"Then Mr. Paxton must have hired him himself."
"It's more than likely."
"What do you propose to do?"
"Make Ducrot toe the mark if I can. He took that horse, and——"
"Hold on, Dale. If you want to make him pay for the horse you had better go slow about it. Probably he hasn't any money now. Supposing you let him earn some before you let down on him."
Dale stared at his chum for a moment.
"I never thought of that before!" he cried. "Do you suppose Mr. Paxton will keep his money for him until the end of the season?"
"I shouldn't wonder. You can ask and make sure."
"I will, and I'll tell him just how matters stand," answered Dale.
Without letting Baptiste Ducrot see him he sought out the owner of the camp and told his story. Mr. Paxton listened to him patiently, whittling a stick the while with his big jack-knife.