No sooner had he emerged into view when the old man arose
and came squarely and uncompromisingly to meet him. The two encountered
perhaps fifty yards from the cabin door.
Bob found that a closer inspection of his antagonist rather strengthened
than diminished the impression of force. The old man's eyes were
flashing fire, and his great chest rose and fell rapidly. He held his
weapon across the hollow of his left arm, but the muscles of his right
hand were white with the power of his grip.
"Get out of here!" he fairly panted at Bob. "I warned you fellows!"
Bob replied calmly.
"I came in to see if I could get to stay for supper, and to feed my
horse."
At this the old man exploded in a violent rage. He ordered Bob off the
place instantly, and menaced him with his shotgun. Had Bob been mounted,
Samuels would probably have shot him; but the mere position of a
horseman afoot conveys subtly an impression of defencelessness that is
difficult to overcome. He is, as it were, anchored to the spot, and at
the other man's mercy. Samuels raged, but he did not shoot.
At the sounds of altercation, however, the whole hive swarmed.
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