In the meeting that always followed the evening service, the people kept crowding about him, refusing to disperse. Then the Superintendent began again.
"Your minister has been telling me much about the men in the mountains. He seems to have these men upon his heart."
"Sure," said Ike. "He's a regular prospector, he is."
"So I have heard, so I have heard," said the Superintendent, smiling, "and so I should judge from what I have seen. Now, what are you going to do about it?"
They all grew quiet.
"You know about these men, no one else does. Are you going to let them go to destruction without an attempt to prevent it?"
The silence deepened.
"Now, listen to me. This will cost money. How much can you give to send a man to look them up? Two hundred and fifty dollars?"
"Count me," said Ike.
"Me, too," echoed Perault. "And me, and me," on all sides. In ten minutes the thing was arranged.