he face of Ralph's grandfather became convulsed with a sudden
fury. He rushed upon Ralph with a celerity unlocked for in one so old,
and wrenched the rifle from the boy's hands.

Then he turned upon Jase Vaughn who had witnessed this action in
astonishment.

"Now," shouted old Granger, "reckon I'll get even for the loss of my
son. Here's at ye!"

"Grandpa!" cried Ralph, springing between the old man and his intended
victim. "You shall not shoot, I say!"

"Out of my way, you renegade," retorted the other leveling his gun.

As the cap snapped, Ralph struck up the barrel, and was rewarded by a
furious imprecation from the aged but relentless relative.

CHAPTER II

Ralph and His Grandfather.

Meanwhile Jase Vaughn sat on his mule looking quietly on, as if he were
entirely unconcerned in the result of the struggle between Ralph and
his grandfather.

Old Granger, finding himself baffled, flung down the rifle upon the
ground and strode off up the road, muttering wildly to himself like one
demented.

"Hold on, grandpa!" shouted Ralph, picking up the gun. "I'll be with
you in a minute."

But the old man heeded not, and soon disappeared round a bend of the
road in the direction of his home.

"He's too old to change," said Jase. "But I really don't see any
reason why you and me should keep up this foolishness. If my father
shot yourn, thar was a cousin of your father's fought a duel with my
dad 'way down in Georgy. Both on 'em were hurt so bad they never
walked again."

"We heard of it," returned Ralph, "and I couldn't help thinking at the
time what fools our families were to keep up a feud started, I reckon,
by our great grandfathers."

"Right, you are, young feller. Hit all come of doggin' hogs outn a
sweet tater patch; so I've heard."

"Then there was a row, I reckon."

"Yes. One word brought on another, till at last some one got hurt,
then the shootin' begun. I never did take much to the business myself,
but somehow I didn't have the energy to set the thing straight. I'm
powerful glad ye done what ye have done today, and I passes you my word
that Jase Vaughn has done with the feud as well as you."

This time it was Ralph's turn to offer his hand. After another hearty
shake little Clell threw himself upon the lad's neck with childish
abandon.

"I like 'oo!" he cried again.

"Well, I swow!" exclaimed Jase. "He's takin' a plum likin' to you.
But we must be gettin' on. If ever I can d