discussion and argument. A silence followed, in which they all
looked at the fire as if it was its turn to make a suggestion.

"Collinson," said the pleasant voice abruptly, "who lives in the
hollow this side of the Divide, about two miles from the first spur
above the big canyon?"

"Nary soul!"

"Are you sure?"

"Sartin! Thar ain't no one but me betwixt Bald Top and Skinner's--
twenty-five miles."

"Of course, YOU'D know if any one had come there lately?" persisted
the pleasant voice.

"I reckon. It ain't a week ago that I tramped the whole distance
that you fellers just rode over."

"There ain't," said the leader deliberately, "any enchanted castle
or cabin that goes waltzing round the road with revolving windows
and fairy princesses looking out of 'em?"

But Collinson, recognizing this as purely irrelevant humor, with
possibly a trap or pitfall in it, moved away from the fireplace
without a word, and retired to the adjoining kitchen to prepare
supper. Presently he reappeared.

"The pork bar'l's empty, boys, so I'll hev to fix ye up with jerked