ve no doubt that you were
the man."

"If I had done it he would have seen me."

"That won't go down. He was asleep. Ernest, what shall I do with this
fellow? Shall I shoot him?" and Luke Robbins pulled out a revolver, which
he handled in a significant way.

"Don't shoot! Spare my life, Mr. Robbins!" cried the tramp in great
alarm.

"Humph! I don't see the good. Your life is of no value to the world."

"Let him go, Luke," said Ernest, "but tell him to clear out of this
neighborhood."

"It is treating him too well. Still, I will do as you say. Hark, you
fellow, what is your name?"

"Tom Burns."

"You are a disgrace to the name of Burns. If I spare your life will you
leave this neighborhood and never come back?"

"Yes--yes!" answered the tramp earnestly.

"You'd better keep that promise. If I ever catch sight of you again I'll
shoot without asking you any questions! Now get!"

Tom Burns got up and started away with celerity. He thought it wise to put
as great a distance as possible between himself and the tall and stalwart
hunter.

"I'll scare him a little," said Luke.

He fired after the fugitive, taking care not to hit him, however. Tom
Burns heard the bullet whistling by his head, and with a cry of terror
increased his speed till he reached a place where he felt secure.

"That is a terrible man!" he panted. "He'd as soon take my life as not. I
won't get in his way again if I can help it."

"Well, Ernest, where do you want to go? What are your plans?"

"I don't know," answered Ernest gravely. "I am not sure that I have any
plans. I feel upset completely."

"Sit down here and I'll talk to you."

The two sat down together.

"Now, how much money have you got?"

"A hundred dollars."

"It isn't much. Is that all that your uncle left?"

"I think so. He said nothing about having more."

"It isn't much to begin the world with. I wish for your sake, boy, that I
had some to give you, but I never knew how to get together money."

"I guess it will do, Luke. I have health and strength. I think I can make
my way."

"But you have no trade."

"Have you?"

"No, Ernest. You've got me there. I am only a hunter, but I don't make
much of a living. I don't recommend you to follow in my steps."

"One thing is certain, Luke. I must get away from here. There is nothing I
can do in Oak Forks."

"Where do you want to go, lad?"

"I don't know. I might go eastward to Chicago or New York, or I might go
West t