"He certainly is a bad boy," declared the girl. "Yet--somehow--I am
sorry for him. He must be all alone in these woods. Something will
happen to him."

"Never mind. We can forgive him, and hope that he'll pull through
all right, after he saved you, Ruthie," Tom said. "Come on, now,
Bobbins. Lend a hand with the poor dog."

Tom had removed his coat and in that, for a blanket, they carried
Reno through the woods to the camp. It was a hard journey, for in
places the snow had drifted and was quite soft. But in less than an
hour they arrived at the lodge.

The men had come in with the wood by that time, and Mr. Cameron with
them. Mrs. Murchiston and the girls were greatly worried over Ruth's
absence and the absence, too, of the three boys. But the death of the
catamount, and the safety of all, quickly put a better face upon the
situation.

Ruth was praised a good bit for her bravery. And Mr. Cameron said:

"There's something in that poor boy whom we tried to return to his
friends--if the Hatfields _are_ his friends. He does not lack
courage, that is sure--courage of a certain kind, anyway. I must see
to his business soon. I believe the Hatfields live within twenty
miles of this place, and in a day or two I will ride over and see
them."

"Oh! let us all go, father," urged Helen. "Can't we go in the
sleighs we came over in from Scarboro?"