第5章

CHAPTERXII

SEED-TIME

ThedayafterBigMack\'sfuneral，RanaldwasbusypolishingLizette\'sglossyskin，beforethestabledoor。Thiswashisfavoriteremedyforgloomythoughts，andRanaldwasfullofgloomythoughtsto-day。Hisfather，thoughgoingaboutthehouse，wasstillweak，andworsethanall，wasfrettinginhisweakness。Hewasoppressedwiththeterriblefearthathewouldneveragainbeabletodoaman\'swork，andRanaldknewfromthedarklookinhisfather\'sfacethatdayandnightthedesireforvengeancewasgnawingathisheart，andRanaldalsoknewsomethingofthebitternessofthisdesirefromthefiercelongingthatlaydeepinhisown。Someday，whenhisfingerswouldbefeelingforLeNoir\'sthroat，hewoulddrinklongandfullythatsweetdraughtofvengeance。Heknew，too，thatitaddedtothebitternessinhisfather\'shearttoknowthat，inthespring\'sworkthateverywarmdaywasbringingnearer，hecouldtakenopart；andthatwaspartlythecauseofRanald\'sgloom。Withtheslow-movingoxen，hecouldhardlyhopetogettheseedinintime，andtheyneededthecropthisyearifevertheydid，forlastyear\'sinterestonthemortgagewasstillunpaidandthenextinstallmentwasnearlydue。

AshewasputtingthefinishingtouchesuponLisette\'ssatinskin，YankeedroveuptotheyardwithhisFoxhorseandbuckboard。Hisboxwasstrappedonbehind，andhisblankets，rolledupinabundle，filledtheseatbesidehim。

"Mornin\'，"hecalledtoRanald。"Purtyfineshine，that，andpurtyfinemare，allround，"hecontinued，walkingaboutLisetteandnotingadmiringlyherbeautifulproportions。

"Purtyfinebeast，"hesaid，inalowtone，runninghishandsdownherlegs。"Guessyouwouldn\'tcaretopartwiththatmare？"

"No，"saidRanald，shortly；butashespokehisheartsankwithinhim。

"Oughttofetchafairlygoodfigure，"continuedYankee，meditatively。"Le\'ssee。She\'sfromLaRoque\'sLisette，ain\'tshe？Oughttohavesomespeed。"HeuntiedLisette\'shalter。

"Takeherdownintheyardyonder，"hesaidtoRanald。

RanaldthrewthehalteroverLisette\'sneck，sprangonherback，andsentherdownthelaneatagoodsmartpace。Atthebottomofthelanehewheeledher，andridinglowuponherneck，camebacktothebarnlikeawhirlwind。

"Byjings！"exclaimedYankee，surprisedoutofhislazydrawl；

"she\'sgotit，youbetyourlastbrick。Seehere，boy，there\'smoneyintothatanimal。ThoughtIwouldliketohaveherformybuckboard，butIhavegotanonfortunitconsciencethatwon\'tletmedoupanypartner，soIguessIcan\'tmakeanyoffer。"

RanaldstoodbesideLisette，hisarmthrownoverherbeautifulneck，andhishandfondlinghergentlyabouttheears。"Iwillnotsellher。"Hisvoicewaslowandfierce，andallthemoresobecauseheknewthatwasjustwhathewoulddo，andhisheartwassickwiththepainofthethought。

"Isay，"saidYankee，suddenly，"cudn\'tbunkmeinyourloft，cudyou！Can\'tstandthetown。Tooclose。"

TheconfininglimitationsoftheTwentieth，thatmetropolitancenterofsomedozenbuildings，includingthesawmillandblacksmithshop，weretootryingforYankee\'snervoussystem。

"Yes，indeed，"saidRanald，heartily。"Wewillbeverygladtohaveyou，anditwillbetheverybestthingforfather。"

"S\'poseoldFoxcudnibbleroundthebrule，"continuedYankee，noddinghisheadtowardhissorrelhorse。"Don\'tthinkIwilldomuchdrivin\'machinebusiness。Ratherslow。"Yankeespentthesummermonthssellingsewing-machinesandnewpatentchurns。

"There\'splentyofpasture，"saidRanald，"andFoxwillsoonmakefriendswithLisette。Sheisverykind，whatever。"

"Ain\'teverhitchedher，haveyou？"saidYankee。

"No。"

"Well，mighthitchherupsomeday。Guessyouwudn\'thurtthebuckboard。"

"Notlikely，"saidRanald，lookingattheold，ramshackleaffair。

"Usedtodrivesomemyself，"saidYankee。ButtothisideaRanalddidnottakekindly。

Yankeestoodforafewmomentslookingdownthelaneandoverthefields，andthen，turningtoRanald，said，"Guessit\'saboutreadytobeginplowin\'。Gotquitealotofittodo，too，ain\'tyou？"

"Yes，"saidRanald，"IwasthinkingIwouldbebeginningto-morrow。"

"Purtyslowbusinesswiththeoxen。HowwoulditdotohitchupLisetteandoldFoxyonder？"

ThenRanaldunderstoodthepurposeofYankee\'svisit。

"Iwouldbeveryglad，"saidRanald，agreatloadliftingfromhisheart。"Iwasafraidoftheworkwithonlytheoxen。"Andthen，afterapause，headded，"WhatdidyoumeanaboutbuyingLisette？"

Hewasanxioustohavethatpointsettled。

"IsaidwhatImeant，"answeredYankee。"Ithoughtperhapsyouwouldratherhavethemoneythanthecolt；butItellyouwhat，I

hain\'tgotmoneyenoughtoputintothatbird，anddon\'tyoutalksellingtoanyonetillweseehergaithitchedup。ButIguessalittleoftheplowwon\'thurtforafewweeksorso。"

NextdayLisetteleftbehindherforeverthefree，happydaysofcolthood。AtfirstRanaldwasunwillingtotrusthertoanyotherhandsthanhisown，butwhenhesawhowskillfullyandgentlyYankeehandledher，soothingherwhileheharnessedandhitchedherup，herecognizedthatshewassaferwithYankeethanwithhimself，andallowedhimtohavethereins。

TheyspentthemorningdrivingupanddownthelanewithLisetteandFoxhitchedtothestone-boat。Thecolthadbeenkindlytreatedfromherearliestdays，andconsequentlyknewnothingoffear。ShesteppeddaintilybesideoldFox，frettingandchafingintheharness，butwithoutthoughtofanyviolentobjection。Intheafternoonthecoltwasputthroughhermorningexperience，withthevariationthatthestone-boatwaspiledupwithafairlyheavyloadofearthandstone。Andaboutnoonthedayfollowing，Lisettewasturningherfurrowwithallthesteadinessofahorsetwiceherage。

Beforetwoweekswereover，Yankee，withthehorses，andRanald，withtheoxen，hadfinishedtheplowing，andinanothertendaysthefieldslaysmoothandblack，withtheseedharrowedsafelyin，waitingfortherain。

Yankee\'svisithadbeenagodsend，notonlytoRanaldwithhiswork，butalsotoMacdonaldDubh。Hewouldtalktothegrim，silentmanbythehour，aftertheday\'sworkwasdone，farintothenight，tillatlengthhemanagedtodrawfromhimthesecretofhismisery。

"Iwillneverbeamanagain，"hesaid，bitterly，toYankee。"Andthereisthefarmalltopayfor。Ihaveputitofftoolongandnowitistoolate，anditisallbecauseofthat——that——brutebeastofaFrenchman。"

"Meancuss！"ejaculatedYankee。

"AndIamsaying，"continuedMacdonaldDubh，openinghisheartstillfurther，"Iamsaying，itwasnofairfight，whatever。I

couldwhiphimwithonehand。ItwaswhenIwaspullingoutBigMack，poorfellow，fromundertheheap，thathetookmeunawares。"

"That\'sso，"assentedYankee。"Blamedlowdowntrick。"

"And，oh，IwillbeprayingGodtogivemestrengthjusttomeethim！Iwillasknomore。But，"headded，inbitterdespair，"thereisnouseformetopray。Strengthwillcometomenomore。"

"Well，"saidYankee，brightly，"needn\'tworryaboutthatvarmint。

Heain\'tworthit，anyhow。"

