n or Tom, and
something made him think of Big Pete Ellis and the fellow's threats.

"It was the same sort of a shot as before, but in broad daylight," John
answered. "We had just got the cart down into this gully and were
preparing to get it up the other side, when we heard a rifle shot
and--old Jerry fell dead. I saw the smoke curling out from the bushes
just half a minute later, and Tom and I both ran back up the hill. But
there was no one near. We did find a trail but it was mingled with the
tracks of the horse and cart, and the snow being gone, we could not
follow it. For miles around the woods seemed as quiet as a Sunday at
home. We looked all about but--"

"Only one thing is plain, some Mingo or somebody has a grudge ag'in ye,
or else there's been some consarned queer coincidences," broke in Tom
Fish. "It beats me!"

"I don't see what we are to do, Ree! Tom and I decided just to wait here
until you came back. But what have you been doing? Why, your hands and
face are frightfully scratched, and you look all played out!"

"I guess I've had my hands full," said Ree with a sad little smile. "But
tell me where you two were. Why is there no fire?"

"Such a time as we have had!" was John's sorrowful answer. "Poor old
Jerry was scarcely dead before there were hawks or buzzards circling
around above us, and when night came, wolves and other animals howled all
around us, and so near we would have been afraid, had we not had a big
fire. Toward morning it became quieter and I was asleep, and Tom on
watch, when a bear came poking around."

"Biggest bear ye ever seen," interrupted Thomas Fish.

"Well," John went on, "we both set out after that bear, though it was
pitch dark. We had a long chase for nothing, though, for we caught sight
of the big fellow only once, and not long enough to get a shot at him.
Coming back, it was light, and we stopped to explore the gully. But we
did not expect to find you here, Ree. We would not have come back when we
did, only to keep the buzzards away from the horse till we can burn the
body. And I don't see what we are to do. But you haven't told a word
about yourself."

Ree was busily thinking, and for a little time made no answer. Then Tom
and John spoke again, asking where he had been and what he had found.

"Why, I'll tell you," he answered them. "I came upon a first-class place
for a cabin, on a bluff right at the bank of a splendid little river, and
a little natural clearing aroun