"Far worse! What is the good of all your engineering--of all the machinery, yes, and all the culture of civilization, if not to uplift men and women? May the next generation work for the uplifting of all mankind, both materially and spiritually!" "We might make a try at it ourselves," said Blake. "As for the future, I know it will not be your fault if our member of the next generation fails to do his share of uplift work." The young mother placed her hand on her bosom, and sprang up. "We should be going back, Dear. Thomas will be wakening." CHAPTER XX INDIAN SHOES They returned along the shadowy bottom of the great gorge to the glaring sunshine of the open creek bed, where they had left the rod and level. Blake placed both upon one of his broad shoulders, and gave his wife the unencumbered arm to assist her somewhat hurried pace. As they approached the dike her hasty steps quickened to a run. She darted ahead down to the camp. Thomas Herbert Vincent was vociferating for his dinner. Blake followed at a walk. He was only a father. When he came down to the trees he found Isobel and Ashton alone. The girl's manner was constrained and her color higher than usual. Ashton, comfortably outstretched on a blanket with her saddle for pillow, frowned petulantly at the intruder. But Isobel sprang up and came to meet Blake, unable to conceal her relief. "I was so glad to see Genevieve," she said. "You came back just in time." "How's that?" asked Blake, his eyes twinkling. She blushed, but quickly recovered from her confusion to dimple and cast a teasing glance at Ashton. "Baby woke up," she answered. "You may not know it, but babies cry when they fail to get what they want." "He's getting what he wants--I'm not!" complained Ashton. "I--I must see if Genevieve needs anything," murmured the girl, and she fled to the tent. "I need you!" Ashton called after her without avail. "How're you feeling?" inquired Blake. Ashton's frown deepened to a scowl. "Didn't mean how you feel towards me," added Blake. "I can guess that. My reference was to your head." "I'm all right," snapped Ashton. "Needn't worry. I'm still weak and dizzy, but I shall be quite able to do my work tomorrow." "That's fine," said the engineer, with insistent good humor. "However, if you feel at all shaky in the morning, I can perhaps get Gowan, or maybe Miss Chuckie would like to--" "No!" broke in Ashton. "She shall not! I will do it, I tell you." "Very well," said Blake. He put down the level and rod, but retained the rifle. "Tell the ladies I shall be back before long. I am going to look for something I forgot this morning." Without waiting for the other's reply, he returned up the dike slope and around the bend of the hill to where Ashton had been shot. That for which he was looking was not here, for he at once turned and started up the hill. He climbed direct to the place where the assassin had lain in wait.