"
Upon this, Luke advanced into the cabin.
"Is this Mr. James Harding?" he asked.
The sick man turned his head, and his glance rested with
surprise upon the boy of sixteen who addressed him.
"Have I seen you before?" he asked.
"No, sir. I have only just arrived at the Gulch. You are
Mr. Harding?"
"Yes, that is my name; but how did you know it?"
"I am here in search of you, Mr. Harding."
"How is that?" asked the sick man, quickly. "Is my sister sick?"
"Not that I know of. I come from Mr. Armstrong, in New York."
"You come from Mr. Armstrong?" repeated the sick man, in
evident surprise. "Have you any message for me from him?"
"Yes, but that can wait. I am sorry to find you sick. I hope
that it is nothing serious."
"It would not be serious if I were in a settlement where I
could obtain a good doctor and proper medicines. Everything is
serious here. I have no care or attention, and no medicines."
"Do you feel able to get away from here? It would be better
for you to be at Deadwood than here."
"If I had anyone to go with me, I might venture to start for Deadwood."
"I am at your service, Mr. Harding.
Pages:
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219