Curiosity led him to follow this fresh trail. In a space of three minutes he was at the door of the substantial cabin, deserted but the day before by the girl and the old man.
“They were living here. They left this for a temporary shelter. I wonder why?”
He read the answer. They had discovered that some person besides themselves was in the country. How had they made the discovery? Why were they afraid?
“Time unravels all mysteries,” he told himself. “Enough for to-night that I have found human companions and a place beside a campfire.” He returned down the slope. A half hour later, he was lying propped by one elbow against his blanket roll, staring at the campfire of his newfound friends. A little way from him sat the girl.
On his return she had greeted him with one of those rare smiles. That was about all. Ten minutes passed into eternity as they sat there in silence, encircled by the dark mysteries of night and brooded over by the hush of a wilderness.
Johnny’s mind was never idle. It was busy now. He was asking himself questions. Who was this girl, so ruddy and strong? And who was her grandfather? Had they always lived thus in the wilds, supporting themselves with bow and arrow alone? His fancy pictured them so; yet reason told him it could not be true. Why were they afraid? Afraid of being discovered? Whom did they fear?
“Oh well,” he said to himself, “it is evident that they no longer fear me. I am from the United States and have not been long in Canada. That is enough.”
A half formed resolve entered his mind, a resolve that was to gain in strength as the days passed. He would not leave the company of this strange pair until he had solved the mystery that hung over them like a ghostly fog in the night.
The fire burned low. The north wind swept in sharp and chilling. Rising, he took a small axe that lay close by and went into the outer darkness. The girl rose and followed silently.
Soon they returned, dragging heavy pine logs after them. He had noted with admiration that she chose a log as large and heavy as his own.