ght now than any feller
in this kintry. What'n ther world made ye go ter sleep when ye was on
sich a jolt as this?"

Wade turned sharply on Peter. How did he know?

"Don't ax ther question," said Judson, judging of what was on Wade's
mind. "I saw ye a long time afore ye woke up."

They heard the sound of approaching horses farther down the road, and in
a few seconds Tom and Nora Judson hove into view with the mounts.

CHAPTER VII

Jack Wade's new cabin was built much stronger and a little more
elaborately than the old one. It was not at all like the old one, nor
was it put up in quite the same location. It was built some twenty-five
feet eastward and faced the mountain, while the old one had faced just
the opposite. Besides, the new cabin had a small porch attached, while
the front of the old one was plain. Wade sat upon this little gallery,
pondering over the events of the past, much bewildered in mind on
account of the slow progress he had made toward his desired end, toward
the fulfillment of his avowed designs. He was unable to reason out many
things mysterious, one being the deep friendship for him that had sprung
up in the heart of that wicked old man, Peter Judson. It may have been,
he thought, because of the fact that old Jim Thompson had ridden hastily
up to Peter's cabin late one day and yelled to Peter that "they was now
enemies forever, an' ther war would last 'twixt 'em till one or t'other
was dead with their boots on," and Peter needed consolation and
friendship. Old Peter, however, had replied to Jim Thompson:

"Maybe ye want a little of it right now. Ef yer do, jest git down off o'
yer hoss an' I'll give ye all ye want, ye beggar."

Angered to the toes, old Jim struck his horse with the spurs and rode
rapidly away toward the mountain, firing back at Peter as he went. He
would, no doubt, have shot Peter in his own yard, had he not seen Tom
sitting in the cabin door with a Winchester lying across his arms, and
he knew only too well that the aim of the slender youth was true. He
knew well that, as old Peter had said, Tom would pick him off his saddle
before he could even fire at Peter. Discretion, therefore, being the
better part of valor, he bridled his anger and rode away without
deigning to make reply to old Peter's challenge, cursing and snorting,
breathing hot revenge against his enemies.

Wade knew of these circumstances; he knew that his own folly had brought
about these conditions,