fight, 'n' I've got nothin' now to say 'bout yer tall talk, 'n' I reckon
you hevn't nuther. Now, hit's understood, hain't it, that y'u'll leave
these mount'ins?

"Y'u kin go West," he continued, as the Lewallen did not answer. "Uncle
Rufe used to say thar's a good deal to do out thar, 'n' nobody axes
questions. Thar's nobody left hyeh but you 'n' me, but these mount'ins
was never big 'nough fer one Lewallen 'n' one Stetson, 'n' you've got to
go. I reckon ye won't believe me, but I'm glad I didn't hev to kill
ye. But you've promised to go, now, 'n' I'll take yer word fer it."
He turned his face, and the Lewallen, knowing it from the sound of his
voice, sprang to his feet.

"Oh--!"

A wild curse burst from Rome's lips, and both leaped for the guns. The
Lewallen had the start of a few feet, and Rome, lamed in the fight,
stumbled and fell. Before he could rise Jasper had whirled, with one of
the Winchesters above his head and his face aflame with fury. Asking no
mercy, Rome hid his face with one arm and waited, stricken faint all at
once, and numb. One report struck his ears, muffled, whip-like. A dull
wonder came to him that the Lewallen could have missed at such close
range, and he waited for another. Some one shouted--a shrill hallo. A
loud laugh followed; a light seemed breaking before Rome's eyes, and
he lifted his head. Jasper was on his face again, motionless; and Steve
Marcum's tall figure was climbing over a bowlder toward him.

"That was the best fight I've seed in my time, by God," he said, coolly,
"'n', Rome, y'u air the biggest fool this side o' the settlements, I
reckon. I had dead aim on him, 'n' I was jest a-thinkin' hit was a purty
good thing fer you that old long-nosed Jim Stover chased me up hyeh,
when, damn me, ef that boy up thar didn't let his ole gun loose. I'd
a-got Jas myself ef he hadn't been so all-fired quick o' trigger."

Up at the root of the pine-tree Isom stood motionless, with his long
rifle in one hand and a little cloud of smoke breaking above his white
face. When Rome looked up he started down without a word. Steve swung
himself over the ledge.

"I heerd the shootin'," said the boy, "up thar at the cave, 'n' I
couldn't stay thar. I knowed ye could whoop him, Rome, 'n' I seed Steve,
too, but I was afeard--" Then he saw the body. His tongue stopped, his
face shrivelled, and Steve, hanging with one hand to the ledge, watched
him curiously.

"Rome," said the boy, in a quick whisper,