In fact, if anything were ever done he believed such women as Miss Pepper would be the ones to run the evil-doers out of town, and put up the bars.
Darry had taken the three animals home, pleased to know that after all half his traps had found victims on this second day.
He judged from this that he was doing very well, and with a little more experience could consider himself a full-fledged trapper.
Later in the afternoon he thought of the ducks, and passing out upon the marsh walked until he discovered several feeding among the wild rice, when he started to creep up on them with infinite cunning.
Reaching at last a bunch of grass as near as he could hope to go he waited until two were close together, when he fired his right barrel.
As the remaining mallard started to rise in a clumsy fashion Darry gave him the benefit of the other barrel.
When Mrs. Peake saw what fine birds he had secured she was loud in her praise, for their coming meant at least one good meal without cost, and every cent counted in this little family.
Again Darry busied himself with his pelts.
He was pleased to find how much easier the job seemed after his experience of the preceding day; and when the skins had been stretched upon the boards they had a cleaner look that satisfied the eye.
After that he plucked the three ducks for the good woman, saving her a task she never fancied, and winning her thanks.
Then he looked after the gun, believing that it is wise to always keep such a weapon in the best of order, since it serves its owner faithfully when called upon.
"I had some visitors while you were away," announced Mrs. Peake, when after supper they were seated by the table.
Darry looked up from his work of whittling more stretching boards, interested at once.
"It must have been Mr. Singleton!" he exclaimed, eagerly.
"No, I rather think he wanted to have a little talk with me. You see he guessed from what you told him that it all was because of me you wouldn't go with him, and he just dropped in, he said, to have a neighborly chat, and let me know how much he was interested in a boy by the name of Darry."
"That was fine of him. What did you think, wasn't he all I said?"
"As nice a young gentleman as I ever met. He asked a lot of questions about you."