"Fire away."
"How well do you know the hills and mountains, the ravines and gulches, the rocks and the caves around this region?"
"As well as I know that dooryard in front of you," replied the old man, pointing through the window. "I know every inch of the country—every inch of it."
"Now, another question which you will not understand at once: Do you know how to use a pencil, and is your hand steady enough to draw plans for me?"
"Yes, sir. I began life as a draughtsman; but that was when I was a boy."
"That will suffice. Now—could you draw a plan of different parts of the mountains, so it would be plain enough for me to follow without your being present with me?"
"That would depend upon you, sir. If you are a man who has some woodcraft in your make-up, I say yes. It would depend upon you."
"We will consider that question answered, then. Now, have you any idea to what part of the mountainous region around here—say, within fifty miles of where we are seated—the hobo gang would select in which to hide themselves?"
"I think I could guess it to a dot."
"Why?"