"Aye，heisnotworthit，indeed，andthatisthemanwhohasbroughtmetothis。"ThatwasthebitterparttoMacdonaldDubh。

Amanhedespisedhadbeatenhim。

"Nowlookhere，"saidYankee，"courseIain\'tmuchgoodatthis，butifyouwilljustquitworryin\'，I\'llundertaketosettlethislittleaccountwithMr。LeNware。"

"Andwhatgoodwouldthatbetome？"saidMacdonaldDubh。"Itismyselfthatwantstomeethim。"ItwasnotsomuchthedestructionofLeNoirthathedesiredasthatheshouldhavethedestroyingofhim。Whilehecherishedthisfeelinginhisheart，itwasnotstrangethattheministerinhisvisitsfoundBlackHughunapproachable，andconcludedthathewasinastateofsettled"hardnessofheart。"Hiswifeknewbetter，butevenshedarednotapproachMacdonaldDubhonthatsubject，whichhadnotbeenmentionedbetweenthemsincethemorninghehadopenedhishearttoher。Thedark，haggard，gloomyfacehauntedher。Shelongedtohelphimtopeace。Itwasthisthatsenthertohisbrother，MacdonaldBhain，towhomshetoldasmuchofthestoryasshethoughtwise。

"IamafraidhewillnevercometopeacewithGoduntilhecomestopeacewiththisman，"shesaid，sadly，"anditisabitterloadthatheiscarryingwithhim。"

"Iwilltalkwithhim，"answeredMacdonaldBhain，andattheendoftheweekhetookhiswayacrosstohisbrother\'shome。

Hefoundhimdowninthebrule，wherehespentmostofhisdaystoilinghardwithhisax，inspiteoftheearnestentreatiesofRanald。Hewasbuttingabigtreethatthefirehadlaidprone，buttheaxwasfallingwiththestrokeofaweakman。

Ashefinishedhiscut，hisbrothercalledtohim，"Thatisnoworkforyou，Hugh；thatisnoworkforamanwhohasbeenforsixweeksinhisbed。"

"Itisworkthatmustbedone，however，"BlackHughanswered，bitterly。

"Givemetheax，"saidMacdonaldBhain。Hemountedthetreeashisbrothersteppeddown，andswunghisaxdeepintothewoodwithamightyblow。Thenheremembered，andstopped。Hewouldnotaddtohisbrother\'sbitternessbyanexhibitionofhismighty，unshakenstrength。Hestucktheaxintothelog，andstandingup，lookedoverthebrule。"Itisafinebitofground，Hugh，andwillraiseagoodcropofpotatoes。"

"Aye，"saidMacdonaldDubh，sadly。"Ithaslainlikethisforthreeyears，andoughttohavebeenclearedlongago，ifIhadbeendoingmyduty。"

"Indeed，itwillburnallthebetterforthat，"saidhisbrother，cheerfully。"Andasforthepotatoes，thereisabitofmyclearingthatRanaldmightaswelluse。"

ButBlackHughshookhishead。"Ranaldwillusenoman\'sclearingbuthisown，"hesaid。"Iamafraidhehasgottoomuchofhisfatherinhimforhisowngood。"

MacdonaldBhainglancedathisbrother\'sfacewithalookofmingledpityandadmiration。"Ah，"hesaid，"Hugh，it\'saproudmanyouare。Macdonaldshaveplentyofthat，whatever，andwecomebyitgoodenough。Doyourememberathome，whenourfather"——andhewentoffintoareminiscenceoftheirboyhooddays，talkingingentle，kindly，lovingtones，tilltheshadowbegantoliftfromhisbrother\'sface，andhe，too，begantotalk。Theyspokeoftheirfather，whohadalwaysbeentothemakindofhero；andoftheirmother，whohadlived，andtoiled，andsufferedforherfamilywithuncomplainingpatience。

"Shewasagoodwoman，"saidMacdonaldBhain，withanoteoftendernessinhisvoice。"Anditwasthehardloadshehadtobear，andIwouldtoGodshewerelivingnow，thatImightmakeuptohersomethingofwhatshesufferedforme。"

"AndIamthankfultoGod，"saidhisbrother，bitterly，"thatsheisnotheretoseemenow，foritwouldbutaddtotheheavyburdenIoftenlaiduponher。"

"Youwillnotbesayingthat，"saidMacdonaldBhain。"ButIamsayingthattheLordwillbehonoredinyouyet。"

"Indeed，thereisnotmuchforme，"saidhisbrother，gloomily，"butthesick-bedandsixfeetormoreofthedampearth。"

"Hugh，man，"saidhisbrother，hastily，"youmustnotbetalkinglikethat。Itisnotthespeechofabraveman。Itisthespeechofamanthatisbeateninhisfight。"

"Beaten！"echoedhisbrother，withakindofcry。"Youhavesaidtheword。Beatenitis，andbyamanthatisnoequalofmine。

Youknowthat，"hesaid，appealing，almostanxiously，tohisbrother。"Youknowthatwell。YouknowthatIambroughttothis"——hehelduphisgaunt，bonyhands——"byamanthatisnoequalofmine，andIwillneverbeabletolookhiminthefaceandsayasmuchtohim。ButiftheAlmightywouldsendhimtohell，I

wouldbefollowinghimthere。"

"Whisht，Hugh，"saidMacdonaldBhain，inavoiceofawe。"Itisaterriblewordyouhavesaid，andmaytheLordforgiveyou。"

"Forgiveme！"echoedhisbrother，inakindoffrenzy。"Indeed，hewillnotbedoingthat。Didnottheminister\'swifetellmeasmuch？"

"No，no，"saidhisbrother。"Shewouldnotbesayingthat。"

"Indeed，thatisherveryword，"saidBlackHugh。

"Shecouldnotsaythat，"saidhisbrother，"foritisnottheWordofGod。"

"Indeed，"repliedBlackHugh，likeamanwhohadthoughtitallout，"shewouldbereadingitoutoftheBooktomethatunlessI

wouldbeforgiving，that——that——"hepaused，notbeingabletofindaword，butwenton——"thenIneednothopetobeforgivenmyownself。"

"Yes，yes。Thatistrue，"assentedMacdonaldBhain。"But，bythegraceofGod，youwillforgive，andyouwillbeforgiven。"

"Forgive！"criedBlackHugh，hisfaceconvulsedwithpassion。

"Hearme！"——heraisedhishandtoheaven——"IfIeverforgive——"

Buthisbrothercaughthisarmanddrewitdownswiftly，saying：

"Whisht，man。Don\'ttempttheAlmighty。"Thenheadded，"YouwouldnotbeshuttingyourselfoutfromthepresenceoftheLordandfromthepresenceofthosehehastakentohimself？"

Hisbrotherstoodsilentafewmoments，hishard，darkfacesweptwithastormofemotions。Thenhesaid，brokenly："Itisnotforme，Idoubt。"

Buthisbrothercaughthimbythearmandsaidtohim，"Hearme，Hugh。Itisforyou。"

Theywalkedoninsilencetilltheywerenearthehouse。RanaldandYankeeweredrivingtheirteamsintotheyard。

"Thatisafinelad，"saidMacdonaldBhain，pointingtoRanald。

"Aye，"saidhisbrother；"itisapityhehasnotabetterchance。

Heisgreatforhisbooks，buthehasnochancewhatever，andhewillbeabowedmanbeforehehasclearedthisfarmandpaidthedebtonit。"

"Neveryoufear，"saidhisbrother。"Ranaldwilldowell。But，man，whatasizeheis！"

"Heisthat，"saidhisfather，proudly。"Heisasbigashisfather，andIdoubtsomedayhemaybeasgoodamanashisuncle。"

"Godgranthemaybeabetter！"saidMacdonaldBhain，reverently。

"Ifhebeasgood，"saidhisbrother，kindly，"Iwillbecontent；

butIwillnotbeheretoseeit。"

"Whisht，man，"saidhisbrother，hastily。"Youarenottospeaksuchthings，norhavetheminyourmind。"

"Ah，"saidMacdonaldDubh，sadly，"mydayisnotfaroff，andthatIknowrightwell。"

