en, becoming assured, he throws open his arms, and closes them around
his old hunting associate.

Joy, at seeing the latter still alive, expels every trace of
supernatural thought, and he gives way--to exuberant congratulation.

On Clancy's side the only return is a faint smile, with a few confused
words, that seem to speak more of sadness than satisfaction. The
expression upon his face is rather or chagrin, as if sorry at the
encounter having occurred. His words are proof of it.

"Simeon Woodley," he says, "I should have been happy to meet you at any
other time, but not now."

"Why, Clancy!" returns the hunter, supremely astonished at the coldness
with which his warm advances have been received. "Surely you know I'm
yur friend?"

"Right well I know it."

"Wal, then, believin' you to be dead--tho' I for one never felt sure
o't--still thinking it might be--didn't I do all my possible to git
justice done for ye?"

"You did. I've heard all--everything that has happened. Too much I've
heard. O God! look there! Her grave--my murdered mother!"

"That's true. It killed the poor lady, sure enough."

"Yes; _he_ killed her."

"I needn't axe who you refar to. I heerd you mention the name as I got
up. We all know that Dick Darke has done whatever hez been done. We
hed him put in prison, but the skunk got away from us, by the bribin' o'
another skunk like hisself. The two went off thegither, an' no word's
ever been since heerd 'bout eyther. I guess they've put for Texas, whar
every scoundrel goes nowadays. Wal, Lordy! I'm so glad to see ye still
alive. Won't ye tell me how it's all kim about?"

"In time I shall--not now."

"But why are ye displeezed at meetin' me--me that mayent be the
grandest, but saitinly one o' the truest an' fastest o' yur friends?"

"I believe you are, Woodley--am sure of it. And, now that I think more
of the matter, I'm not sorry at having met you. Rather am I glad of it;
for I feel that I can depend upon you. Sime, will you go with me to
Texas?"

"To Texas, or anywhars. In coorse I will. An' I reck'n we'll hev a
good chance o' meetin' Dick Darke thar, an' then--"

"Meet him!" exclaimed Clancy, without waiting for the backwoodsman to
finish his speech, "I'm sure of meeting him. I know the spot where.
Ah, Simeon Woodley! 'tis a wicked world! Murderer as that man is, or
supposed to be, there's a woman gone to Texas who will welcome him--
receive him with open arms; lovi