78 BIG GAME FIELDS 



Haley failed to disclose much information, but 

 finally a man volunteered to drive me to the house 

 where Haley stopped when he was in town. At 

 the end of a four-mile drive we pulled up at quite 

 a sizable house, with a high veranda. 



Mounting the steps, I was met by a tall, dark, 

 handsome girl ("Bet a nickel that's Haley's sis- 

 ter," I said to myself) . "I have a letter of in- 

 troduction to Mr. Jack Haley," I said, and then 

 added, "Is he home?" There was a slight pause, 

 during which I managed to slide off my hat. 



"Yes that is, my brother is back from the 

 ranch and though he isn't in just now I expect 

 him any moment," she said in a pleasant voice. 

 "He's goin' right back to the ranch to-morrow," 

 she continued; "he just came up to town to get 

 some hounds." 



"Hounds!" I exclaimed, evincing perfect sur- 

 prise. "Why, what is he going to do with them?" 

 I asked. 



"Well, there is a big tiger (jaguar) killin' his 

 stock out at the ranch, and he is going to use the 

 hounds to hunt him." 



Someone closed the gate with a bang and! 

 swung down the path with long strides. Then 

 Jack Haley came up the steps, three at a time; 

 and well he might, for he stood six foot six in his 



