_“He_ told Pete. Right now, he said. And Pete he come. ’Course I come with him. Dad must go, an’ the other man too, ’cause he said so.” In sickness or in trouble of any kind the people for miles around had long since come to depend upon the shepherd of Mutton Hollow. The old man turned now to the doctor. “Someone needs me, David. We must go with the boy.” “But, Daniel, Daniel! Blast it all! The boy’s not responsible. Where will he take us? Where do you want us to go, boy?” “Not me; not me; nobody can’t go nowhere, can they? You go with Pete, Mister.” “Yes, yes; go with Pete; but where will Pete take us?” persisted the Doctor. “Pete knows.” “Now, look at that, Daniel! Look at that. Blast it all; we ought not go; not in the night this way. What would Sarah and the girls say?” Notwithstanding his protests, the doctor was ready even before the shepherd. “Take a gun, Daniel; take a gun, at least,” he said. The other hesitated, then asked, “Does Pete want Dad to take a gun?” The youth, who stood in the doorway waiting impatiently, shook his head and laughed, “No, no; nothing can’t get Dad where Pete goes. God he’s there just like Dad says.” “It’s all right, David,” said the shepherd with conviction. “Pete knows. It is safe to trust him to-night.” And the boy echoed, as he started forward, “It’s alright, Mister; Pete knows.” “I wish you had your medicine case, though, David,” added Mr. Howitt, as they followed the boy out into the night. “Got one, Daniel; got one. Always have a pocket case; habit.” Pete led the way down the road, and straight to the old cabin ruin below the corral. Though the stars were hidden behind clouds, it was a little light in the clearing; but, in the timber under the shadow of the bluff, it was very dark. The two men were soon bewildered and stood still. “Which way, Pete?” said the shepherd. There was no answer. “Where’s Pete? Tell Pete to come here,” said Mr. Howitt again. Still there was on reply. Their guide seemed to have been swallowed up in the blackness. They listened for a sound. “This is strange,” mused the shepherd. A grunt of disgust came from the doctor, “Crazy, man, crazy. There’s three of us. Which way is the house? Blast it all, what would—” A spot of light gleamed under the bushes not fifty feet away. “Come, Dad. Come on, Pete’s ready.” They were standing close to the old cabin under the bluff. In a narrow space between the log wall of the house and the cliff, Pete stood with a lighted lantern. The farther end of the passage was completely hidden by a projection of the rock; the overhanging roof touched the ledge above; while the opening near the men was concealed by the heavy growth of ferns and vines and the thick branches of a low cedar. Even in daylight the place would have escaped anything but a most careful search.