Then Ike Furner approached, looking at Tom closely. But the youth did not seem to recognize him.
"Know me, too, don't you?" asked the old prospector.
"I—I can't say that I do," was the slow answer, and Tom appeared much perplexed. "Seems to me I've seen you somewhere, but I can't just place you."
"Well, I'll be switched!" muttered Ike Furner. "Thet's the strangest thing I ever hear tell on." He pulled on his rough beard. "Don't remember me a' tall?"
"No. Who are you?"
"Ike Furner, the man you came to Alaska with."
"Alaska! I never went to Alaska!" cried Tom. He commenced to grow excited. "Dick! Sam! What does this mean?" He tried to struggle to his feet, but found himself too weak to do so.
"Keep quiet, Tom," ordered his elder brother. "It's all right. You've been very sick, that's all, and—well, a bit out of your mind. You'll be all right after a while."
"But that man said I went to Alaska."
"So you did. But it's all right, so just take it easy."