If the man in the water could have known how the supple but of late untrained arms of the man on shore were aching, the outcome might have been different; but the bath was horribly cold and the gun’s muzzle kept its bearing right on the bather’s eye.
“I give in, ye’ve got me, stranger,” he at last exclaimed.
Dufour was mightily relieved as he put down the gun and watched his dripping and shivering antagonist wade out of the cold pool. The men looked at each other curiously.
“Ye’re the dog gone’dest man ’at ever I see,” remarked the mountaineer; “who air ye, anyhow?”
“Oh, I’m a pretty good fellow, if you take me on the right tack,” said Dufour.
The other hesitated a moment, and then inquired:
“Air ye one o’ them people up at the tavern on the mounting?”
“Yes.”
“A boardin’ there?”
“Yes.”