“I s’pose so, stranger,” he said more soberly, and then: “Who may you be, sir?” he asked respectfully. Mr. Temple then proceeded to tell him, and of the nature of his visit and how he wanted a guide to take him through the pass. He also told him that he wanted to get the agreement from his surveyors so that he could close the deal with Ezra Knapp. “Wa-al,” drawled Uncle Jeb, “I can guide yuh to whar yuh want ter go, fer I wuz jest on my way up to the Inn to take a look-in on my ol’ pardner afore goin’ home. So, you might jes as well come along with me, Mr. Temple.” And that was the way that Mr. Temple met Uncle Jeb Rushmore. CHAPTER XI—THE LOST AGREEMENT Mr. Temple jogged along with Uncle Jeb in a dilapidated buckboard, oblivious of any discomfort, for he was fascinated with this old scout’s quaint views of life, and listened attentively to the reminiscences of his trapping days. “Don’t do much else now but chore aroun’,” he said rather sadly. “Guess I’m a-gittin’ too old!” “Not at all,” Mr. Temple reassured him. “Wa-al, anyway I’m a figgerin’ on givin’ up my cabin one of these days,” he said. “’Tain’t jest the thing when a man gits so old ter live by himself, and my cabin’s pretty fur frum the Inn.” “I’d very much like to see it,” Mr. Temple remarked. “Wa-al, sir, yure shure are welcome ter come and stay a piece with me.” “That’s very kind, but I couldn’t stay but one night with you.” “I’m right glad to hev yuh and I’ll take yuh up and bring yer back so yer kin git to Ezry’s place after.” By that time they had arrived at the Inn. The next morning they started before sun-up, just Mr. Temple and Uncle Jeb, on foot, of course. The trail began at the foot of the mountain just back of the Inn. Along toward ten o’clock they came in sight of Eagle Pass, where the surveyors had met Uncle Jeb the week previous when he was on his way down to Eagle City. “Said they’d be here when I come back this way,” he remarked, “but I guess they hevn’t been able to git as fur as this yit.” “I suppose not,” Mr. Temple said. “You don’t think by any chance we have missed them?” “No, indeed,” replied Uncle Jeb. “Thar’s not a track o’ them anywheres!” They finally came to a spot where a lake could be seen in the distance lying right in the center of the mountains. Looking up, Mr. Temple noted two cliffs identical in appearance on either side of the lake. “Twin Cliffs, I calls ’em,” explained Uncle Jeb. “Jes’ like twins excep’ thet the one has a hollow underneath. Regular nestin’ place fer eagles in the winter and sometimes in the summer. Durn good place to keep away frum.” “I suppose so,” Mr. Temple agreed. Suddenly Uncle Jeb’s eyes were fixed intently on the ground. Then he pointed.