JACK FETCHES THE RIFLES
"Now, ef that ain't madness!" cried Steve angrily. "Ef that ain't askin' fer a bullet!"
"And copyin' bad examples set by them as is old enough and ugly enough ter know better," growled Abe. "It's jest the answer ter yer own doin's, Steve, and Jack aer earned the thanks of all. Gee! As ef yer didn't ought ter know better."
He turned scornfully upon the little scout. Then a smile stole across his features, and stretching out a hand he gripped Steve's.
"Reckon ye'd some special call," he said simply.
There was a grim look on the little man's face as he took Abe's hand, a look which seemed to betoken that the cause for his sudden excitement and for his rashness was something beyond him, something he could hardly dare to think about.