up. Why don't you open up an' see who we are?" while
from under the tree came a call, "Quit your foolin' an' bring him
out o' there, you fellers." This command was followed by a still
more vigorous hammering at the door, and the threats, "Open up ol'
man. Open up, or we'll sure bust her in."

Mr. Howitt whispered to his companion, "Let me open the door and
talk to them, Grant. Surely they will listen to reason."

But the woodsman returned, "Talk to a nest of rattlers! Jim Lane's
the only man that can talk to them now. We've got to stand them
off as long as we can." As he spoke he raised his revolver, and
was about to fire a shot through the door, when a slight noise at
one side of the room attracted his attention. He turned just in
time to catch a glimpse of a face as it was withdrawn from one of
the little windows. The noise at the door ceased suddenly, and
they heard the two men running to join the group under the tree.

"They've found you ain't alone," whispered the big fellow, springing
to the window again. And, as a wild drunken yell came from the
visitors, he added, "Seems like they're some excited about it, too.
They're holdin' a regular pow-wow. What do you reckon they're
thinkin'? Hope they'll keep it up 'till Jim--Sh--h--h Here comes
another. It's that ornery Jim Bowles from the mouth of Indian Creek."

The man approached the cabin, but stopped some distance away and
called, "Hello, ol' man!"

"Well, what do you want?" answered Mr. Howitt.

"Who's that there feller you got with you?"

"A friend."

"Yes! We all 'lowed hit war a friend, an' we all want t' see him
powerful bad. Can't he come out an' play with us, Mister?" Another
laugh came from the group under the tree.

Young Matt whispered, "Keep him a talkin', Dad;" and Mr. Howitt
called, "He doesn't feel like playing to-night. Come back to-
morrow."

At this the spokesman dropped his bantering tone, "Look a here,
ol' man. We'uns ain't got no time t' be a foolin' here. We know
who that feller is, an' we're a goin' t' have him. He's been a
sneakin' 'round this here neighborhood long enough. As fer you,
Mister, we 'low your health'll be some better back where you come
from; an' we aim t' hep you leave this neck o' th' woods right
sudden. Open up, now, an' turn that there feller over t' us; an'
we'll let you off easy like. If you don't, we'll bust in th' door,
an' make you both dance t' th' same tune. There won't be ary thing
under you t' dance on,