"Look out for yourselves here, fellows," said Sammy, as they came out into an opening in the woods.
"What's the matter—did you see the hermit?" asked Frank.
"No, but there's a big cliff here, and we might slip over."
"Let's have a look," suggested Bob, pressing forward with Frank to where Sammy stood on the edge of a cliff which was about ten feet high, going down steeply into a little valley.
Suddenly, as the boys were looking over into a big drift of snow below them, they heard a noise behind them. There was a rush of feet, and Maybe, the dog, barked furiously. Then the harsh voice of the hermit cried:
"Follow me, will you? I'll teach you to do that! You'll be sorry you ever tried to find out my secret!"
Before the boys could defend themselves, or make a stand, the furious old man rushed at them. With extended hands he pushed Bob over the cliff into the deep bank of snow below.
"Look out!" yelled Frank, as he saw his chum disappear.
"Hey! What are you doing that for?" demanded Sammy.
"I'll show you! I'll teach you to follow me!" snarled the old hermit. "Down you go! All of you!"
He pushed Frank over the cliff also, the boy struggling to keep his balance. But over he went, head first.
"Don't you dare touch me!" cried Sammy, getting ready to defend himself. Yet he knew he could do nothing against the angry hermit.
"I'll fix you!" cried the old man.
"You let me alone!" pleaded Sammy. "Sic him, Maybe!" he cried, to the dog.
Indeed the hunter's dog needed no urging. At the first sign of the old man Maybe had rushed at him. Now he was tugging at his coat-tails as though to stop him from pushing the boys over the cliff. But the man was strong, and paid no
