The trader silently rose, picked up his hat, and shambled out into the night behind the Frenchman.
"The old man takes it hard," said Lee, shaking his head, and Burrell remarked:
"I've seen things like that in army quarters, and the fellow who accidentally discharges his gun invariably gets a greater shock than his companion."
"I call it damned careless, begging your pardon, Miss Necia," said Runnion.
Poleon led his friend down the trail for half a mile without speaking, till Gale had regained a grip of himself and muttered, finally:
"I never did such a thing before, Poleon, never in all my life."
The young man turned squarely and faced him, the starlight illumining their faces dimly.
"Why?" said Doret.
"Why?" echoed Gale, with a start. "Well, because I'm careful, I suppose."
"Why?" insisted the Frenchman.