jumped out and
knocked at the door. He held himself very erect, and although his hair
was gray, he looked many years younger than he really was. His
appearance was hailed with shouts of delight, for he was well known and
a favourite with all.

'Come in, man!' cried Mr. Stuart, greeting him like an old friend. 'No
one could be more welcome than yourself. I've not seen you for months.'

'I've been up in Nebraska till lately,' returned the man. 'I've stayed
there a bit too long, as I ought to be in the Gunnison by now. Anyhow,
I couldn't cross the Range without running in to have a look at you
all.'

'That's right, Joe,' said Mr. Stuart. 'You'll stay here the night, of
course? Get your mule to his alfalfa, and come on in to supper.'

The man went off to the stables, and Jack felt in a great flutter of
excitement, wondering if Mr. Stuart meant to ask the stranger to let
him accompany him. A cowboy told him the man's name, and in Jack's
eyes the new-comer was to be looked upon with respectful awe, for he
was one of the most famous hunters in the West. He had long since
earned the sobriquet among other hunters of 'Champion Joe,' from the
long list of triumphs he had achieved in the destruction of wild
animals.

Numberless mountain lions, bears, wolves, and other wild creatures had
fallen victims to his unerring aim, and many a fierce fight for life
had he had with dangerous foes. The hunter's fame had reached even the
lonely village of Longview, and his name was quite familiar to Jack.

When Joe came in again, Mr. Stuart at once opened up the subject, told
Jack's story briefly, and asked him to allow the little lad to be his
companion.

'The boy can't go alone, Joe,' he said, 'and I'd sooner trust him to
you than anyone. I was going to keep him here this winter, but as this
opportunity has occurred, I think it is a pity to miss it, if you'll
take him along. His people are somewhere on the Cochetopa Creek, and
that can't be so very far the other side of the divide.'

'I'll take him for you,' said the hunter. 'Where is he?'

'Here, Jack, come along!' called out Mr. Stuart. 'I can tell you,
you're in luck to have fallen in with such a travelling companion.
Here's the safest man to cross the mountains with, and he is going to
take you with him.'

Jack came forward, and looked in the grizzled, tough old face with
something akin to awe. The bright, keen eyes looked searchingly at him
in return, as if th