"Yes, a man could hardly break that," murmured Sam, oddly calmed.
"Light up," said Ed.
"No, I think I can sleep now."
Sam did sleep until morning. He arose, not exactly in a jovial mood, nevertheless calm. He might have a dull ache in the bottom of his breast, but the wild struggle was over. The matter was disposed of for good.
After breakfast he and Ed hitched up the team and went to the pine ridge to haul the logs Ed had cut the day before. They had returned with a load, and were throwing them off at the site of the proposed house, when Ed suddenly cocked his head to listen.
"Horses," he said, "and wheels."
"Some of the natives," suggested Sam.
Ed shook his head. "No occasion for them to bring a wagon. They come horseback."
Sam scowled; dreading, hoping—what he knew not.