paper, smellum book--allee same Ah
Sing."

"Thompson saw how much the Chinaman cared about oaths in general, so
he got busy and pretty nearly scared the daylights out of Sing."

"What did he do?" asked Phil, as both continued unpacking their gear.

"Oh,--he made Sing swear by the live chicken. You see, a Chinaman will
always tell the truth when he has to cut a live chicken's head off
over it. If he happens to be guilty of anything and says he isn't and
cuts the fowl's koko off,--he is sure to die for his prevarication. We
all die, anyway, of course," commented Jim, "but not so suddenly,
evidently. Then, if John is accused by someone of doing something he
didn't do and he pleads innocent and cuts the infernal bird's
headpiece off--the other fellow cops off."

Phil laughed, and worked on his fingers as if endeavouring to figure
the thing out.

"It's quite easy;--simple as A.B.C.," commented Jim, "only you're too
darned thick skulled to savvy,--that's all."

"And I guess the chinks think we are pretty dense not to understand,"
put in Phil.

"Just so!"

Sing put an end to the conversation by reappearing with a big armful
of wood.

A respectable fire was soon blazing in the stove and a sense of
increasing comfort began to pervade the place. Eileen's eatables--meat
pie and some baked fruits--were put into the oven to heat, while Jim
and Phil changed into dry clothes.

They then went into the adjoining room to inspect the furnishings,
which consisted solely of an iron bedstead with a fairly good spring
on it; a cheap little bureau, two chairs and an oil lamp.

The walls of the place were of shiplap covering the logs, while the
roof at the corners had holes in it big enough to put one's head
through. Fortunately a loft of some kind separated the heavens from
the occupants.

They spent the day making the house somewhat habitable, inspecting the
barns and grooming and feeding their horses.

In a spirit of thankfulness for small mercies, as night drew down they
got out their mattresses and bedding and prepared to make themselves
as comfortable as possible. They partook of supper and went to bed
early. Both were tired, and it was not long before they were sound
asleep. They might have remained so until morning had not Phil wakened
up with the fancy of something scampering over his face.

He sprang into a sitting posture.

"Get down, man! You're letting in the draught. It's all right. You
were just dreaming," gr