Wade was evidently trying to relieve his conscience.
"The difference is not with the other fellow, but with you. I am glad, however, that you did not kill him."
"I am also glad of that, Nora, thanks to you." They were now walking toward the cabin. "Was anyone inside hurt?" asked Wade. "I heard someone cry painfully."
"That was Dad's ruse to draw them to a closer range, but it was the accidental discharge of your rifle that put a stop to the fight."
Peter Judson was cautiously peering about, when he espied Wade and Nora.
"Hi, thar!" he said. "Be ye enemies or friends?"
"Friends," replied Wade.
"Ye jest missed some fun, shore. Reckon we give them fellers 'bout as good a scare as ever they had, don't you think?"
"From the way they retreated," said Wade, "I believe they were frightened; but we must be very careful, Judson,—one horse went up the hill riderless."
Old man Peter scratched his head. "The dickens ye say. Reckon what that means, Wade?"