If honors were equally divided in the former contest, the pipe had all the glory of the second encounter, for the boys refused to touch it.
Still dizzy from the effects of the strong tobacco, they stood up and put on their coats.
"Let's go over to the spring and wash our faces," said Carter. "There's no use fighting any more."
No one would have thought that hostilities could be so soon forgotten; but boys forgive easily if they have no mean action cherished against one another.
Old Adam left them, striding off through the trees with a parting injunction to "no more fight."
When the late combatants reached the spring they threw themselves flat in the green soft grass, and washed their heated faces, and there was cemented a friendship between the younger branches of the rival families that was destined to bear most unlooked-for results.
As they lay there talking together they heard the sound of voices, and George arose. "Why, look here!" he said. "Here's our two uncles and your father, Carter; and Dr. Grubb, from the cross-ways, with a big box under his arm. What are they about?"
Looking through the bushes the three lads saw a strange sight.
Uncle Nathan was standing with his arms folded quite alone, and a short distance away was Mr. Hewes, who was stripping the leaves from a twig he held in his hand. Beneath a tree a discussion was being held in low tones between four other gentlemen, and the doctor off to one side was mopping his forehead with a great handkerchief.
The trio of new friends walked boldly out into the open. But they were not prepared for the consternation that their appearance created.