"Not likely, not likely, young man. The boy's all right, an' the lassie, too, fer I've jist been to inquire."
"What! You were over to the house?"
"Yes; strolled over a little while ago."
"And you say Madeline is all right?"
"Yes, chipper as a young bird."
"Thank God!" fervently broke from Grey's lips. "It's a great relief for me to know that."
"Yes, she'll do fer a while, an' so will the kid. Nuthin' will happen as fer as I kin see until he gits stronger, an' we'll be back fer sure by t'-morrow night at the latest."
"I'll go, then, Dan. But you'll have to loan me a rifle. I left mine over by the rapids."
"Oh, I'll fix ye up all right. Here's a nice light one. She'll spit fire like a wildcat if the right man's behind her."
Half an hour later they emerged from the house, closed the door, and struck a trail, leading in a northeasterly direction away from the river. Dan bore the blanket slung over his shoulder, while Grey carried their scanty supply of food. Little did they think that their every movement was observed from a small window in the store, and that soon after they had headed for the hills the figure of a man stepped lightly across the open and glided along after them. Could they have seen the slinking form keeping so warily out of sight and have read the writing upon the secret chamber of his heart they would not have felt so secure as they moved steadily onward.