Seeing I had none, he was perhaps afraid to share any he had left with me." Thirlwell shook his head.

"I haven't met a prospector who would let a white man starve; they're a rough but generous lot.

In fact, the only man I know who's capable of the thing is Driscoll." Father Lucien did not answer and presently lay down, but Thirlwell sat for a time, thinking while he dried his moccasins.

The missionary was something of an idealist, although he knew the weaknesses of human nature, but Thirlwell was practical.

Somehow he had got entangled in the complications that sprang from Strange's supposititious discovery of the ore, but he did not want to break loose.