“If I’d only known it, colonel,” drawled Mr. Sprague, “I’d have left the job for you.  Weally, it would have saved me a good deal of trouble.  But I think the reverend doctor here is entitled to the thanks of the company.  I never knew exactly what the sword of the Lord and of Gideon was before, but I see it means a good, stout stick.”

“I was speaking figuratively, my young friend,” said the missionary “I am not sure but I have acted unprofessionally, but when I saw those men of violence despoiling us, I felt the natural man rise within me, and I smote him hip and thigh.”

“I thought you hit him on the arm, doctor,” said Mr. Sprague.

“Again I spoke figuratively, my young friend.  I cannot say I regret yielding to the impulse that moved me.  I feel that I have helped to foil the plans of the wicked.”

“Doctor,” said one of the miners, “you’ve true grit.  When you preach at the Black Hills, count me and my friends among the listeners.  We’re all willing to help along your new church, for you’re one of the right sort.”

“My friends, I will gladly accept your kind proposal, but I trust it will not be solely because I have used this arm of flesh in your defense.  Mr. Sprague and I have but acted as humble instruments in the hands of a Higher Power.”

“Well, gentlemen,” said Colonel Braddon, “I think we may as well get into the stage again and resume our journey.”

“What shall I do with this revolver?” asked Luke, indicating the one he had picked up.

“Keep it,” said the colonel.  “You’ll make better use of it than the rascal who lost it.”

“I’ve got an extra one here,” said Mortimer Sprague, raising the one on which he had put his foot.  “I don’t need it myself, so I will offer it to the reverend doctor.”

The missionary shook his head.

“I should not know how to use it,” he said, “nor indeed am I sure that I should feel justified in doing so.”

“May I have it, sir?” asked one of the miners.

“Certainly, if you want it,” said Mr. Sprague.

“I couldn’t afford to buy one; but I see that I shall need one out here.”

In five minutes the stage was again on its way, and no further adventures were met with.  About the middle of the next day the party arrived at Deadwood.

CHAPTER XXXIV

FENTON’S GULCH

Deadwood, at the time of Luke’s arrival, looked more like a mining camp than a town.  The first settlers had neither the time nor the money to build elaborate dwellings.  Anything, however rough, that would provide a shelter, was deemed sufficient.  Luxury was not dreamed of, and even ordinary comforts were only partially supplied.  Luke put up at a rude hotel, and the next morning began to make inquiries for Mr. Harding.  He ascertained that the person of whom he was in search had arrived not many weeks previous, accompanied by his sister.  The latter, however, soon concluded that Deadwood was no suitable residence for ladies, and had returned to her former home, or some place near by.  Mr. Harding remained, with a view of trying his luck at the mines.