ant death,
there were narrow trails and dangerous fords, and here and there were
inoffensive-looking pools where the body of a horse may sink out of
sight in less time than it takes to tell it. These were not the
immense-chested moose or the strong-limbed caribou, natives of the place
and monarchs of its trails. Besides, if the winter caught them on the
higher levels, they would never eat oats in Johnson's barn again. The
six feet of snow covers all horse feed, and the alternatives that remain
are simply a merciful bullet from the wrangler's pistol or death of slow
starvation.

Bill had certain stores in his cabins,--the long line of log huts
from which he operated in the trapping season,--yet further supplies
were needed for the trip. He bought sugar, flour, great sacks of
rice--that nutritious and delightful grain that all outdoor men learn
to love--coffee and canned goods past all description. Savory bacon,
a great cured ham of a caribou, dehydrated vegetables and cans of
marmalade and jam: all these went into the big saddle-bags for the
journey. He was fully aware that the punishing days' ride could never
be endured on half-rations. Camp equipment, rifles, shells and a
linen tent made up the outfit.

He encountered real difficulty when he tried to hire a man to act as
cook. Evidently the Bradleyburg citizens had no love for the mountain
realms in the last days of fall. For the double wage that he promised
he was only able to secure a half-rate man,--Vosper by name, a
shifty-eyed youth from one of the placer mines, farther down toward the
settlements.

Up to the time that he heard the far-off sound of their automobile
struggling up the long hill, he had made no mental picture of his
employers. He rather hoped that Mr. Kenly Lounsbury--uncle of the
missing man--would represent the usual type of middle-aged American
with whom he had previously dealt,--cold-nerved, likeable business men
that came for recreation on the caribou trails. Virginia Tremont would
of course be a new type, but he felt no especial interest in her. But
as he waited at the door of the hotel he began to be aware of a curious
excitement, a sense of grave and portentous developments. He did not
feel the least self-conscious. But he did know a suddenly awakened
interest in this girl who would come clear to these northern realms to
find her lover.

The car was in evident difficulties. It was the end of the road: in
fact, the old hig