Tom arose and extended his hand, but the guide pretended that he did not see it. He put his rifle and snow-shoes in one corner of the cabin, and then turned and looked down at Tom. “So yer the fine young feller as wanted to bust my pardner up, be ye?” said he sternly, while Tom grew a shade whiter as he noticed the expression that settled on the speaker’s face. “Now, Thompson, that’s enough of that,” interrupted Oscar. “It was all settled long ago. Don’t say another word about it, for we want to forget it.” “I’m amazin’ proud to hear it,” growled the guide. “But if ye can’t forgit it, an’ it aint settled nuther, an’ ye wan’t it should be settled——” He finished the sentence by striking his clenched hand into his open palm. “But I tell you it is settled!” exclaimed Oscar. “Sit down and don’t spoil a family reunion by showing your temper. Let us see how agreeable you can be. If you don’t, the next time I see you pursued by a grizzly, I’ll——” “Say no more, perfessor,” said Big Thompson, the scowl instantly fading from his face. “Put it thar!” “Excuse me,” answered Oscar, thrusting his hands into his pockets. “Where are my letters and papers?” The guide did not act as though he heard the question. He pulled his pipe from his pocket, and, after filling and lighting it with a brand from the fire, he drew a stool close to Oscar’s side and sat down. “Now,” said he, “I’m all ready. Go on.” “Go on with what?” “I want to know jest everything that’s happened in this yere valley since I’ve b’en gone. An’ I say ag’in, go on.” Oscar, who knew that it was of no use to oppose the guide when he had determined upon any particular course of action, began the story of his adventures, intending to hurry through with it as soon as he could, and make another demand on Big Thompson for the letters and papers he carried in his pocket; but, as he dwelt upon the exciting scenes through which he had so recently passed, he became interested, and, before he knew it, he was giving a spirited and graphic account of them. Big Thompson kept his eyes fastened upon the boy’s face, listening so intently that he allowed his pipe to go out; and he almost jumped from his seat when Tom exclaimed, as Oscar was about winding up his story: “You ought to have seen him, Thompson. He knocked Lish flatter than a pancake twice, and thrashed him until he wore a five-foot switch down to two. I lay there and saw it all.” “Perfessor,” said the guide, whose astonishment and admiration knew no bounds, “did ye lick Lish in a fair rough an’ tumble?” “I made him stop pounding my brother,” replied Oscar, “and I recovered everything he stole from us, into the bargain.” “Perfessor,” repeated the guide, “put ’em thar! Put ’em both thar!”