that there kid go now, Bill, and get him off'n our hands."

"You just leave him to me, Hank. I ain't goin' to let him go and blab,
I say, and get both of us in a hole. I've got _some_ say, hain't I,
Hank?"

"Well, don't do any croakin' when I'm around to see, that's all I've
got to say. He's your'n to do the way you want to with. I won't have
any finger in it. It's your job, it ain't mine."

"Well, I'll do the croakin' some other way. You needn't have anything
to do about it if you're afraid. I'll do it all by myself."

"Afraid or no afraid I ain't goin' to be mixed up in any croakin', and
that ends it as far as I go."

Hank knocked the ashes from his pipe, refilled it from the black
plug, and lifting a red hot coal from the fire placed it upon the
bowl, and puffed for a moment. When the tobacco was glowing to his
satisfaction, he flicked the coal back into the fire, and sat silently
smoking.

Jamie, lying quiet, had listened to the conversation of the two men.
He was wide awake now. He did not understand the significance of
"croaking," but the word had an ominous sound. It referred to
something the man called Bill wished to do to him and something to
which the man called Hank objected. He understood, however, the threat
to throw him into the Bay. The fellow Bill wished to do this while
Hank was determined to prevent it.

Instinctively Jamie felt that Hank was only defending him in order to
protect himself. He had no personal interest in him, but did not
propose to be involved in any trouble that might arise through some
action that Bill wished to take. He was glad when, finally, it
appeared settled that he was not to be thrown into the sea.

Bill arose and replenished the fire, and following Hank's example
refilled and lighted his pipe, then reseated himself.

Neither of the men spoke. Beyond their great hulking figures the fire
gleamed and sent a circle of radiance. Beyond the circle the forest
lay as black as a tomb. The snow fell steadily, and the wind sighed
and moaned ominously through the tree tops.

What were Doctor Joe and the lads doing? Were they searching for him
through the blackness of the night and the storm? If he had only
followed Doctor Joe's instructions and returned to camp in season!
Would these men kill him? Would he ever see the dear old home at The
Jug again?

With these thoughts flashing through his mind Jamie prayed a silent
little prayer:

"Dear Lord, don't let un kill me! Tak