And tonight, poking his head between some balsams twenty yards from the shack, he was treated to a sudden thrill.

The cabin door was open.

And standing close to this door, looking quietly and cautiously about, stood a stranger.

He was not like Jed Hawkins, was Peter's first impression.

He was tall, with a wide-brimmed hat, and wore boots with striped trousers tucked into them, and on his coat were bits of metal which caught the last gleams of the sun.