Dusky Dick did not reply until he had secured his rifle. Then retreating a pace he spoke:
"And you look out. You've struck me. Good! A man never does that a second time. I'll be even with you yet—and with her, too. You hold the cards now—my time 'll come soon. Jest put that in your pipe and smoke it. May be you'll remember it afore long," and with a hard laugh the baffled desperado turned away from the spot.
The settler stood gazing after him irresolutely for a moment, but then turned toward the cabin door. Annie's voice checked him:
"Who is that coming, father?"
A tall agile figure was rapidly approaching the cabin from the not very distant woods, bearing a rifle, as could be seen by the clear moonlight. But whether an Indian or a white, could not be told, as the dress partook about equally of both races.
"Hellow, you!" cried a high-pitched, peculiar voice, that plainly bespoke the white man. "Ain't shootin' at the moon, be ye? Got plenty o' powder, I reckon?"
"Tobe Castor, by all that's good!" exclaimed Wilson, springing forward to meet the new-comer, in evident delight. "You are just the man of all others that I wanted to see."
"Sho! don't say so? Want to know? Ain't jokin', be ye?" and then the two men warmly clasped hands, like friends of a life-long standing.
"Come, Tobe; supper's over, but I guess there is something left. What brought you up this way so early in the season?"
"Don't ax me now—wait ontil they ain't lis'enin'," muttered the man, cautiously; then adding aloud: "How d'y, Miss Annie? Purtier'n ever, by gum! Beats all natur' how you do keep on a gittin' so. Sorter selfish, ain't ye, now? Got your own an' a dozent more besides—o' good looks, I mean. Wings 'most beginned to grow, hain't they?" and with a fatherly freedom, the weather-beaten old borderer stooped and imprinted a kindly kiss upon the fair face upturned toward his.