e only one man," she added.

"Ay, an' a drunk man too, who couldn't make much of a fight if he wanted
to. But lass, the drunk man may have any number of men at his back,
both drunk and sober, so it's well to be ready. Just fetch the
revolvers an' have 'em handy while I go down to meet him."

"Father, it seems to me I should know that figure. Why, it's--no,
surely it cannot be young Mister Westly!"

"No doubt of it, girl. Your eyes are better than mine, but I see him
clearer as he comes on. Young Westly--drunk--ha! ha!--as a hatter!
I'll go help him over."

Paul chuckled immensely--as sinners are wont to do when they catch those
whom they are pleased to call "saints" tripping--but when he had pushed
the plank over, and Fred, plunging across, fell at his feet in a state
of insensibility, his mirth vanished and he stooped to examine him. His
first act was to put his nose to the youth's mouth and sniff.

"No smell o' drink there," he muttered. Then he untied Fred's neckcloth
and loosened his belt. Then, as nothing resulted from these acts, he
set himself to lift the fallen man in his arms. Being a sturdy fellow
he succeeded, though with considerable difficulty, and staggered with
his burden towards the hut, where he was met by his anxious daughter.

"Why, lass, he's no more drunk than you are!" cried Paul, as he laid
Fred on his own bed. "Fetch me the brandy--flask--no? Well, get him a
cup of coffee, if ye prefer it."

"It will be better for him, father; besides, it is fortunately ready and
hot."

While the active girl ran to the outer room or "hall" of the hut for the
desired beverage, Paul slily forced a teaspoonful of diluted brandy into
Fred's mouth. It had, at all events, the effect of restoring him to
consciousness, for he opened his eyes and glanced from side to side with
a bewildered air. Then he sat up suddenly, and said--

"Paul, the villains are on your track again. I've hastened ahead to
tell you. I'd have been here sooner--but--but I'm--starving."

"Eat, then--eat before you speak, Mr Westly," said Betty, placing food
before him.

"But the matter is urgent!" cried Fred.

"Hold on, Mr Fred," said Paul; "did you an' the enemy--whoever he may
be, though I've a pretty fair guess--start to come here together?"

"Within the same hour, I should think."

"An' did you camp for the night?"

"No. At least I rested but one hour."

"Then swallow some grub an' make your mind easy. They won