ght.

A huge fireplace, blasted from solid rock, extended nearly across one
side of the room. Over it hung antlers of moose, elk, and deer, while
skins of mountain lion, bear, and wolf covered the floor. A large
writing-table stood in the centre of the room, and beside it a bookcase
filled with the works of some of the world's greatest authors.

Darrell lifted one book after another with the reverential touch of the
true book-lover, while Mr. Britton hastily arranged the belongings of
the room so as to render it as cosey and attractive as possible.

"The evenings are so cool at this altitude that a fire will soon seem
grateful," he remarked, lighting the fragrant boughs of spruce and
hemlock which filled the fireplace and drawing chairs before the
crackling, dancing flames.

Duke, who had accompanied them, stretched himself in the firelight with
a low growl of satisfaction, at which both men smiled.

It was the first time Darrell had ever seen his friend in the role of
host, but Mr. Britton proved himself a royal entertainer. His
experiences of mountain life had been varied and thrilling, and the
cabin contained many relics and trophies of his prowess as huntsman and
trapper. As the evening wore on Mr. Britton opened a small store-room
built in the rock, and took therefrom a tempting repast of venison and
wild fowl which his forethought had ordered placed there for the
occasion. To Darrell, sitting by the fragrant fire and listening to
tales of adventure, the time passed only too swiftly, and he was sorry
when the entrance of the man with his luggage recalled them to the
lateness of the hour.

"There is a genuine hermit for you," Mr. Britton remarked, as the man
took his departure after agreeing to come to the cabin once a day to do
whatever might be needed.

"Who is he?" Darrell asked.

"No one knows. He goes by the name of 'Peter,' but nothing is known of
his real name or history. He has lived in these mountains for thirty
years and has not visited a city or town of any size in that time. He is
a trapper, but acts as guide during the summers. He is very popular with
tourist and hunting parties that come to the mountains, but nothing will
induce him to leave his haunts except as he occasionally goes to some
small station for supplies."

"Where does he live?"

"In a cabin about half-way down the trail. He is a good cook, a faithful
man every way, but you will find him very reticent. He is one of the
many in