At Whispering Pine Lodge

had made so valuable, through his own efforts in most part. "I saw a smoke last evening, too, which must have been made by a camp-fire. I wondered if there were deer hunters

at pair o' nearly-grown young blacks. I know whar I c'n get more for 'em alive than for their pelts if I took the time to cure the same, which I don't want to do. Oh! I've just got to sell 'em, and that's all thar is about it. I've drea

his mind o

ive blacks, and disposing of them, while the four of us stay here and run your fur farm for you? It would only take a few days, and we've got the time to spare. Of course you'd have to trust us to the limit, to leave things in our charge; bu

ring Max say this. He reached for the oth

to take you at your word. For I must get those pups delivered as I promised. Everything depends on that deal. The man saw them three

p but notice that for once the woods boy had spoken without a sign of the rude dialect which up to the

llow when he chose. He's just fallen into speaking that way through his association with these rough peopl

inued to reass

ou can get that Jerry to come over, and keep his finger on the pulse. Perhaps it might be wise, too, because he'd kno

nd tonight I'll set the traps I've got fixed. Mebbe if so be trespassers come a skulkin' around they might git a little surprise. But I'll show yuh what I'm me

o look on this matter as

Max thought, and lo

in' by that, Max?" he prese

what Bandy-legs calls a wild goose hunt, for there isn't one chance in ten that we'll ever be able to find Roland Chase; so our time is really pretty much our own, to do with as we will. And Obed, all of us ha

onth, and now when I c'n almost whiff the success I've prayed for it'd nearly kill me to lose everything. Oh! I jest wants a couple of weeks at the

t yielding turf near-by to "loaf" as Bandy-legs properly expressed it

ax explained how the woods boy had found traces of some intruder who had actually entered his lone cabin while he, Obed, was away in their company; also t

the beginning, before he called on them to decide whether they would stay over a few days, and guard the property, while Obed was marketing his

nation of his enterprise," continued Max; "but he seems to think some party has a deep grudge against him. It may

and-Go Steve, "though I reckon we c'n all g

rgained with; and I've proposed that we stay here a few days, and guard his property while he's off.

ing that big frog marsh while we're hanging around this section. And say, Steve here could

eagerness to give assent; and could only recover after coming to an abrupt halt, taking one of his customary b

lieve they would be willing to let such a brave fight be lost when the goal seemed so near. Obed Grimes had

n-he was told how they all felt. And Obed went around shaking hands, with the tears in his eyes. Plainly he had his whole heart wrapped up in the successfu

e of his feelings; "and I ain't goin' to ever forget it, either. Now I feel that I c'n start out right away, the day after tomorrow, and deliv

there at that wonderful little lodge under the whispering pines, and keep house while Obed was away. Then, too, Jerry would be on hand, ready with his advice and knowledge, so as to do the proper th

across a number of books on a shelf, and was engaged in looking them over, though hardly bothering to actually read. Neverthele

r; and besides, he'd traveled all over the known world. Yuh remember I said he was a sea captain, and that he made his fortune carryin' cargoes from the Fa

lking about a Mr. Coombs who had been a great traveler. Now I wonde

name was Jared," repli

he had attained the object of his questioning; "but the similarity in names, and

gs might have been seen to hurriedly turn back to the blank pages at the front of the book, scan several initials that were plainly written there, and then nod his he