hardly to be supposed that he understood all
that was said to him.

On the previous winter, when Warren Starr and Tim Brophy were hunting in
this section, they found game so abundant that they decided to spend two
or three days in the neighborhood. Accordingly they put up a shelter
which afforded good protection at night, and would do the same against
any storm not too violent. A rock a dozen feet in length formed a
half-circle, the upper edge projecting over to the extent of a yard or
more. All that was required was to lean a number of branches against
this, the upper parts supported by the ledge, while the lower rested on
the ground, some eight or ten feet away from the base.

These branches being numerous and thickly placed, constituted what might
be considered a tepee, with only the broad opening in front.

It was in this rude shelter that Warren Starr and Tim Brophy had spent a
couple of nights in comparative comfort. The second one was bitterly
cold, and they kindled a fire near the entrance. The smoke caused some
trouble, but wrapped in their thick blankets, and stretched out back to
back, they slept as soundly as if in their beds at home.

This was the structure which the youth had in mind when he turned his
back on the regular trail and made for the wild solitude through which
he now began threading his way, and it was a striking tribute to his
woodcraft and knowledge that within fifteen minutes he reached the very
spot, with his pony at his heels.

"This is the place," he remarked to his animal, "but there don't seem to
be any lamps lighted, and it's best to look around a little before
retiring for the night."

Drawing a rubber match-safe from his pocket, he ignited one of the tiny
bits of wood, shading the twist of flame from the snowflakes, though
there was no wind stirring.

It was months since he had visited the place, and the elements were
likely to have played havoc with the structure during that period, for
in that part of our Union the blizzard and tempest raise the mischief at
certain seasons.

He was gratified, however, to note the slight change effected. One or
two of the long branches had fallen to the ground and several others
were askew. He was obliged to fling aside the match while he devoted
some minutes to straightening them. This was effected so well that when
he stepped inside and struck another match he saw not a flake of snow
filtering through the crevices, though there was likel