He was still holding Rachel's hand. She had not said a word; only her eyes seemed to tell him enough.
Stuart came forward. "Will I do, Jack?"
Jack nodded, and more than one was astonished at the signs of grief in Stuart's face. Rachel was past speculation.
"This lady, here," said Genesee, motioning to her, "has done a heap for me—more than she knows—I reckon—and I want—to square things."
Rachel attempted to speak; but he raised his hand.
"Don't," he whispered. "Let me say it—tillikum." Then he turned to Stuart. "There's a bit of ground up in the hills; it's mine, and I want her to have it—it's Tamahnous Hill—and the old mine—write it."
She thought of that other woman, and tried to protest. Again he saw it, and pressed her hand for silence.
"I want her to have it—for she likes these hills, and—she's been mighty good to me. No one will interfere—with her claim—I reckon."
"No one shall interfere," said Stuart, toward whom he looked. Genesee smiled.
"That's right—that's all right. She won't be afraid of the—witches. And she'll tell you where I want to go—she knows." His voice was growing fainter; they could see he was almost done with the Kootenai valley.