miled. "You see, I know your
step!"

"Ah," said Jim, who did not grasp all her statement implied, "you are
very smart, Carrie, and it's plain that I am clumsier than I thought.
But do you think anybody else heard me?"

"No. I listened and all was quiet. However, if it's needful for
somebody to watch, you must let Jake go."

Jim shook his head. "I've got to see this thing through. Somehow I
imagine I can do so better than Jake."

"But you can't keep it up, after working hard all day."

"It won't be for long. We'll break camp soon and move to the next
section. You're a good sort, Carrie, but you really mustn't meddle."

Carrie blushed. "I won't meddle if you forbid it. All the same, I'd
hate to see you worn out and ill. You're boss, and it would be awkward
if you lost control."

"It's only for another night or two. The fellow I'm watching for will
have to try again, or let up, before we move camp."

"But if you caught him, you and he would be alone."

"Yes," said Jim, whose face got hard, "that's what I want. If I'm on
the right track, the thing must be fixed without the boys knowing."

Carrie hesitated and then made a sign of acquiescence. "I don't like
it, Jim, but reckon you can't be moved. Anyhow, you'll be cautious."

Jim promised he would not be rash and went off, half amused, to get
some water. Carrie was very staunch, but he did not want her to be
disturbed about him. He was sorry she had heard him steal out of camp.

In the evening Jake came for a gun he kept in the tent. The game laws
that limit the time for shooting are seldom enforced against bush
ranchers and prospectors who kill deer and grouse for food.

"I'd better oil the barrels to keep off the damp," he said. "It's a
pretty good gun."

Carrie watched him push across the top lever and open the breech.

"Is that where you put the cartridges?" she asked.

"You push the shells forward with your thumb, and then shut the
gun--like this!"

"Then all you have to do is to pull the trigger?"

"Not with this type of gun. You see, the hammers have rebounded half
way, but you must pull them farther back before it will go off."

"Suppose you miss and want to shoot again?"

"You push the lever sideways, the barrels swing down, and the empty
shells jump out. That's all!"

"It looks easy," Carrie remarked. "I've sometimes wondered how one
used a gun. There's nothing more to shooting than there is to making
bread."

"Mayb