ve the story told
at this critical moment was altogether worse than if he had
generously told of the incident at once. He saw, too, that Sammy
guessed at some thing beneath the surface, and he felt uneasy in
remaining until Young Matt came back to renew the conversation.
And yet he feared to leave. At this stage of his dilemma, he was
relieved from his plight in a very unexpected manner.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE CHAMPION.

A big wagon, with two men on the seat, appeared coming up the
valley road. It was Wash Gibbs and a crony from the river. They
had stopped at the distillery on their way, and were just enough
under the influence of drink to be funny and reckless.

When they caught sight of Ollie Stewart and Miss Lane, Wash said
something to his companion, at which both laughed uproariously.
Upon reaching the couple, the wagon came to a stop, and after
looking at Ollie for some moments, with the silent gravity of an
owl, Gibbs turned to the young lady, "Howdy, honey. Where did you
git that there? Did your paw give hit to you fer a doll baby?"

Young Stewart's face grew scarlet, but he said nothing.

"Can't hit talk?" continued Gibbs with mock interest.

Glancing at her frightened escort, the girl replied, "You drive
on, Wash Gibbs. You're in no condition to talk to anyone."

An ugly leer came over the brutal face of the giant; "Oh, I ain't,
ain't I? You think I'm drunk. But I ain't, not so mighty much.
Jest enough t' perten me up a pepper grain." Then, turning to his
companion, who was grinning in appreciation of the scene, he
continued, "Here, Bill; you hold th' ribbens, an' watch me tend t'
that little job I told you I laid out t' do first chance I got."
At this, Ollie grew as pale as death. Once he started as if to
escape, but he could not under Sammy's eyes.

As Wash was climbing down from the wagon, he caught sight of Young
Matt standing in the door of the mill shed. "Hello, Matt," he
called cheerfully; "I ain't a lookin' fer you t' day; 'tend t' you
some other time. Got more important business jest now."

Young Matt made no reply, nor did he move to interfere. In the
backwoods every man must fight his own battles, so long as he
fights with men. When Stewart was in danger from the panther, it
was different. This was man to man. Sammy, too, reared in the
mountains, and knowing the code, waited quietly to see what her
lover would do.

Coming to Ollie's side, Gibbs said, "Git down, young feller, a