ed with Tom, a single
misstep on the part of either was likely to prove disastrous to all
three.

"We mus' tak' the chance," declared Jean gravely to David, when at last
the arduous ascent from the valley had been stumblingly accomplished.
"'Bout four mile 'way we cache the t'ings. Only I hav' the rifle an' the
blanket of us two, an' M'sieu' David hav' the knapsack. In that we hav'
the supper. We go little furder. W'en we fin' the big rock, we lie on it
the blanket, an' on him we lie M'sieu' Tom. Then, you an' me, we stay up
an' watch. W'en morning com', then we mak' litter an' carry M'sieu' Tom.
I hav' hear him speak of wil' man. If wil' man com', Jean will be ready
to shoot at him the rifle. You are satisfy?"

"I don't see that we can very well do differently," was David's rueful
reply. "At least we shall have a chance to find out from Tom just what
has happened to him."

"No; M'sieu' David." Jean shook a respectful but decided head. "For
to-night we mus' say no much. M'sieu' Tom is too tire' to talk. Also we
mus' keep the quiet. No much nois'; no fire to cook the supper. The ear
of a wil' man hear far off. It is good if we miss him. You hav' hear
M'sieu' Tom say the wil' man is very strong. Jean is not 'fraid. But
many year he hunt, an' never shoot the rifle at any man. Now he pray _le
bon Dieu_ that he never may hav' it to do."

CHAPTER XXIII

THE STRANGE STORY

Jean's fervent declaration that he prayed never to be obliged to use his
rifle against a human being may have acted as a potent charm against
evil. At any rate, the welcome light of a gray October morning saw the
little company still undisturbed by any unpleasant intruder. It had been
a strenuous night for the three men, yet daylight found them signally
cheerful and alert. The long weary vigil that David and Jean had kept,
the greater part of it standing on their feet, was a watch of pure
affection. The object of their solicitude had been hardly more
comfortable. The cold, rain-beaten rock on which Jean had spread his own
and David's blankets was a poor couch at best. But to Tom it represented
the freedom he had despaired of ever again attaining, and he was more
than satisfied with his makeshift bed. Worn out by his recent exertion,
he had fallen asleep directly after they had eaten supper. He awakened
at daybreak declaring that he felt refreshed and much stronger.

As soon as the first indications of dawn appeared in the still-cloudy
sky, J