“I can’t just say as how I _own_ it,” laughed the giant, “but there aren’t many who will dispute what I claim. Where did you say your friend is?” “I didn’t say. That’s just what I want to know.” “Well, what are you planning to do?” “The first thing I have got to do is to find Jean. Then I suppose we’ll start pretty soon for the place where we are going to begin our trapping.” “I hope you don’t trespass on any of my territory.” Reuben did not respond to the suggestion, and a moment later the newcomer said: “Have you had your breakfast yet?” “Not yet,” replied Reuben. “I was just going to have it.” “What have you got to eat?” “Buffalo tongue and some strips of steak.” “Good! That’s mighty good! I’ll help you get ready,” said the giant. “I’ll do you a good turn even if I shan’t let you trap along the streams what I preëmpt for myself.” Acting upon his suggestion the trapper dismounted and removed the saddle from the horse he was riding. The pack-laden animals, however, he did not relieve in the same way. “I’m thinkin’ I’ll stay here and help you with your breakfast,” he repeated. Reuben, who at once had begun to make preparations for the morning meal, was unable to see for a time, at least, where the “help” of his uninvited visitor was shown. As soon, however, as the pieces of buffalo meat had been cooked and the repast was ready, Reuben discovered how capable the giant was to “help” in disposing of the food which he had provided. Indeed, Rat was increasingly free with his advice and directions as to what Reuben should do, and for several reasons the boy did not refuse to obey, or even to follow, any of the proffered suggestions. When at last the food had disappeared, the giant remarked: “Then you think you will look up your camp, do you?” “I want to look up Jean.” “Well, isn’t that the same thing? I’ll tell you what I’ll do. You have been good to me and given me a bite, now I’ll take the pack off of one o’ the ponies and let you saddle it, and then we’ll go out and look for your friend. I hope he really is somewhere,” added Rat, suspiciously. “He was, the last I knew,” laughed Reuben. In a brief time the suggestion of Rat had been followed, and after Reuben had carefully adjusted his saddle to the pony of his companion they decided to leave the remaining pony in the defile while they set forth on their search for the missing Jean. Still Rat was loquacious. Apparently it made little difference whether or not Reuben replied or even listened to what he was saying. “You asked me a spell ago did I own these streams out here where I’m trapping. I told you I didn’t know as I did, but I likewise remarked that no one else had been putting in no claim for them. I don’t think many of them are likely to, not while I’m ’round.” “There aren’t likely to be any here, are there?” remarked Reuben. “You’re here, aren’t you?” “Yes.” “Well, isn’t the other fellow that was with you? Isn’t he here?”