"We are sorry to have disturbed you in your lonely retreat," began Harry.

"But we----"

"Say no more, my boy. Get the water you need and depart."

"We will."

Harry and Jerry turned toward the spring and quietly filled up the big tin can they had brought along.

The old hermit watched them curiously.

"You look like good boys," he said. "I want to ask a favor of you."

"What?" asked both boys in a breath.

"I wish to end my days here undisturbed. Will you promise not to reveal my dwelling place to your friends?"

"I am willing to say nothing," said Jerry, promptly.

"So am I," returned Harry.

The old man looked much relieved.

"And how is it with you?" he went on, turning and walking to where Blumpo had his head bent low on the ground.

"Please, sah, don't charm me, sah! don't cast no spell ober me!" howled Blumpo. "I ain't dun nuffin' 'deed I ain't. I'se de best boy in Lakeview!

Ain't I, Harry? Ain't dat de truf, Jerry?"

"I will not harm you, so do not be afraid," said the hermit with a faint smile on his reddish-black face.

"I won't tell a t'ing! not a word, sah, hope ter die if I do!" went on Blumpo, still keeping his face down.

He was afraid that if he looked at the hermit he would be bewitched.

"Blumpo, get up!" said Harry, sharply. "Don't make a fool of yourself.

This gentleman is not going to hurt you. Stand up and be a man."

Thus spoken to, the homeless boy arose slowly to his feet. His knees were still trembling, and he needed but little incentive to take to his heels.

"I have not seen a colored or an Indian boy in years," went on the old hermit. "If you are an honest boy let me take your hand."

He advanced, and with his knees knocking together Blumpo put out his hand and looked the old man in the face.

The next instant the hermit gave a leap back in profound astonishment.

"Abraham! As sure as the sun shines! And I thought he was dead!"

CHAPTER XV.

THE HERMIT'S SECRET.

All three of the boys were much mystified by the old hermit's words.

"He must be a little off in his head," thought Harry.

"Who is Abraham?" asked Jerry.

"This is Abraham!" cried the hermit. "Are you not Abraham?" he went on to Blumpo.

"I reckon not, sah. I'se jess plain Blumpo Brown."

"Blumpo Brown! Ha! how well I remember that name! You are indeed Abraham, and I am your father!"

And the hermit caught Blumpo in his arms. It is needless to say the youth was frightened and bewildered.

"Come to my cave and I will tell you all," went on the hermit, and he dragged Blumpo along.

Jerry and Harry willingly followed. They found that the old man had quite a comfortable place among the rocks. It was elaborately furnished, showing that the hermit was well-to-do.

They all took seats on some skins thrown over rude couches. The hermit made Blumpo sit close to him.

"My name is Daniel Brown," he began. "And you, Blumpo, are my only son.

Your full name is Blum-pou-la-hau,--the Indian for boy-of-the-laughing-face,--for, you know, you have much Indian blood in your veins."

"Dat's what folks said I had," said Blumpo.

"I thought you were dead--that you had been drowned. It was this drove me to make a hermit of myself."

Then the old hermit went into many particulars, to which all listened with great interest.

Blumpo could scarcely believe his ears. His face began to expand, and a smile broke out on it, the like of which had never before been seen. He was a homeless waif no longer. He had found a father.

Jerry and Harry talked to the old hermit for an hour and more. They found him peculiar in his ideas, but with a warm heart.

Before they retired for the night Daniel Brown came to the conclusion to give up his dwelling on the top of the mountain.

He said he would build a cabin down by the lakeside and there he and Blumpo could live like ordinary people.

"I have several thousand dollars saved up," he said, "so we will not want for anything. I will buy a boat, and Blumpo can make a living by letting her out to pleasure parties."

"Dat will suit me exactly," cried Blumpo.

"But you must also go to school in the winter," went on Daniel Brown. "And you must drop that dialect, and not say dat for that."

"Golly! but won't I be eddicate!" murmured Blumpo. "Say, Pop maybe I kin hab--I mean have--a new suit, eh?"