"Thanks, cousins and friends," cried the squatter, "and now, wife, on your knees. Let us beg forgiveness of our sins."
The two old men went out, tears in their eyes, and almost inclined to be merciful. Stern will prevailed.
Five minutes later, a double shot was heard. They rushed in. Both lay dead upon the floor.
Justice was done.
The two hunters kneeled down beside the bodies, and said a silent prayer over them.
Then, in the room itself, they dug a grave, and, after some little time, interred the husband and wife.
Then, dragging away by main force the wounded dog, they collected a lot of brushwood and other fuel.
This they piled against the house and then fired. In a few minutes the whole was in flames.
The dog got away, and plunged into the burning pile.
When all was over and nought remained but cinders and ashes, the two men wiped away a tear and retired.