"I don't think you meant that, Charley." Seaforth noticed the glint in his comrade's eyes, and departed a little from veracity.

"No," he said.

"There are times when a man is apt to talk a little at random." Alton nodded.

"You'll not forget again.

The man is a kinsman of mine." Seaforth smote the pack-horse, because he did not quite know what to answer.