marker of time, for he knew little about the hours as enumerated by 35 the watch, but it was on this morning of new courage a fresh pledge of wonderful things awaiting him. He started on again with steady strides, and tramped bravely till mid afternoon without adventure.

Suddenly, without premonition, his heart thrilled at faint sounds which seemed marvellously like those of a human voice. He stood still a moment in an agony of uncertainty, straining eye and ear for confirmation.

Yes, he was right! He caught the crackle of dry twigs and underbrush, while the faint human tones grew clear and distinct. Under the discipline of loneliness and distress the face of the untutored boy beamed with eager welcome which held no reserve and caught no suspicious glimmer of lurking treachery as near-by bushes parted and steps were close upon him.

Two men were before him, men very similar in appearance to those Steve had known, though with something in their faces which made him draw back even in the moment of joy at meeting others of his kind.

“Sakes erlive, Bub, whar’d ye come from?” called the taller, harder looking of the two.

“I come from Hollow Hut,” answered the boy with his simple dignity.

“And whar you goin’ to?” called the other man, while both laughed unpleasantly.

“Ter the city,” said the boy.

“Wal, now, that’s a pretty nice fox skin ye got rolled up thar,” said the tall one as they came closer. “S’pose you jes’ hand that over to us.”

“I can’t,” said the boy, holding it tighter in real alarm. “I swapped it with a man fer a watch, an’ I’m a-takin’ it ter him.”

“Is that so!” exclaimed the tall man. “So you’ve got a watch, hev ye? Who’d a-thought it,”––and they both haw-hawed loudly. “Now, ye can jes’ 37 han’ that over too, fer we mean bizness, don’t we, Bill?”

And with that they pounced upon the terrified boy, jerked the fox skin from his clinging fingers and soon brought forth from its hiding-place in his bosom the beautiful, beautiful watch! Steve fought like a small tiger, but he was no match for them and stunned and bruised he soon lay upon the ground while the two men walked off, never once looking back at their helpless victim.

For a few minutes Steve could not think, so severe had been their cruel blows; then indignation, such as he had never known in his life, swept over him in a sudden flood. He sprang to his feet, ignoring pain and keenly watching which way they went, stealthily followed after. For two hours he kept within hearing of them, though being careful always that they did not get a glimpse of him. He did not know what he was going to do, but when they finally halted for the night he halted too. The men had also taken the last of his corn pone and bacon; there was nothing for him to eat, but he did not even think of it, so intently was he listening. Soon they began to sing and laugh very loudly and he knew then they had plenty of whiskey with them. Hope rose in his heart. After a bit they would fall into heavy sleep. He knew well the ways of drink.