"I warned 'em away—they are trespassing on Mr. Jallow's land," said the man, but his manner was much softened. Evidently the sight of the three young huntsmen had had a good effect.
"Oh, so this is Mr. Jallow's land?" inquired Allen quickly. "Is this the part that is in dispute?"
"I don't know nothin' about no dispute," was the sullen response, "but I know what my orders are, and I'm going t' carry 'em out."
"Far be it from us to stand in the way of you doing your duty," remarked Will pleasantly. "But if you have been annoying these young ladies——" he paused significantly and looked at his two chums.
"Oh, he—he didn't annoy us!" said Grace quickly. She wanted no unpleasantness.
"I am glad of it," spoke Will.
"Perhaps you will be glad enough to point out just where the boundary marks are," said Allen quietly. "We may be walking in these woods often, and we would not like to trespass if we can avoid it. Where is the dividing line?"
The question evidently took the man by surprise. He seemed confused.
"It's somewhere about here," he muttered. "I seen one of the stone piles a while ago."
"Perhaps the young ladies were not trespassing at all," went on Allen. "In that case I have to point out that you have exceeded your authority. You may even be a trespasser yourself, on Mr. Ford's land. If you are, don't be alarmed. We shall take no extreme measures."