"I have knowed it for a long time," said the other cheerfully;
"but I heard 'Preachin' Bill' say once, that if a feller don't
fuss about what he knows for sure, the things he don't know ain't
apt to bother him none. It's this here guessin' that sure gets a
man down."

" 'Preachin' Bill' hits it every pop, don't he?" exclaimed Jim,
admiringly. "But there's somethin' else you ought to know, too,
Matt. Wash has done made his threats agin the old man down there."

"You mean Dad Howitt?" said Young Matt, sharply. "What's Wash got
agin Dad, Jim?"

Mr. Lane shifted uneasily, "Some fool notion of hisn. You mind old
man Lewis, I reckon?"

The big man's muscles tightened. "Dad told us about his stoppin'
at the ranch the other night. Wash Gibbs better keep his hands off
Mr. Howitt."

"I ain't told nobody about this, Grant, and you can do as you like
about tellin' your father, and the old man. But if anything
happens, get word to me, quick."

Before more could be said, Sammy appeared in the doorway, and soon
the two young people were riding on their way. Long after they had
passed from sight in the depth of the forest, the dark mountaineer
stood at the big gate, looking in the direction they had gone.

Young Matt was like a captive, tugging at his bonds. Mr. Lane's