CHAPTER II
Ralph and His Grandfather.
Meanwhile Jase Vaughn sat on his mule looking quietly on, as if he were entirely unconcerned in the result of the struggle between Ralph and his grandfather.
Old Granger, finding himself baffled, flung down the rifle upon the ground and strode off up the road, muttering wildly to himself like one demented.
"Hold on, grandpa!" shouted Ralph, picking up the gun. "I'll be with you in a minute."
But the old man heeded not, and soon disappeared round a bend of the road in the direction of his home.
"He's too old to change," said Jase. "But I really don't see any reason why you and me should keep up this foolishness. If my father shot yourn, thar was a cousin of your father's fought a duel with my dad 'way down in Georgy. Both on 'em were hurt so bad they never walked again."
"We heard of it," returned Ralph, "and I couldn't help thinking at the time what fools our families were to keep up a feud started, I reckon, by our great grandfathers."
"Right, you are, young feller. Hit all come of doggin' hogs outn a sweet tater patch; so I've heard."