He evidently applied the native's philosophy in a way unguessed by Jed.

"Very true, very true, indeed," he mused.

Then he turned to Jed, and asked, "Is there a house near here ?" "Jim Lane lives up the trail 'bout half a quarter.

Ever hear tell o' Jim ?" "No, I have never been in these mountains before." "I 'lowed maybe you'd heard tell o' Jim or Sammy.

There's them that 'lows Jim knows a heap more 'bout old man Dewey's cave than he lets on; his place bein' so nigh.