up. He could not see that the big fellow's clothing was torn, that
his hat was gone, and that he was dripping with perspiration; but
he could hear his labored breathing. Strong as he was, the young
giant was nearly exhausted by the strain of his race over the
mountains.

"Get up quick, Dad; I'll tell you while you're puttin' on your
clothes," the woodsman answered; and while the shepherd dressed,
he told him in a few words, finishing with, "Call Brave inside,
and get your gun, with all the shells you can find. Don't show a
light for a minute. They'll be here any time now, and it'll be a
good bit yet before Sammy can get home." He began fastening the
front door.

The peaceful minded scholar could not grasp the meaning of the
message; it was to him an impossible thought; "You must be
mistaken, Grant," he said. "Surely you are excited and unduly
alarmed. Wash Gibbs has no reason to attack me."

Young Matt replied gruffly, "I ain't makin' no mistake in the
woods, Dad. You ain't in the city now, and there ain't no one can
hear you holler. Don't think I am scared neither, if that's what
you mean. But there's ten of them in that bunch, and they're bad
ones. You'd better call Brave, sir. He'll be some help when it
comes to the rush."

But the other persisted, "You must be mistaken, lad. Why should
any one wish to harm me? Those men are only out fox hunting, or
something like that. If they should be coming here, it is all a
mistake; I can easily explain."