Oscar did not fail to see it all, for Tom’s thoughts could be easily interpreted by the expression of his face. “I don’t gamble, you know, and neither am I given to drink,” continued Oscar. “Do you mean to say that I am?” demanded Tom, once more pausing in his walk. “I do, for your face says so. No one ever saw a total abstainer with such eyes and such cheeks as you are carrying about with you to-day. Now, Tom, it may be to your interest to tell me all about yourself. I arrived at the fort no longer ago than yesterday morning, but I have already started one disgusted runaway on the road toward home, and I am able to help you.” These words removed a heavy load of anxiety from Tom’s mind. His brother was willing to help him. He was very impatient to know how much help—in other words, how much money—Oscar would be likely to give him; but, for the moment, his curiosity overcame his greediness. He wanted to hear all about that runaway. CHAPTER IX. TOM’S STORY. “What was that runaway’s name?” asked Tom. “Was he from Eaton?” “He was, and his name was Leon Parker,” replied Oscar. “He wasn’t satisfied with as comfortable a home and as kind a father and mother as any boy ever had, so he ran away and came out here to be a hunter.” “Well, of all the born idiots I ever heard of, he is the beat!” exclaimed Tom, who could hardly believe his ears. “That’s my opinion exactly. If he could see you now, or if he could have seen the miserable being I met while I was riding through the sage-brush a little while ago, he would be——” “While you were riding through the sage-brush!” interrupted Tom. “Did you come that way?” “Yes; I came directly from the post, and on the road I nearly ran over the meanest specimen of humanity my eyes ever rested upon. I tell you, I wouldn’t like to meet him on a dark night, if I had anything about me that was worth stealing.” “Oh, he isn’t as bad as he looks,” said Tom. “How do you know he isn’t?” asked Oscar, who was greatly amazed. “It isn’t possible that you are acquainted with him?” “Yes, it is possible,” replied Tom, turning away his head so that his brother might not see the hot blush of shame that momentarily overspread his features. “I know him, and, more than that, he is my partner. I am getting ready to start out with him.” “Worse and worse,” said Oscar, who was utterly confounded. “Why, Tom, what in the world is going to become of you?” “No preaching now!” was the angry rejoinder. “I had to put up with it from mother while I was at home, but I am not obliged to submit to it now, and I won’t, either! If you want to talk business, go ahead; but if you want to preach, wait until some other time.” The words he had in his mind were: “If you want to preach, clear out, and leave me as you found me.” But he recollected himself in time, and did not utter them.