But to his mountain ears, attuned to every woodland sound, it was not like the gnawing of gopher or squirrel, the scratching of wildcat, nor the hairy rubbing of bear.

Nor was it human; the long, deep respirations of his sleeping companions were distinct from that monotonous sound.

He could not even tell if it were IN the cabin or without.

Suddenly his eye fell upon the pile in the corner.

The blanket that covered the treasure was actually moving! He rose quickly, but silently, alert, self-contained, and menacing.