talking to the farmer. When they mentioned their first objective
point, and asked if he could give them any directions for reaching it,
he looked thoughtful.

"I only know that it's remarkably rough country; thick pine bush on
rolling ground, with some bad muskegs and small lakes," he said. "You
would find things easier if you could hire an Indian or two, and a
canoe when you strike the river. The boys here seldom go up so far;
but Clarke could help you if he liked. He knows that country like a
book, and he knows the Indians."

"We're willing to pay him for any useful help," Harding said.

"Be careful," cautioned the farmer. "If you're on a prospecting trip,
keep your secret close. There's another bit of advice I might give."
He turned to Blake. "If you're a friend of Benson's, take him along
with you."

"I suppose I am, in a way, though it's a long time since I met him.
But why do you suggest our taking him?"

"I hate to see a man go to pieces as Benson's doing. Clarke's ruining
the fellow. He must have got two or three thousand dollars out of him,
one way or another, and isn't satisfied with that. Lent him money on
mortgage to start a foolish stock-raising speculation, and keeps him
well supplied with drink. The fellow's weak, but he has his good
points."

"But what's Clarke's object?"