I oughter have knowed it from Uncle Dick's talk!" They rode for some moments in silence; Key preoccupied and feverish, and eager only to reach Skinner's.

Skinner was not only postmaster but "registrar" of the district, and the new discoverer did not feel entirely safe until he had put his formal notification and claims "on record." This was no publication of his actual secret, nor any indication of success, but was only a record that would in all probability remain unnoticed and unchallenged amidst the many other hopeful dreams of sanguine prospectors.

But he was suddenly startled from his preoccupation.
"Ye said ye war straightenin' up yer pack just now," said Collinson slowly.
"Yes!" said Key almost angrily, "and I was." "Ye didn't stop to straighten it up down at the forks of the trail, did ye ?" "I may have," said Key nervously.

"But why ?" "Ye won't mind my axin' ye another question, will ye?
Ye ain't carryin' round with ye no woman's shoe ?" Key felt the blood drop from his cheeks.

"What do you mean ?" he stammered, scarcely daring to lift his conscious eyelids to his companion's glance.