Smoke and yellow flames poured from the door of the shack. It was evident that the boy’s outfit was being destroyed. Dig tossed Poke’s reins to Chet to hold and ran over to the burning structure. The sides of the shack were red-hot, and he could not get near to it; but with a long pole he managed to poke something out of the fire. “Hi!” he yelled, trying to hold this object up by its bail. “Nobody home but the beans—and they’re canned! Heap big Injun live on white man’s grub just the same!” “Stop, Dig!” commanded Chet. “Suppose John should hear you? And he did us a mighty big favour.” “Oh, he isn’t around,” declared Dig. “Think he’d let his outfit burn up like this?” “Who did burn it?” asked Mr. Havens. “Looks odd to me. Of course the Indian boy wouldn’t destroy his own property.” “I wonder where John went to when he left us so suddenly in that mine,” Chet remarked. “He flew the coop, and that’s a fact!” said Dig. “But I couldn’t guess where he went to. It’s pretty safe to say he did not come this way.” “That’s so,” agreed Chet. “But I would like to see him; wouldn’t you, Father?” “Most certainly,” said Mr. Havens. “Perhaps we might do something to help the lad. If he has lost his outfit—” “That white man!” exclaimed Chet, interrupting. “Hel-lo!” said Mr. Havens. “What white man?” asked Dig, in surprise. “What are you dreaming about, Chet?” “No dream,” said Chet, shaking his head. “But we saw a stranger talking with John Peep right here; you remember, Dig?” “Sure. What of it?” “Maybe he was the fellow who caved in the Crayton shaft. And maybe he didn’t want anybody to know about that old bears’ den entrance to the mine. See?” “Just as clear as mud,” grunted Digby, shaking his head, while Mr. Havens chuckled. “Maybe you think it’s far-fetched, Father,” Chet urged earnestly. “But perhaps because the Indian showed us the way to get you and the boys out, that white man came back here and burned his stuff.” “That’s a good deal of villainy,” said his father, ruffling the boy’s hair with a kindly hand. “You’ve a great imagination, Chetwood.” So Chet felt rather abashed and said nothing further about the mystery as they went on toward the Silent Sue. He was convinced, however, that John Peep had got into trouble because of the help he had given them. It was evident as they progressed that Mr. Havens was experiencing considerable pain from his bruised foot; yet he was troubled more because of his inability to get to Grub Stake than because of the injury itself. Chet wanted to say something right then; but he scarcely dared. They came to the Silent Sue shaft at length. The five men running ahead had announced the joyful rescue, and the crowd that was gathered around the shaft welcomed Mr. Havens and the boys with loud cheers. A man started immediately for the town to inform Mrs. Havens of the rescue.