one with my father's papers."

"What papers do you mean?"

"The papers you stole from my father's cabin while we were out after
the Indians."

"I was not near your house--I took no papers!" cried the half-breed,
fiercely. "Who says so tells a lie."

"I know you did take them, and unless you give them up I will have you
placed under arrest."

"Ha! don't you talk to Hank Stiger that way, or you will be sorry for
it." The half-breed's hand stole under his coat, and he showed the
handle of his hunting-knife. "Do you see dat?"

Dan sprang back, for he knew how treacherous the man before him could
be. But now Henry Parker stepped up.

"None of that, Stiger," he said, sharply, and placed his hand on the
handle of the pistol he carried in his belt.

"He wants to make trouble for me. He says I stole some papers," growled
Hank Stiger, sullenly.

"And I guess he is right, too," returned Henry. "If I understand the
matter, he has proof against you."

"Ha! did Big Foot tell----" Stiger broke off short, realising that he
was exposing himself.

"Yes, Big Foot told me everything," said Dan. "And you must give up
those papers, or take the consequence."

Hank Stiger's face grew as dark as a thunder-cloud.

"I'll pay off that Injun for it!" he cried. "I knew he wasn't to be
trusted, the skunk! But I ain't got no papers, never had 'em! This is a
put-up job to get squar' on account o' that deer," he continued, trying
to change the subject. "You got the deer, what more do you want?"

"I am not talking deer now,--I am asking for those papers,--and the
other things which were stolen," resumed Dan, doggedly. "What have you
done with them?"

"Find out fer yourself!" growled Hank Stiger, and turning swiftly, he
started on a run for the nearest corner.

"Stop! or I'll fire!" cried Henry Parker, as he drew his pistol, but
before he could make up his mind whether or not he had a right to fire
on the half-breed, Stiger was out of sight. Dan ran after him, and his
friend joined in the chase.

Stiger's course was toward the river, and having reached this, he
leaped into a canoe which was handy and began to paddle with all speed
for the opposite shore. A large lumber-raft was lying in midstream, and
this he kept as much as possible between himself and his pursuers.

"He's bound to get away if he can," observed Henry, as the pair gained
the bank of the Guadalupe almost out of breath.

"Here is another canoe--let us follow him in