“It was brave,” murmured the Woman, whose eyes were misty; “very brave.”

“Now that Ben is going to school regularly,” the other continued, “he will, I think, soon lose this roughness of speech; and you can see that he is anxious to learn, and is ambitious.”

“Yes, indeed; I have found him really unusual.”

“Mr. Jones told us this morning that if his mining ventures turn out well, and they certainly look as if they might, that he will send Ben to college.  He was my husband’s partner at one time, and has always taken a great interest in the boy.”

“I am so glad,” was the response.  “I have felt all along that some way should be found to make such a thing possible.  The child deserves it.  Some day soon, if you will let me come again, we will make some wonderful plans for his future.  But I came to-day to ask you if you will let Ben go on a trip to the Hot Springs with us next week?  I am sure it would do him a lot of good to be in the open air, and perhaps he would enjoy the outing.”

“I should be glad to have him go; as to his enjoyment—­just see what he says.”

Ben listened breathlessly while the Woman told of the prospective outing.  “I am to go with ‘Scotty’ and nine or ten of the racing dogs, and Pete Bernard, with twelve big huskies, is to take my husband.  As Pete will have a sled load of freight for Shelton and the Springs, we thought you had better go with ‘Scotty’ and me; that is, of course, if you would like to make the trip.  I believe that ‘Scotty’ intends driving Baldy, if that is any inducement.”

Ben could hardly reply for excitement and happiness.

“Well then,” and the Woman rose, “it is quite decided that you are to go.  I dare say George and Dan—­and Baldy—­will want to remain a while.  We have talked so much and so fast that I had really forgotten the ‘party’ we came to give you, and it is time for me to leave if I keep another engagement.  If you are able to get out to-morrow, Ben, bring your mother and Mr. Jones over to the Kennel, and we will introduce them to some of our distinguished dog friends.”

Mrs. Edwards and Moose Jones followed her to the door.  The former, with a warm hand-clasp, faltered a few words of thanks; and Moose, with some embarrassment, said in an undertone, “I’m much obliged, ma’am, fer what you and ‘Scotty’’s done fer the kid an’ the dog.  Ben used t’ come t’ my cabin when I was kinda lonely an’ discouraged at Golconda; an’ havin’ him ‘round learnt me that you got t’ have some one that you love, t’ work fer, if you want t’ git the best out o’ things an’ people.  Now Mrs. Edwards says I kin give Ben his eddication, which’ll pay back somethin’ o’ what his father done fer me once when I was considerable down on my luck.  And,” with enthusiasm, “believe me, you kin bet it’ll be some eddication, ef I have my way, an’ them claims pan out the way they look now.”

So potent a cure was the delight of the coming excursion that Ben was over not only the next day with Moose Jones, but every day after, until the time for the departure arrived; for there were many interesting matters to be settled.  The most absorbing was, naturally, the selection of dogs for the journey; and there were long discussions by all concerned before the team was finally chosen.