ed Snowshoe
Island because some years ago a number of Indians lived on it and made
their living by making snowshoes. The Indians are all gone now."

"I guess, Uncle Barney, you've lived on that island a good number of
years," put in Bill Hobson.

"Twelve years coming this Christmas," was the reply. "I went there the
day after my wife was buried," and the old lumberman's face clouded as
if the memory of what had happened was still bitter.

"Do you do any lumbering there?" questioned Randy, more to change the
subject than for any other reason.

"Oh, yes; I do quite some lumbering during the season. I have a firm in
the city that sends up there every year for all the stuff I cut. At this
time of year. I like to go out hunting. It's the one sport that I
thoroughly enjoy. And I reckon you boys enjoy it, too, or you wouldn't
be out with your guns."

"Yes, we like to go hunting once in a while."

"Well, now, listen to me, boys. You saved my life out there in the
woods, and if I was real well off, I'd try to reward you for it. But, as
it is----"

"We don't want any reward," broke in Jack quickly.

"I know you don't--you're not that kind. And I'm not going to offend you
by offering it. Just the same, if you ever feel like coming over to
Snowshoe Island and paying me a visit, I'll treat you as well as I know
how."

"Maybe we might be able to go over there and do some hunting some
time," suggested Andy.

"Yes, you come over some time and stay a few days or a week with me, and
I'll give you the best time hunting I can," answered Barney Stevenson.

"By the way, Mr. Stevenson," said Jack curiously, "do you know a Mr.
Frederic Stevenson?" Jack had learned from Ruth that that was her
father's name.

At this unexpected question, the old lumberman opened wide his eyes and
glared at the young cadet.

"Yes, I know him--very well," he growled. "But I don't want to hear
anything about him--not a word! Is he a friend of yours?"

"He is the father of one of the young ladies who is a pupil at
Clearwater Hall."

"Oh, I see! Humph! Well, I don't want to hear anything about Fred
Stevenson, and if you want to be friends with me, you needn't mention
his name to me again," went on the old lumberman, much to the surprise
of the Rover boys.

CHAPTER VI

DEEP IN THE WOODS

"What do you suppose was the reason that old lumberman didn't want to
hear Mr. Stevenson's name mentioned?" questioned Randy of Jack, about
half an h