“Yes; and I’ve seen salmon and sturgeon struggling up the Columbia, so thick in the current that they looked like Illinois saw-logs. I think I know how Moses felt when he had “‘Climbed to Pisgah’s top, And viewed the landscape o’er.’” “Wait till we reach the Ranch of the Whispering Firs. Then you will see something worthy of all your rhapsodies. There!” cried the Captain, as they sighted the broad and slightly sloping plateau on which his new log house was built. In front of it stood a towering fir-tree, like an ever-vigilant sentinel; and behind it rose gigantic colonnades of evergreen forests. Foaming waters surged and leaped through a ragged gulch; and tangled thickets of hazel, alder, dogwood, and elder crowded the luxurious growth of ferns that struggled for the mastery. “There!” he repeated, “what do you think now?” “That I’d like to transport the entire family of Rangers, root and branch, to the Ranch of the Whispering Firs. Suppose we take your old sawmill off Lije’s hands and remove the whole thing to Oregon, John? It would be a good way to relieve him of his elephant.” “The machinery is old and old-fashioned, Joe. We’d better buy everything new, and the best of its kind.” “I was merely thinking of relieving Lije; that’s all.” As they made the last turn leading to the house, they were accosted impatiently by the Captain’s junior partner. “At this rate, you won’t git started to the States afore Christmas, Cap’n.” “This is my brother Joseph, Mr. Jackman. And this, Joseph, is my partner, Mr. Jackman.” The two men glared at each other for a moment in silence. Jackman was the first to speak,— “Well, I’m dummed!” “How came you to be known as Jackman? You posed as Hankins in Utah.” “An’ you was Joe Addicks, pard. Better not tell tales out o’ school. That’s a game two can play at.” “There are no tales to tell on my part. I am masquerading no more. Can you say as much?” “I’m just a-beginnin’, as it were.” “How in the name of Fate did you come across that chap, John?” asked Joseph, as they alighted from the buggy. “He has taken a donation claim on the mountain-side which includes the water-power for our mill site. At least, he says it does. Burns and I haven’t had time to survey it yet.” “Better go slow with that fellow, John.” “What do you know about him, Joe?” “Nothing; only he’s been a noted crook and jail-breaker.” “Jean is to be our book-keeper. She’s been disappointed over that Green River affair. Do you know what became of Ashleigh?” “I left him at my station in charge of my business. He’s as honest as the day. But, by the way, why didn’t Jean answer the letter he sent out in care of your Happy Jack?” “She received no letter. But what about Le-Le? Did he marry her?” “Did Ashleigh marry Le-Le? What a question! Who said he did?” “Jackman.” “Jean must know of all this. Will you break it to her, Joe?” * * * * *