Cody told him of how the young lieutenant had come near to shooting a gigantic man for a caribou, and how the being had run away yelling into the forest. “That’s him. Crazy as they make them.” “He must be crazy if he would stop to shoot men down when such a fire as that yonder is on his track as well as theirs.” “I reckon an insane person don’t act logically.” “He’s worse than the dumb beasts,” said Cody. “Look at that rabbit running almost between your legs, Jack. Aw! don’t step on him!” “I ain’t--dern his hide!” exclaimed Texas Jack, making a flying leap over the bunny. “He’s scared stiff. Some of the deer have run close enough to us to be touched. Even a bear will behave when there’s a forest fire. But this crazy bedlam is ready to shoot inoffensive men when death of the most awful kind is threatening him.” “That’s why he’s crazy, I reckon,” said Texas Jack. “Come on, Buffler; this way.” The light of the fire now made the forest about them as light almost as day, but the radiance flickered, and the shadows danced in a blinding fashion. The scouts could not see as clearly as usual. Within a mile of the spot where they had been attacked by the Mad Hunter a second shot was fired at them--this time from directly ahead. Fortunately, the bullet went wild. “He’s got a single-shot, old-fashioned rifle,” declared Texas Jack. “That’s what is saving our lives,” returned his comrade. “He’s ahead of us--between us and the lake.” “We’ve got to try to capture him, then,” declared Cody firmly. “No use mincing matters. The fire is bad enough, but he is more dangerous.” “Reckon you’re right, Buffler,” grunted Texas Jack. The scouts separated, running several rods apart, so that the Mad Hunter might not be able to get them both in a line. And, if that were possible, they increased their pace. They heard the man crashing through the brush ahead, but they did not obtain another glimpse of him. And so phenomenal was his speed that soon he was out of ear-shot. Besides, the roaring of the flames and the crashing of falling trees interfered with their tracking of the madman by his footsteps. Their enemy ran as no human being ever ran before, for he got far enough ahead to load his old-fashioned gun and again await their coming. This time he took a shot at Texas Jack and sent that worthy’s hat spinning into the air. “Confound his hide!” roared the scout. “Pepper him, Bill!” But with a scream of rage the madman was off through the illuminated forest once more, and Cody’s shots did not overtake him. Besides, the light was so uncertain that the scout did not waste but two balls in the attempt to bring down the foe. “He’ll git one of us yet,” cried Texas Jack. “We’ll keep as close to him as possible. He mustn’t have a chance to reload!” But it was like chasing a will-o’-the-wisp. The madman was off like the wind, shrieking his defiance. They could not keep him in sight, although the fire now was illuminating the forest far ahead of them.