The lad hesitated a moment and then said, “I’m hungry.” “Come along with me and the squaws will feed you. And Jack, too, if he wants to come,” added the scout amiably. Jack, however, insisted upon returning to his companions and rode away alone as Kit Carson and Reuben started toward the Indian village. It was not long before they found themselves in the little settlement, where the words of the scout were confirmed, for food was soon provided for the hungry hunters, and, as Kit Carson had said, the squaws seemed to vie with one another in their efforts to please their white visitors. Soon after Reuben had finished his repast he was startled by the sight of an approaching white man. To all appearances the man belonged to the village. He was, however, neither dressed as were the Indians nor did his appearance suggest that he was a newcomer or a stranger in the midst of the redmen. Reuben’s surprise, however, was caused by his conviction that the man before him was the same one he had seen at San Gabriel, and if he was not the missing Jean, at least he so strongly resembled him that a stranger might take one for the other. “Look at that man,” said Reuben in a low voice as he turned to Kit Carson. “Do you know who he is? He looks to me like Jean Badeau.” In response to the suggestion of his young friend Kit Carson glanced hastily at the man to whom Reuben had referred and then said, “Are you sure?” As he spoke the scout glanced at the young trapper, but he quickly was aware that Reuben had not heard his question. He was staring blankly at the white man. CHAPTER XXIII—BAFFLED In his excitement Reuben, almost unmindful of his companion, started at once toward the place where the man whom he believed to be Jean Badeau was standing. As he approached he was speedily aware that if the man before him was his lost friend there was no evidence of recognition of that fact in the expression of his face. Indeed the man scarcely seemed to be aware of the coming of the young trapper. Puzzled and slightly alarmed by the strange appearance of the man, Reuben stopped a moment and then said: “Who are you? What is your name?” To the lad’s amazement the man to whom he had spoken gazed into his face and smiled in a manner that was like that of a little child. He did not speak, however, and for a brief time the two men stood and looked, each into the face of the other. “What is your name?” again demanded Reuben. Once more the bland expression appeared on the face of the stranger, but no reply was given to the query. “Are you Jean Badeau?” demanded Reuben sharply. Again the smile was seen, but still there was no answer.