A shade crossed the captain's serene old face. "That we have," he assented. "Too great a price. Gladly I'd give it all, and more, to get my men back again. To have—Little Billy—" He heaved a deep sigh, and smiled again. "Ah, and that is not all," he said, patting Ruth's hand, which lay on his shoulder, "for it seems I must lose my girl, as well. Even the thought of walking in on that doctor who told me I would never see again hardly reconciles me to the thought of losing my girl."
"What nonsense!" exclaimed Ruth. "Why, grand-daddy, you don't lose me. You gain—a son."
Captain Dabney's bright, clear eyes searched Martin's face, and when he replied to Ruth it was in a contented, satisfied voice:
"Yes, I do," he said. "And a worthy son, girl, tried and tempered, by Fire Mountain."
THE END