"_My dere Nephy Andy_ i hav got a chanct to git a job up Haveltown way and i think I beter tak it you dont seme to car for to have me tak car of you so i am goin to leave you to tak car of yourself Mr. Hopton wanted to treet you square but you would knot listen so you must tak the konseakenses. he said the pappers aint much akont anyhowe. i leave my lov even if you dont lik me. --_Josiah Graham_" It took some time for Andy to decipher the communication, and for the first time in his life he realized how very limited had been the education of his father's half-brother. He read the epistle to Chet and Barwell Dawson. "He has deserted you!" cried Chet. "Well, 'good riddance to bad rubbish' say I!" "I think he was afraid that you would make trouble for him," was Mr. Dawson's comment. "He thought you would take those papers to some lawyer, or to the authorities, and tell how he tried to sell them to Mr. A. Q. Hopton on the sly." "I guess that's the way it is," said Andy. He drew a deep breath. "Well, I am glad to get rid of him so easily. I sincerely hope he stays away." "But he won't stay away," returned Chet. "He'll wait until he thinks everything is all right again, and then he'll sneak back, to live on you." "He'll not live on me again," declared Andy. "I know him thoroughly, now. If he wants to stay here he'll have to work, the same as I do." "Well, you are in possession of your own," declared Barwell Dawson, as he rested in the chair Uncle Si had used. "You can now take it as easy as you please," and he smiled broadly. "I don't see how I am going to take it easy, if I can't get work," answered Andy, soberly. "A fellow can't live on air. Of course, I can go out hunting and fishing and all that, but that isn't earning a regular living." "You can't get work anywhere? You look like a strong young man, and willing." "I am strong, and willing, too. But times are dull, and there are more men up here than there is work. If it wasn't for having the cabin here, I think I'd try my chances elsewhere." "Where?" "I don't know--perhaps down in one of the towns." Andy invited Barwell Dawson to remain at the cabin for the rest of the day, and the invitation was accepted. The chums set to work to prepare a good dinner, and of this the hunter partook with great satisfaction. "You boys certainly know how to cook," he declared, as he finished up. "A fellow has to learn cooking and everything, in a place like this," answered Andy. "It's a good thing to know how to cook. I've found it so, many a time, when off on a hunt." "Mr. Dawson, I'd like to put a proposition to you," burst out Andy. "Of course, if it doesn't suit, all you've got to do is to say no. But I hope you will give it serious consideration." And Andy looked at Chet, as much as to say, "Shall I go ahead?" To which his chum nodded eagerly. "What is the proposition?"