AN ERRAND AND A FRIEND Two stalwart lads were marching steadily through the deep woods, some months later.

They were boys in years, but in size, strength, alertness and knowledge of the forest far beyond their age.

One, in particular, would have drawn the immediate and admiring glance of every keen-eyed frontiersman, so powerful was he, and yet so light and quick of movement.

His wary glance seemed to read every secret of tree, bush and grass, and his head, crowned by a great mass of thick, yellow hair, rose several inches above that of his comrade, who would have been called by most people a tall boy.
The two youths were dressed almost alike.

Each wore a cap of raccoon fur, with the short tail hanging from the back of it as a decoration.
Their bodies were clad in hunting shirts, made of the skin of the deer, softly and beautifully tanned and dyed green.