e lately," he said to
Rube, who was taking a practical lesson in the laying of traps. "That
fish bait 'll sure tempt him. Anything more need doin'? What about
that trench?"

"I've done it," Rube answered. "Thar ain't nothin' else, except t' get
our beds ready."

"Mine's going t' be in the open," Kiddie decided. "Your's 'll be in
the teepee. Keep a candle and matches and your moccasins within reach,
case you've got ter get up in the dark. May as well plant your
six-shooter under your knees, too. Thar's where I allus keep mine.
It's a good habit, anyway. Don't reckon you'll need it, unless the
coyotes come nosing around. Take a good sleep. No occasion ter get
movin' about 'fore six o'clock."

Before they turned in for the night, the moon had risen over the jagged
mountain tops, casting a glittering path of silver across the lake. On
the farther side of the water they could see the black openings of many
canyons and yawning chasms that invited exploration.

The deep murmur of a distant torrent came to them. The hoarse croaking
of frogs and the chirping of crickets were mingled with the hooting of
owls and the nearer hum of mosquitoes. Bats and moths were flitting on
silent wings among the trees, and there was a rustle of dry leaves, as
unseen animals of the night moved in the undergrowth.

Rube was up and moving about the camp at sunrise, and he had stirred up
the smouldering fire and put a kettle and a dipper of water to boil
before Kiddie crawled out of his sleeping bag. Kiddie's first
occupation was to launch the canoe.

"Fetch the towels and come along," he said. "We'll get t' the deep
water for our swim. You won't be anyways afraid, will you?"

"Not when you're near ter keep an eye on me," returned Rube, with
confidence. "Course you'll help me t' git back inter the canoe.
'Tain't the same's mountin' a pony."

"Well, no," smiled Kiddie. "You'll mount over her head or her tail.
She'll roll over, sure, if you try ter get astride her by the middle."

Rube paddled out into the lake until he was told to stop. He shipped
his paddle, and looked round in time to see Kiddie's beautiful muscular
figure poised ready to dive from the high peak.

With an adroit movement, Kiddie leapt into the air and, turning, cut
the water as cleanly as an arrow, making very little splash. Rube
waited so long for him to reappear that it seemed almost that some
accident had happened to him. But at length he came up