ell," said another, "when I first heard you out there, I thought you
was a deserter from the fort. The're about the only people we see comin'
down the river this time of the year."

The same man also volunteered the information that they were traders,
and Paul afterward saw that the woods were full of cattle. Seeing he was
growing weary, the men insisted that he should turn in under the buffalo
robes and take a good sleep, though he told them he could stretch out
anywhere by the fire and not deprive them of their robes. He did as they
desired and the moment he was snugged under the warm covering, the men
showed their thoughtfulness by lowering their conversation to whispers
so as not to disturb him.

At daylight they called him up as he had requested, and after a splendid
breakfast he started, with the Baby loaded almost to the water's edge
with provisions. All the cattle dealers accompanied him to the bank,
cordially shook his hand and wished him God speed.

About ten days after the above adventure, Paul learned that his
hospitable friends were notorious "rustlers" the western name for
cattle thieves, and that on the very day he left their camp, they had
been rounded up by a party of ranchers and every one of them shot to
death.

During the forenoon after leaving the camp of the rustlers, Paul was
hurled violently against a snag and his dress began leaking. Though
not more than twenty yards from the shore, he was filled to the neck
with the icy water before he could land. Fortunately there was
plenty of driftwood near and he soon had a roaring fire. He dried and
warmed himself while repairing the damaged suit, which he completed just
in time to escape a violent rain storm that followed him all day. Toward
evening, as he was entering a narrow passage between the buttes, he
felt as though he was leaking again and landed on a bar to investigate.
He found that though slightly wet, the leak was not occasioned by
another rent; but owing to the improper adjustment of the belt. As his
matches were too damp to light a fire, he gathered a pile of driftwood
and placed one of his signal lights in the barrel of a twelve caliber
pistol, made for the purpose; the signal light fitted the barrel like a
cartridge and threw out a strong, steady blaze when exploded. He shoved
the pistol into the center of the pile of wood and pulled the trigger.
Instead of lighting the fire he was hurled several feet a