"Allen took the trail over the brook," replied Paul.
"Humph!" Ike Watson scratched his head for a moment. "Wot's ter prevent me goin' after him, boys?"
"Will you?" asked Paul eagerly.
"Sartin. I ain't got nuthin' ter do, an' if I had, I reckon I could drop it putty quick ter do a favor fer Granville Winthrop's orphans. Give me a bite ter eat an' I'll be off ter onct."
"Are you sufficiently armed?" questioned Noel Urner.
"Armed? Well, I reckon," and from his belt Ike Watson produced an old '49 horse pistol nearly two feet long. "Thet air's my best friend, barrin' the rifle."
Chet soon had dinner for the hunter, which was as quickly devoured, and then, after receiving some of the particulars of the case on hand, Ike Watson started off.
"You'll hear from me before another sun smiles on ye!" he called back. "An' don't ye worry too much in the between time!" And he then disappeared.
The boys felt much more comfortable after Watson had started off to hunt up Allen. They knew the old man would do all in his power to help their elder brother, no matter in what difficulty he might find him.
"A rather odd character, truly," observed Noel, as they again passed into the house.