to do. You can't stand it to be alone with yourself, so you can
come with me, though I hain't no idee that you'll be able to give any
help."

"I hope I shall; though, if you think there is more chance of success in
making the hunt alone, I'll do the same."

Hank was silent a moment, as if considering the matter, but he quickly
added:

"Come along. But how about breakfast?"

"I haven't the least appetite."

"I thought so by your looks," he said, sympathizingly. "I'm blamed sorry
fur you, and hope your appetite will soon come back to you."

"It will as soon as we find Fred," said Jack, with a faint smile; "but
what about yourself?"

"It's all the same; if we had meat here I'd cook and eat it; but I'm
willing to go a day or two, if I haven't the time to take any meals."

"That's strange!" broke in Jack; "yonder comes a white man; he must be
one of your acquaintances, though I never saw him before."

Hazletine turned round in surprise. A tall white man, dressed as a
cowboy, with long dangling yellow hair and a thin mustache and goatee,
and with rifle slung over his shoulder, had appeared on the further side
of the plateau, and was approaching the couple at a deliberate pace.

"Wal, I'm hanged!" exclaimed Hazletine; "if there isn't Bill Tozer! He's
the last man I expected to meet in these parts."

These words did not bring Jack Dudley much enlightenment, but he felt no
special curiosity concerning the individual, and silently waited till he
came up. The youth judged from the manner of the guide, however, that he
was not overly pleased with the new arrival, whose countenance was not
attractive. Nevertheless, the two shook hands with seeming cordiality,
and the new-comer looked inquiringly at Jack.

"This is a friend of mine, Bill, that I took out on a hunt t'other day
with another younker; Jack Dudley, Bill Tozer."

"Glad to know you," said the man heartily; "I see you're a tenderfoot."

"Yes," replied Jack; "less than two weeks ago I had never set foot in
Wyoming."

"Wal, now that's funny; you'll like the country after you get used to
it."

"Would to heaven I had never seen it!" was the bitter exclamation of the
youth, hardly able to keep back his tears.

"Sorry to hear that, my young friend; but cheer up; it'll come out all
right."

It struck Jack that this was a singular remark for the man to make, for
it sounded as if he knew the cause of Jack's emotion; but before the boy
could seek enlightenment t