Hearing footsteps behind him, Ross glanced around. Steele had left the others, and was following on a run. The McKenzies pushed on without looking back, and neither Steele nor Ross spoke. In silence, then, the four approached the spur. But before they reached the dump that silence was most unexpectedly broken. Out of the open mouth of the tunnel rolled a volume of sound, then another and another. Ross in his surprise, his head thrown back as he scanned the dump, nearly fell over a mass of newly mined ore which blocked the main trail. Then he caught a glimpse of Weimer shielding his eyes from the sun with both hands, waiting for the effects of the explosions in the tunnel to subside. And, leaning against the tool house, his hands in his pockets, his head bent forward, was another man, the sight of whom caused a great illumination in Ross's mind. "Weston!" he shouted. "Weston!" The two men on the dump came to the edge, and looked over. The McKenzies on the trail ahead halted. The Grants with the sheep-herder drew nearer. Weimer, squinting, recognized Ross. He took off his cap, and waved it as wildly as a boy. "The vork," he yelled, "ist done! It ist done dese two veeks. Me und Miller here, ve ist vorkin' now joost for de fun!" Weston gave one glance at Sandy and Waymart, and without speaking went back to the tunnel. Ross was after him with a bound, scrambling up over the dump, followed by the others, who were infected by his excitement. He ran to Weston with both hands outstretched. "Weston," he shouted, "you did this!" "Veston!" exclaimed Uncle Jake. "Dot ist Miller. He has been mit me all der spring." "I told him," muttered Weston, extending his hand to Ross, but turning away shamefacedly, "that you two boys had taken my place with my sick pard, while I was to stay by him." Ross pumped the big hand up and down. "Father," he cried excitedly, "he has saved our claims." Weston tried to liberate his hand. He stole a glance at Sandy and Waymart, who had stopped just beyond the dump. "Doc here"--he spoke to the group who surrounded him--"saved me first. I had that little business to pay for, but"--his tone sank to a mutter--"I thought I could pay it and git away to Missoury before Sandy found out what I was up to here----" He was interrupted by Sandy's voice from the trail, and the voice was harsh and vengeful. "Better come over to our shack, Lon. I want a little talk with ye about old man Quinn. He's wantin' t' see ye powerful bad." At the name the sheep-herder, who had been standing stupidly staring at Weston, woke up. "Old man Quinn," he began. "A feller in Cody told me----" but no one was paying any attention to him. Sandy and Waymart moved on slowly toward their cabin, talking and gesticulating excitedly, evidently in disagreement. For the present no one undeceived Weimer in regard to Miller. "He come pack in all dot storm," Weimer exulted, "und mit me vas."