Take his rifle and let him go," exclaimed Alan, who all this while had stood amazed.

"There must be some mistake, he cannot have meant to murder me." "Don't know what he mean, but know his bullet go through my hair, Major, and give me new parting," grumbled Jeekie as he obeyed.
"Of course it was a mistake, Vernon, for I suppose it is Vernon," said Aylward, as he rose.

"I do not wonder that your servant is angry, but the truth is that your sudden appearance frightened me out of my wits and I fired automatically.

We have been living in some danger here and my nerves are not as strong as they used to be." "Indeed," answered Alan.

"No, Jeekie will carry the rifle for you; yes, and I think that pistol also, every ounce makes a difference walking in a hot climate, and I remember that you always were dangerous with firearms.