He was standing on deck, well forward, when the Northern Packet steamed out of the Heena into Lake Klutana. Eagerly he strained his eyes for the first glimpse of the little cabin nestling on the bank among the trees. When the loud, coarse blasts of the whistle rent the air he saw the Indians running to the shore in amazement. Then as the steamer swept forward Martin's house appeared to view, and in a few minutes he was able to see two figures standing in the doorway.
There was much excitement on board as the steamer slowed down, drifted slowly into shore, and her bow ran gently upon the sand and gravel right in front of Martin's house. Then ensued a wild scramble for the shore, but Dick was the first to land, and without waiting an instant he ran swiftly up the slope straight toward Nance. The expression upon the latter's face was one of supreme joy as she held out her hands to the young man.
"My! it's good to be back," Dick panted, as he took her hand in his. "How are you, sir?" and he turned to Martin.
"Well, very well," was the somewhat reluctant reply. Martin then relapsed into silence, and stood watching the miners scrambling off the steamer.
But various conflicting emotions were disturbing Martin's heart. He longed to turn upon the visitor and drive him away from the place. The look of happiness in Nance's eyes, however, deterred him from action. How could he bring sorrow to her who was dearer to him than life itself?
He was standing thus uncertain what to do, when a cry of pain down by the shore caused the three to turn quickly in the direction from whence the sound came. There was excitement there, and the men were gathered around some object, and were talking in a most excited manner.
Fearing that something was seriously the matter, Dick left Nance, and hurried at once to the spot.
"What's wrong?" he asked of those standing on the outskirts of the crowd.
"Pete Larsen's hurt," was the reply. "In jumping from the boat his foot caught, and he came down hard on the ground."
Dick at once pushed his way through the crowd, and those gathered about the unfortunate man fell back a little as he approached.