MacdonaldBhainflunghisarmhastilyroundhisbrother\'sshoulder。

"Donotspeaklikethat，Hugh，"hesaid，hisvoicebreakingsuddenly。Andthenhedrewawayhisarmasifashamedofhisemotion，andsaid，withkindlydignity，"PleaseGod，youwillseemanydaysyet，andseeyourboycometohonoramongmen。"

ButBlackHughonlyshookhisheadinsilence。

Beforetheycametothedoor，MacdonaldBhainsaid，withseemingindifference，"Youhavenotbeentochurchsinceyougotup，Hugh。

Youwillbegoingto-morrow，ifitisafineday？"

"Itistoolongawalk，Idoubt，"answeredhisbrother。

"Thatitis，butYankeewilldriveyouinhisbuckboard，"saidMacdonaldBhain。

"Inthebuckboard？"saidMacdonaldDubh。"And，indeed，Iwasneverinabuckboardinmylife。"

"Itisnottoolatetobeginto-morrow，"saidhisbrother，"anditwilldoyougood。"

"Idoubtthat，"saidBlackHugh，gloomily。"Thechurchwillnotbedoingmemuchgoodanymore。"

"Donotsaysuchathing；andYankeewilldriveyouinhisbuckboardto-morrow。"

Hisbrotherdidnotpromise，butnextdaythecongregationreceivedashockofsurprisetoseeMacdonaldDubhwalkdowntheaisletohisplaceinthechurch。Andthroughallthedaysofthespringandsummerhisplacewasneverempty；andthoughtheshadowneverliftedfromhisface，theminister\'swifefeltcomfortedabouthim，andwaitedforthedayofhisdeliverance。

CHAPTERXIII

THELOGGINGBEE

MacdonaldBhain\'svisittohisbrotherwasfruitfulinanotherway。

AftertakingcounselwithYankeeandKirsty，heresolvedthathewouldspeaktohisneighborsandmakea"bee，"toattackthebrule。

Heknewbetterthantoconsulteitherhisbrotherorhisnephew，feelingsurethattheirHighlandpridewouldforbidacceptinganysuchfavor，andallthemorebecauseitseemedtobeneeded。Butwithouttheirleavethebeewasarranged，andinthebeginningofthefollowingweekthehouseofMacdonaldDubhwasthrownintoastateofunparalleledconfusion，andKirstywentaboutinastateofdishevelmentthatgavetokenthatthedailystrugglewithdirthadreachedtheacutestage。Fromtoptobottom，insideandoutside，everythingthatcouldbescrubbedwasscrubbed，andthenshesettledaboutherbaking，butwithallcaution，lestsheshouldexciteherbrother\'sorhernephew\'ssuspicion。Itwasagoodthingthatlittlebakingwasrequired，fortheteamsthatbroughtthemenwiththeiraxesandlogging-chainsfortheday\'sworkatthebrulebroughtalsotheirsistersandmotherswithbasketsofprovisions。Aloggingbeewithoutthesistersandmotherswiththeirbasketswouldhardlybeanunmixedblessing。

ThefirstmantoarrivewithhisteamwasPeterMcGregor\'sAngus，andwithhimcamehissisterBella。Hewasshortlyafterwardfollowedbyotherteamsinrapidsuccession——theRosses，theMcKerachers，theCamerons，bothDonandMurdie，theRoryMcCuaigs，theMcRaes，twoorthreefamiliesofthem，theFrasers，andothers——

tillsomefifteenteamsandfortymen，andboys，whothoughtthemselvesquitemen，linedupinfrontofthebrule。

Thebeewasagreataffair，forMacdonaldBhainwasheldinhighregardbythepeople；andbesidesthis，themisfortunethathadbefallenhisbrother，andthecircumstancesunderwhichithadovertakenhim，hadarousedinthecommunityaverydeepsympathyforhim，andpeopleweregladoftheopportunitytomanifestthissympathy。Andmorethanall，aloggingbeewasaneventthatalwayspromisedmoreorlessexcitementandsocialfestivity。

Yankeewas"boss"fortheday。ThispositionwouldnaturallyhavefallentoMacdonaldBhain，butathisbrother\'sbee，MacdonaldBhainshrankfromtakingtheleadingplace。

Themenwiththeaxeswentfirst，choppingupthehalf-burnedlogsintolengthssuitablefortheburning-piles，clearingawaythebrushwood，andcuttingthroughthebigrootsofthefire-eatenstumpssothattheymightmoreeasilybepulled。Thenfollowedtheteamswiththeirlogging-chains，haulingthelogstothepiles，jerkingoutanddrawingoffthestumpswhosehugerootsstuckuphighintotheair，anddrawinggreatheapsofbrush-woodtoaidinreducingtheheavylogstoashes。Ateachlog-pilestoodamanwithahand-spiketohelpthedrivertogetthelogintoposition，aworkrequiringstrengthandskill，andaboveall，aknowledgeofthewaysoflogswhichcomesonlybyexperience。ItwasatthisworkthatMacdonaldBhainshone。Withhismightystrengthhecouldholdsteadyoneendofaloguntiltheteamcouldhaultheotherintoitsplace。

Thestump-pullingwasalwaysattendedwithmoreorlessinterestandexcitement。Stumps，aswellaslogs，havetheirways，andittakesalongexperiencetounderstandthewaysofstumps。

Instump-hauling，youngAleckMcGregorwasanexpert。Herarelyfailedtodetecttheweaksideofastump。Heknewhisteam，andwhatwasoffargreaterimportance，histeamknewhim。TheywerepartlyofFrench-Canadianstock，notaslargeasFarquharMcNaughton\'sbig，fatblacks，but"asfullofspiritasabottleofwhisky，"asAleckhimselfwouldsay。Theirfirsttentativepullsatthestumpweretakenwithcaution，untiltheirdriverandthemselveshadtakenthefullmeasureofthestrengthoftheenemy。

ButwhenonceAleckhadmadeuphismindthatvictorywaspossible，andhadgiventhemthecallforthefinaleffort，thenhisteamputtheirbodiesandsoulsintothepull，andneverdrewbacktillsomethingcame。Theirdriverwasaccustomedtoboastthatneveryethadtheyfailedtohonorhiscall。

Farquhar\'shandsomeblacks，ontheotherhand，wereneverhandledafterthisfashion。Theywereslowandsureandsteady，liketheirdriver。Theirgreatweightgavethemamightyadvantageinapull，butnever，inallthesolemncourseoftheirexistence，hadtheythrownthemselvesintoanydoubtfultrialofstrength。Inaslow，steadyhaultheyweretobereliedupon；buttheynevercouldbegottojerk，andajerkisanimportantfeatureinstump-haulingtactics。To-day，however，anewexperiencewasawaitingthem。

Farquharwasanoldmanandslow，andYankee，whilehewasunwillingtohurryhim，wasequallyunwillingthathisteamshouldnotdoafullday\'swork。HepersuadedFarquharthathispresencewasnecessaryatoneofthepiles，notwiththehand-spike，butsimplytosuperintendthearrangingofthemassforburning。"Foritain\'teveryman，Yankeedeclared，"couldbuildapiletoburn。"Asforhisteam，YankeepersuadedtheoldmanthatRanaldwasunequaledinhandlinghorses；thatlastwinternodriverinthecampwasuptohim。ReluctantlyFarquharhandedhisteamovertoRanald，andstoodforsometimewatchingtheresultofthenewcombination。

Ranaldwasabornhorseman。Helovedhorsesandunderstoodthem。

Slowlyhemovedtheblacksattheirwork，knowingthathorsesaresensitivetoanewhandandvoice，andthathemustadapthimselftotheirways，ifhewouldbringthematlasttohis。BeforelongFarquharwascontentedtogoofftohispile，satisfiedthathisteamwasingoodhands，andnotsorrytoberelievedofthenecessityofhurryinghispacethroughthelong，hotday，aswouldhavebeennecessaryinordertokeepupwiththeotherdrivers。

