"He ain't gone yet, gentlemen--for yer's his rifle," he broke in, with a feverish return of volubility, and a high excited falsetto.

"He wouldn't have left this behind.

No! I knowed it from the first.

He's just outside a bit, foraging for wood and water.

No, sir! Coming along here I said to Union Mills--didn't I?
--'Bet your life the Old Man's not far off, even if he ain't in the cabin.' Why, the moment I stepped foot--" "And I said coming along," interrupted Union Mills, with equally reviving mendacity, "Like as not he's hangin' round yer and lyin' low just to give us a surprise.' He! ho!" "He's gone for good, and he left that rifle here on purpose," said the Left Bower in a low voice, taking the weapon almost tenderly in his hands.
"Drop it, then!" said the Right Bower.