ith others, and would have been glad even of
contradiction, in order that he might relieve his feelings by
disputation.

While this state of mind was strong upon him they reached a turn in the
path that brought the wreck into view, and revealed the fact that a boat
lay on the beach, from which three men had just landed. Two of these
remained by the boat, while the third advanced towards the woods.

Flora's hand tightened on her father's arm.

"Surely that is Mr Redding," she said.

The frown which had clouded McLeod's brow instantly deepened. "Go," he
said, "walk slowly back towards the hut. I will overtake you in a few
minutes."

Flora hesitated. "Won't you let me stay, father?"

"No, my dear, I wish to talk privately with Redding--go."

He patted her kindly on the head, and she left him with evident
reluctance.

"Good-morning, Mr McLeod," said Redding, as he approached.

"Good-morning," replied the other stiffly, without extending his hand.

Redding flushed, but restrained himself, and continued in a calm
matter-of-course tone:

"Thinking it probable that you might be in want of fresh provisions, I
have run down with a small supply, which is at your service."

"Thank you," replied McLeod, still stiffly, "I am not quite destitute of
fresh provisions, and happen to have a good supply of ammunition;
besides, if I were starving I would not accept aid from one who has
deceived me."

"Deceived you!" exclaimed Redding, waxing indignant more at McLeod's
tone and manner than his words, "wherein have I deceived you?"

As he put the question his mind leaped to the line of demarcation
between the properties at Jenkins Creek, and he racked his brains
hastily to discover what he could have said or done at their first
interview that could have been misunderstood. McLeod was one of those
men in whom anger is easily increased by the exhibition of anger in
others. It was therefore in a still more offensive tone that he said:--

"Sir, you deceived me by violating the laws of hospitality--by keeping
silence when candour required you to speak."

"Sir," exclaimed Redding, still thinking of the line of demarcation, and
losing his temper altogether, "in all that has passed between us I have
invariably spoken with candour, and if at any time I have kept silence I
consider that in so doing I have done you a favour."

When two fiery men clash, an explosion is the natural result.

"Very well, sir," said McLeod, with a