“Speak,” replied the engineer, “but, first, let me ask you a question?” At these words the Unknown colored and drew back. Smith saw what was passing in the mind of the culprit, who feared, doubtless, that the engineer would question him upon his past. Smith took him by the hand. “Comrade,” said he, “we are not only companions, we are friends. I wanted to say this to you first, now I will listen.” The Unknown covered his eyes with his hand; a sort of tremor seized him, and for some moments he was unable to articulate a word. “Sir,” said he, at length, “I came to implore a favor from you.” “What is it?” “You have, four or five miles from here, at the foot of the mountain, a corral for your animals. These require looking after. Will you permit me to live over there with them?” Smith regarded the unhappy man for some time, with deep commiseration. Then:— “My friend,” said he, “the corral has nothing but sheds, only fit for the animals—” “It will be good enough, for me, sir.” “My friend,” replied Smith, “we will never thwart you in anything. If you wish to live in the corral, you may; nevertheless, you will always be welcome at Granite House. But since you desire to stay at the corral, we will do what is necessary to make you comfortable.” “Never mind about that, I will get along well enough.” “My friend,” responded Smith, who persisted in the use of this cordial title, “you must let us be the judges in that matter.” The Unknown thanked the engineer and went away. And Smith, having told his companions of the proposition that had been made, they decided to build a log house at the corral, and to make it as comfortable as possible. The same day the colonists went, with the necessary tools, to the place, and before the week was out the house was ready for its guest. It was built twenty feet from the sheds, at a place where the herd of moufflons, now numbering twenty-four animals, could be easily overlooked. Some furniture, including a bed, table, bench, clothes-press, and chest was made, and some arms, ammunition, and tools, were carried there. The Unknown, meanwhile, had not seen his new home, letting the colonists work without him, while he remained at the plateau, wishing, doubtless, to finish up his work there. And, indeed, by his exertion the ground was completely tilled, and ready for the sowing when the time should arrive. On the 20th everything was prepared at the corral, aid the engineer told the Unknown that his house was ready for him, to which the other replied that he would sleep there that night. The same evening, the colonists were all together in the great hall of Granite House. It was 8 o’clock, the time of their companion’s departure; and not wishing by their presence to impose on him the leave-taking, which would, perhaps, have cost him an effort, they had left him alone and gone up into Granite House.