"I guess you're right," replied Step Hen, trying to make a grimace,
but without much success, because the blood had dried on his face, and
made it feel as stiff as though it had been duly starched on a washday
at home.

So he complied with the ruling of the guide; and while the cool water
made his cuts smart more or less, to begin with, still there was a
sense of satisfaction in the cleanly feeling that soon followed.

When he got back to the side of the guide again Step Hen discovered
that Toby had found the place he was looking for, close to where the
big-horn lay. Already smoke was beginning to rise, showing that
Giraffe might not be the only one in the party who knew just how to go
about making a cooking fire.

The scout watched Toby with considerable interest. He learned that
when a man has lived all his life in the borderland, he has picked up
a good many useful little wrinkles that a wideawake scout ought to
know; and Step Hen determined to profit by his experience in the
company of Toby Smathers.

Besides, now that all the excitement was over, Step Hen secretly
confessed to feeling more or less tired; though had any of his mates
been around, he would doubtless have scorned to display this fact. It
was nice to just stretch out by the cheery blaze, and see some one
else quite willing to do the work.

The guide was only too glad to assume all the burden of getting
supper, such as it promised to be. Secretly he was proud of Step Hen.
He had started in with rather a poor opinion of the boy's qualities,
and thought him given somewhat to boasting, and practical jokes. But
he had found that he was full of grit, gave promise of being a good
hunter, and was ready to attempt any sort of task, it mattered not how
difficult.

The way Step Hen fought those two eagles, alone and unaided, on that
narrow ledge, had aroused the ardent admiration of Toby. While he
worked, he cast many a secret glance toward where Step Hen was
stretched out; and each time the guide would give a little satisfied
nod, and a chuckle, just as though he were passing a critical
judgment, and saying to himself:

"All wool, and a yard wide; he'll do, I sure reckons. He's got the
real stuff in him, anybody with one eye kin see. And I'm sure goin' to
tell Mr. Scout Master that same, too. He deserves to be put up a few
notches arter this."

Could Step Hen but have read what was passing through Toby's mind just
then, he would have thrilled with de