he old
hunter. Over a plain but palatable supper Jean continued his narrative
to the point where he had landed on the station platform. "An' now the
hunt begin," he nodded. "To-morrow we get up 'fore it is light, then we
go to camp. All 'long way I look an' remember w'at I see. After that you
show me w'ere you go hunt. After that we fin' new places far away. We
hunt till we fin' M'sieu' Tom."

"That's the idea," applauded David. "I think we'd better turn in early
at that. You must be dead tired. I know you don't like railway
traveling. Did you take a sleeper here?"

"I don't lak' him," shrugged Jean. "I sit up all night. In the woods
never I am tired, but in the train, yes. It will be good to rest."

After supper the two lingered for a while in the little room. Anxious to
get the benefit of a good night's rest preparatory to their long tramp
of the morning, it was not long before they climbed the narrow stairs to
their rooms.

Five o'clock the next morning saw them eating a hasty breakfast, served
by a drowsy-eyed girl. After David had stowed into a knapsack an ample
luncheon for the two, and slung the knapsack across one shoulder, the
little search party went forth and soon left the village behind them for
the rough road that marked the beginning of their long jaunt through the
forest. Having traversed it many times since his advent into that
territory, David was well posted, yet he knew it no better than did
Jean. The sturdy old man seemed familiar with every phase of that
section. Now and again as they progressed he retailed some interesting
bit of history relative to his own wanderings therein.

Noon found them more than half way to their destination, and by four
o'clock they reached the camp, where Jean was introduced to Mr.
Mackenzie, who had recovered from his illness and returned to his duties
as overseer.

Jean discovered in the rugged Scotchman a person quite after his own
heart. Previous to meeting the overseer, he had confided to David that
he intended to make use of the tent which his young friend had stored
with Mr. Mackenzie, and sleep out of doors. By the time supper was over,
however, he was quite willing to accept the sleeping accommodations
which David had made for him at the Scotchman's house.

Seated around a deep, open fireplace, in which a fire burned cheerfully,
the three men gravely discussed the details of the proposed search. Mr.
Mackenzie was of the opinion that it would be better to