Foreachteamastripofthebrulewasmarkedouttoclearaftertheaxes。Thelogs，brush，andstumpshadtoberemovedanddraggedtotheburning-piles。Aleck，withhisactive，invincibleFrench-Canadians，RanaldwithFarquhar\'sbig，sleekblacks，andDonwithhisfather\'steam，workedsidebyside。Acontestwasinevitable，andbeforeanhourhadpassedDonandAleck，whilemakingagreatshowofdeliberation，werestrivingforthefirstplace，withAleckeasilyleading。Likeapieceofmachinery，Aleckandhisteamworkedtogether。Quicklyandneatlybothdriverandhorsesmovedabouttheirworkwithperfectunderstandingofeachother。Withhardlyatouchofthelines，butalmostentirelybywordofcommand，Aleckguidedhisteam。Andwhenhetookupthewhiffletreestoswingthemaroundtoalogorstump，hishorseswheeledatonceintoplace。Itwasbeautifultoseethem，wheeling，backing，hauling，pulling，withoutlossoftimeortemper。

WithDonandhisteamitwasallhardwork。Hishorseswerewillingandquickenough，buttheywereill-trainedandneededconstanttuggingatthelines。InvainDonshoutedandcrackedhiswhip，hurryinghisteamtohispileandbackagain；thehorsesonlygrewmoreandmoreawkward，whiletheyfoamedandfrettedandtiredthemselvesout。

BehindcameRanald，stillhumoringhisslow-goingteamwitheasyhandandquietvoice。Butwhileherefrainedfromhurryinghishorses，hehimselfworkedhard，andbyhisgoodjudgmentandskillwiththechain，andinskiddingthelogsintohispile，inwhichhistrainingintheshantyhadmadehimmorethanamatchforanyoneinthefield，manyminutesweresaved。

Whenthecowbellsoundedfordinner，Aleck\'steamsteppedoffforthebarn，wet，butfreshandfriskyasever，andinperfectheart。

Don\'shorsesappearedfrettedandjaded，whileRanaldbroughtinhisblackswiththeirglossyskinswhitewithfoamwheretheharnesshadchafed，butunfretted，andapparentlyasreadyforworkaswhentheybegan。

"Youhavespoiledtheshineofyourteam，"saidAleck，lookingoverRanald\'shorsesashebroughtthemuptothetrough。"Betterturnthemoutfortheafternoon。Theycan\'tstandmuchmoreofthatpace。"

Aleckwasevidentlytryingtobegood-natured，buthecouldnothidethesneerinhistone。Theyhadneitherofthemforgottentheincidentatthechurchdoor，andbothfeltthatitwouldnotbecloseduntilmorehadbeensaidaboutit。Butto-day，Ranaldwasintheplaceofhost，anditbehoovedhimtobecourteous，andAleckwasingoodhumorwithhimself，forhisteamhadeasilyledthefield；andbesides，hewasengagedinakindandneighborlyundertaking，andhewastoomuchofamantospoilitbyanyprivategrudge。HewouldhavetowaitforhissettlementwithRanald。

Duringthehourandahalfallowedfordinner，Ranaldtookhishorsestothewell，washedofftheirlegs，removedtheirharness，andledthemtoacoolspotbehindthebarn，andthere，whiletheymunchedtheiroats，hegavethemagoodhardrub-down，sothatwhenhebroughtthemintothefieldagain，histeamlookedasglossyandfeltasfreshasbeforetheybegantheday\'swork。

AsRanaldappearedonthefieldwithhisglossyblacks，Aleckglancedatthehorses，andbegantofeelthat，inthecontestforfirstplace，itwasRanaldhehadtofear，withhiscool，steadyteam，ratherthanDon。NotthatanysuspicioncrossedhismindthatFarquharMcNaughton\'ssleek，slow-goinghorsescouldeverholdtheirownwithhis，buthemadeuphismindthatRanald，atleast，wasworthwatching。

"Bringupyourgentry，"hecalledtoRanald，"ifyouarenottoofineforcommonfolks。Man，thatteamofyours，"hecontinued，"shouldneverbeputtoworklikethis。Theirfeetshouldneverbeoffpavement。"

"Neveryoumind，"saidRanald，quietly。"Iamcomingafteryou，andperhapsbeforenighttheblacksmayshowyoutheirheelsyet。"

"There\'slotsofroom，"saidAleck，scornfully，andtheybothsettoworkwithalltheskillandstrengththatlayinthemselvesandintheirteams。

ForthefirsthourortwoRanaldwascontentedtofollow，lettinghisteamtaketheirway，butsavingeverymomenthecouldbyhisownefforts。Sothat，withoutfrettinghishorsesintheleast，orwithoutmovingthemperceptiblyoutoftheirordinarygait，hefoundhimselfalittlenearertoAleckthanhehadbeenatnoon；

buttheheavyliftingandquickworkbegantotelluponhim。Hishorses，heknew，wouldnotstandverymuchhurrying。Theyweretoofatforanyextraexertioninsuchheat，andsoRanaldwasabouttoresignhimselftodefeat，whenheobservedthatinthewesternskycloudswerecomingup。Atthesametimeacoolbreezebegantoblow，andhetookfreshheart。Ifhecouldhurryhisteamalittlemore，hemightcatchAleckyet；soheheldhisownalittlelonger，preservingthesamesteadypace，untilthecloudsfromthewesthadcoveredallthesky。Thengraduallyhebegantoquickenhishorses\'movementsandtoputthemonheavierloads。Whereveropportunityoffered，insteadofasinglelog，oratmosttwo，hewouldtakethreeorfourforhisload；andinwaysknownonlytohorsemen，hebegantostirupthespiritofhisteam，andtomakethemfeelsomethingofhisownexcitement。

Tosuchgoodpurposedidheplan，andsonoblydidhisteamrespondtohisquietbutpersistentpressure，that，ereAleckwasaware，Ranaldwasuponhisflank；andthentheyeachknewthatuntilthesupper-bellranghewouldhavetousetothebestadvantageeverymomentoftimeandeveryounceofstrengthinhimselfandhisteamifhewastowinfirstplace。

Somehowthereportofthecontestwentoverthefield，tillatlengthitreachedtheearsofFarquhar。Atoncetheoldman，seizedwithanxietyforhisteam，andmovedbythefearofwhatKirstymightsayifthenewseverreachedherears，setoffacrossthebruletoremonstratewithRanald，andifnecessary，rescuehisteamfromperil。

ButDonsawhimcoming，andknowingthateverymomentwasprecious，anddreadinglesttheoldmanwouldsnatchfromRanaldthevictorywhichseemedtobeatleastpossibleforhim，hearrestedFarquharwithacallforassistancewithabiglog，andthenengagedhiminconversationuponthemeritsofhissplendidteam。

"Andlook，"criedhe，admiringly，"howRanaldishandlingthem！

Didyoueverseethelikesofthat？"

Theoldmanstoodwatchingforafewmoments，doubtfullyenough，whileDoncontinuedpouringforththepraisesofhishorses，andthelatter，ashenoticedFarquhar\'seyesglistenwithpride，venturedtohintthatbeforethedaywasdone"hewouldmakeAleckMcRaeandhisteamlooksick。Andwithoutahurttotheblacks，too，"heputin，diplomatically，"forRanaldisnotthemantohurtateam。"AndasFarquharstoodandwatchedRanaldathiswork，andnotedwithsurprisehowbrisklyandcleverlytheblacksswungintotheirplaces，anddetectedalsowithhisexperiencedeyethatAleckwasbeginningtoshowsignsofhurry，heenteredintothespiritofthecontest，anddeterminedtoallowhisteamtowinvictoryforthemselvesandtheirdriveriftheycould。

Theaxmenhadfinishedtheir"stent。"Itwantedstillanhourofsupper-time，andsurelyifslowly，Ranaldwasmakingtowardfirstplace。Theotherteamswereleftfarbehindwiththeirwork，andthewholefieldbegantocenterattentionuponthetwothatwerenowconfessedlyengagedindesperateconflictatthefront。Onebyonetheaxmendrewtowardtheendofthefield，whereRanaldandAleckwerefightingouttheirfight，allpretenseofdeliberationonthepartofthedrivershavingbythistimebeendropped。Theynolongerwalkedastheyhitchedtheirchainsaboutthelogsorstumps，butsprangwitheagerhastetotheirwork。Onebyonetheotherteamstersabandonedtheirteamsandmovedacrossthefieldtojointhecrowdalreadygatheredaboutthecontestants。AmongthemcameMacdonaldBhain，whohadbeenworkingatthefarthestcornerofthebrule。Assoonashearriveduponthescene，andunderstoodwhatwasgoingon，hecriedtoRanald："Thatwilldonow，Ranald；

itwillbetimetoquit。"

