"Yes."
"And where is the boy now?"
Tony's eyes dropped at the question, and he did not answer.
"Is anything wrong?" Stephen insisted.
"Yes, I'm afraid so. But set down close, Steve. I've somethin' great to tell ye."
And sitting there in the dusk of even Tony poured into his companion's ears the story of that terrible scene in Giant Gorge, and of Dan's brave deed.
Stephen listened spell-bound to the tale. The meaning of Dan's departure was all clear now. While people had been blaming the lad as an ungrateful runaway he had fared forth in loving service on behalf of his guardians. A mistiness blurred Stephen's eyes as Tony paused.
"Where is Dan now?" he asked.
"At Big Sam's house. We brought 'im down on the waggon, an' I helped carry 'im in."
"Who is Big Sam?"