"By--" Strong paused and gave his thigh a slap. "I know w-what they're up to," he muttered, thoughtfully. "They'll make it too hot f-fer m-me here." He told of the fire and the man who fled in the bushes. "They're going to fire the valley, and don't intend to give you time to sit down," said Master. "It's a dangerous country just now." "Have t' take Sinth an' the ch-childem out o' here r-right off," the hunter answered. "If you'll stay with 'em t'-day, I'll go an' g-git some duffle an' we'll p-put over the r-ridge with 'em t'-night." Back at the old camp there were things he needed sorely, and he reckoned that he could make the round trip with a pack-basket by five in the afternoon. "It's still and the leaves are d-damp," Strong mused. "Fire wouldn't run much t'-day." "To-morrow I'll get a force of men and we'll surround this valley," said Master. They hurried into camp and were greeted with merry cries. Soon they were sitting on a blanket beside the others, eating in the ancient fashion of the pioneer. The young man had brought a letter from Gordon which contained a sum of money and welcome news. Sinth read the letter aloud. "'My dear friends,'" she read, "'I had hoped to write you long ago, but I have been waiting for better news to tell. My struggle is over and I am now master of myself. I paid to my creditors all the money you gave me.'" "Did you give him money?" Sinth looked up to inquire. "Uh-huh," Strong answered. "How much?" "All I had." "You're a fool!" Sinth exclaimed, and went on reading as follows:' "'Socky had given me his little tin bank. It contained just a dollar and thirty-two cents. The sacred sum paid my fare to Benson Falls and bought my dinner. I got a job there in the mill and soon I expect to be its manager. I'm a new man. If you want a job I can place you here at good pay. In a week or two I shall--'" Sinth stopped reading and covered her face with her apron. "What does it s-say?" Silas inquired, soberly. She handed the letter to him, and he read the last words: "'I shall come after the children and will then pay you in full with interest. No, I can never pay you in full, for there's something better than money that I owe you.'" Strong's face changed color. He dropped the letter and rose. "W-well," he stammered. "He sha'n't have 'em," said Sinth, decisively. "Tut, tut!" Silas answered. He raised the boy in his arms and kissed him. "W-we're both f-fools," he said, huskily. "You ain't exac'ly fools, but yer both childern," said Sinth, wiping her eyes. "Well, you know the Bible says we must become as a little child," said Master. "After all, money is only a measure of value, and one thing it does with absolute precision--a man's money measures the depth of his heart." XXXII STRONG left camp with his pack and rifle and two bear-traps. He was nearing the dead buck when a shot stopped him, and a bullet cut through his left fore-arm. The deadly missile came no swifter than his understanding of it.