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Other oin' to rain round

"Ji, dry as punk," said another

Rustlings and slow footsteps, and then heavy thuds attested to the probability that Jiround to split off a corner whereby a handful of dry splinters could be procured

"Snake, lemme your pipe, an' I'll hev a fire in a jiffy"

"Wal, I want my terbacco an' I ain't carin' about no fire," replied Snake

"Reckon you're the meanest cuss in these woods," drawled Jim

Sharp click of steel on flint-- told of Jim's efforts to start a fire Presently the pitchy blackness of the cabin changed; there ca of wood and the rustle of fla roar

As it chanced, Dale lay face down upon the floor of the loft, and right near his eyes there were cracks between the boughs When the fire blazed up he was fairly well able to see the men below The only one he had ever seen was Jim Wilson, who had been well known at Pine before Snake Anson had ever been heard of Ji the honest people It was ruether

"Fire feels good," said the burly Moze, who appeared as broad as he was black-visaged "Fall's sure a-corub!"

"Moze, there's a hunk of deer it it you can have half," spoke up another voice

Moze shuffled out with alacrity

In the firelight Snake Anson's face looked lean and serpent-like, his eyes glittered, and his long neck and all of his long length carried out the analogy of his name

"Snake, what's this here deal with Beasley?" inquired Jim

"Reckon you'll l'arn when I do," replied the leader He appeared tired and thoughtful

"Ain't we done aith enough of theest of the gang, a boy in years, whose hard, bitter lips and hungry eyes soht, Burt--an' that's my stand," replied the man who had sent Moze out "Snake, snow 'll be flyin' round these woods before long," said Jioin' to winter down in the Tonto Basin or over on the Gila?"