Just as the party of mounted men were about to ride away from the hotel, under the leadership of Landlord Larry, a shout was heard down the valley, and then came the cry from a score of men: "There comes Doctor Dick!" With an exclamation of pleasure Landlord Larry put spurs to his horse and dashed forward to meet the doctor, who warmly grasped his hand as the two met and called out: "What is it, Landlord Larry?" "Read this paper from Dave Dockery, who even now may be dead. We are going to his aid." "And I will go with you." "But your horse is worn out, Doc, and you look tired after your long trail." "Don't mind me, for I will mount a fresh horse and follow," and Doctor Dick rode rapidly toward his own cabin. The eyes of the miners followed the doctor as though all depended upon him. They had come to almost revere this handsome, stern, mysterious man who had come to dwell among them, yet seemed so well fitted to adorn a far different life. His life was as a sealed book to them, yet his skill as physician and surgeon was great, his generosity unbounded, and his nerve and daring far above those whom he had been forced to meet in deadly encounter. He had made his home in a snugly built cabin under the shelter of a cliff within easy walk of the hotel, where he took his meals. He had fitted his frontier home with an extravagance and comfort that was surprising, and had in a cabin near several as fine horses as could be found among the mining-camps, with a Chinese servant to look after them and his wants. The doctor hastily dismounted, called to the Chinaman to throw his saddle upon another horse and look after the pack-animal, entered the cabin for a few moments, and before Landlord Larry and his party were a couple of miles away was in rapid pursuit. He did not spare his horse, and overtaking the crowd of half a hundred miner-horsemen, he was greeted with a cheer, which he acknowledged by gracefully raising his sombrero. Riding to the front of the column he took his place by the side of Landlord Larry, and set a faster pace than that at which they had been going. "You say that Dave Dockery was able to write a note, landlord?" "Yes, I handed it to you to-day." "I thrust it into my pocket unread," and Doctor Dick now glanced over the note as he rode along. "I fear he is too far gone, Larry, for if he had been able he would have come into the camp. I will ride still faster, for every moment counts with a badly wounded man, and you see I am mounted on my racer." "Push on, do, Doc, and I'll follow with the men as fast as I can," cried the landlord. With a word to Racer, the horse was off like an arrow, and fairly flew up and down hill along the rugged trail to reach the scene of the tragedy and lend aid to the wounded driver.