wilderness and the mystery of the hour.
At last he went into the house to close and bar the door.

Away down in Mutton Hollow a dog barked, and high up on Old Dewey
near Sammy's Lookout, a spot of light showed for a moment, then
vanished.

CHAPTER XV.

THE PARTY AT FORD'S.

Young Matt would have found some excuse for staying at home the
night of the party at Ford's, but the shepherd said he must go.

The boy felt that the long evening with Sammy would only hurt. He
reasoned with himself that it would be better for him to see as
little as possible of the girl who was to marry Ollie Stewart.
Nevertheless, he was singing as he saddled the big white faced
sorrel to ride once more over the trail that is nobody knows how
old.

Mr. Lane was leading the brown pony from the stable as Young Matt
rode up to the gate; and from the doorway of the cabin Sammy
called to say that she would be ready in a minute.

"Ain't seen you for a coon's age, boy," said Jim, while they were
waiting for the girl. "Why don't you never come down the Old Trail
no more?"

The big fellow's face reddened, as he answered, "I ain't been
nowhere, Jim. 'Pears like I just can't get away from the place no
more; we're that busy."

Sammy's father looked his young neighbor squarely in the eye with
that peculiar searching gaze; "Look a here, Grant. I've knowed you
ever since you was born, and you ought to know me a little.
'Tain't your way to dodge, and 'tain't mine. I reckon you know
you're welcome, same as always, don't you?"

Young Matt returned the other's look fairly; "I ain't never
doubted it, Jim. But things is a heap different now, since it's
all done and settled, with Ollie gone."

The two understood each other perfectly. Said Jim, drawing a long
breath, "Well I wish you'd come over just the same, anyway. It
can't do nobody no harm as I can see."

"It wouldn't do me no good," replied the young man.

"Maybe not," assented Jim. "But I'd like mighty well to have you
come just the same." Then he drew closer to his young friend;
"I've been aimin' to ride over and see you, Matt; but Sammy said
you was a comin' this evenin', and I 'lowed this would be soon
enough. I reckon you know what Wash Gibbs is tellin' he aims to do
first chance he gets."

The giant drew himself up with a grim smile, "I've heard a good
bit, Jim. But you don't need to mind about me; I know I ain't
quite growed, but I am a growin'."

The older man surveyed the