at. Blast it all; we ought
not go; not in the night this way. What would Sarah and the girls
say?" Notwithstanding his protests, the doctor was ready even
before the shepherd. "Take a gun, Daniel; take a gun, at least,"
he said.

The other hesitated, then asked, "Does Pete want Dad to take a
gun?"

The youth, who stood in the doorway waiting impatiently, shook his
head and laughed, "No, no; nothing can't get Dad where Pete goes.
God he's there just like Dad says."

"It's all right, David," said the shepherd with conviction. "Pete
knows. It is safe to trust him to-night."

And the boy echoed, as he started forward, "It's alright, Mister;
Pete knows."

"I wish you had your medicine case, though, David," added Mr.
Howitt, as they followed the boy out into the night.

"Got one, Daniel; got one. Always have a pocket case; habit."

Pete led the way down the road, and straight to the old cabin ruin
below the corral. Though the stars were hidden behind clouds, it
was a little light in the clearing; but, in the timber under the
shadow of the bluff, it was very dark. The two men were soon
bewildered and stood still. "Which way, Pete?" said the shepherd.
There was no answer. "Where's Pete? Tell Pete to come here," said
Mr. Howitt again. Still there was on reply. Their guide seemed to
have been swallowed up in the blackness. They listened for a
sound. "This is strange," mused the shepherd.

A grunt of disgust came from the doctor, "Crazy, man, crazy.
There's three of us. Which way is the house? Blast it all, what
would--" A spot of light gleamed under the bushes not fifty feet
away.

"Come, Dad. Come on, Pete's ready."

They were standing close to the old cabin under the bluff. In a
narrow space between the log wall of the house and the cliff, Pete
stood with a lighted lantern. The farther end of the passage was
completely hidden by a projection of the rock; the overhanging
roof touched the ledge above; while the opening near the men was
concealed by the heavy growth of ferns and vines and the thick
branches of a low cedar. Even in daylight the place would have
escaped anything but a most careful search.

Dropping to his knees and to one hand the shepherd pushed aside
the screen of vines and branches with the other, and then on all
fours crawled into the narrow passage. The Doctor followed. They
found their guide crouching in a small opening in the wall of
rock. Mr. Howitt uttered an exclamation, "The lost cave! Ol