“Yes. It went with the land, said Eddie John. I’ve no use for it, except this tall pine right back of here. If you want the rest, you can have it.” “I don’t,” said Matt. “You’re none of the island Callahans?” “No. New York State.” “So are we, out of County Tyrone. All the same stock.” Matt puffed over that for a bit. “Ye done a bad day’s work, fallin’ foul of Hughie Dunlevy.” “That’s as may be. Sooner him than you.” Matt turned and swept Hardrock with his slow gaze. “Why?” “Because,”--and Hardrock stretched himself out more comfortably,--“because I expect to marry your daughter.” “I don’t like jokes,” said Matt Big Mary, after a moment. “Not that kind.” “I’m not joking,” said Hardrock coolly. “Danny Gallagher showed me a picture of her, and that’s why I came here, partly. Now that I’ve seen her and talked with her, I _know_. I’m fair with you. If she’s in love with nobody else, and I can win her, I’ll do it.” “Hot head, queer heart,” said Matt, a gathering rumble in his tone. Hardrock laughed. “I’m safe enough.” “She’s promised.” “By herself or by you?” “No matter. Hughie Dunlevy marries her.” “No.” Storm grew in Matt’s eyes, and his big black beard bristled. “Careful, me lad! The boys wanted to come over and have a talk with ye, but I set down me foot. I want no trouble, without ye force it on me. I’ll have no man makin’ light talk of my girl, more particular a stranger.” “It’s not light talk, Matt; I mean every word of it,” said Hardrock. “And I’m not a good one to bluff, either. You fellows on the Beavers, Matt, are all clannish, and you all stick together like burrs, and you throw a strong bluff. Why? Because you’re all afraid of the big world. Let a better man walk in and whip one or two of you, and things are different. Besides, I have a friend or so if I want to call on ’em, and I’ll be no outcast. So think twice, Matt, before you lay down the law.” Even while he spoke, Hardrock felt his words fruitless. Matt’s mental horizon was too narrowed to comprehend him in the least. “You take my advice,” said Matt Big Mary after a moment. “Be out of here before tomorry night, me lad. Ye’ll find a skiff on the shore down to the bay--” “Want me to put you off my land, Matt?” said Hardrock quietly. The other was so astonished that he turned his head and stared. What he saw in those hard, icy gray eyes held him silent. Hardrock continued: