a
cliff overlooking a rocky valley. At the base of the cliff were a number
of rough openings and one of these openings led to a cave of no mean
size.

"Jes' the ticket!" cried Watson, as he dismounted and entered the
opening. "We can stay here all night an' by thet time the storm will be
a thing o' the past. We ain't none too soon either," he added.

Watson was right, for scarcely had all of the party entered the cavern
than the storm let down in all of its fury. The landscape was blotted
out and all became darker than ever.

"Ye set down on thet rock," commanded Watson to Slavin. "An' don't ye
dare ter stir if ye know when yer well off."

"I ain't stirrin'," growled the prisoner.

Nevertheless, although he spoke thus, Slavin had his eyes wide open. He
intended to escape if it were possible to do so, fearing that all would
not go well with him even though he had confessed to his captors.

CHAPTER XXV.

Fighting a Wolverine

"I think we had better make a fire," suggested Allen, after the horses
had been tied up in a place that was comparatively dry.

"Right ye air, Allen," returned Watson. "Pervidin' we can find some
firewood."

"Here is a tree branch," said Noel, pointing it out in a dark corner of
the cavern. "But we may have some trouble in breaking it up."

"Ho! ho!" laughed Watson. "It's easy ter see ye ain't very strong. We'll
break thet up in a jiffy; eh, Slavin?"

"What do ye want?" growled the prisoner.

"Want ye ter help break up some firewood."

"Me?"

"Persackly, Slavin. Reckon as how ye want ter git as warm as anybody.
Wall, ye kin start in by doin' some work."

Slavin demurred but his protest was unavailing and soon he and Watson
were breaking up the large part of the tree branch, Noel looking on in
wonder and Allen assisting on the smaller portions.

"My, but you are strong," said Noel, in open admiration. "I'd give a
good deal for your muscles."

"Ye'll get the same, if ye stay out hyer long enough," answered Watson,
"It's the mountain air as does it."

"Oh, come, Watson, you know you are extra strong," put in Allen. "Why,
he can do some wonderful things when he wants to." To this Watson made
no reply, but the grin on his face showed that he appreciated the
compliment.

Soon they had a roaring fire, which threw grotesque shadows on the
cavern walls. All drew closer to enjoy the warmth, and they prepared a
meal to which even Slavin did full justice.

They questioned the