THE INTERVENTION OF PETER
hind? You see have n't in you the making of a gentleman."
"I do' know nuffin' 'bout mekin' a gent'man, but I does know how to save one dat's already made."
The prime object of the meeting had been entirely forgotten. They gathered around Pete and examined the weapon.
"Gentlemen," said Randolph, "we have been saved by a miracle. This old gun, as well as I can remember and count, has been loaded for the past twenty-five years, and if Pete had tried to fire it, it would have tor up all of this part of the county." Then the eyes of the two combatants met. There was something irresistibly funny in the whole situation, and they found themselves roaring again. Then, with one impulse, they should hands without a word.
And Pete led the way home, the willing butt of a volume of good-natured abuse.
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