Ranaldwasabouttostop，andindeedhadcheckedhishorses，whenAleck，whosebloodwasup，calledouttauntingly，"Aye，itwouldbebetterforhimandhishorsestostop。Theyneeditbadenough。"

ThiswastoomuchforevenFarquhar\'ssluggishblood。"Letthemgo，Ranald！"hecried。"Letthemgo，man！Neveryoufearforthehorses，ifyoutakedownthespunko\'yoncrowingcock。"

ItwasjustwhatRanaldneededtospurhimon——atauntfromhisfoeandleavefromFarquhartopushhisteam。

Beforeeachlayafallentreecutintolengthsandtwoorthreehalf-burnedstumps。Ranald\'streewasmuchthebigger。Asinglelengthwouldhavebeenanordinaryloadfortheblacks，buttheirdriverfeltthattheirstrengthandspiritwerebothequaltomuchmorethanthis。Hedeterminedtoclearawaythewholetreeatasingleload。AssoonasheheardFarquhar\'svoice，heseizedholdofthewhiffletrees，struckhisteamasharpblowwiththelines——

theirfirstblowthatday——swungthemroundtothetopofthetree，ranthechainthroughitsswivel，hookedanendroundeachofthetoplengths，swungthemintowardthebutt，unhookedhischain，gatheredallthreelengthsintoasingleload，facedhishorsestowardthepile，andshoutedatthem。Theblacks，unusedtothissortoftreatment，wereprancingwithexcitement，andwhenthewordcametheythrewthemselvesintotheircollarswithafiercenessthatnothingcouldcheck，andamidtheadmiringshoutsofthecrowd，torethelogsthroughtheblacksoilandlandedthemsafelyatthepile。Itwastheworkofonlyafewminutestounhitchthechain，haulthelogs，onebyone，intoplace，anddashbackwithhisteamatthegallopforthestumps，whileAleckhadstillanotherloadoflogstodraw。

Ranald\'sfirststumpcameoutwithlittletrouble，andwasborneatfullspeedtothepile。Thesecondstumpgavehimmoredifficulty，andbeforeitwouldyieldhehadtosevertwoorthreeofitsthickestroots。

Togethertheteamsswungroundtotheirlaststump。Theexcitementinthecrowdwasintense。Aleck\'steamwasmovingswiftlyandwiththesteadinessofclockwork。Theblackswerefranticwithexcitementandhardtocontrol。Ranald\'slaststumpwasapineofmediumsize，whoserootswerepartlyburnedaway。Itlookedlikeaneasyvictim。Aleck\'swasanugly-lookinglittleelm。

Ranaldthoughthewouldtryhisfirstpullwithouttheuseoftheax。Quicklyhebackeduphisteamtothestump，passedthechainroundarootonthefarside，drewthebighookfarupthechain，hitcheditsoastogivetheshortestpossibledraught，threwthechainoverthetopofthestumptogiveitpurchase，pickeduphislines，andcalledtohisteam。Witharushtheblackswentatit。

Thechainslippedupontheroot，tightened，bitintothewood，andthentheblacksflungback。Ranaldswungthemroundthepointandtriedthemagain，butstillthestumprefusedtobudge。

AllthistimehecouldhearAleckchoppingfuriouslyathiselm-

roots，andheknewthatunlesshehadhisstumpoutbeforehisrivalhadhischainhitchedforthepullthevictorywaslost。

Foramomentortwohehesitated，lookingroundfortheax。

"Trythemagain，Ranald，"criedFarquhar。"Hawthemabit。"

OncemoreRanaldpickedupthelines，swunghishorsesroundtotheleft，heldthemsteadyamomentortwo，andthenwithayellsentthemattheirpull。Magnificentlytheblacksresponded，furiouslytearingupthegroundwiththeirfeet。Amomentortwotheyhungstrainingontheirchain，refusingtocomeback，whenslowlythestumpbegantomove。

"Youhavegotit，"criedFarquhar。"Geethemapointortwo。"

ButalreadyRanaldhadseenthatthiswasnecessary，andoncemorebackedhisteamtoreadjustthechainwhichhadslippedoffthetop。Ashefastenedthehookheheardasharp"Back！"behindhim，andheknewthatthenextmomentAleck\'steamwouldbeawaywiththeirload。Withayellhesprangathislines，lashedtheblacksovertheback，andcalledtothemoncemore。Againhisteamresponded，andwithamightyheave，thestumpcameslowlyout，carryingwithitwhatlookedlikehalfatonofearth。Butevenasitheaved，heheardAleck\'scallandtheansweringcrash，andbeforehecouldgethisteama-going，theFrench-Canadianswereofffortheirpileatagallop，withthelinesflyingintheairbehindthem。Amomentlaterhefollowed，theblackshaulingtheirstumpatarun。

TogetherheandAleckreachedthepile。Itonlyremainednowtounhookthechain。Invainhetuggedandhauled。Thechainwasburieddeepbeneaththestumpandrefusedtomove，andbeforehecouldswinghisteamaboutandturnthestumpover，heheardAleck\'sshoutofvictory。

Butashedroppedhischainandwasleisurelybackinghishorses，heheardoldFarquharcry，"Hurry，man！Hurry，forthelifeofyou！"

Withoutwaitingtoinquirethereason，Ranaldwheeledhisteam，gavethestumpahalfturn，releasedhischain，anddroveofffromthepile，tofindAleckstillbusyhookinghischaintohiswhiffletree。

AleckhadhadthesamedifficultyinfreeinghischainasRanald，butinsteadoftryingtodetachitfromthestump，hehadunhookedtheotherend，andthen，withamightybackwardjerk，hadsnatcheditfromthestump。Butbeforehecouldattachittohisplaceonthewhiffletreeagain，Ranaldstoodreadyforwork。

"Awin，lad！Awin！"criedoldFarquhar，moreexcitedthanhehadbeenforyears。

"Itisnowin，"saidAleck，hotly。

"No，no，lads，"saidMacdonaldBhain，beforeFarquharcouldreply。

"Itisasevenamatchascouldwellbe。Itisfineteamsyoubothhavegot，andyouhavehandledthemwell。"

Butallthesame，Ranald\'sfriendswerewildlyenthusiasticoverwhattheycalledhisvictory，andDoncouldhardlykeephishandsoffhim，forveryjoy。

Aleck，ontheotherhand，whileclaimingthevictorybecausehisteamwasatthepilefirst，wasnotsosureofitbutthathewasreadytofightwithanyoneventuringtodisputehisclaim。Butthemenalllaughedathimandhisrage，untilhefounditwisertobegood-humoredaboutit。

"Yonladwillbemakingasgoodamanasyourself，"saidFarquhar，enthusiastically，toMacdonaldBhain，asRanalddrovehisteamtothestable。

"Aye，andabetter，prayGod，"saidMacdonaldBhain，fervently，lookingafterRanaldwithlovingeyes。Therewasnochildinhishome，andhisbrother\'ssonwasashisown。

MeanwhileDonhadhurriedon，leavinghisteamwithMurdiethathemightsingRanald\'spraisesto"thegirls，"withwhomRanaldwashighlypopular，althoughheavoidedthem，orperhapsbecausehedidso，thewaysofwomenbeingpastunderstanding。

ToMrs。MurrayandMaimie，whowiththeministerandHughie，hadcomeovertothesupper，hewentfirstwithhistale。Graphicallyhedepictedthestrugglefromitsbeginningtothelastdramaticrushtothepile，dilatinguponRanald\'sskillandpluck，anduponthewonderfulandhithertounknownvirtuesofFarquhar\'sshinyblacks。

"Yououghttoseethem！"criedDon。"Youbettheynevermovedintheirlivesthewaytheydidtoday。Tiedhim！"hecontinued。

"Tiedhim！Beathim，Isay，butMacdonaldBhainsays\'Tiedhim\'——

AleckMcRae，whothinkshimselfsomightysmartwithhisteam。"

