speak. "He's been in dis place, an' dat's his mark."

"He must be very friendly, then," the Colonel replied. "I don't mind
how often he comes if he leaves fish, and they are trout at that."

By this time the entire camp had been aroused, and men, women and
children were gathered near, gazing with wide-eyed astonishment upon
the big pine. There were numerous conjectures as to the meaning of the
arrow and the fish. Most, however, were of the opinion that it was the
work of Indians, and that no doubt they were lurking near. Fearful
glances were cast along the silent forest aisles, and vivid imagination
pictured dusky warriors ready to swoop down with terrible war-whoops.
But Old Mammy scoffed at this idea.

"It's de debbil, I tell ye, an' no Injun," she declared. "Dat's his
mark, an' he's plannin' some mischief. It's a warnin' to us all. We
nebber should hab come to sich a place as dis."

The Colonel listened with considerable amusement to what was being
said. At length, however, he stepped forward and laid his right hand
upon the fish. With a cry of fear Mammy sprang to his side.

"Doan touch 'em! Doan touch 'em!" she shrieked. "It ain't safe! It
ain't safe!"

"Why, Mammy, what do you mean?" the Colonel asked.

"Go 'way, go 'way," the excited woman pleaded. "Dey belong to de
debbil, an' he'll bewitch ye. Doan touch 'em."