Old Campbell arose at his usual time, surprised and pleased to find that
Toppy had breakfast already cooked and on the table. Being a canny Scot,
he did not express his surprise or pleasure, but proceeded to look about
for signs to indicate the reason of Toppy's unwonted conduct. All that
he could make out was that Toppy's eyes were bright with some sort of
excitement, and that the grim set of his mouth had given way to an
expression of relief. So the Scot sat down to eat, shaking his grey head
in puzzled fashion.
"I dinna see that this thaw should be any reason for your parading
around before the night's done," he grumbled. "Were you so tired of a
little useful work that ye maun greet a let-down with such early
rising?"
Toppy sat down and proceeded to breakfast without venturing a reply.
When they had finished the meal he pushed back his chair and looked
across at Campbell. Huge and careless, he sprawled in his chair, the
tension and uncertainty gone now that he had made his resolution; and
Campbell, studying his face, sensed that something was up and leaned
forward eagerly.
"I want to lay off to-day, Scotty," said Toppy deliberately. "I've got a
little business that I want to settle with Reivers."
Old Campbell did not start nor in any way indicate surprise.
"Aye!" he said quietly after a pause. "I ha' seen from the first it
would have to be that in the end. Ye maun settle which is best man. But
why to-day?"
"Because now that the thaw has spoiled the sleighing Reivers will have
time for deviltry." And Toppy went on and told all that he had heard
from Tilly's lips that morning. Campbell shook his head angrily as he
heard.
"Many things has the Snow-Burner done ill," he said, "and his sins
against men and women cry for punishment; but that--to yon little
lass--gi'n he did that, that would be worst of all. What are your plans,
lad?"
"Nothing," said Toppy. "I will go and find him, and we'll have it out."
"Not so," said Campbell swiftly. "Gi'n you did that 'twould cost you
your life did you chance to win o'er him. Do you think those devils with
the guns would not murder to win favour of the Snow-Burner, him holding
the lives and liberty of all of them in his hands as he does? Nay, lad!
Fight ye must; you're both too big and spirited to meet without coming
to grips; but you have aye the need of an old head on your side if
you're to stand up with Reivers on even terms.
"What think you he would fancy, did you go to him with a confident bold
challenge as you suggest? That you had a trick up your sleeve, with the
men in on it, perhaps; and he'd have the guards there with their guns to
see he won as sure as we're sitting here talking. No; I ha' seen for
weeks 'twas coming on, and I ha' been using this auld head o' mine. I
may even say I ha' been doing more than thinking; I ha' been talking. I
have told Reivers that you were becoming unbearable in this shop, and
that I could not stand you much longer as my helper."
Toppy looked across the table, amazed and pained.
"Why--what's wrong, Scotty?" he stammered.
"Tush, lad!" snapped the old man. "Dinna think I meant it. I only told
Reivers so for the effect."
Toppy was bewildered.
"I don't see what you're driving at, Scotty."
"Listen, then; I ha' told Reivers that you were getting the swell head
so bad there was no working you. I ha' told him you were at heart
nothing but a fresh young whiffet who needed taming, and gi'n he made me
keep you here I mysel' would do the taming with an ax-handle. Do you
begin to get my drift now, lad?"
"I confess I don't," admitted Toppy.
"Well, then--Reivers said: 'That's how I sized him up, too. But don't you
do the taming, Campbell,' says he. 'I am saving him for mysel',' he
says. 'But I will not put up with his lip longer,' said I. 'Man,
Reivers,' I says, 'he thinks he's a fighter, and the other day I slammed
him on his back mysel'; and gi'n I had my old wind,' I says, 'I would
have whipped him then and there.'
"Oh, carried on strong, losing my temper and all. 'Five year ago I would
ha' broken his back, the big young fool!' I says. 'An' he swaggers
around me and thinks he's a boss man because he licked that bloat
Sheedy. Ah!' I says. 'I'll stand it till he gives me lip again; then
I'll lay him out with whatever I have in my hands,' says I.
"'Don't do it,' says Reivers, smiling to see me so worked up, and
surmising, as I intended he should, that I was angry only because I'd
discovered that you were a better man than mysel'. 'Save him for me,'
says he. 'As soon as I have more time I will 'tend to him. In the
meantime,' he says, 'let him go on thinking he is a good man.'
"Lad, he swallowed it all, for it's four years since he knew me first,
and that was the first lie I'd told him at all. 'I'll take him under my
eye soon as I have more time,' says he. 'He'll not swagger after I've
tamed him a little.'"
"But I don't just see----"
"Dolt! Dinna you see that noo he considers you as an overconfident young
fool whom he's going to take the conceit out of? Dinna ye see that noo
you're in the same category as the other men he's broken down? He'll not
think it worth while to have his shotgun men handy noo when he starts in
to do his breaking. He'll start it, ye understand; not you. 'Twill be
proper so. I will go this morning and tell him that the end has come;
that I can not stand you longer around me. He'll give you something to
do--under him. Under him, do you see? Then you must e'en watch your
chance, and--and happen I'll manage to be around in case the guards
should show up."
"Better keep out of it altogether," said Toppy. "They won't use their
guns in an even fight, and you couldn't do anything with your bare hands
if they did."
"With my bare hands, no," said Campbell, going to his bunk. "But I am
not so bare-handed as you think, lad." He dug under the blankets and
held up a huge black revolver. "Canny by nature!" he said; thrusting the
grim weapon under his trousers-band. "I made no idle threat when I told
Reivers I would shoot his head off did he ever try to make a broken man
out of me. I have had this utensil handy ever since."
"Scotty," cried Toppy, deeply moved at the old man's staunch friendship,
"when did you begin to plan this scheme?"
Campbell looked squarely into his eyes.
"The same day that I talked with yon lassie and learned how Reivers had
fascinated her."
"Why?"
"Dinna ye know nothing about women, lad?"
"I----What do you mean?"
"Do you fancy Reivers could carry his will so strong with folks gi'n ye
happen to make a beaten man out of him? And do you not think yon lass
would come back to her right mind gi'n the Snow-Burner loses his power
o'er her? You're no' so blind as not to see she's no liking for him, but
the de'il has in a way mesmerised her."
"Then you mean----"
"That when you and the Snow-Burner put up your mitts ye'll be fighting
for more than just to see who's best man. Now think that over, lad,
while I go and complain to Reivers that I can not stand you an hour
longer, and arrange for him to give you your taming."