y up heah!" exclaimed Blumpo. "Yo' expect watah to run up
hill? Ha, ha!"

"Yes, Blumpo; strange as it may seem, the finest springs are found at the
very tops of mountains. Come on and look for one."

The homeless youth showed his surprise, but he readily joined in the hunt,
and so did Harry. There was a patch of brush behind the plateau, and this
they skirted. Ere long Jerry found a tiny rivulet flowing in a well-worn
hollow.

"The head of this rill of water will bring us to the spring," he said.

They began to follow the watercourse. It led around half a dozen big
rocks.

"Halt!"

All three of the boys sprang back in amazement. From whence had that
unexpected command proceeded?

"Halt, I say!"

They stopped short.

"Who are you?" asked Jerry quickly.

"I am the Lonely Man. Leave me!"

"The Lonely Man," repeated Jerry.

"Yes. Depart, my boys, at once."

"Are you the man they call the hermit of the island?" asked Harry.

"I presume so. Now leave me. I have not spoken to other men for years."

"We would like to get a little water first, if you please," said Jerry.
"Surely so good an old man as you will not refuse us that."

This way of talking evidently struck the hermit's fancy, for there was a
rustle of bushes, and the hermit of the island stepped into view.

All of the boys stared at him in blank amazement. He was a reddish-black
individual, with snow white hair and long flowing beard.

Blumpo grew so frightened that he immediately fell on his knees.

"De voodoo doctor, suah!" he muttered.

Like many other ignorant people, he was very superstitious and believed in
charms and voodooism.

"We are sorry to have disturbed you in your lonely retreat," began Harry.
"But we----"

"Say no more, my boy. Get the water you need and depart."

"We will."

Harry and Jerry turned toward the spring and quietly filled up the big tin
can they had brought along.

The old hermit watched them curiously.

"You look like good boys," he said. "I want to ask a favor of you."

"What?" asked both boys in a breath.

"I wish to end my days here undisturbed. Will you promise not to reveal my
dwelling place to your friends?"

"I am willing to say nothing," said Jerry, promptly.

"So am I," returned Harry.

The old man looked much relieved.

"And how is it with you?" he went on, turning and walking to where Blumpo
had his head bent low on the ground.

"Please, sah, don't charm me, sah! don't cast no spell o