DonforgotinhisexcitementthattheMcRaesandtheirfriendswerethereinnumbers。

"Soheis，"criedAnnieRoss，oneofAleck\'sadmirers。"ThereisnotamanintheIndianLandsthatcanbeatAleckandhisteam。"

"Well，"exultedDon，"aboycameprettynearitto-day。"

ButAnnieonlystuckoutherlipathimintheinimitablefemalemanner，andranofftoaddtothemischiefthatDonhadalreadymadebetweenRanaldandhisrival。

Butnowtheday\'sworkwasover，andthehourfortheday\'seventhadcome，forsupperwasthegreateventtowhichallthingsmovedatbees。Thelongtablesstoodunderthemapletrees，spreadwiththerichest，rarest，deadliestdaintiesknowntothehousewivesandmaidensofthecountryside。Aboutthetablesstoodingroupsthewhite-apronedgirls，tuckedandfrilled，curledandribbonedintoalldegreesofbewitchingloveliness。Themenhurriedawaywiththeirteams，andthengavethemselvestotheseriousdutyofgettingreadyforsupper，usingmanypailsofwaterintheireffortstoremovetheblackfromtheburntwoodofthebrule。

Atlengththewomenlostallpatiencewiththem，andsentAnnieRoss，withtwoorthreecompanions，tocallthemtosupper。Witharmsintertwined，andwithmuchchatteringandgiggling，thegirlsmadetheirwaytothegroupofmen，someofwhomwereengagedinputtingthefinishingtouchestotheirtoilet。

"Supperisready，"criedAnnie，"andlongpastready。Youneednotbetryingtofixyourselvesupsofine。Youarejustasbadasanygirls。Oh！"Herspeechendedinashriek，whichwasechoedbytheothers，forAleckMcRaerushedatthem，stretchingouthisblackhandstowardthem。Buttheyweretooquickforhim，andfledforprotectiontothesafeprecinctsofthetables。

Atlength，whenthelastofthemenhadmadethemselves，astheythought，presentable，theybegantomaketheirapproachtothetables，slowlyandshylyforthemostpart，eachwaitingfortheother。AleckMcRae，however，knewlittleofshyness，butwalkedpastthedifferentgroupsofgirls，throwingoneitherhandasmile，awink，oraword，ashemightfindsuitable。

Suddenlyhecameuponthegroupwheretheminister\'swifeandherniecewerestanding。Here，forthemoment，hiseaseforsookhim，butMrs。Murraycametomeethimwithoutstretchedhand。

"Soyoustillretainyourlaurels？"shesaid，withafranksmile。

"Ihearitwasagreatbattle。"

Aleckshookhandswithherratherawkwardly。Hewasnotontheeasiesttermswiththeministerandhiswife。Hebelongeddistinctlytothecarelessset，andratherenjoyedthedistinction。

"Oh，itwasnotmuch，"hesaid；"theteamswerewellmatched。"

"Oh，Ishouldliketohavebeenthere。Youshouldhavetoldusbeforehand。"

"Oh，itwasmorethanIexpectedmyself，"hesaid。"Ididn\'tthinkitwasinFarquhar\'steam。"

HecouldnotbringhimselftogiveanycredittoRanald，andthoughMrs。Murraysawthis，sherefusedtonoticeit。ShewasnonethelessanxioustowinAleck\'sconfidence，becauseshewasRanald\'sfriend。

"Doyouknowmyniece？"shesaid，turningtoMaimie。

AlecklookedintoMaimie\'sfacewithsuchopenadmirationthatshefelttheblushcomeupinhercheeks。

"Indeed，sheisworthknowing，butIdon\'tthinkshewillcaretotakesuchahandasthat，"hesaid，stretchingoutahandstillgrimyinspiteofmuchwashing。ButMaimiehadlearnedsomethingsincecomingtoheraunt，andshenolongerjudgedmenbythefitoftheirclothes，orthecoloroftheirskin，orthelengthoftheirhair；andindeed，asshelookedatAleck，withhisclose-

buttonedsmock，andoverallswiththelegstuckedneatlyintothetopsofhisboots，shethoughthewasthetrimmestfigureshehadseensincecomingtothecountry。ShetookAleck\'shandandshookitwarmly，thefulladmirationinhishandsomeblackeyessettingherbloodtinglingwiththatloveofconquestthatliesineverywoman\'sheart。Sosheflungoutherflagofwar，andsmiledbackathimhersweetest。

"Youhaveafineteam，Ihear，"shesaid，asherauntmovedawaytogreetsomeoftheothermen，whowereevidentlywaitingtogetawordwithher。

"ThatIhave，youbetterbelieve，"repliedAleck，proudly。

"ItwasverycleverofRanaldtocomesonearbeatingyou，wasn\'tit？"shesaid，innocently。"Hemustbeasplendiddriver。"

"Hedrivesprettywell，"admittedAleck。"Hedidnothingelsealllastwinterintheshanties。"

"Heissoyoung，too，"wentonMaimie。"Justaboy，isn\'the？"

Aleckwasnotsurehowtotakethis。"Hedoesnotthinkso，"heanswered，shortly。"Hethinksheisnoendofaman，buthewillhavetolearnsomethingbeforeheismucholder。"

"Buthecandrive，yousay，"continuedMaimie，wickedlykeepingherfingeronthesorespot。

"Oh，pshaw！"repliedAleck，boldly。"Youthinkalotofhim，don\'tyou？AndIguessyouareapair。"

Maimietossedherheadatthis。"Weareverygoodfriends，ofcourse，"shesaid，lightly。"Heisaveryniceboy，andweareallfondofhim；butheisjustaboy；heisHughie\'sgreatfriend。"

"Aboy，ishe？"laughedAleck。"Thatmaybe，butheisveryfondofyou，whatever，andindeed，Idon\'twonderatthat。Anybodywouldbe，"headded，boldly。

"Youdon\'tknowabitaboutit，"saidMaimie，withcheeksglowing。

"Aboutwhat？"

"AboutRanaldand——and——whatyousaid。"

"WhatIsaid？Aboutbeingfondofyou？Indeed，Iknowallaboutthat。Theboysareallbrokeup，nottospeakofmyself。"

ThiswasgoingalittletoofastforMaimie。Sheknewnothing，asyet，ofthefreedomofcountrybanter。Shewasnewtothewarfare，butshewasnotgoingtolowerherflagorretreat。Shechangedthesubject。"Yourteammusthavebeenverytired。"

"Tired！"exclaimedAleck，"notabit。Theywillgohomelikebirds。Comealongwithme，andyouwillsee。"

Maimiegasped。"I——"shehesitated，glancedpastAleck，blushed，andstammered。

AleckturnedaboutquicklyandsawRanaldstaringatMaimie。"Oh，"

hesaid，banteringly，"Isee。Youwouldnotbeallowed。"

"Allowed！"echoedMaimie。"Andwhynot，pray？Whowillhinderme？"

ButAleckonlyshruggedhisshouldersandlookedatRanald，whopassedontohisplaceatthetable，blackasathunder-cloud。

Maimiewasindignantathim。Whatrighthadhetostareandlooksosavage？Shewouldjustshowhim。SosheturnedoncemoretoAleck，andwithagaylaugh，cried，"SomedayIwillacceptyourinvitation，sojustmakeready。"

"Anyday，oreveryday，andthemoredaysthebetter，"criedAleck，ashesatdownatthetable，whereallhadnowtakentheirplaces。

Thesupperwasagreatsuccess。Withmuchlaughterandchaffing，thegirlsflittedfromplacetoplace，pouringcupsofteaandpassingthevariousdishes，urgingthementoeat，till，asDonsaid，theywere"fulltotheneck。"

Whenallhadfinished，Mr。Murray，whosatattheheadofthetable，roseinhisplaceandsaid："Gentlemen，beforewerisefromthistable，whichhasbeenspreadsobountifullyforus，IwishtoreturnthanksonbehalfofMr。Macdonaldtotheneighborsandfriendswhohavegatheredto-daytoassistinthiswork。Mr。

