hat is, if he
hasn't been killed?"

"Naw," was the disgusted reply. "Nox is game--true blue; you can bet on
him till the cows come home."

Which was more than Nox could say about his two pals.

Kit Woodford may have spoken with confidence, but he was not as free from
misgivings as he would have it appear. He could not feel sure of their
missing companion. If the report which they had heard did not mean that
he had been slain, his capture looked certain, and there was no saying
what he might do to secure leniency. Kit knew what _he_ would do in a
similar situation.

"Well, come on," he growled. "We're in tough luck to-night."

And the two pushed their way among the trees in the direction of the
river.

Meantime, matters remained interesting at the home of Widow Friestone.
The words of young Jim Buxton told a graphic story which made even Nora
laugh and forget for the time the frightful excitement they had passed
through. When the merriment had partly subsided, Mike drew one of his
remaining two quarters from his pocket and handed it to Nora.

"Will ye do me the kindness to presint that to Jim when he comes to the
store in the morning to set the table on the front porch?"

"What's that for?" asked the puzzled girl.

"For the gayety he imparted to this gloomy avening. I don't know as ye
need say that to him, for he wouldn't understand what ye meant until
after three or four years of hard thought. But he's airned it, and ye'll
not forgit."

She laid the coin aside and assured the donor that his wishes should be
carried out.

Chester spoke:

"It seems to me we are throwing away time. It is past midnight and here
we sit talking, and doing nothing because there seems nothing to do. What
do you think, Alvin?"

"You are right. This business doesn't seem to have stirred up the town. I
don't suppose anyone knows what has happened except Mr. Buxton and his
family, and I don't think he will tell the particulars himself."

"That can be lift to Jim," said Mike, "onless his dad imprisses upon him
that it won't be healthy for him to talk too freely wid his mouth
regarding the sarcus he obsarved this avening."

"The lookout in front ran off at the first sign of danger, and if there
was a second one he ran too. It will be a long time before any member of
that party pays Beartown a second visit."

Alvin now made known the fear in his mind--a fear that was shared by
Chester. The _Deerfoot_ was lying against the bank in