paddles sent the boat
circling out into midstream, and before Law knew it he was covered by
half a dozen guns. He hardly noticed this. His own gun he left leaning
against a tree, and his hand was thrown out high, in front of him as he
came on, calling out to those in the stream. He heard the command of the
leader in the boat, and a moment later both canoes swung inshore.

"Have down your guns, Sir Arthur," cried Law, loudly and gaily. "We are
none but friends here. Come in, and tell me that it is yourself, and not
some miracle of mine eyes."

The young man so surprisingly addressed half started from the thwart in
his amazement. His face bent into an incredulous frown, scarce carrying
comprehension, even as he approached the shore. As he left the boat, for
an instant Pembroke's hand was half extended in greeting, yet a swift
change came over his countenance, and his body stiffened.

"Is it indeed you, Mr. Law?" he said. "I could not have believed myself
so fortunate."

"'Tis myself and no one else," replied Law. "But why this melodrama, Sir
Arthur? Why reject my hand?"

"I have sworn to extend to you no hand but that bearing a weapon, Mr.
Law!" said Pembroke. "This may be accident, but it seems to me the
justice of God. Oh, you have run far, Mr. Law--"

"What mean you, Sir Arthur?" exclaimed Law, his face assuming the dull
red of anger. "I have gone where I pleased, and asked no man's leave for
it, and I shall live as I please and ask no man's leave for that. I
admit that it seems almost a miracle to meet you here, but come you one
way or the other, you come best without riddles, and still better
without threats."

"You are not armed," said Sir Arthur. He gazed at the bronzed figure
before him, clad in fringed tunic and leggings of deer hide; at the belt
with little knife and ax, at the gun which now rested in the hollow of
his arm. Law himself laughed keenly.

"Why, as to that," said he, "I had thought myself well enough equipped.
But as for a sword, 'tis true my hand is more familiar, these days, with
the ax and gun."

"The late Jessamy Law shows change in his capacity of renegade," said
Pembroke, raspingly. His face displayed a scorn which jumped ill with
the nature of the man before him.

"I am what I am, Sir Arthur," said Law, "and what I was. And always I am
at any man's service who is in search of what you call God's justice, or
what I may call personal satisfaction. I doubt not we shall find my
other