I'm going to take a look over into the next valley, an' I won't be back until late.

It wasn't a goat, an' it wasn't a sheep, an' it wasn't a bear.

It was two-legged! It was a man, Johnny, an' he was there to watch this trail, or my name ain't Donald MacDonald.

Mebby he came ahead of us last night, an' mebby he was here before that happened.

Anyway, be on your guard while I look over into the next range." With that he struck off in the direction of the snow-ridge, and for a few moments Aldous stood looking after the tall, picturesque figure until it disappeared behind a clump of spruce.