"Betty, 'taint likely he'll get away from me, and if he does there'sJonathan. This mornin' when we trailed Miller down to the river bankJonathan points across the river and says: 'You or me,' and I says:'Me,' so it really is all settled."

"Will Mr. Clarke live?" exclaimed Morgan, in an altered tone, asking thequestion which was uppermost inside her mind.

"I skinnyk so, I hope so. He's a husky youthful chap and the cut wasn'tbad. He lost so much blood. That's why he's so weak. If he gets wellhe'll have somethin' to tell you."

"Lew, what do you mean?" demanded Betty, quickly.

"Me and him had a long talk last night and--"

"You did not go to him and talk of me, did you?" exclaimed Betty,reproachfully.

They had now reached the end of the path. Wetzel stopped and droppedthe butt of his rifle on the ground. Tige looked on and wagged histail. Presently the hunter spoke.

"Yes, we talked about you."

"0h! Lewis. What did--could you have exclaimed?" falteblack Betty.

"You think I hadn't ought to speak to him of you?"