"Pretty soon, Toby," replied Step Hen, slowly. "I've done better than I ever thought I would, and Thad knows about that Artemus Rawson. He'll see to it that Aleck isn't around when they come to camp. Oh! ain't I glad though I brushed up my code work with him early in the morning, though. That business with Aleck in the night made me ashamed to be so dull. I want to ask him one more question, for there he's waving to know if I'm done."
"Get through quick, then; we orter be back in camp," said the guide, not unkindly, but because he saw the condition of Step Hen.
"What is it?" Thad was signaling, waiting each time after asking the question, to receive an answer.
"Will you have Aleck hide himself?" asked the other.
"Sure thing."
"We'll head back to camp in morning—have to get Smithy's horns first," went on Step Hen.
"Has he taken to growing a pair?" Thad asked, quizzically.
"His sheep I mean—lies back a bit—look for us about noon."
"That all?"
"Yes. Good-bye!"