In a moment they heard some one coming down the trail. It was young Mr. Migley who suddenly had found himself in the midst of a small rebellion. Half his men had threatened to "histe the turkey" unless he brought back the "woman and the kids." It was not their threat of quitting that worried him, however--it was a consequence more remote and decisive. "Miss Strong, I was hot under the collar," he began. "I didn't mean to put you out. I want you to come back and stay as long as you like. We can spare you one of the cabins." "No, sir," Sinth answered, curtly. "All right," said he, "you're the doctor." In a moment she asked, "What you goin' t' do with them sick folks that's camped over at Robin?" "I won't hurry 'em," said he; "but they'll have t' git out before long." "It's a shame," Sinth answered. "You oughto hev consumption an' see how you'd like it." "There are plenty of hotels east of here." "But they're poor folks an' can't afford to pay board, even if they'd let 'em in, which they wouldn't." "I can't help it--we've got to get these logs down to the river before snow flies--it's business." With him that brief assertion was the end of many disputes. They were few that even dared question the authority of the old tyrant whom Silas had called Business. The young man began to walk away. Sinth sent a parting shot after him. "It's business," said she, "to think o' nobody but yerself." It was long past mid-day when Silas came with the ox. He stood listening, his hands upon his hips, while Sinth related the story of their leaving camp and of Migley's effort to bring them back. "S-Sawed himself off," said Strong, with a smile. "You s-see." The dethroned Emperor turned, suddenly, and drew a line across the trail with the butt of his ox-whip. "All t-toe the s-scratch," he demanded, soberly. He led Sinth and Sue forward and stopped them with their toes on the line. He motioned to Socky, who took his place by the others. Zeb sat in front of them. The boy seemed to wonder what was coming. His fingers were closed but his thumbs stood up straight according to their habit when the boy's heart was troubled. "Th-thumbs down," Strong commanded. He surveyed his forces with an odd look of solemnity and playfulness. "S. Strong has been app'inted W-warden o' Rainbow V-valley," said the exiled Emperor. "F-forward march." His command was followed by a brief appeal to the ox. "Purty good luck!" Sinth exclaimed, with a look of satisfaction. "But they's a lot o' pirates over there--got t' look out fer 'em." "They'll m-move," said Strong, as if he had no worry about that. Slowly they went up the trail and soon reentered Lost River camp. The young lumberman saw them coming and went off into the woods.