg, black, hairy tief not far 'way dat's got hees money for dat pony two three tam overe."
Every day, every day he's pass on de trial, over de hill, down de coulee, all over." "He does, eh?" said Father Mike, delighted at the description of his friend. "What is he after? Coal?" "Coal!" echoed Perault with contempt. "Not mouche. He's go for find de peep. He's dig 'em up on de church, by gar." "You see, Doctor," said Father Mike, "no one has any chance here with your fellow.
"But why is father coming back then?" asked the girl anxiously. "Mais oui! Bah! Dat leele fool pony got hisself dron on de Black Dog, an' all hees stuff, so de ole boss he mus' come back for more pony an' more stuff." "When will they be here, Perault?" asked the girl quietly. "Ver' soon. One two hour. But," said Perault with some hesitation, "de ole boss better go on bed leele spell, mebbe."
And the result seemed to justify Ike's opinion, for from the day that the doctor fixed the time for the Old Prospector's departure the fever abated, his philosophic calm returned, he became daily stronger and daily more cheerful and courageous, and though he was troubled still with a cough he departed one bright day, with Perault, in high spirits.
She unhitched her horse, rolled up her picket rope, and stood waiting with disturbed face. As the rider drew near she called, "Perault! Ho, Perault!" "Hola!" exclaimed Perault, a wizened, tough-looking little Frenchman, pulling up his pony with a jerk "Bo jou, Mam'selle," he added, taking off his hat. Perault's manner is reassuring, indeed quite gay. "What is it, Perault? Why are you come back?
But before he had taken many steps he returned, saying, "Come on wit me! I feex up your head." And without further words Shock and Perault passed into the Stopping Place. The men looked at each other in silence for a time, then the cowboy said with unusual emphasis, "Boys, he's white! He's blanked white!"
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