Part 3 On The Little Big Horn Chapter 1 Mr. Hampton Resolves

"Yes, I think I do, Bob." She strove bravely to express enthusiasm.
"The trouble is, I am so worried over your going off alone hunting
after that man."

He laughed, his eyes searching her face for the truth. "Well, little
girl, he won't exactly be the first I 've had call to go after.
Besides, this is a particular case, and appeals to me in a sort of
personal way. It you only knew it, you're about as deeply concerned in
the result as I am, and as for me, I can never rest easy again until
the matter is over with."

"It's that awful Murphy, is n't it?"

"He's the one I'm starting after first, and one sight at his right hand
will decide whether he is to be the last as well."

"I never supposed you would seek revenge, like a savage," she remarked,
quietly. "You never used to be that way."

"Good Lord, Naida, do you think I 'm low down enough to go out hunting
that poor cuss merely to get even with him for trying to stick me with
a knife? Why, there are twenty others who have done as much, and we
have been the best of friends afterwards. Oh, no, lassie, it means
more than that, and harks back many a long year. I told you I saw a
mark on his hand I would never forget--but I saw that mark first
fifteen years ago. I 'm not taking my life in my hand to revenge the
killing of Slavin, or in any memory of that little misunderstanding
between the citizens of Glencaid and myself. I should say not. I have
been slashed at and shot at somewhat promiscuously during the last five
years, but I never permitted such little affairs to interfere with
either business, pleasure, or friendship. If this fellow Murphy, or
whoever the man I am after may prove to be, had contented himself with
endeavoring playfully to carve me, the account would be considered
closed. But this is a duty I owe a friend, a dead friend, to run to
earth this murderer. Do you understand now? The fellow who did that
shooting up at Bethune fifteen years ago had the same sort of a mark on
his right hand as this one who killed Slavin. That's why I'm after
him, and when I catch up he'll either squeal or die. He won't be very
likely to look on the matter as a joke."