y sharp this mawnin'," said Flo. "You'll need gloves and
sweater."

Having fortified herself with these, Carley asked how to find West Fork
Canyon.

"It's down the road a little way," replied Flo. "A great narrow canyon
opening on the right side. You can't miss it."

Flo accompanied her as far as the porch steps. A queer-looking
individual was slouching along with ax over his shoulder.

"There's Charley," said Flo. "He'll show you." Then she whispered:
"He's sort of dotty sometimes. A horse kicked him once. But mostly he's
sensible."

At Flo's call the fellow halted with a grin. He was long, lean, loose
jointed, dressed in blue overalls stuck into the tops of muddy boots,
and his face was clear olive without beard or line. His brow bulged a
little, and from under it peered out a pair of wistful brown eyes that
reminded Carley of those of a dog she had once owned.

"Wal, it ain't a-goin' to be a nice day," remarked Charley, as he tried
to accommodate his strides to Carley's steps.

"How can you tell?" asked Carley. "It looks clear and bright."

"Naw, this is a dark mawnin'. Thet's a cloudy sun. We'll hev snow on an'
off."

"Do you mind bad weather?"

"Me? All the same to me. Reckon, though, I like it cold so I can loaf
round a big fire at night."

"I like a big fire, too."

"Ever camped out?" he asked.

"Not what you'd call the real thing," replied Carley.

"Wal, thet's too bad. Reckon it'll be tough fer you," he went on,
kindly. "There was a gurl tenderfoot heah two years ago an' she had a
hell of a time. They all joked her, 'cept me, an' played tricks on her.
An' on her side she was always puttin' her foot in it. I was shore sorry
fer her."

"You were very kind to be an exception," murmured Carley.

"You look out fer Tom Hutter, an' I reckon Flo ain't so darn above
layin' traps fer you. 'Specially as she's sweet on your beau. I seen
them together a lot."

"Yes?" interrogated Carley, encouragingly.

"Kilbourne is the best fellar thet ever happened along Oak Creek. I
helped him build his cabin. We've hunted some together. Did you ever
hunt?"

"No."

"Wal, you've shore missed a lot of fun," he said. "Turkey huntin'.
Thet's what fetches the gurls. I reckon because turkeys are so good to
eat. The old gobblers hev begun to gobble now. I'll take you gobbler
huntin' if you'd like to go."

"I'm sure I would."

"There's good trout fishin' along heah a little later," he said,
pointing to the stream