“Then all I’ve got to say, Hiram Skeetles, is that you are a brute.” “I don’t want none o’ your talk, Fred Rush.” “You claim to own this island, but we don’t think so, any more than we think you own the old Anderson claim.” This latter remark appeared to make Hiram Skeetles furious. “Bringin’ that up again, eh?” he shouted. “I reckon as how them Westmore boys set ye up to it. But I know what’s mine, and I intend to keep it. Now you clear out, and be mighty quick about it.” “What will you do if I don’t go?” “I’ll make it warm, I can tell ye that!” Skeetles showed his gun, and Dan Marcy exhibited a pistol, and, alarmed at the unexpected show of firearms, Fred dropped back to the place where the stores had been placed. As he could not get into the lodge, Fred decided to follow Joel Runnell’s advice and take to a tree. Armed with several blankets, he climbed into a pine and made himself as comfortable as possible. The storm that had threatened now started, the flakes of snow coming down softly, and growing thicker and thicker every minute. “This will make it bad for Joe and Harry,” thought Fred. “They’ll have their own troubles getting back to camp if it snows too hard.” From a distance he heard a rifle shot, proving that Joel Runnell was still following the bear. But after that all was quiet for a good hour. By that time Fred was hungry, and climbing down to the ground, he procured such things from the stores as were ready to eat. He was just finishing a cracker when Joel Runnell came into view. “Did you shoot him?” asked the youth, eagerly. “No, he got away among the rocks,” was Joel Runnell’s reply. “I might have tracked him farther, but I was afraid of falling into some pit, the snow is that thick. I reckon this is going to be the banner storm of the season. How did you make out with Skeetles and Marcy?” “I made out—and that’s all,” grinned Fred. “They won’t let me come near the cabin.” “I thought as much, and as I came along I picked out a new spot for a shelter—providing you and the others want to stay on the island.” “We can’t leave until Joe and Harry come back. If we do, they won’t know where to look for us.” “Just my idee, Fred. We’ll go down close to the shore. Then they can’t miss us when they come over.” “They ought to be here by this time.” “Perhaps they got on the track of more game.” Without delay the stores and traps were packed on the two sleds, and the pair started away from Snow Lodge. From the window Hiram Skeetles and Dan Marcy watched them with interest. “Don’t ye dare to stay on the island!” shouted the real estate dealer after them. “If ye do, I’ll have the law on ye!” “Oh, give us a rest!” retorted Fred. “Perhaps we’ll have the law on you before this affair is finished.” “I’ve got my rights——”