“Will we meet Half-Breed Jake, do you think?” was all he asked, however.
“No,” returned Oscar, “that fellow and his Indian friends are nearly always away at this time of year. You say you saw them in the woods, but they must have gone back again, for there has not been a sign of life about their cabin. His place is over opposite us on the spur of Jasper Peak; you can see it plainly enough by daylight. Every season about this time they go down-State to sell their furs and have a final spree before they come back for the winter. He is an ugly neighbor, Half-Breed Jake is, when he has just had his fling. He does not ever like to stay away very long, for he likes to watch the place and drive out any one that might try to settle hereabouts.”
“But he hasn’t driven you out,” said Hugh. “Has he tried?”
“Oh, yes, he has tried,” replied Oscar cheerfully, “but he hasn’t succeeded yet.”
They set out very early the next morning, having arisen before sun-up to get their work done
