Nelly looked at the two men by the fire, and felt a sudden hurt in the heart of her for the smiling stranger. He had no fear in his eye, and under his brown throat his skin was white like ivory, and his arms under their tattered sleeves were smooth as silk. At him as he ate glared Hughie Dunlevy, broad and dark like all the Dunlevys, rippling with great muscles, a man with strength to toss a box of fish like a toy; and many a tale was told of Hughie on the lake boats, and how he put the boots to any man who dared stand up to him. Now Hardrock sighed, and smiled at Nelly, and thanked her for his meal. “We’ll have our talk,” said he to Hughie, “and then I’ll have a smoke.” “I’m not so sure about that,” said Hughie. “What are ye doing here?” “Resting on my own land, if you want to know. I bought this end of the island from Eddie John Macaulay in Charlevoix.” There was no parry between the two of them, no hesitation. Hardrock looked Hughie in the eye and gave him the news straight and direct. “Buying isn’t keeping,” said Hughie. “We’ll have a word about that matter. Eddie John told us to take the timber if we wanted it, and take it we will.” The gray eyes of Hardrock glittered for a moment. “Take it you wont,” said he bluntly. Hughie laughed, and it was a laugh to reach under the skin and sting. “Is that so, Mr. Callahan? It’s sorry I’d be to hurt ye, and you washed ashore and out of luck; so keep a civil tongue in your head. Have no such talk around Matt Big Mary, I warn ye, for this is his camp and mine, and he’s a bad man in his anger.” Hardrock’s thin lips twitched. “So they said about Connie Dunlevy this morning in St. James. I hope he’s not related to you? He came out on the dock to have a talk with me, and I think they’re taking him over on the mailboat this afternoon to the hospital.” Hughie scrambled to his feet. “Glory be! What have ye done to my brother Connie, ye red-haired outlander?” “Not a thing,” said Hardrock, and chuckled. “Poor Connie fell off the dock. I think he broke a rib or two, and maybe his shoulder.” “Get up!” cried Hughie hoarsely, passion flaming in his face. “So that’s who marked ye up, eh? Then I’ll finish the job--” Hardrock stretched himself and began to rise, lazily enough. Just then Nelly Callahan stepped forward. “Don’t, Hughie!” she exclaimed. “It isn’t fair--you mustn’t! He’s all worn out--” Hughie turned on her and shoved her aside. “Out o’ this! Stand aside, and see--” He never finished the sentence, for Hardrock was off the ground like a spring of steel, a billet of firewood in one hand, and the sound of the blow could be heard across the clearing. Struck behind the ear Hughie Dunlevy threw out his arms and went down in a heap. Hardrock looked at Nelly Callahan, and the glitter of his eyes changed to a smile.