"Then we'll settle it right here," said the latter firmly. "I could
have shot you from the bushes, as your father did mine, but I wouldn't."

"The more fool you!" hissed the vindictive old man. "I ought to have
kept the gun myself."

"Suppose I don't uphold the deed?" added Vaughn, still totally
undisturbed.

"Then you can go, for all of me. I'm sick of the feud."

"Shake my boy!" Jase held out a large brown paw. "So am I. If I
could 'a' had my way your pap never would a been killed."

Ralph hesitated an instant, when suddenly little Clelly reached forth
his small, chubby fingers, and the boy surrendered. He suffered Vaughn
to shake his hand, then frankly took the child's and pressed it warmly.

"I like 'oo," cried the little fellow, whereat Jase gave a great horse
laugh of undisguised satisfaction.

"These young uns has got more sense than all of us older fools,"
exclaimed the gratified father. "Ain't that so, old man?" he added,
looking at the elder Granger.

But the face of Ralph's grandfather became convulsed with a sudden
fury. He rushed upon Ralph with a celerity unlocked for in one so old,
and wrenched the rifle from the boy's hands.