"Where?"
"Sitting on the shore of Birch Cove. Any camp near?"
The Emperor shook his head thoughtfully as he lighted his pipe. The two made their way up the trail.
"W-wonder if it's her?" Strong whispered to himself as he walked along.
After supper that evening Silas Strong gathered a heap of wood for a bonfire—a way he had of celebrating arrivals at Lost River camp. Soon he was running upon hands and knees in the firelight, with Socky and Sue on his back.
"Silas Strong!" was the seornful exclamation of Sinth, as she took a seat by the fire, "P-present!" he answered, as he werit on, the children laughing merrily. "Be you a man 'or a fool?"
"Both;" he answered, ceasing his harlequinade. Sinth began her knitting, wearing, a look of injury. "Plumb crazy 'bout them air childern!" she exclaimed.
The "Emperor of the Woods" sat on a log, breathing heavily, with Sue and Socky upon his knees.
"B-bears plenty, Mis' Strong," was the gentle reply of Silas.
"Mis' Strong!" said she, as if insulted. "What ye Mis' Strongin' me for?"