But it's no' that bad for a doggie. It's good to
be aye trying to do our best----"

"Hear! hear!" shouted Bob, whose interested amusement had quite banished
his caution.

The effect of the boy's applause was electric. The two men started. The
half-breed snatched up a gun that was leaning against a tree near by;
one hand of the bearded man deposited the musical instrument upon the
ground as his right picked up a handy rifle; while Bannock, the dog,
crouched down with bristling hair and deep growling.

"Come oot and show yourself, whoever ye be!" commanded the master, as he
raised himself to his great height, with rifle in readiness and eyes
staring towards that part of the bush where the chums stood. "Come
forward this instant, or I'll bore as many holes in your body as there
are farthings in a pound!"

In obedience to the gentle invitation, and not in the least nervous, now
that they knew who the musicians were, the boys immediately made their
appearance.

"There's no need to be afraid----" began Holden reassuringly, when he
was interrupted by a huge guffaw of derision.

"Afraid! And what for shall Skipper Mackintosh be afraid? Unless it's
mosquitoes, there's no man or beast in Canada that'll turn a hair on his
hide." Then, seeing the lads as they approached into the firelight, the
man immediately changed his tone of address as he also altered the
threatening pose of his rifle. "What! A pair o' laddies?" he exclaimed
in astonishment, and Bob replied--

"Neither of whom is particularly anxious to be riddled with a pound's
worth of farthing bullets!"

But the words had barely passed the boy's lips before the rifle had been
dropped to the ground and the man had sprung forward excitedly to grab a
hand of each boy in his great fists.

"Faix! but this is a fine sight for sore eyes!" he exclaimed, as he
vigorously pumped the arms up and down. "I've no' seen a white face
(barring a trader's, and that was ower dirty to call it 'white') this
twelvemonth past. I'm right glad to see you!"

"And I guess we're jolly glad to see you," returned Alf. "It's a treat,
but--speaking for myself, I really want to use my hand again. It'll be
jelly in a few more seconds."

"And mine too!" laughed Bob, who could not help wincing at the vigorous
form of the welcome.

The Scotsman immediately released his severe grasp.

"Sakes! But I'm that glad to see you, laddies, I feel just like
squeezing for another hour. I suppose, noo, tha