The girl shivered and glanced fearfully back into the gloom of the firs.
"I didn't mean to get lost, really."
"Lost, are you?"
"I was," she said, "but now, of course, you've found me. I'm not afraid now, because I know you wouldn't let anything hurt me."
At this belated tribute to his manhood the boy's expression softened.
"Well, I guess you're safe now," he admitted. "How did you get lost, and where from?"
"I got lost from Uncle Godfrey's ranch."
"Do you mean old Godfrey French's ranch?"
"I mean Mr. Godfrey French's ranch," she corrected him. "You'll take me there, won't you, like a nice boy?"
The boy snorted. The ranch in question was nearly ten miles distant. Of course she would ride his pony. He did not in the least mind the walking, but it meant that he would have to leave the deer until the next day, and meat was needed at home. However, there was no help for it.