It'll be all the same to you whether he's right or wrong." Brave came trotting into the cabin through the rear door, and lay down in his corner by the fireplace.

"That's mighty funny," said Young Matt.

Then, as he glanced quickly around, "Where's Pete ?" The boy had slipped away while the two men were talking.

Stepping outside they called several times; but, save the "Wh-w-h-o--w-h-o- o-o" of an owl in a big tree near the corral, there was no answer.
"The boy's alright, anyway," said the young man; "nothin' in the woods ever hurts Pete.

He's safer there than he would be here, and I'm glad he's gone." The shepherd did not reply.