The Major pulled at his tuft of beard. “All most extraordinary and yet--queer how the thing might have happened, as the boy says. I’d half made up my mind that scoundrel was gunning for me; so, naturally enough, when that charge of buckshot came my way, I looked where I thought it probably came from. And the puff of smokeless powder isn’t much--it’d have been gone in a few seconds. And sound fools you on direction. Expecting attack from a certain quarter, I’d be pretty sure to place the sound there, whether or no. And the boy declares he was right across the gulch? Umph!” Sam resumed his account. He made confession to his fright; to the moments which passed before he dared to look at the farther ridge, even though he heard the loud crackling of branches. The Major nodded. “That fits, too. Soon as I could wrap a handkerchief about the bleeding paw I was off after Groche. But finally you crossed over to see what you’d bagged, eh? Umph! Why didn’t you run away?” “I--I didn’t think I should.” “Wanted to, didn’t you?” “Indeed I did, sir!” “Umph!” said the Major again. “Well, go on. What did you find?” Sam described the trampled brush and the spots of blood on the leaves. Also he related his vain effort to follow the trail. The Major was scowling fiercely. “That’s all, eh? Enough, too, I must say! No, it isn’t, either. Look here, young man! I suppose I must accept this story. You’ve just missed committing murder--yes, murder! Abominable recklessness, abominable! And criminal, highly criminal! You’ve rendered yourself liable to a heavy penalty. You’ll have to suffer----” Mr. Parker spoke sharply and emphatically: “That is not at present under discussion. Our immediate interest is justice to a wrongly arrested man.” Up went the Major’s warlike eyebrows. “Eh? What’s that? Justice, you say?” Then he whipped about to Sam. “Boy, do you understand the situation in which you’ve placed yourself? Want justice done, do you? That’ll mean trouble for you. Don’t quibble! Why didn’t you let well enough alone?” “Why--why, sir----” “Umph! Your father’s responsible, of course, for your telling the story.” Again Mr. Parker intervened. “Not so fast, Major. Of his own volition Sam told me what had happened. The affair was a complete surprise to me. It was my suggestion that he repeat his statement to you rather than to the police--and there my responsibility begins. But I’ll add that, as it has begun, I shall regard it as continuing until this matter is settled.” “Eh?” The Major looked more hostile than ever. “Am I to accept that as a declaration that you are backing the boy?” “You may accept it as meaning that while I regret deeply his rashness and its results, now that he has made confession, I’m backing him, as you term it--and I shall continue to back him.” There could be no mistaking Mr. Parker’s earnestness and determination. A thrill shot through Sam. He flashed a grateful glance at his father; then turned to face the Major.