ck
to Millinokett to-morrow."

So answered the successful hunter, tingling with some pride in the skill
which, because of his reverence for all life, he generally kept out of
sight.

And he stuck to his purpose about the antlers.

* * * * *

Cheered and invigorated by a sumptuous supper and breakfast of broiled
caribou-steaks, supplemented by Herb's lightest cakes, and carrying some
of the meat with them as provision for the way, the campers accomplished
their backward tramp to the log camp on Millinokett Lake in fulness of
strength and spirits.

Once or twice during the journey, when the guide was stalking ahead, and
thought himself unnoticed, the city fellows saw him lift his right hand
and look at it for a full minute. Then it swung heavily back to his
side.

"He's missing his rifle, the partner that never went back on him," said
Cyrus. "Say, boys! I've got an idea!"

"Out with it if it's worth anything," grunted Dol. "I never have ideas
these days. Too much doing. I don't feel as if there was a steady peg in
me to hang one on."

"Oh! quit your nonsense, Chick, and listen. Herb will wait for us in a
few minutes," was the Boston man's impatient rejoinder.

Then followed a low-toned consultation, in the course of which such talk
as this was heard:--

"Our Pater will want to shell out when he hears about Chris."

"So will mine. He'll be for sending Herb a cool five hundred or thousand
dollars, right away. And, as likely as not, Herb would feel flaring mad,
and ready to chuck it in his face. He's not the sort of fellow to stand
being paid by an outsider for a plucky act, done in the best hour of his
life."

"Oh, I say! wouldn't it be decenter to manage the thing ourselves,
without letting anybody who doesn't know him meddle in it?" This
suggestion was in Dol's voice. "Neal and I could draw our allowances for
three months in advance; the Pater will be willing enough. We'll be
precious hard up without them, but we'll rub through somehow. Then you
can chip in an even third, Cy, and we'll order an A I rifle,--the best
ever invented, from the best company in America,--silver plate, with his
name,--and all the rest of it. I'd swamp my allowance for a year to see
Herb's face when he gets it."

"That's the plan! You do have occasional moments of wisdom, Dol; I'll
say that much for you," commented the leader. "Well, Herb has taken a
special sort of liking to you. You may tip him a