“I see.”
“Out in the Rockies we used to stir up the mud in the old prints with a stick so as to fool the other fellows. It is an ancient trick. By the way, Jack, at evening I shall set you on the ox-track to the west of Colkett’s. I saw two porcupines there a day or two back. I will go straight down the mountain to Colkett’s. I shall be but a few minutes at Joe’s. I want to arrange about lumber for my cabin. If you see no game, don’t wait, but take the cross track to Colkett’s. You can’t miss it. It starts back of the big boulder in the clearing on the left, as you face the river.”
“And you will meet me?”
“Yes. Perhaps before you quit the open.”
“I understand.”
“The road doesn’t go all the way to Joe’s, but I shall be on it before you.”
“Yes.”
“Be very careful how you shoot. Colkett’s is not far, and the river in the other direction none too wide, and rifle-balls travel a long way.”
“Yes, I will be careful.”
“And don’t carry your gun that way. So—that’s better.”