ye
upon Zeke Hunt. While it was not at all impossible that the story he
had told was true in every particular, still there was an air of
improbability about it, which could not escape the notice of so
quick-sighted a man as Dernor, and, from this time forward, every
action or word of the awkward countryman was watched with a jealous
eye.

The fire which was kindled was carefully screened, so that it would not
be apt to catch the eye of any one in the neighborhood. After some
conversation between the hunter and Edith, the latter wrapped his
blanket over her own, and, thus protected, lay down upon the ground.
The weariness and fatigue brought on by the day's travel soon
manifested itself in a deep, dreamless, refreshing sleep.

"Are you going to stay up all night?" asked Dernor of the countryman.

"I don't know whether I am or not."

"Ain't you sleepy?"

"Don't feel much so jest now; s'pose I mought after a while."

"You have traveled enough. Why don't you feel sleepy?"

"Haw! haw! haw! what a question. How do I know why I ain't sleepy? You
don't appear so yourself."

"I ain't, either."

"You've done as much tramping as I have."

"That may be; but I'm used to it, and you ain't."

"Don't know 'bout that. Used to do good 'eal of it up on the farm. Say,
you, did you ever hear of the Riflemen of the Miami?"

"Yes, very often. They are sometimes seen in these parts."

"I'd like to jine them 'ere fellers."

"You jine 'em!" repeated Dernor, contemptuously. "You'd be a pretty
chap to go with them. Them chaps, sir, is _hunters_!" he added, in a
triumphant tone.

"Jest what I s'posed, and that's why I wanted to jine 'em."

"Can you shoot?"

"Ef you'll lend me your iron there a minute, I'll show you what I can
do."

"It is dark now. There is no chance to show your skill. Wait till
morning."

"Very well, don't forget. I've done some shootin', fur all I ain't used
to Injins. But, I say, do you know the head feller of them Riflemen?"

"I'm very well acquainted with him."

"What sort of a chap is he?"

"Good deal such a man as I am."

"Haw! haw! great man to be the leader. Hope you're never taken for him,
be you?"

"Very often--because _I am_ the leader of the Riflemen myself."

"Get out," said the countryman, as if he expected to be bitten. "You
can't make me believe that."

"It makes no difference to me whether you believe it or not. If you
make much more noise, like enough you'll find out who I am.