appears to know just how old they are. Do you wish to see the rest of
them?"

The girls did. Mollie suggested that perhaps if they remained there long
enough they might possibly meet the ghost of the old chief.

"What would you do if we should?" questioned Ruth whimsically.

"I'd run," answered Mollie promptly.

"I rather think the rest of us would not be slow in following you,"
agreed Ruth.

"I should think the Presbys would feel spooky all the time with so many
queer things about them," observed Grace. "There's mystery all over the
old house, and there are goodness knows how many dead Indians and things
on the outside."

"Only girls are afraid," spoke up Tommy.

"Only girls?" questioned Bab, with a significant glance at the boy.
Tommy subsided instantly. Then all of a sudden General stiffened his
tail, uttered a low, menacing growl and stood pointing his nose in the
direction of a mound that reached higher than any of the others.

"What is it, General?" asked Ruth, gazing in the direction of the
point.

"He smells somebody," volunteered Tommy. "Don't be afraid. I'm here," he
added, swelling out his chest.

"It's a man!" cried Mollie. "He's there hiding behind that mound. I saw
him peer over the top just now. Oh, let's run. Hurry, girls!"

Tommy cast a withering look at Mollie and, whistling to the dog to
follow him, trudged toward the mound in question. Bab promptly followed
him, with Ruth not far behind her.

CHAPTER X

MEETING A TREASURE HUNTER

GENERAL made a leap over the high mound. There came a growl, then a
sharp bark.

"Down, General!" commanded a manly voice.

A young man wearing rough clothes and a broad-brimmed soft hat, from
under which looked out a pleasant face, appeared, facing the girls.

"I beg your pardon," he said. "I thought perhaps you might not see me.
You are from the house yonder. I know Miss Stuart by sight and the
General and myself are old friends."

The young man stuffed some papers into his pockets. As yet none of the
party had spoken.

"Hello, Bob. Is that you?" greeted Tommy.

"Yes. You caught me this time."

"You bet I did!"

"Won't you introduce me to your friends, so I may apologize to them for
my peculiar actions?"

"Oh, they're only girls," answered Tom airily. "What are you doing
here?"

"I am Robert Stevens, young ladies. I live near by. The Presbys are
friends of mine."

The girls were beginning to feel more at ease. He was not a desper