A glad bark from Tige was the first announcement the sick young man had of the return of his queer friend.
"Tired waiting?" queried Shanks, as he burst through the bushes and confronted the engineer.
"Very tired," moaned the feverish lips.
Then August put his head upon his hand and regarded the peddler with a look of anxious inquiry.
"Did you bring a horse?"
"No, I didn't," answered the peddler abruptly.
"Then you have deceived me," and the sick youth sank back with a groan.
"Nothing of the kind," answered Shanks. "I've learned some tremendous news since I went from here this morning."
"News?"
"Yes. Twon't be safe for you to go back to the city."