se a galoot like this yer Sanson T. Wrangler
happens along an' says he's bin robbed, you never waits t' inquire if
he's tellin' the truth. You dash off on a false trail t' arrest a
innercent man. Kiddie has a way o' workin' that's all his own, an' if
he don't allus hit the bull's-eye fust shot, at least he never misses
the target."

"I allow Kiddie's cute," acknowledged Isa. "He's got the sagacity of a
Injun combined with the trained intelligence of a civilized human. If
Kiddie wasn't so all-fired scrupulous about truth an' justice, he'd
make a passable magistrate. But I reckon his ambitions don't lie in
that direction."

The sheriff stood up and glanced towards his canoe.

"Guess it's 'bout time for me ter think of quittin'," he remarked.

"But you'll stop in camp with us to-night?" said Kiddie. "Now that
you're through with that robbery problem, there's no occasion for
hustle, an' I guess Rube c'n make you as comfortable 's if you were
stayin' in a high-class Cincinnati hotel."

"Nothing would please me better'n to be your lordship's guest for a
night," returned Isa. "I'm goin' ter stay. Th' experience of sleepin'
on a island 'll be suthin' of a novelty. Thar's a spice of adventure
about it that I appreciate. Gideon Birkenshaw 'll conclude I've
located your camp. He won't worry any on my account. When shall I
tell Gid you'll be home?"

"The time is not limited," returned Kiddie. "Rube and I are a long way
from bein' tired of campin' out, and we've got 'most all we want. We
ain't worryin' about letters or newspapers or any engagements or
duties. We're havin' a real good holiday, an' it's goin' ter last as
long as the fine weather holds. But I'll tell you what you c'n do for
us, sheriff. You've got plenty of cargo space in that canoe, an' we've
some green pelts--the skins of critters we've trapped--that you c'n
take back with you. Abe Harum knows what to do with 'em."

"Figurin' ter make this yer island your headquarters, I guess?"
observed Isa.

"No," Kiddie answered, glancing aside at Rube. "We've exhausted the
interests of the island. Rube has an idea he'd like t' explore some of
those dark an' dismal canyons on the far side of the lake. We're only
waitin' until he makes up his mind which one to choose."

"Then we've no need ter hang around much longer," said Rube, "for I've
fixed on Lone Wolf Canyon. There's a strong appeal in the name of Lone
Wolf."

"Gives promise of romantic sol