Fremont turned back for an instant and swept his eyes over the slope, hoping to catch sight of one of the Black Bears.

Not a friendly face or form was in sight, however, and he trudged on, wondering what line of questions would be most likely to throw the big fellow off his guard.
"Why don't you take my advice and confess ?" Big Bob asked, presently.
"I might do so," Fremont replied, provokingly, "but for one thing." "And what is that ?" was asked eagerly.
"I want to see the guilty man punished!" "If you confess," the other went on, angrily, "you'll get a light sentence if Cameron lives, and a life sentence instead of the electric chair if he dies.

There is always hope in a life sentence--and you are young!" "Why do you ask me to confess ?" demanded Fremont.
"Well, to tell you the truth," was the reply, "I have a friend who may be accused of the crime.

He can't be convicted, of course, for the proof goes to show you to be the guilty one, but the cops can make him a lot of trouble and expense!" "So you want me to confess and skip the country ?" "Yes, to skip out of the country, just as you skipped out of New York." "And permit this friend of yours, who committed the crime, to go free ?" "My friend did not commit the crime!" threateningly.
"Oh, yes he did! Who is your friend--yourself ?" Big Bob lifted a hand as if to strike the boy, but he changed his mind, or got control of his temper, and lowered it again.
"At least," Fremont said, "you know who did commit the crime.

That is something." The big fellow grumbled out some sarcastic reply and trudged ahead.
Fremont, knowing that a valuable point had been gained, hastened along by his side.
"And, with my false confession in your pocket," the boy went on, "you would find it convenient to leave me out there under the sand ?" "You're a plucky cub to talk like that to me." Big Bob was in a great rage, but he did not lift his heavy hand again.
"I was wondering if your friend would pay for leaving me out there," the boy said.