He finally gained the top of the rise; and let himself down in the grass, distant some thirty feet from them. A flash of lightning—or even the lighting of a lantern would have revealed him clearly.
He instantly understood that he was the subject of their talk.
"It's his life or mine," in Mabyn's blustering whine were the first words he distinctly heard.
"He could kill you to-day, and he let you go," Rina quietly returned.
"That's a lie!" blustered Mabyn. "How do you know?" he added inconsequentially.
"He tak' your knife from you. I saw it in his belt," said Rina. "And he let you go."
Mabyn made no reply.
"He say to me he not 'urt you, if you keep away from there," Rina went on.
"Keep away!" Mabyn fumed. "This is my place! I'll go where I choose on it! He's trespassing on my land! I've a right to drive him off! I've a right to kill him if he doesn't go!"
"He will hear you!" said Rina warningly.