CHAPTER XVII.
_The Shadow Darkens_.
The inquest resulted to the satisfaction of those who wished well to the Pilgrim, for it cleared him of all responsibility for the killing.
Gus Svenstrom had been drunk; he had been heard to make threats; he had been the aggressor in the trouble at the dance; and the Pilgrim, in the search men had made immediately after the shooting, had been found unarmed.

The case was very plainly one of self-defense.
Billy, when questioned, repeated the Pilgrim's first words to him--that the Swede had pulled a knife; and told the jury, on further questioning, that he had not seen any gun on the ground until after he had gone for help.
Walland explained satisfactorily to the jury.

He may have said knife instead of gun.

He had heard some one say that the Swede carried a knife, and he had been expecting him to draw one.

He was rattled at first and hardly knew what he did say.