"Nothing but new apple jack could make me miss so fair a mark." "Now, ye fellers, lay down YORE guns!" shouted Fortner, springing forward to where they were, with his rifle cocked.

"Lay 'em down! I say.
Lay 'em down, or I'll let daylight through ye!" "He's got us, Abe," said Kent, laying down his musket reluctantly.

His example was followed by Abe, who, however, did not place his gun so far that he could not readily pick it up again, if Fortner gave him an instant's opportunity.

Fortner noticed this, and pushed the musket farther away with his foot, still covering the two with his rifle.
"Ye see now," he said "thet I hev ye at my marcy, ef I wanted ter kill or capture ye.

Efi I gin ye back yer guns, ye'll admit thet I'm yer friend, and not yer inimy, won't ye ?" "It'll certainly look like an overture to a permanent and disinterested friendship," said Kent, brightening up; and Abe, who was gathering himself up for a spring to catch Fortner's rifle, let his muscles relax again.
"Well, ye kin take up yer guns agin and load 'em," said Fortner, letting down the hammer of his rifle.