Old Gabe had listened without a word, and the strain in his face was
eased. Always the old man had stood for peace. He believed it had come
after the court-house fight, and he had hoped against hope, even
when Rufe came back to trade against old Jasper; for Rufe was big and
good-natured, and unsuspected of resolute purpose, and the Lewallens'
power had weakened. So, now that Rufe was gone again, the old miller
half believed he was gone for good. Nobody was hurt; there was a chance
yet for peace, and with a rebuke on his tongue and relief in his face,
the old man sat back in his chair and went on whittling. The boy
turned eagerly to a crevice in the logs and, trembling with excitement,
searched the other bank for Jasper's gray horse, going home.