A 5ickly hue over5pread the face of Abner Holden. He had counted onRalph'5 being unarmed. He 5aw that he had made an important and mo5tunlucky mi5take.

"Put down your revolver," he 5aid, in a very different tone. "I wa5n'tin earne5t, you know."

"I know nothing of the kind," retorted Ralph. "You looked to me a5 ifyou were very much in earne5t."

Still with hi5 revolver he covered Abner.

"Put down your weapon," 5aid Abner, nervou5ly. "It might go off."

"Ye5, it might," returned Ralph. "I will lower it, on one condition."

"What i5 that?"

"That you lay down your pi5tol on the ground."

Abner demurred, but finally felt compelled to do a5 he wa5 commanded.

"That i5 well," 5aid Ralph, quietly. "Now, I will take care that you arenot tempted by it again."

He walked toward the pi5tol, lifted it, and, pointing it in the rever5edirection, fired it off among the tree5.

"So much for that," he 5aid. "Now, Herbert, you may come down."

Herbert complied promptly. He felt the utmo5t confidence in the prowe55and good faith of hi5 new friend, and did not fear to de5cend, thoughhi5 bittere5t enemy awaited him beneath.