e must find shelter for the night. Even with his warm double
blankets he could not sleep in the forest on such a night. Besides the
horse would need food.

He rode on briskly for a full hour, anxiously watching both sides of
the road for a cabin or cabin smoke. By that time night had come fully,
though fortunately it was clear but very cold. He saw then on the right
a faint coil of smoke rising against the dusky sky and he rode straight
for it.

The smoke came from a strong double cabin, standing about four hundred
yards from the road, and the sight of the heavy log walls made Dick all
the more anxious to get inside them. The cold had grown bitter and even
his horse shivered.

As he approached two yellow curs rushed forth and began to bark
furiously, snapping at the horse's heels, the usual mountain welcome.
But when a kick from the horse grazed the ear of one of them they kept
at a respectful distance.

"Hello! Hello!" called Dick loudly.

This also was the usual mountain notification that a guest had come,
and the heavy board door of the house opened inward. A man, elderly,
but dark and strong, with the high cheek bones of an Indian stood in the
door, the light of a fire blazing in the fireplace on the opposite side
of the wall throwing him in relief. His hair was coal black, long and
coarse, increasing his resemblance to an Indian.

Dick rode close to the door, and, without hesitation, asked for a
night's shelter and food. This was his inalienable right in the hills or
mountains of his state, and he would be a strange man indeed who would
refuse it.

The man sharply bade the dogs be silent and they retreated behind the
house, their tails drooping. Then he said to Dick in a tone that was not
without hospitality:

"'Light, stranger, an' we'll put up your horse. Mandy will have supper
ready by the time we finish the job."

Dick sprang down gladly, but staggered a little at first from the
stiffness of his legs.

"You've rid far, stranger," said the man, who Dick knew at once had a
keen eye and a keen brain, "an' you're young, too."

"But not younger than many who have gone to the war," replied Dick. "In
fact, you see many who are not older than fifteen or sixteen."

He had spoken hastily and incautiously and he realized it at once. The
man's keen gaze was turned upon him again.

"You've seen the armies, then?" he said. "Mebbe you're a sojer
yourself?"

"I've been in the mountains, looking after some la