Ollie was angry now in good earnest.  He had not told Sammy of the incident at the Lookout because he felt that the story would bring the backwoodsman into a light altogether too favorable.  He thought to have the girl safely won before he left the hills; then it would not matter.  That Young Matt would have really saved Ollie’s life at the risk of his own there was no doubt.  And Stewart realized that his silence under such circumstances would look decidedly small and ungrateful to the girl.  To have the story told at this critical moment was altogether worse than if he had generously told of the incident at once.  He saw, too, that Sammy guessed at some thing beneath the surface, and he felt uneasy in remaining until Young Matt came back to renew the conversation.  And yet he feared to leave.  At this stage of his dilemma, he was relieved from his plight in a very unexpected manner.

CHAPTER XXVII.

The champion.

A big wagon, with two men on the seat, appeared coming up the valley road.  It was Wash Gibbs and a crony from the river.  They had stopped at the distillery on their way, and were just enough under the influence of drink to be funny and reckless.

When they caught sight of Ollie Stewart and Miss Lane, Wash said something to his companion, at which both laughed uproariously.  Upon reaching the couple, the wagon came to a stop, and after looking at Ollie for some moments, with the silent gravity of an owl, Gibbs turned to the young lady, “Howdy, honey.  Where did you git that there?  Did your paw give hit to you fer a doll baby?”

Young Stewart’s face grew scarlet, but he said nothing.

“Can’t hit talk?” continued Gibbs with mock interest.

Glancing at her frightened escort, the girl replied, “You drive on, Wash Gibbs.  You’re in no condition to talk to anyone.”

An ugly leer came over the brutal face of the giant; “Oh, I ain’t, ain’t I?  You think I’m drunk.  But I ain’t, not so mighty much.  Jest enough t’ perten me up a pepper grain.”  Then, turning to his companion, who was grinning in appreciation of the scene, he continued, “Here, Bill; you hold th’ ribbens, an’ watch me tend t’ that little job I told you I laid out t’ do first chance I got.”  At this, Ollie grew as pale as death.  Once he started as if to escape, but he could not under Sammy’s eyes.

As Wash was climbing down from the wagon, he caught sight of Young Matt standing in the door of the mill shed.  “Hello, Matt,” he called cheerfully; “I ain’t a lookin’ fer you t’ day; ‘tend t’ you some other time.  Got more important business jest now.”

Young Matt made no reply, nor did he move to interfere.  In the backwoods every man must fight his own battles, so long as he fights with men.  When Stewart was in danger from the panther, it was different.  This was man to man.  Sammy, too, reared in the mountains, and knowing the code, waited quietly to see what her lover would do.