The boy's surprise may be imagined when he discovered that each of the packages was made up of furs, and he understood that the value of the whole lot greatly exceeded the amount of money in the bag.
"Big mill," Sewatis said, in a tone of satisfaction, and then he turned his attention to his followers, leaving Walter to speculate upon the good fortune which had come to him so unexpectedly.
The Indians remained in camp during that night, and at daybreak, after a breakfast of venison, all save Sewatis departed.
Never before had Walter worked as he did on the day succeeding the Indian's return. It was a perfect fever of industry, superinduced by the knowledge that there was now nothing to prevent the consummation of his desires save that which could be done by hands.
His companion appeared as before the coming of Jim Albert, with a single exception, and that was at the close of the fatiguing day's work, when he pointed to a slight elevation overlooking the site of the proposed mill, and said, quietly,—
"Sewatis build house there."
"So you shall, and between the two of us I reckon we can run the business as it should be."
Two days more the boy and his friend worked during every moment of daylight, and then came Stephen Kidder.
"Master McCleary is just behind me," he cried, before Walter could greet him.
"Master McCleary! Why has he come? Is there more danger for me?"