Perhaps--he had spoken of some "silvery rock" the night before--he even knew something of the lode itself.

He turned upon him with an aggressive face.

But Collinson's next words dissipated the thought.
"I'm glad I found ye, anyhow," he said.

"Ye see, arter you left, I saw ye turn off the trail and make for the burning woods instead o' goin' round.

I sez to myself, 'That fellow is making straight for Skinner's.
He's sorter worried about me and that empty pork bar'l,'-- I hadn't oughter spoke that away afore you boys, anyhow,--'and he's takin' risks to help me.' So I reckoned I'd throw my leg over Jenny here, and look arter ye--and go over to Skinner's myself--and vote." "Certainly," said Key with cheerful alacrity, and the one thought of getting Collinson away; "we'll go together, and we'll see that that pork barrel is filled!" He glowed quite honestly with this sudden idea of remembering Collinson through his good fortune.