gate they met Mr. Matthews, returning unsuccessful from
his trip.

"Hello, boy!" said the big man; "How's Pete to-day?"

The lad went with glad face to the giant mountaineer. It was clear
that the two were the warmest friends. "Pete's mighty glad to-day,
'cause he's come." He pointed to Mr. Howitt. "Does Pete like him?"

The boy nodded. "All Pete's people like him. Ask him to keep the
sheep, Uncle Matt. He won't be scared at the shadow things in the
night."

Mr. Matthews smiled, as he turned to his guest. "Pete never makes
a mistake in his judgment of men, Mr. Howitt. He's different from
us ordinary folks, as you can see; but in some things he knows a
heap more. I'm mighty glad he's took up with you, sir. All day
I've been thinking I'd tell you about some things I don't like to
talk about; I feel after last night like you'd understand, maybe,
and might help me, you having education. But still I've been a
little afraid, us being such strangers. I know I'm right now,
'cause Pete says so. If you weren't the kind of a man I think you
are, he'd never took to you like he has."

That night the mountaineer told the stranger from the city the
story that I have put down in the next chapter.

CHAPTER VI.

THE STORY.

Slowly the big mountaineer filled his cob pipe with strong, home
grown tobacco, watching his guest keenly the while, from under
heavy brows. Behind the dark pines the sky was blood red, and
below, Mutton Hollow was fast being lost in the gathering gloom.

When his pipe was lighted, Old Matt said, "Well, sir, I reckon you
think some things you seen and heard since you come last night are
mighty queer. I ain't sayin', neither, but what you got reasons
for thinkin' so."

Mr. Howitt made no reply. And, after puffing a few moments in
silence, the other continued, "If it weren't for what you said
last night makin' me feel like I wanted to talk to you, and Pete a
takin' up with you the way he has, I wouldn't be a tellin' you
what I am goin' to now. There's some trails, Mr. Howitt, that
ain't pleasant to go back over. I didn't 'low to ever go over this
one again. Did you and Pete talk much this afternoon?"

In a few words Mr. Howitt told of his meeting with the strange
boy, and their conversation. When he had finished, the big man
smoked in silence. It was as if he found it hard to begin. From a
tree on the mountain side below, a screech owl sent up his long,
quavering call; a bat darted past in the