Then, side by side upon the settee, the revolver still in her hand, she resumed:
"This is a fearful looking thing. Did he have this?"
"Yes, that's what he came hunting with near three o'clock in the morning. It would kill an elephant if properly handled."
"How did you happen to get possession of it?"
"I see you must have the whole story," said John, with his inimitable chuckle, and thereat he proceeded, very faithfully and very accurately, to recount the entire tale.
Julia drew back in wonder as she listened.
"And you held him!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide and her brows contracted in surprise. Doubtless she did not know it, but her gaze went sweeping over the man, from top to toe, and her mind was wondering where all that power was stored, for he was very lean, though wonderfully broad of shoulder.
"Yes, it was easy, for I really took him at an unfair advantage, but it was the only way—that or nothing."
"Yes," she said, but nothing more, for she could not understand him. But she knew there was a sweet feeling of security when he was near. He could do anything; of that she was entirely confident.
"There's small-pox in the county," said John, presently, with such sudden irrelevance that the girl half rose from her seat.