He could not hear what they were saying.

He only saw his mate, and the man who had come to take her from him.
Half crouching on the rocky shelf in the dark shadow of the cedar, the giant seemed a wild thing ready for his spring; ready and eager, yet held in check by something more powerful still than his passion.

Slowly the two, following the Old Trail, passed from sight, and Young Matt stood erect.

He was trembling like a frightened child.

A moment longer he waited, then turned and fairly ran from the place.