Macdonaldaskedmetosaythatheisallthemoresurprisedatthiskindness，inthathefeelshimselftobesounworthyofit。I

promisedtospeakthiswordforhim，butIdonotagreewiththesentiment。Mr。Macdonaldisamanwhomwealllove，andinwhosemisfortunewedeeplysympathize，andIonlyhopethatthisProvidencemaybegreatlyblessedtohim，andthatwewillallcometoknowhimbetter，andtoseeGod\'shandinhismisfortune。"

Theministerthen，aftersomefurtherremarksexpressiveofthegoodwilloftheneighborsforMr。Macdonald，andinappreciationofthekindspiritthatpromptedthebee，returnedthanks，andthesupperwasover。

Asthemenwereleavingthetable，AleckwatchedhisopportunityandcalledtoMaimie，whenhewassureRanaldcouldhear，"Well，whenwillyoubereadyforthatdrive？"

AndMaimie，whowasmoreindignantatRanaldthaneverbecausehehadignoredallheradvancesatsupper，andhadreceivedhercongratulationsuponhisvictorywithnothingmorethanagrunt，answeredAleckbrightly。"Oh，anydaythatyouhappentoremember。"

"Remember！"criedAleck；"thenthatwillbeeverydayuntilourridecomesoff。"

Afewminuteslater，asRanaldwashitchingupFarquhar\'steam，Aleckpassedby，andingreatgoodhumorwithhimself，chaffinglycalledouttoRanaldinthepresenceofanumberofthemen，"That\'safinegirlyou\'vegot，Ranald。Butyoubetterkeepyoureyeonher。"

Ranaldmadenoreply。Hewasfastlosingcommandofhimself。

"Prettyskittishtohandle，isn\'tshe？"continuedAleck。

"Whaty\'retalkin\'\'bout？ThatLisettemare？"saidYankee，walkingroundtoRanald\'sside。"Purtyslickbeast，that。Guessthereain\'tanythin\'inthiscountrywillmakehertakedust。"

TheninalowvoicehesaidtoRanald，hurriedly，"Don\'tyoumindhim；don\'tyoumindhim。Youcan\'ttouchhimto-day，onyourownplace。Letmehandlehim。"

"No，"saidAleck。"WeweretalkingaboutanothercoltofRanald\'s。"

"What\'sthat？"saidYankee，pretendingnottohear。"Yes，youbet，"hecontinued。"Ranaldcanhandleherallright。Heknowssomethingabouthorses，asIguessyouhavefoundout，perhaps，bythistime。Neversawanythingsopurty。Didn\'tknowyourteamhadgotthatmoveinthem，Mr。McNaughton，"YankeewentontoFarquhar，whohadjustcomeup。

"Indeed，theyarenonetheworseofit，"saidFarquhar，rubbinghishandsoverthesleeksidesofhishorses。

"Worse！"criedYankee。"They\'reworthahundreddollarsmorefromthisdayon。"

"Idon\'tknowthat。Thehundreddollarsoughttogouponthedriver，"saidFarquhar，puttinghishandkindlyuponRanald\'sshoulder。

ButthisRanaldwarmlyrepudiated。"Theyareagreatteam，"hesaidtoFarquhar。"Andtheycoulddobetterthantheydidto-dayiftheywerebetterhandled。\'

"Indeed，itwouldbedifficulttogetthat，"saidFarquhar，"for，inmyopinion，thereisnotamaninthecountrythatcouldhandlethemaswell。"

ThiswastoomuchforAleck，who，havingbythistimegothishorseshitched，mountedhiswagonseatandcameroundtothedooratagallop。

"Savedyouthattime，myboy，"saidYankeetoRanald。"Youwouldhavemadeafoolofyourselfinabouttwominutesmore，Iguess。"

ButRanaldwasstilltoowrathfultobegratefulforYankee\'shelp。

"Iwillbeevenwithhimsomeday，"hesaid，betweenhisteeth。

"Iguessyouwillhavetolearntwoorthreethingsfirst，"saidYankee，slowly。

"Whatthings？"

"Well，howtouseyourhead，firstplace，andthenhowtouseyourhands。Heistooheavyforyou。Hewouldcrumpleyouupinacoupleofminutes。"

"Lethim，then，"saidRanald，recklessly。

"Ratheronpleasant。BetterwaitawhiletillyoulearnwhatItoldyou。"

"Yankee，"saidRanald，afterapause，"willyoushowme？"

"Why，sartinsure，"saidYankee，cheerfully。"Youhavegottolickhimsomeday，orhewon\'tbehappy；andbyjings！itwillbeworthseein\'，too。"

BythistimeFarquharhadcomebackfromsayinggoodbytoMacdonaldDubhandMr。andMrs。Murray，whowereremainingtillthelast。

"Youwillbeamanyet，"saidFarquhar，shakingRanald\'shand。

"Youhavegotthepatienceandtheendurance。"TheseweregreatvirtuesinFarquhar\'sopinion。

"Notmuchpatience，Iamafraid，"saidRanald。"ButIamgladyoutrustedmewithyourteam。"

"Andanydayyouwantthemyoucanhavethem，"saidFarquhar，hisrecklessmoodleadinghimtoforgetKirstyforthemoment。

"Thankyou，sir，"saidRanald，wonderingwhatKirstywouldlooklikeshouldheeverventuretoclaimFarquhar\'soffer。

Onebyonetheteamsdroveawaywiththeirloads，tillonlytheministerandhispartywereleft。AwayunderthetreesMr。Murraywasstanding，earnestlytalkingtoMacdonaldDubh。Hehadfoundtheopportunityhehadlongwaitedforandwasmakingthemostofit。Mrs。MurraywasbusywithKirsty，andMaimieandHughiecametowardthestablewhereYankeeandRanaldwerestillstanding。AssoonasRanaldsawthemapproachinghesaidtoYankee，abruptly，"Iamgoingtogettheminister\'shorse，"anddisappearedintothestable。Nordidhecomeforthagaintillheheardhisfathercallingtohim："Whatiskeepingyou，Ranald？Theministeriswaitingforhishorse。"

"Soyouwonagreatvictory，Ranald，Ihear，"saidtheminister，asRanaldbroughtBlacktothedoor。

"Itwasatie，"saidRanald。

"Oh，Ranald！"criedHughie，"youbeathim。Everybodysaysso。YouhadyourchainhitchedupandeverythingbeforeAleck。"

"Ihearitwasagreatexhibition，notonlyofskill，butofenduranceandpatience，Ranald，"saidtheminister。"Andthesearenoblevirtues。Itisagreatthingtobeabletoendure。"

ButRanaldmadenoreply，busyinghimselfwithBlack\'sbridle。

Mrs。Murraynoticedhisgloomandguesseditscause。

"WewillseeyouattheBibleclass，Ranald，"shesaid，kindly，butstillRanaldremainedsilent。

"Canyounotspeak，man？"saidhisfather。"Doyounotheartheminister\'swifetalkingtoyou？"

"Yes，"saidRanald，"Iwillbethere。"

"Wewillbegladtoseeyou，"saidMrs。Murray，offeringhimherhand。"AndyoumightcomeinwithHughieforafewminutesafterward，"shecontinued，kindly，forshenotedthemiseryinhisface。

"Andwewillbegladtoseeyou，too，Mr。Macdonald，ifitwouldnotbetoomuchforyou，andifyoudonotscornawoman\'steaching。"

"Indeed，Iwouldbeproud，"saidMacdonaldDubh，courteously，"asfarasthatisconcerned，forIheartherearebettermenthanmeattending。"

"IamsureMrs。Murraywillbegladtoseeyou，Mr。Macdonald，"

saidtheminister。

"Iwillbethinkingofit，"saidMacdonaldDubh，cautiously。"Andyouarebothverykind，whatever，"hesaid，losingforatimehishabitualgloom。

"Well，then，Iwilllookforyouboth，"saidMrs。Murray，astheywereabouttodriveoff，"sodonotdisappointme。"

"Goodby，Ranald，"saidMaimie，offeringRanaldherhand。

"Goodby，"saidRanald，holdingherhandforamomentandlookinghardintohereyes，"andIhopeyouwillenjoyyourride，whatever。"

