It was a glorious thing to have done the deed for the girl he loved, and under her eyes.

Sammy might give herself to Ollie, now, and go far away to the great world, but she could never forget the man who had saved her from insult, when her lover was far too weak to save even himself.

And Young Matt would stay in the hills alone, but always he would have the knowledge and the triumph of this thing that he had done.

Yes, it would be easier now, but still--still the days would be years when there was no longer each morning the hope that somewhere before the day was gone he would see her.
The sun fell hot and glaring on the hillside field, and in the air was the smell of the freshly turned earth.

High up in the blue a hawk circled and circled again.