not afford to run in debt, and therefore he gave the men their discharge. They came into his cabin presently, where he sat with his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands, the picture of discouragement and their spokesman said:
"Mr. Sterling, when Tim was down a week with his fall you kept him on half wages and it was a mighty help to his
A PARTING BLAST OFFERED.
family; whenever any of us was in trouble you've done what you could to help us out; you've acted fair and square with us every time, and I reckon we are men and know a man when we see him. We haven't got any faith in that hill, but we have a respect for a man that's got the pluck that you've showed; youv'e fought a good fight, with everybody agin you and if we had grub to go on, I'm d—d if we wouldn't stand by you till the cows come home! That is what the boys say. Now we want to put in one parting blast for luck. We want to work three days more; if we don't find anything, we won't bring in no bill against you. That is what we've come to say."
Philip was touched. If he had had money enough to buy three days' "grub" he would have accepted the generous offer,
