“Well, I must have lain there for a long time unconscious; for when I went down the sun was still shining, and when I came to all was dark.” “And you were not hurt?” “Indeed I was. My left ankle was broken, and something was wrong in my chest, not to say anything of the scratches I received, which covered my face and hands with blood.” “And how did you escape?” “It is a long story. When I regained consciousness, I could not walk; and it was hard work to crawl to the water to get a drink and bathe my ankle. I tried to call out; but the pain was too great in my chest.” “And you were all alone?” “Yes; and for three days. The pain was something terrible; and that, added to the loneliness of my position, gave me a fever, and I lost my mind.” “And who rescued you?” “A hunter named Thompson, and two others. They told me two weeks after, when I was recovering, that they had found me delirious near their camp, and had taken me in and sent off for a doctor. They could not find out who I was, and had done the best they could for me.” “And then you came on?” “Yes, after writing you a letter”―― “I never received it,” I put in quickly. “So I heard at the Bend this morning. Oh, my son, I cannot tell you how glad I am to be back with you once more!” “And I am glad, too, father,” I replied. “I trust we may never be separated again.” We shook hands warmly, and a moment later my uncle appeared. He was greatly astonished, but glad indeed to know that my father had had such a marvelous escape. Then Mr. Markham and Judge Green arrived, and all the stories were told over again. Later on my father went down to see Norton Bixby. I do not know what took place at the interview, but I think it must have done Bixby much good, for ever after that he seemed a better man. When court was called, Norton Bixby and Yates were bound over to await the action of the grand jury. As soon as this was done my uncle invited us all to dine at the hotel at his expense, and among the party were Mr. Markham and Ford. The latter nearly wrung my father’s hand off when they met. After we had satisfied the inner man, my uncle unfolded his plans to my father. Mr. Markham became interested, and as a consequence, the original plan was much enlarged. My father agreed to sell off his mill property as soon as it could be done, and then the three were to purchase a large tract of land, and form a company for the purpose of raising cattle. I may as well add that Ford was promised a job as soon as all arrangements could be made. The dinner mentioned above took place just six years ago. During the intervening time great changes have taken place. Norton Bixby and Yates were both sent to prison, the former for two and the latter for eight years. During that time Yates tried to escape, and as a consequence is still behind the bars.