once."

"She's nigh onto fifteen miles off thar--"

"Why, that's the direction I came from," exclaimed the lad.

"Sure. Ye must have dodged it. Did ye pass the Ruby Mounting?"

"I don't know. Where is it?" asked Tad Butler.

"You'd know if ye saw it once. It's a peak that looks red when the
sun shines on it."

"No, I didn't pass the place. Tell me how I can get to the mining
camp, even if you won't let me have anything to eat," begged the boy.
"My companions will starve before I can get back unless I get help to
them soon."

"Got a compass?"

"Yes."

"Then lay yer course north by northwest three p'ints and ye'll hit the
Red Star plumb in the eye--if ye don't miss it," and the miner laughed
coarsely. "Know anybody there?"

"Mr. Munson, Richard Munson."

"Dick Munson, eh?" returned the man, with increasing interest.