“It’s true, it’s true,” cried Hallibut. “Strange I didn’t see it that way before.”
“Then you won’t punish him—nor anybody, will you?” she pleaded, “—not even Amos Broadcrook.”
“But Broadcrook burned my boat,” cried the Colonel. “It is best to put him in jail, dear, where he can do no more harm.”
“Amos couldn’t live in jail,” said the girl, “for he’s of the woods. He’ll die if you cage him up.”
Hallibut gathered her close to him.
“Ah, child, but you’re like your little mother,” he laughed. “She was always pleading for the trapped and downed things, and, egad! she always got her way with me, as you will be bound to get yours.”
“Then you’ll not punish him,” she cried gladly. “Oh, that is so good of you!”
She darted away and Hallibut looked at Big McTavish and shook his head.
“I don’t know but that was a mistake on my part,” he said. “Those fellows deserve punishment if ever men did. They as much as bribed Broadcrook to burn my boat, and I guess he was after me, too. He tried to steal dear little Gloss, and intended trying to make you good people believe I did it, and by pretending to be in sympathy with you get possession of the deeds of your properties.”
The door was thrown open and in sprang Boy. He was panting as from a race.