you, and," added Ranald, more slowly, "I--forgive--you--too."

The Frenchman listened in wonder, greatly moved, but he could only
reiterate his words: "I cannot spik what I feel here."

"Sit down, Mr. LeNoir," said Macdonald Bhain, gravely, pointing to a
bench, "and I will be telling you something."

LeNoir sat down and waited.

"Do you see that young man there?" said Macdonald Bhain, pointing to
Ranald. "He is the strongest man in my gang, and indeed, I will not be
putting him below myself." Here Ranald protested. "And he has learned to
use his hands as I cannot. And of all the men I have ever seen since I
went to the woods, there is not one I could put against him. He could
kill you, Mr. LeNoir."

The Frenchman nodded his head and said: "Das so. Das pretty sure."

"Yes, that is very sure," said Macdonald Bhain. "And he made a vow to
kill you," went on Macdonald Bhain, "and to-night he saved your life. Do
you know why?"

"No, not me."

"Then I will be telling you. It is the grace of God."

LeNoir stared at him, and then Macdonald Bhain went on to tell him how
his brother had suffered and struggled long, and how the minister's wife
had come to him with the message of the forgiveness of the great
God. And then he read from Ranald's English Bible the story of the
unforgiving debtor, explaining it in grave and simple speech.

"That was why," he concluded. "It was because he was forgiven, and on
his dying bed he sent you the word of forgiveness. And that, too, is the
very reason, I believe, why the lad here went to your help this day."

"I promised the minister's wife I would do you good and not ill, when it
came to me," said Ranald. "But I was not feeling at all like forgiving
you. I was afraid to meet you."

"Afraid?" said LeNoir, wondering that any of that gang should confess to
fear.

"Yes, afraid of what I would do. But now, tonight, it is gone," said
Ranald, simply, "I can't tell you how."

"Das mos' surprise!" exclaimed LeNoir. "Ne comprenne pas. I never see
lak dat, me!"

"Yes, it is wonderful," said Macdonald Bhain. "It is very wonderful. It
is the grace of God," he said again.

"You mak' de good frien' wit me?" asked LeNoir, rising and putting his
hand out to Macdonald Bhain. Macdonald Bhain rose from his place and
stepped toward the Frenchman, and took his hand.

"Yes, I will be friends with you," he said, gravely, "and I will seek
God's mercy for you."

Then LeNoir turned to Ranald, and s