e for the present and previous disasters
that had befallen the Overland Riders in the Big North Woods.

Peg Tatem regained consciousness after Elfreda and Tom had worked over
him for more than an hour.

"Did the Redskin git me?" he demanded weakly.

"You're right he did," agreed Hippy. "You might as well tell us all
about it now before it is too late. We know what you have done, and
that's good and plenty, but you are now going to make a confession and
swear to it."

Peg went into a violent rage at the suggestion and pounded the cot with
his wooden leg until he was exhausted. Waiting until the fellow had
quieted down, Hippy then informed him that in case he recovered, and had
not confessed, they would see to it that he went to prison for a long
term. After hours of urging, the foreman of Section Forty-three gave in
and made a full confession. Elfreda wrote down his statement and made
Peg swear to it, after Hippy had promised that, in the event of his
recovery, there would be no prosecution.

Tatem declared that he had acted wholly under the orders of Hiram
Dusenbery, of the Dusenbery Lumber Company; that it was his jacks who
had turned the skidway loose on the Overland camp, and that it was Tatem
himself, acting under orders, who had dynamited the big pine and tumbled
it over on the Overlanders. He said that Dusenbery and Chet Ainsworth
were partners in the business of timber-stealing, and that the
dynamiting was Ainsworth's scheme.

"Why did they wish to be rid of us?" asked Miss Briggs.

"They reckoned they'd spoil yer game. T'other reason was that they
wanted this 'ere section fer themselves."

"Good! We will send both to jail," promised Elfreda. "Now what I wish
are the names of witnesses who can verify at least part of your story."

After some thought Peg named several lumberjacks, fellows who were still
in the employ of the Dusenbery Company. The Overlanders then ceased
their questioning to give Peg a much-needed rest, and left him in the
care of two jacks, with the reminder that they would be held fully
accountable for the safety and good care of the prisoner.

Willy Horse was started that night for the nearest fire warden's
station, there to have the warden telephone for a doctor, and also for
the sheriff of the county, as it was thought best to hold Tatem as a
material witness. The doctor and sheriff arrived late next day. Peg's
injuries were found to be quite serious, and it was a full week later
b