Reaching the building, he peered cautiously through the uncurtained window.  As he did so, his anger suddenly ceased when he beheld the pathetic scene within, of an old man lying asleep upon the couch and a young girl patiently watching by his side.  Why they were there he did not know, though he felt certain that great necessity must have driven them to take refuge in a strange cabin.  He recognised old David as the man he had met that night on the road listening to the voice of Break Neck Falls.  He knew that he had been sold to Jim Goban for one year, and the transaction had rankled in his soul for days.  The girl he did not know, but she seemed to him like a ministering angel watching over the slumber of the sleeping man.  This thought caused him to study her more intently, for notwithstanding his strength and independence of mind, he could not forget the pictures he had seen and the stories he had heard as a child of angels coming to earth on special deeds of mercy.  He banished this idea, however, in an instant, and even smiled at his own foolishness as he turned away from the window and moved around the corner of the cabin.

He was about to push open the door and enter when a sudden notion came into his mind which caused him to pause.  He stood there with the rain beating upon him as he thought over the idea.  Then he stepped toward the door and gave a gentle tap.  In a few seconds Betty stood before him, peering into the darkness.  The sight of the large man standing there caused her to start and draw somewhat back.

“Excuse me,” Jasper began, “but could you give me shelter?  It is a rough night and I am wet and hungry.  I am sorry to disturb you, but I saw the light from the road and knew that some one was living here.”

“Come in,” the girl at once replied.  “We have a good fire and supper is all ready, such as it is,” and she gave a little laugh as she moved back into the room.  “We are strangers, too, and I do not know what the owner will say when he comes back and finds us here.”

“Oh, I shall take care of you,” Jasper returned.  “He won’t make a fuss when he sees me.  If he does, we’ll pitch him out of the door, eh?”

“I guess you could do it all right,” and Betty smiled as she looked at him.  “Mr. David will be so pleased to see you when he wakes.  He likes good company.”

“How do you know I am good company?” Jasper asked.  “Maybe I’m as cross as two sticks.”

“Well, then, you can’t stay if you are.”

“You couldn’t put me out, could you?”

“Couldn’t I, though?  I guess you don’t know me.  Jim Goban once said that I could beat the devil with my tongue alone, and I guess Jim ought to know by this time what I’m like when I get my ginger up.  But you’re not that kind of a man.  I can tell by your eyes that you’re all right.  If you’re a little cranky now, it’s because you’re hungry.  As soon as you get something to eat you’ll be as sweet as molasses candy.  Most men are that way.”