nd
peered where he indicated.

Out in the center of a clearing stood a big, rambling structure that
had done service and been abandoned. A slow wisp of smoke, gray and
thin, floated upward from the rough chimney, a part of whose top rocks
had been dislodged by winter storms. They dropped to the ground and
held a whispered consultation. They argued heatedly over the best
course to pursue. The millman favored surrounding the cabin, and then
permitting him with two others to advance boldly to the door and
endeavor to capture their man.

The packer, Sinclair, suggested another course, which was nothing less
valorous than a straight rush for the doors and windows; but Chloride
fought that plan.

"It ain't that I'm afraid to take my chances," he declared; "but if we
do that, some of us, with such a crowd, is sure to get shot. We don't
want to lose no lives on a skunk of a dynamiter like this feller must
be. I'm for surroundin' the house, then callin' him out. If he's an
honest man, he'll come. If he ain't, he'll fight. Then we'll get him
in the long run if we have to fire the cabin to-night."

"And maybe burn a couple of million dollars worth of timber with it at
the same time," growled the drill runner. "That's a fine idea! I'm for
Jack's plan. First, line out around the cabin, out of sight of course,
then two men walk up and get him. I'm one of 'em."

"And I the other," declared Rogers. "Let's lose no time."

Silently, as before, the party spread out until it had completed the
ring around the cabin and then, when all was in readiness, the millman
and the runner, with pistols loosened, stepped out into the open and
walked around to the door. There was a moment's tensity as they made
that march, neither they nor the watchers knowing when a shot might
sound and bring one of them to the ground. The runner rapped on the
door, insistently. It creaked and gave back a sodden, hollow sound,
but at first there was no response. He rapped again, and at the same
time tried to open it; but it was barred. A voice from inside called,
"Hello! What do you want out there?"

"Want to see you," the runner answered. "Open the door, can't you?"

There was an instant's hesitation and then again the voice, "Well,
what do you want? Who are you?"

"Two men that ain't familiar with these parts," was the wary reply of
the runner. "Want to talk it over with you."

There was the creaking of a bar, and the door was opened cautiously.
One eye