il about one
o'clock, when a halt was made for dinner.

Allen found that Noel was suffering but little but his arm was well
bandaged. Slavin, however, was pale.

"You need a rest, Slavin," he said, kindly.

"I reckon ye air right," was the faint response. "Didn't calkerlate ter
git sech an all-gone feelin'."

"We'll rest until the worst of the heat is over; eh, Ike?"

"Jes' as ye say," answered the old hunter.

They found an inviting spot in a small grove of trees close to a spring
and a brook, and proceeded to make themselves comfortable. Slavin was
glad enough to drop into a light doze.

"He's a changed man, unless I miss my guess," said Allen to Noel.

"I think you are right, Allen. That adventure took him so close to death
I fancy it rather awakened his conscience."

"I hope he does turn over a new leaf. He doesn't appear such a bad
fellow at heart."

"You are right. I suppose some men get bad out here simply because they
haven't any good example to follow. They cut loose from their old
associates and fall in with the wrong sort."

"That's just it, and it's so much easier to find the wrong sort than the
right sort. Some men think life altogether too slow unless they are
doing something against the law."

Allen, as he rested, could not help but think of his two brothers. What
were Chet and Paul doing? He sincerely trusted all was going well with
them.

"They ought to be old enough to take care of themselves," said Noel.
"You mustn't worry too much on their account."

"Well, we have to be on guard out here night and day, Noel. You really
don't know who to trust."

"Oh, I know that."

"Just think of what my uncle has suffered, and of what he may be
suffering this minute. It is enough to make one's blood boil!"

"It may not be as bad as you imagine, Allen. Your uncle must know a
thing or two."

"Of course, but one man can't do much against three or four, or half a
dozen. Those rascals will do all in their power to bring him to terms,
rest assured of that."

"Well, I am willing to push on at any time you say."

"I'll push on as fast as Slavin can travel. I can't do more than that.
If he caves in on our hands we'll have no means of finding out anything
more about my uncle's whereabouts."

"He can't be shamming, can he?"

"Not a bit of it. He was caught under the tree and I wouldn't have been
in his position for a thousand dollars."

"Then don't push him any harder than you dare. To me he loo