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you fired that shot to bring me back？〃 said the Old Man； gratefully。
In the awkward silence that followed； the hands of the two brothers
sought and grasped each other； penitently。 〃Yes；〃 interposed the
Judge； with delicate tact； 〃ye see the Right and Left Bower almost
quarreled to see which should be the first to fire for ye。 I
disremember which did〃〃I never touched the trigger；〃 said the Left
Bower； hastily。 With a hurried backward kick； the Judge resumed；
〃It went off sorter spontaneous。〃
The difference in the sentiment of the procession that once more
issued from the Lone Star cabin did not fail to show itself in each
individual partner according to his temperament。 The subtle tact
of Union Mills； however； in expressing an awakened respect for
their fortunate partner by addressing him； as if unconsciously； as
〃Mr。 Ford〃 was at first discomposing； but even this was forgotten
in their breathless excitement as they neared the base of the
mountain。 When they had crossed the creek the Right Bower stopped
reflectively。
〃You say you heard the slide come down before you left the cabin？〃
he said； turning to the Old Man。
〃Yes； but I did not know then what it was。 It was about an hour
and a half after you left；〃 was the reply。
〃Then look here； boys；〃 continued the Right Bower with superstitious
exultation； 〃it was the SLIDE that tumbled into the creek； overflowed
it； and helped US clear out the race！〃
It seemed so clear that Providence had taken the partners of the
Lone Star directly in hand that they faced the toilsome ascent of
the mountain with the assurance of conquerors。 They paused only on
the summit to allow the Old Man to lead the way to the slope that
held their treasure。 He advanced cautiously to the edge of the
crumbling cliff； stopped； looked bewildered； advanced again； and
then remained white and immovable。 In an instant the Right Bower
was at his side。
〃Is anything the matter？ Don'tdon't look so； Old Man； for God's
sake！〃
The Old Man pointed to the dull； smooth； black side of the
mountain； without a crag； break； or protuberance； and said with
ashen lips：
〃It's gone！〃
。 。 。 。 。 。
And it was gone！ A SECOND slide had taken place； stripping the
flank of the mountain； and burying the treasure and the weak
implement that had marked its side deep under a chaos of rock and
debris at its base。
〃Thank God！〃 The blank faces of his companions turned quickly to
the Right Bower。 〃Thank God！〃 he repeated； with his arm round the
neck of the Old Man。 〃Had he stayed behind he would have been
buried too。〃 He paused； and； pointing solemnly to the depths
below； said； 〃And thank God for showing us where we may yet labor
for it in hope and patience like honest men。〃
The men silently bowed their heads and slowly descended the
mountain。 But when they had reached the plain one of them called
out to the others to watch a star that seemed to be rising and
moving towards them over the hushed and sleeping valley。
〃It's only the stage coach； boys；〃 said the Left Bower； smiling；
〃the coach that was to take us away。〃
In the security of their new…found fraternity they resolved to wait
and see it pass。 As it swept by with flash of light； beat of
hoofs； and jingle of harness； the only real presence in the dreamy
landscape； the driver shouted a hoarse greeting to the phantom
partners； audible only to the Judge； who was nearest the vehicle。
〃Did you hearDID you hear what he said； boys？〃 he gasped； turning
to his companions。 〃No！ Shake hands all round； boys！ God bless
you all； boys！ To think we didn't know it all this while！〃
〃Know what？〃
〃Merry Christmas！〃
End