"I've gone over it all again an' again.

Williams at the bank is the only man I know who had the money, an' he's done for now by this robbery.

You see I can't go to strangers, Dad; I ain't got nothin' left for security." "But, could you not sell the sheep for enough to save the homestead ?" "Who could buy?
or who would buy, if they could, in this country, without a bit of feed?
And then look at 'em, they're so poor an' weak, now, they couldn't stand the drivin' to the shippin' place.
They'd die all along the road.

They're just skin an' bones, Dad; ain't no butcher would pay freight on 'em, even." Mr.Howitt sat with knitted brow, staring into the shadows.

Then he said slowly, "There is that old mine.