"You see these maps were issued some months ago, and many changes may have taken place in that time, though they are really supposed to be up to date." "Is Willy likely to be up here to-day, Tom?" "No. I asked him to keep within easy reach of the Overland camp at night while we are away." Willy, being a man of his word, guarded the Overland camp jealously for two nights, but on the morning of the next day, just before daybreak, he started to go upstream and look for the two absent men, his understanding being that they were to be away but one night. He was hiking along the river bank when Hippy, who had remained with the horses while his companion went into the forest for a final brief survey before starting for home, discovered the Indian who hailed him. "How do?" greeted the Indian. "Nothing wrong at camp, is there?" questioned the Overland Rider anxiously. "No. Me come see where Big Friends go." "That is fine. You are just the man I wish to see. Who cut off this timber, Willy?" indicating the cutting that he and Tom had first discovered. "Not know. Somebody steal um." "That is what Captain Gray says. Perhaps it was cut by a new owner--someone who has bought this plot, Willy." The Indian, gazing on the stumps in the clearing with expressionless eyes, shook his head slowly. "This section belongs to the state, I think," ventured Hippy. "No belong state." "Who, then?" "Belong Chief Iron-Toe. Him Chippewa chief--Big Chief." Lieutenant Wingate became instantly alert. "Are you positive of that, Willy?" The Indian nodded. "Do you know the gentleman with the iron toe?" "Him my father." Hippy was a little taken back by the answer, but his eagerness for more information overcame what might have become embarrassment. "Your father! Do you think he would sell the section?" he asked eagerly. "No sell." "But I wish to buy it, Willy." "You buy?" questioned the Indian, regarding Lieutenant Wingate thoughtfully. "Yes." "You Big Friend. Me fix." "Do you mean it?" "Me fix." "Good. When?" "Next sun-up. We go Chippewa Reservation." "How far?" "Two sun ride." "Say nothing to anyone about this. I'll say whatever is necessary to my friends. You wake me when you think best to start for the Chippewa Reservation to-morrow morning and we will be off. Want a horse, Willy?" "Me take pony." It was settled, and on the way back to the camp of the Overlanders during that afternoon Hippy confided his plan to Tom Gray, but Tom was doubtful of its success. He said he already knew what Hippy had had in mind, and that if he were able to buy the section for anything within reason there would be a fortune in it. "Will you go in on the deal with me?" asked Hippy. "Yes, if you keep within my resources. Thanks to you for letting me in on your coal land deal in Kentucky I have some funds that I can use. That was like giving the money to me, and I have been ashamed of myself ever since for letting you drag me into any such deal."