The spot they selected was a lovely one 'neath a small bush, where they would be completely hid from the view of an idle passer. They were in Thompson's territory, and, though Tom Judson had thought Al was away, it was not true. This had been a ruse on the part of the wily Al in order to catch a Judson napping. Wade did not know of a certainty that Al was not gone, but he was cautious, nevertheless. His rifle was ever near him. Now, they had not been long secure until they saw Al meandering down the stream on the opposite side from them. Wade watched him until he was directly opposite them, then whispered to Nora to keep well hid. Leveling his rifle at Al, he commanded him to halt. Nora's heart beat fast in her bosom. Al, recognizing Wade's voice, looked sharply around, sending his right hand to his pistol pocket. Too late. "Take it off," said Wade, "or I may be tempted to blow out your life." Wade spoke in the rough language of the mountaineer. Times were such that a fellow must necessarily blow a fellow's brains out or get his own scattered over the earth. Thompson caught sight of Wade in his hiding-place and, seeing that he was looking into the barrel of Wade's rifle, took his hand from his pocket and raised it, with the other, high above his head. "Ye've got me shore, this time," said Al. "What ye goin' ter do with me?" "I'm going to kill you," replied Wade. "Turn your back to me, and be quick about it." "What! ye hain't a goin' ter shoot me in ther back, air ye?" asked Thompson, turning to fulfill the command. "Wouldn't you shoot me in the back, or any other part of the body, had you the opportunity?" "I didn't." "You haven't had the opportunity." "Yes, I have." "When?" "Ther night I borried yer hoss. Ye didn't know me then, Wade, but hit was me, shore. I lost my hoss an' just had ter have 'nuther--had so much ter do afore morning', an' I took yours for only a little while, 'cause I knowed you wouldn't have as much ter do as me." "Why did you not kill me, Thompson, while you had the chance?" "Because ye didn't kill me when ye had the chance, that's why." Wade crossed the stream, going directly through the water, took Al's pistols from his pockets and laid them on the ground a safe distance away. Stepping back a pace, he commanded Thompson to turn and face him. "So you did not kill me that night because I had not killed you at a time when I had an advantage?" "Exactly. Do ye think one of us fellers could be unfair? Not so; we treat everybody square. That time made us even, but I said I'd kill ye ef ye was caught that away again." "In that case, Thompson, I have a perfect right to let you have a load," said Wade, drawing a bead on the latter's head. "First, however, I want to know why you hate me so, why do you wish to kill me at all?" "That ought'n ter make any difference ter you."