There was nothing more he could do to relieve the sufferer, and after cautioning him to remain quiet, Walter set about putting up some kind of a shelter against the elements.

A “lean-to " of brush was soon erected, and in one corner the boy made a bed of fir boughs, upon which he placed the sufferer, who, after the first attempt, made no effort to speak.

Walter divided with the Indian his store of bread and cheese, and had the satisfaction of seeing the latter eat heartily.

“I reckon you’re all right if you can get away with as much food as a well person, and it’s time I did something toward laying in a stock of provisions.  Will you stay here while I go after game?  There are partridges enough, even though deer should be shy.”

“I wait,” the Indian said, with a sigh as of relief; and the boy, gun in hand, plunged into the thicket.

The result of this first hunting excursion was half a dozen plump birds, and Walter had seen such signs as told he would have but little difficulty in bagging a deer on the following morning.

During the remainder of the day Walter acted as nurse and cook; but never once did the Indian speak.

Next morning, before the sun appeared, he was out to replenish the larder, returning with the hind-quarters of a deer and, when a plentiful supply of steaks from these had been broiled over the coals, the Indian ate like one in perfect health.

“You’ll do now, I reckon.  It doesn’t stand to reason that you feel like moving around very much, therefore, you shall stay here while I go to work.”

Then he set about making the foundations for a mill that might never be completed, and when it was so dark that he could no longer see to work, he felt satisfied with the progress made.

The Indian had cooked supper, and the boy showed that he appreciated the culinary efforts, rude though they were.

“You know Jim Albert?”

This question was asked when an hour had been spent in almost perfect silence by the occupants of the lean-to, and the boy was startled both, by the name and the voice.

“Yes; I know him,” Walter replied, grimly, thinking of the part played in his capture by the half-breed.

“Big rascal!”

“You’re right.  I know it isn’t just the thing to give way to revengeful thoughts, but some day that scoundrel shall answer to me for what has been done.  If he and Sam Haines had remained where they belonged, I wouldn’t be here hiding as if I really was a thief.”

The Indian did not continue the conversation, although Walter gave him every encouragement, and at an early hour the tired boy sought the repose to be found in slumber.

When he set out for work next morning the Indian accompanied him, and during the day laboured faithfully hewing trees, or gathering rocks which were to form the foundation of the proposed mill.

“I didn’t fancy having an Indian for a companion at first, but it begins to look as if finding him under that tree would be a fortunate thing for me.  We are getting this place into shape very fast, and when it is possible for me to raise the money, it won’t be necessary to spend very much time making ready for the more serious portion of the work.”