There was safety; there were compassion and comprehension.  The old woman could tell marvellous tales and so could beguile the waiting days.  Nella-Rose meant to confide in her and ask her to hide her until Truedale came for her.  It was a sudden inspiration and it brought relief.

And that night—­it was past midnight and cold as the north land—­Burke Lawson came face to face with Jed Martin!  Lawson was issuing from his cranny behind the old still and Martin was nosing about alone.  He, like a hungry thing of the wilds, had found his foe’s trail and meant to bag him unaided and have full vengeance and glory.  But so unexpectedly, and alarmingly unconcerned, did Burke materialize in the emptiness that Jed’s gun was a minute too late in getting into position.  Lawson had the drop on him!  They were both very quiet for a moment, then Lawson laughed and did it so boldly that Jed shrank back.

“Coming to make a friendly call, Martin?”

“Something like that!”

“Well, come in, come right in!”

“I reckon you an’ me can settle what we’ve got ter settle in the open!” Jed stuttered.  It seemed a hideous, one-sided settlement.

“As yo’ please, Jed, as yo’ please.  I have a leanin’ to the open myself.  I’d just decided ter come out; I was going up ter Jim White’s and help him mete out justice, but maybe you and me can save him the trouble.”

“You—­goin’ ter shoot me, Burke—­like a—­like a—­hedgehog?”

“No.  I’m goin’ ter do unto yo’ as yo’ would have—­” Here Burke laughed—­he was enjoying himself hugely.

“What yo’ mean?”

“Well, I’m goin’ ter put yer in my quarters and tie yer to a chair.  Yo’ll be able to wiggle out in time, but it will take yer long enough fur me to do what I’m set about doin’.  Yo’ torn down traitor!—­yo’ were ‘lowing to put me behind bars, wasn’t yer?  Yo’ meant to let outsiders take the life out o’ me—­yo’ skunk!  Well, instead, Jed—­I’m goin’ on my weddin’ trip—­me and lil’ Nella-Rose.  I’ve seen her; she done promised to have me, when I come out o’ hidin’.  I’m coming out now!  Nella-Rose an’ me are goin’ to find a bigger place than Pine Cone Settlement.  Yo’ll wiggle yer blasted hide loose by mornin’ maybe; but then her an’ me’ll be where you-all can’t ketch us!  Go in there, now, you green lizard; turn about an’ get on yer belly like the crawlin’ thing yo’ are!  That’s it—­go! the way opens up.”

Jed was crawling through the bushes, Lawson after him with levelled gun.  “Now, then, take a seat an’ make yerself ter home!” Jed got to the chair and turned a green-white face upon his tormentor.

“Yer goin’ ter let me starve here?” he asked with shaking voice.

“That depends on yo’ power to wiggle.  See, I tie you so!” Lawson had pounced upon Jed and had him pinioned.  “I ain’t goin’ ter turn a key on yer like yo’ was aimin’ ter do on me!  It’s up to yo’ an’ yer wigglin’ powers, when yo’ get free.  The emptier yer belly is, the more room ye’ll have fer wiggling.  God bless yer! yer dog-gone hound!  Bless yer an’—­curse yer!  I’m off—­with the doney-gal!”