ur old lair, then."

"Yes, it do seem likely," said the big fellow, rubbing his ear. "Giving
him such a chance to aim at us. Yes, it won't do; but I must find that
pipe. Look here, s'pose I go up to my hut and see if he's there."

"Do," said Dallas, "and we'll go with you and trap him if he is there."

"Hoomph!" grunted Tregelly. "I'm feared there won't be any trapping, my
sons. If he's there he won't be took without a hard fight. Hadn't you
two better let that be till the other fellows come back? Then we could
lay siege to him and finish him off for it must come to that."

"We are three to one," said Dallas quietly. "It seems cowardly to wait
for more."

"Dunno," said their companion. "He don't fight fair, or I'd tackle him
myself. You see, he aren't a man; he's a savage beast. Look here,
we've got the sledge; let's take it on. I'll go without my pipe."

"No; you shall not," said Dallas. "Let's go to the hut. He may not be
there. Perhaps fled far enough."

"I dunno, my son. He'd run when he was beat for his old shelter, and I
don't like making you two run bad risks just because I want a pipe o'
bacca."

"We do not look at it in that light, Bob," said Dallas firmly. "This
man is our mortal enemy, who seems determined to have our lives out of
revenge, and it is our duty to save those lives at his expense. After
what has passed I look upon him as a sort of human tiger whose claws
must be drawn. Let's take this opportunity of capturing the brute.
We'll go together and draw his fire; or perhaps we shall be able to see
and disable him without his being able to do us any mischief."

Tregelly shook his head solemnly.

"Chaps like that, with their lives in their hands, are all eyes, and
when they aren't all eyes they're all ears. I don't like this business,
my sons; but what you say's quite right, and I can't help feeling that
we've got a chance at him now, and the dark may help us; while if he's
gone back there and roused up the fire I can make sure of him. There,
it's got to be done, and if we leave it the job may be worse."

"Yes, perhaps much."

"That's so, my son. We shall have to go about with the knowledge that
that fellow's always close at hand, marking us down for a shot."

"Better seize this opportunity," said Abel hoarsely. "I feel as if we
may master him now."

"What do you say, Mr Dallas?" asked Tregelly.

"I say as my cousin does. Let's try."

"Good, then, we'll go; on'y