came over. Its flames went high, and made a great, sloping volcano
of light in the darkness.

After the posting of the guard, some gathered about my father and
began to cheer him. It nettled the veteran. He would take no
honor for his defeat of the clever man, claiming the latter had no
chance to fight.

"He had no foot-room with the boy one side and D'ri t' other," said
he. "I had only to drive him back."

My father and the innkeeper and D'ri and I sat awhile, smoking, in
the warm glow of the bonfire.

"You 're a long-headed man," said I, turning to my comrade.

"Kind o' thought they'd be trouble," said D'ri. "So I tuk 'n ast
yer father t' come over hossback with hef a dozen good men. They
got three more et the tavern here, an' lay off 'n thet air bateau,
waitin' fer the moosecall. I cal'lated I did n't want no more
slidin' over there 'n Canady."

After a little snicker, he added: "Hed all 't wus good fer me the
las' time. 'S a leetle tew swift."

"Gets rather scary when you see the bushes walk," I suggested.

"Seen whut wus up 'fore ever they med a move," said D'ri. "Them
air bushes did n't look jest es nat'ral es they'd orter. Bet ye
they're some o' them bushwhackers o' Fitzgibbon. Got loops all