"Shall we go on cutting?" asked the foreman.

Mr. Jallow hesitated a moment.

"No," he said, in a low voice. "Better stop--I guess."

"I may want you men to work for me," put in Mr. Ford. "I intend to go on
cutting this tract, as soon as the court formalities are over. If you
like you may remain in camp until it is time to go to work again. I'll
hire you."

A cheer greeted this announcement. The men had looked rather blank at
losing their work in the middle of winter.

"Well, it's all over," said Grace, as the sled turned homeward. "And it
wasn't so terrible; was it, Amy?"

"No, indeed. Oh, I'm so glad your father has won, dear."

"I guess we all are," spoke Betty. "Now we can enjoy the rest of our
stay in camp without having to worry, and we can go where we please. Can
you stay, Mr. Blackford?"

"Yes, for a few days more."

The court formalities did not take long, and soon the title of Mr. Ford
to the disputed land was confirmed. The change in boundary lines was
shown, and, had he so desired, Mr. Ford could have proceeded against Mr.
Jallow. But he preferred not to, since he had not really lost any of the
valuable timber.

"Besides, there is no use making Alice feel any worse than she does,"
said Grace. The Jallow camp had been broken up, since it was on Mr.
Ford's land, and Alice, her mother and guests had gone back to Deepdale.
Our friends held undisputed sway in the woods.

Christmas was approaching. There was but about a week more in the woods,
when, one fine warm day--that is, warm for that time of year--the party
of young people set off for a tramp in the forest.

By twos and threes they strolled on, until finally Amy and Mr. Blackford
found themselves in rather a lonely part of the woods, separated from
the others.

"I guess we had better be getting back," he observed with a smile. "They
may be anxious about us."

"Yes," agreed Amy. "But it is so wonderful here--in the winter woods. I
feel I could stay--forever!"

They walked along a narrow path. There was a movement in the trees over
their heads.

"What is that?" asked Amy, suddenly.

"A bird, I guess. Did you think it was a bear?"

Amy did not answer at once. Then she screamed as the grayish body of
some animal with curiously tufted ears, sprang from an overhanging
branch straight at her.

Mr. Blackford, who was carrying a heavy cudgel, turned quickly at the
sound of Amy's voice, and pulled her to one side. He was not altogether
succ