“He’s about six inches in height, and three inches across his dirty shoulders, and he certainly is about the ugliest specimen of a heathen beast that ever came down the pike.”

“What would that French Canadian buy him for?” asked George.

“That’s another thing we’ve got to find out,” replied Will.

Tommy was about to ask another question when Will held up a hand for silence.  The leaping flames were sending long streamers of light into the thicket on either side and over the glistening waters of Moose river.  The circle of illumination extended for some distance on every side, except at the back of the tents, where the level ground lay in shadows.

As the boys listened, the soft sound of a moccasined foot came to their ears.  It seemed only a yard away, and yet it was not in sight.  George dashed to the back of the tents, followed by a sharp cry of alarm.

CHAPTER III

THE CABIN IN THE SWAMP

When George reached the rear of the tent he saw a crouching figure there.  A hole had been cut in the cloth, and the fellow was gazing into the tent.  He was dressed in woodsman’s attire, leather jacket and leggins and fur cap.  The gold rings in his ears quivered and glistened as the light of the fire struck them.

As George rounded the tent the spy turned and ran for the forest.  Without a thought as to the ultimate result, George followed along behind.  For some distance the lad kept pace with the mysterious visitor, but, of course, it was impossible for him to do so for any great length of time, as the fugitive was well versed in woodcraft, while George was not.

After a time George lost sight of the fellow entirely, but could still keep track of him by the noise he made in passing through the thicket.  It was quite evident that the intruder now believed that pursuit, had entirely ceased, for he made his way more leisurely through the swampy growth, and seemed to pay no attention whatever to the sounds of his passage.

Using great caution, the boy finally gained the hummock and stood looking at the dark bulk of a log cabin which stood in the center.  He listened for a long time but all was silent inside.  Presently he circled the place and came to a small opening which was more like a loop-hole than a window.  There was a glass pane here, and through it he saw that there was a fire on the inside.

By this time the lad was shivering with cold, not having taken the time to provide himself with heavy clothing before leaving the camp in pursuit of the spy.  As he glanced through the glazed opening he saw a great fire of logs blazing in a rudely made fireplace at one end of the room.  He moved on until he found a door.

“Perhaps the owner of this log mansion will think I’m pretty prompt in returning his call,” the lad mused as he knocked softly at the door.  “But, all the same, I’m going to give him the pleasure of my company until I can get warm.”