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you been so fickle and so rash? I sent you a letter and a ring. It was my great-great-grandmother's ring, and a hereditary talisman. The messenger was one Harry Hankins, a borderer and scout, who was going to Oregon City. No, Jean; I did not marry Le-Le, but I did secure her ransom, and I should before now have been on my way to you, but was awaiting your letter. Good-bye, and may God guard and keep you! Think of me as your heartbroken friend and lover."

"I never received one single word from him," said Jean;" and I never saw or heard of Harry Hankins."

"Oh, yes, you did, Jean. He is none other than your father's partner."

"How can I reach Mr. Ashleigh with a letter? It must be sent at once."

"That will be impossible, Jean; there will be no courier going out for a month yet. But we will take a letter to Portland, and leave it in care of Wahnetta. She will see that it is forwarded at the first opportunity."

Busily the work went forward. But Happy Jack was nowhere to be seen, and the brothers were compelled to take their departure without making the business settlement with him which they so much desired.

"Never mind! We'll freeze him out, or scare him out, if he shows up here again," said the Captain, as he and his brother turned their faces Portland-ward.