"Sorry for you, brother sportsman," said Gunson, rather sneeringly, I
thought. "Well, where's your shanty? We shall be glad to share our
game."

"Where are you making for?" said the stranger, looking at me.

"Fort Elk," I said; and I saw him raise his eyebrows. "Is it very much
farther?"

"Not five English miles," he said, looking at me fixedly.

"Do you hear that, Gunson?" I cried. "Here, let's get back and tell
Esau."

"Not alone then?" said the stranger.

"No, sir. I have a companion down by the river, and there is a Chinaman
with us."

"Any more questions?" said Gunson, rather gruffly; "because if not,
perhaps you'll put us on the trail for the nearest cut to the Fort."

"You can't do better than go back to the river," said the stranger.
"I'll set you on your way. Mike, help him carry the deer-meat."

The man took one of the packages, thrust the barrel of his rifle through
the deerskin thongs, and placed it on his shoulder, while the new-comer
asked me for my pole, thrust it through the other, and Gunson and I took
an end each, for I would not let our guide carry it.

"Where are you from last?" said the stranger.

I waited for Gunson to speak, but as he did not, I said that we had
tramped up by the river.

"All the way from the sea, eh?" said the stranger, looking me over as I
examined him and thought what a strong, keen, clever-looking man he
seemed.

"Yes; all the way from the sea."

"And what are you going to do at Fort Elk, eh?"

Gunson looked round at him sharply.

"Well?" said the stranger, meeting Gunson's look firmly.

"Only going to ask you if you were an American from down coast."

"No, I am an Englishman like yourself. Why?"

"Because you ask questions like a Yankee commercial traveller--drummers
don't they call them?"

"Yes, I think so," said the stranger, quietly. "I always do ask
questions when I want to know anything."

"Good way," said Gunson, gruffly; and it was very plain that they two
would not be very good friends.

"Do you know Mr Daniel Raydon at the Fort?" I asked, to change the
conversation, which was growing ticklish.

"Oh yes, I know him."

"He is the chief officer there, isn't he?" I continued eagerly, as I
seemed now to see the end of my journey.

"Yes; he's head man, my lad."

"What sort of a person is he?"

"Humph! Well, how am I to describe him? What do you mean? His looks?"

"Yes; and altogether what sort of a man is he?"

"As far