"Over on that tree."
"That's Seth Wilkinson's sign. Not yours. What's more, that shotgun business ain't used around these parts no more. If you want a quick jury trial with twelve men all agin' you, just plug one of us. You got just two barrels there. You ain't agoin' to hit all three."
He swung the wrench in short circles.
"Look!" exclaimed Harry. "See? In the window!"
They turned toward the cabin window, but saw nothing.
"It's gone," asserted Harry. "It's the man that was in the road. He's there in the house. He half killed me. I'm going to get him."
"Wait a minute." The man on the porch was speaking. "I guess I've made a mistake with you fellows. I've got the wild man here, boys. He isn't a wild man, though. He's just eccentric. Did he give you trouble?"
"Blamed right he did," ejaculated the farmer. "He jumped out of the bushes and landed on me in the road. These gentlemen came along in their car just in time to save me."
"That makes it different." The man on the porch laid the shotgun aside. "Let me explain matters. This man I have here is half-witted. He's strong, but he's mild ordinarily. I've got charge of him. I know how to handle him, and he's just like a child ordinarily. I brought him here because we figured that if he was kept off by himself for a while, he would improve.
"I am very sorry for what has happened," the man went on smoothly. "I really mean that. I can promise you that it will not happen again. I was ignorant of what actually occurred. This is a valuable lesson for me."