Part 38 (1/2)
”Well, we are not going to stop you,” answered d.i.c.k. ”All we came after was our brother. But it's a pity to leave you here all alone.”
”Oh, I won't mind that. I've often been alone in the mountains. Fact is, I rather like it. When a feller is alone he can do just as he pleases.”
”That is true,” answered d.i.c.k, with a faint smile.
”I know some other miners up here,” went on Ike Furner. ”I'm going to hit for their camp an' stay there till Spring. How is the brother makin' it?”
”He's sleeping now. I think he will be all right. He doesn't remember anything about his trip up here.”
An hour went by and Tom roused up. He looked blankly at Jack Wumble and Ike Furner.
”Don't you know me, Tom?” asked the former. ”We had some great times out West, years ago.”
”Sure I know you,” and the sufferer grinned feebly. ”You're Jack Wumble, aren't you?”
”That's me. Put her thar, Tom!” And the old miner took Tom's hand and held it tightly. ”Glory to heaven! This is like a touch o' old times, this is!”
Then Ike Furner approached, looking at Tom closely. But the youth did not seem to recognize him.
”Know me, too, don't you?” asked the old prospector.
”I--I can't say that I do,” was the slow answer, and Tom appeared much perplexed. ”Seems to me I've seen you somewhere, but I can't just place you.”
”Well, I'll be switched!” muttered Ike Furner. ”Thet's the strangest thing I ever hear tell on.” He pulled on his rough beard. ”Don't remember me a' tall?”
”No. Who are you?”
”Ike Furner, the man you came to Alaska with.”
”Alaska! I never went to Alaska!” cried Tom. He commenced to grow excited. ”d.i.c.k! Sam! What does this mean?” He tried to struggle to his feet, but found himself too weak to do so.
”Keep quiet, Tom,” ordered his elder brother. ”It's all right. You've been very sick, that's all, and--well, a bit out of your mind. You'll be all right after a while.”
”But that man said I went to Alaska.”
”So you did. But it's all right, so just take it easy.”
”Alaska! Great hambones! Am I in Alaska now?”
”Yes, if you must know. But do be quiet and rest yourself,” went on d.i.c.k, soothingly.
”What did I do, run away?”
”We'll talk about it later, Tom. You must rest now,” and d.i.c.k made the sufferer lie down as before. Then he motioned for Ike Furner to come away.
”It's all right, I'll git out--I wouldn't stay fer a farm!” muttered the old gold hunter. ”Your brother is as crazy as they make 'em. I'm glad to get shut o' him. Didn't remember me! I can't believe it!”
And a little later he bid the crowd farewell and took his departure, to hunt up the other old prospectors he had mentioned. It may be said here that that was the last the Rovers saw or heard of him for a long time to come.
The day pa.s.sed slowly, the others doing all they could for poor Tom.