rhaps the brute was
calling his attention to the right trail. It was worth investigating
at any rate.

The dog seemed to read his thoughts, and, weak though he was, gave a
joyful bark, and bounded off in the direction toward which he had been
looking.

"There's something in this after all," mused Keith, as he followed hard
after.

Away in the distance a range of mountains stood out bold and austere
against the sky. At a certain place a break appeared, one of Nature's
vast passes, and toward this the dog made his way. Ahead lay a large,
open plain, devoid of trees. Across this they travelled to a forest
beyond, which clothed the base of the mountains. The trees were large
and resembled a vast, silent army wedged into the valley, as if
forbidding any progress that way.

But the dog was not thinking of the trees, nor how grand they looked in
their soft, snowy mantle. He had something else on his mind, and with
firm assurance he nosed his way into their sombre depths.

For two hours they threaded the forest, up the long, winding valley,
when at length a log cabin burst suddenly into view. It was small,
low, and evidently had been built for some time. A stream of smoke,
curling into the frosty air, betokened life within. Around the
building many tracks of animals were visible, while here and there
human footprints could be discerned.

There was no window to the shack, and the door was small and low. At
this he knocked, while the dog scratched in his eagerness to gain
admittance. No sound coming from within, Keith cautiously opened the
rough barrier and entered, the cur leaping in ahead. The room was
quite light from a fire burning in a rude stone fire-place, before
which crouched a weird form, with knees drawn up to the chin in Indian
fashion. Hair, long and unkempt, fell down over his neck, and a beard,
months old, was rough and straggling. The cheeks were hollow, and the
weary, sunken eyes, turned toward the door, were filled with alarm. It
was only the dog he saw, which had rushed forward, and was leaping
around him in the wildest excitement, licking his hands and face with
intense fondness.

The man, however, did not recognize the animal, but drawing his blanket
more closely around his body, huddled down in a terrified manner.

"Back, back!" he moaned. "Don't come near! For God's sake, spare me!
Don't touch me! Help! Father! Connie!"

The tears streamed down the poor creature's cheeks, as