They had just gained the main street of the town when Dan saw before him a figure that looked familiar. He quickened his pace, and soon ranged up alongside of the man, who proved to be the half-breed, Hank Stiger. Stiger was partly under the influence of liquor, or otherwise he would not have shown himself in Gonzales at that time, when the Indian raid was still fresh in the settlers' minds. He glared angrily at Dan when he saw the boy. "Stiger, I want to have a talk with you," said Dan, with more firmness than is usual in one of his age. "What you want now?" demanded the half-breed. "I want to know what you have done with my father's papers." "What papers do you mean?" "The papers you stole from my father's cabin while we were out after the Indians." "I was not near your house--I took no papers!" cried the half-breed, fiercely. "Who says so tells a lie." "I know you did take them, and unless you give them up I will have you placed under arrest." "Ha! don't you talk to Hank Stiger that way, or you will be sorry for it." The half-breed's hand stole under his coat, and he showed the handle of his hunting-knife. "Do you see dat?" Dan sprang back, for he knew how treacherous the man before him could be. But now Henry Parker stepped up. "None of that, Stiger," he said, sharply, and placed his hand on the handle of the pistol he carried in his belt. "He wants to make trouble for me. He says I stole some papers," growled Hank Stiger, sullenly. "And I guess he is right, too," returned Henry. "If I understand the matter, he has proof against you." "Ha! did Big Foot tell----" Stiger broke off short, realising that he was exposing himself. "Yes, Big Foot told me everything," said Dan. "And you must give up those papers, or take the consequence." Hank Stiger's face grew as dark as a thunder-cloud. "I'll pay off that Injun for it!" he cried. "I knew he wasn't to be trusted, the skunk! But I ain't got no papers, never had 'em! This is a put-up job to get squar' on account o' that deer," he continued, trying to change the subject. "You got the deer, what more do you want?" "I am not talking deer now,--I am asking for those papers,--and the other things which were stolen," resumed Dan, doggedly. "What have you done with them?" "Find out fer yourself!" growled Hank Stiger, and turning swiftly, he started on a run for the nearest corner. "Stop! or I'll fire!" cried Henry Parker, as he drew his pistol, but before he could make up his mind whether or not he had a right to fire on the half-breed, Stiger was out of sight. Dan ran after him, and his friend joined in the chase. Stiger's course was toward the river, and having reached this, he leaped into a canoe which was handy and began to paddle with all speed for the opposite shore. A large lumber-raft was lying in midstream, and this he kept as much as possible between himself and his pursuers.