ired a
lawyer in a lawsuit nigh on to thirteen years ago, and I lost the suit
and it cost me over a hundred dollars more than I might have paid
otherwise." The old lumberman did not add that this was a lawsuit to
which Ruth Stevenson's father was also a party, yet such was the fact.

"How long is it since you heard from Mr. Brown and Professor Lemm?"
asked Andy.

"The last time they came to see me was in the middle of the summer. They
threatened all sorts of things, and they got me so mad that I had to
take down my shotgun and warn them away. Then they left in a big hurry."

"Don't you think it's a bad thing to warn them off with a gun?"
questioned Jack. "They might have you arrested for threatening their
lives."

"I'm not afraid of them!" was the quick reply. "This is my island, and
nobody shall take it away from me!"

The boys could see that the subject was becoming distasteful to the old
man, and so they started to speak of other things. They questioned him
about how they could get to his regular cabin, and also the cabin they
were to occupy, and then spoke about the game they might have a chance
to bring down.

"Your going hunting will depend a good deal on how the weather turns
out," said the old lumberman. "If this snow keeps on for a day or two,
it will make traveling pretty bad. However, I'm in hopes that the storm
will clear away by morning."

The boys had put in a strenuous day, and they were glad enough when
Uncle Barney suggested that they turn in for the night.

"We're pretty short on blankets," he said, "but that won't matter so
much so long as we keep the fire going. I've got a good back log
started, and that ought to last until morning, if not longer. When I'm
at this hut alone, I usually sleep in that corner, and I'll do the same
to-night. You can spread yourselves around as you please."

With such a limited supply of blankets, it was no easy matter to make
comfortable couches, yet the boys had left home to rough it, so nobody
complained. They lay down in their clothing, using some of their
suitcases and Gladstone bags for pillows.

"If we had had a chance to do so, we might have brought in some pine
boughs to lie on," said Jack. "But as it is, I guess we'll manage."

"Is there any chance of that wolf coming back?" questioned Fred, a bit
anxiously.

"I hardly think so, Fred. And, anyway, I don't see how he's going to get
in here, with the door closed and the blanket nailed over the window