—one—two—three—it's the fourth creek above here. The pass to the Gravel is at the head of it."
Connie nodded. "Thanks, " he said; "but I'm not so far out of my way, and I'm glad I came. It's worth a little extra work just to have a look at these kids."
The man laughed—a laugh of relief, the boy thought. "It sure is!" he agreed. "We just couldn't live without 'em, could we, Alice?"
"No, indeed!" the woman answered. "They're all the company I have when you are away."
"I prospect quite a bit, back in the hills," the man hastened to add. And again Connie nodded. He did not tell the man that he knew all about Little Brown Bear, nor that Sergeant Dan McKeever was even then pushing toward the pass, nor that officers of the Mounted were exploring each of the intervening creeks.
For word had come to B Division that a band of Athapascans who lived beyond the divide were being systematically supplied with liquor. And the fact that N Division was responsible for the Gravel River country but added zest to the work of the men of B.
Connie was not in the least surprised when he
