"Wal, I should say powerful somewhat. When he made up his mind at last that bein' as I wasn't going to send him under, he might as well take what I give him, he done it."
"Did he say anything?"
"Not a word; I thought maybe he'd pick up his knife ag'in, but he done nothin' of the kind; he didn't even look to where it had fallen when I knocked it out of his hand, but walked off in the woods, and that was the last of him. Parson," said the scout, with a grave expression, looking him calmly in the face, "I want to ask you a question."
"Why, Simon, my good man, you may ask me anything you choose."
"Where was you when The Panther and me was having our little argyment?"
"I went directly back to the Shawanoe camp and stayed there till he returned with word that I might depart with Mabel."
"Sure you wasn't nowhere near us?"
"No nearer than what I have just told you."
The ranger paddled a moment in silence.
"Bein' as you say so, that settles it."