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 peppered with lakes and streams, more so than any other similar area in the United States? That’s what gives ye the woods.”

Stanley nodded absent-mindedly, for he was engaged in idly lighting some dead leaves under a huge maple. To his great amazement he found himself whirled from his play by one sweep of Abner’s powerful arm. Before he could recover his balance Bub dashed by him and in passing gave him a push that sent him headlong into a clump of cedar bushes.

“Say, what do you two mean?” he demanded, crawling forth, his eyes flashing. For he believed the man and youth were suddenly taken insane.

“Hump yerself!” bawled Abner, laying onto the creeping fringe of fire with a bough hurriedly torn from a spruce. “Lend a hand here or I’ll leave ye to shift for yerself.”

“Come on,” barked Bub, his face strained with wrath and fear.

“You’ll answer for that Bub Thomas,” Stanley choked, overcome by the realization that his supposed friend had placed a hand on him in anger.

“I’ll tend to ye soon ’s I have time,” panted Abner, moving about like a madman.

Not till then did Stanley realize the two were