For a matter of ten seconds neither of the two men moved. Keith was
stunned. Andy Duggan's eyes were fairly popping out from under his
bushy brows. And then unmistakably Keith caught the scent of bacon in
the air.
"Andy--Andy Duggan," he choked. "You know me--you know Johnny
Keith--you know me--you--"
Duggan answered with an inarticulate bellow and jumped at Keith as if
to bear him to the ground. He hugged him, and Keith hugged, and then
for a minute they stood pumping hands until their faces were red, and
Duggan was growling over and over:
"An' you passed me there at McCoffin's Bend--an' I didn't know you, I
didn't know you, I didn't know you! I thought you was that cussed
Conniston! I did. I thought you was Conniston!" He stood back at last.
"Johnny--Johnny Keith!"
"Andy, you blessed old devil!"
They pumped hands again, pounded shoulders until they were sore, and in
Keith's face blazed once more the love of life.