gging or argument
would avail them in the least. They knew, too, that Pat was right in his
stand. They were his guests and as such entailed upon him a certain
responsibility for their safety and welfare.

"But, Pat, can't we be in at the finish?" pleaded Hal. "Gee! Think of a
real scrap going on under our very noses and we not seeing it!"

"Depends on what the finish is," replied Pat. "I'll promise you this
much, that if there is anything to see, or if you can help without the
risk of stopping a bullet or a knife, you shall have a chance. At
present it looks like a dangerous game, but we'll know more when we've
found that camp. The greatest help you can give us now is to stay right
here. We'll be back before daylight and by that time we will know
enough, I hope, to plan some action. Alec, it'll be a couple of hours
yet before we can start. Suppose we turn in for a bit of rest. It's
little enough we're likely to get for the next twenty-four hours. We'll
leave the lads to put the camp in order."

This the boys were only too glad to do while the two trappers stretched
out in their bunks and rested. Two hours later Pat arose and peeped out.
The moon flooded the hollow with light and he grunted his satisfaction.
A few minutes later he and Alec slipped out, and almost at once were
lost in the heavy shadows of the evergreens. Each carried his rifle, and
the two faces were set and grim. There was something sinister in this
silent departure, and as they vanished into the vast brooding wilderness
the three boys instinctively drew nearer together. Hal shrugged his
shoulders and laughed, but somehow his laugh sounded oddly forced.

"Somebody kick me and tell me if I'm awake," said he, throwing another
log on the fire. "You read about such things and think it's a bully
story, but somehow the story seems more real than the reality. Of course
nothing's going to happen to Pat and Alec, yet just the same they are
out with rifles hunting sure enough bad men, and if there's any shooting
somebody's likely to be hurt. If it wasn't for Sparrer's bandaged head
there I'd think I was dreaming. How's the old nut feel anyway, Sparrer?"

"Better, but sore enough t' let me know dis ain't no dream," returned
the younger lad. "Say!" he exploded abruptly. "What will de fellers say
when we get back an' tell 'em we been fightin' outlaws an' that Oi gets
a knockout from a sure-enough Injun? Bet dey'll wish dey was in my
shoes."

Upton laughed. He w