CHAPTER XVI.
DUVAL DUNGARVON AND BLACK BEAR AT THE LONE PINE.
The sun had just crossed the meridian, on the day set for the meeting of Duval Dungarvon and Black Bear at the Lone Pine, when Solomon Strange, in Black Bear’s disguise, emerged from the forest on the south side of the glade, and stopped beneath the Lone Pine.
He had not been there more than an hour when Duval Dungarvon emerged from the forest on the north side of the glade and advanced toward him.
“Here we are ag’in,” exclaimed Solomon Strange, quite hoarsely.
“Yes,” replied the robber-captain, looking at him in a way that made Strange flinch with uneasiness; “but what’s the matter, Brandon, you talk so hoarse?”
“Matter enuff,” returned the false Black Bear. “I catched a devil of a cold last night at the Devil’s Tarn. But come, let’s to business.”
“Now, if I tell you, Brandon, you must never breathe it to a living soul, for it is in strict violation of our laws to do so.”
“You needn’t be afraid of me tellin’, Dungarvon. Go on with your story.”
The robber-captain began, and in a few moments he had related the whole of their proceedings in initiating a man into their band of Mountain Men, or robbers, and concluded by saying:
“Suppose you go in to-night?”