At Whispering Pine Lodge

d the fire, feasting on their spread. "I happened to see yer blaze, and guessed I'd drop in to see who yah might b

also thought he could detect something li

gh calling attention to the fact that there was still plenty of room on the log which he and Toby Jucklin had oc

e newcomer as though not yet quite willing to echo the warm invitation accorded him by Max. But Steve was already getting a

the woods there exists a genuine hospitality that never hesitates to extend the right hand of fellowship to any straggler who chances to enter the camp. There seems to be someth

ar away from that region; but then of course the woods boy could never have heard of such a place before. Still, his eyebrows arched, and he seemed to once aga

too concluded that it would be just as well not to be too hasty about telling all their business to a stranger. A little later on, perhaps, when they came to b

he was. He did not have any hesitation, from which Steve concl

me just as well, and it ain't never kept me from eatin' three square meals a day-when I could g

had contained the ham and eggs-the latter having been carried all the way from the last small village t

there's Uncle Hiram, Uncle Silas, Uncle Job, Uncle Sephus, Uncle Nicodemus, and a whole lot more; besides Aunt Rebecca, Aunt Sophia, Aunt Hetebel, and-glory to goodness, I could sit here for ten minutes

a big family," remarked Steve, who did not

with his mouth stuffed of the ham and bread, which he presently washed down with a cop

visitor in the camp had commenced to get its work in. By degrees perhaps Bandy-legs might even come to like Obed Grimes; though, truth to tell, he had always despised that las

t you're all alone up here in the woods near old Mount T

ned that Obed was no ordinary chap, but possessed of sterling characteristics. He waited for the conversation to get further along, confident that the other had a surprise up

sured Bandy-legs, after finishing his drinking. "Fact is, most o' the family don'

ough with diminished force; for somehow he could not look into that frank and eve

you making a living playing at guide for parties of tourists, or fishermen and hunters? And, s

odded his hea

"just got to stay. Why, it would bust the hull business to smash if I 'lowed

who found himself up against a hard, knotty problem. Apparently, if the stranger in camp was t

as the other fellows had embarked on the task of drawing Obed out and learning just what he was

here winters," suggested Steve; "and I'd th

old him, with a shrug of his shoulders, and anot

"But when the law is on the deer and partridges it must be hard to keep to a regular diet of

l o' wonder concernin' who could be around these diggings right now I crept up to spy on ye. But say, soon's I glimpsed your

bed Grimes, unless, indeed, he had been doing something that he hadn't ought to, and hence expected

he had spoken in such proud accents, cast him out as altogether beyond hope? Bandy-legs could hardly think this when he looked again into that face, and caught the gleam of those merry orbs. No, Obed might

rrogations; which the said Steve considered himself very well qualified to

r you talk in that way a fellow would think you had a lot of enemies

rossing his face; "but lately I got wind o' some news that's worried me a heap. Fact is, I'm afraid

ssive face of Obed, secretly believed the newcomer was purposely drawing Steve on, meaning to surprise him when finally he chose to explain it

uld catch his breath; "do you mean that you're carryin

among all boys. "I've got a business, which looks like it was goin' to pan out right decent, and make me some money in the bargain. That's why they're meanin' t

ess is it you're in, Ob

er," confessed the other

ut how could anybody steal your ground away

r hayseed. I'm a fur farmer, you see; and you could carry