ThenMaimieunderstoodRanald\'ssavagemanner，andasshethoughtitovershesmiledtoherself。Shewastakingherfirstsipsofthatcup，towoman\'slipsthesweetest，andshefounditnotunpleasant。Shehadsucceededinmakingonemanhappyandanothermiserable。Butitwaswhenshesaidtoherself，"PoorRanald！"

thatshesmiledmostsweetly。

CHAPTERXIV

SHEWILLNOTFORGET

IfMrs。MurraywasnotsurprisedtoseeMacdonaldDubhandYankeewalkinonSabbatheveningandsitdowninthebackseat，herclasswere。Indeedtheappearanceofthesetwomenattheclasswasconsideredaneventsoextraordinaryastogiveadecidedshocktothosewhoregularlyattended，andtheirpresencelenttothemeetinganunusualinterest，andanundertoneofexcitement。ToseeMacdonaldDubh，whoseattendanceattheregularSabbathserviceswassomethingunusual，presentatareligiousmeetingwhichnoonewouldconsideritadutytoattend，wasenoughinitselftoexcitesurprise，butwhenYankeecameinandsatbesidehim，thesurprisewasconsiderablyintensified。ForYankeewasconsideredtobequiteoutsidethepale，andindeed，inaway，incapableofreligiousimpression。NooneexpectedYankeetobereligious。HewasnotaPresbyterian，knewnothingoftheShorterCatechism，nottospeakoftheConfessionofFaith，andconsequentlywaswoefullyignorantoftheelementsofChristianknowledgethatweredeemednecessarytoanytruereligiousexperience。

ItwasrumoredthatuponYankee\'sfirstappearanceinthecountry，somefewyearsbefore，hehad，inanunguardedmoment，acknowledgedthathispeoplehadbelongedtotheMethodists，andthathehimself"leanedtoward"thatpeculiarsect。Suchaconfessionwasinitselfenoughtostamphim，intheeyesofthecommunity，asonewhosereligioushistorymustalwaysbeattendedwithmoreorlessuncertainty。FewofthemhadeverseenaMethodistintheflesh。

ThereweresaidtobesomeatMooseCreek(Mooscrick，asitwascalled)，buttheywereknownonlybyreport。Theyoungerandmoreuntraveledportionofthecommunitythoughtofthemwithacertainamountofaweandfear。

Itwasnowonder，then，thatYankee\'sappearanceinBibleclassproducedasensation。Itwasaneveningofsensations，fornotonlywereMacdonaldDubhandYankeepresent，butAleckMcRaehaddrivenupaloadofpeoplefrombelowtheSixteenth。Ranaldregardedhispresencewithconsiderablecontempt。

"ItisnotmuchhecaresfortheBibleclass，whatever，"heconfidedtoDon，whowassittingbesidehim。

ButmoreremarkableanddisturbingtoRanaldthanthepresenceofAleckMcRae，wasthatofayoungmansittingbetweenHughieandMaimieintheminister\'spew。Hewasevidentlyfromthecity。Onecouldseethatfromhisfineclothesandhiswhiteshirtandcollar。Ranaldlookedathimwithdeepeningcontempt。"Pride"waswrittenalloverhim。Notonlydidhewearfineclothes，andawhiteshirtandcollar，butheworethemwithoutanysignofawkwardnessorapologyinhismanner，andindeedasifheenjoyedthem。Butthecrowningproofofhis"pride，"Donnotedwithunutterablescorn。

"Lookathim，"hesaid，"splitshisheadinthemiddle。"

Ranaldfoundhimselfwonderinghowtheyoungfopwouldlooksittinginapoolofmuddywater。Howinsufferabletheyoungfellow\'smannerswere！HesatquiteclosetoMaimie，nowandthenwhisperingtoher，evidentlyquiteignorantofhowtobehaveinchurch。AndMaimie，whooughttoknowbetter，wasactingmostdisgracefullyaswell，whisperingbackandsmilingrightintohisface。Ranaldwasthoroughlyashamedofher。Hecouldnotdenythattheyoungfellowwashandsome，hatefullyso，buthewasevidentlystuckfullofconceit，andashelethiseyeswanderoverthecongregationassembled，withaboldandcriticalstare，makingremarkstoMaimieinanundertonewhichcouldbeheardoverthechurch，Ranaldfelthisfingerstwitching。TheyoungmanwasolderthanRanald，butRanaldwouldhavegivenagooddealforanopportunityto"takehimwithonehand。"

AtthispointRanald\'sreflectionswereinterruptedbyMrs。Murrayrisingtoopentheclass。

"WillsomeonesuggestaPsalm？"sheasked，hercheek，usuallypale，showingaslightcolor。Itwasalwaysanordealforhertofaceherclass，eversincethemenhadbeenallowedtocome，andthefirstmomentswerefulloftrialtoher。Onlyherconscienceandherfinecouragekeptherfromturningbackfromthis，herpathofduty。

Atonce，fromtwoorthreecameresponsestoherinvitation，andaPsalmwaschosen。

ThesingingwasadistinctfeatureoftheBibleclass。Therewasnothinglikeit，notonlyintheotherservicesofthecongregation，butinanycongregationinthewholecounty。TheyoungpeoplethatformedthatBibleclasshavelongsincegrownintooldmenandwomen，buttheechoesofthatsingingstillreverberatethroughthechambersoftheirheartswhentheystanduptosingcertaintunesorcertainPsalms。Onceaweek，throughthelongwinter，theyusedtomeetandsingtoJohn"Aleck\'s"soundingbeatfortwoorthreehours。Theylearnedtosing，notonlytheoldpsalmtunesbutpsalmtunesneverheardinthecongregationbefore，asalsohymnsandanthems。Theanthemsandhymnswere，ofcourse，neverusedinpublicworship。TheywerereservedforthesacredconcertwhichJohn"Aleck"gaveonceayear。ItwasintheBibleclassthatheandhisfellowenthusiastsfoundopportunitytosingtheirnewPsalmtunes，withnowandthenahymn。WhenJohn"Aleck，"ahandsome，broad-shouldered，six-footer，stoodupandbithistuning-forktocatchthepitch，thepeoplestraightenedupintheirseatsandpreparedtofollowhislead。Andafterhisgreatresonantvoicehadrolledoutthefirstfewnotesofthetune，theycaughthimupwithavigorandenthusiasmthatcarriedhimalong，andinspiredhimtohismightiestefforts。Wonderfulsingingitwas，fulltoned，rhythmicalandwellbalanced。

Withcharacteristiccourage，theminister\'swifehadchosenPaul\'sEpistletotheRomansforthesubjectofstudy，andto-nightthelessonwastheredoubtableninthchapter，thatarsenalforCalvinisticchampions。Firsttheverseswererepeatedbytheclassinconcert，andthemembersviedwitheachotherinmakingthisaperfectexercise，thentheteachingofthechapterwassetforthinsimple，lucidspeech。Thelasthalfhourwasdevotedtothediscussionofquestions，raisedeitherbytheteacherorbyanymemberoftheclass。To-nighttheclasswasslowinaskingquestions。TheywerefacetofacewiththetremendousPaulineDoctrineofSovereignty。ItwassignificantthatbyMacdonaldDubh，hisbrother，andtheotherolderandmoreexperiencedmembersoftheclass，thedoctrinewasregardedasabsolutelyinevitableandwasacceptedwithoutquestion，whilebyYankeeandRanaldandalltheyoungermembersoftheclass，itwasrejectedwithfierceresentment。Theoldermenhadbeentaughtbytheexperienceoflongandbitteryears，thatabovealltheirstrength，howevermighty，apower，resistlessandofteninscrutable，determinedtheirlives。Theyoungermen，theirheartsbeatingwithconsciouspowerandfreedom，resentedthiscontrol，oracceptingit，refusedtoassumetheresponsibilityfortheoutcomeoftheirlives。Itwastheold，oldstrife，theinsolublemystery；andtheminister\'swife，farfrommakinglightofit，alloweditsfullweighttopressinuponthemembersofherclass，andwiselyleftthequestionastheapostleleavesit，withastatementofthetwogreattruthsofSovereigntyandFreeWillwithoutattemptingtheimpossibletaskofharmonizingtheseintoaperfectsystem。Afterahalf-hourofdiscussion，shebroughtthelessontoaclosewithaveryshortandverysimplepresentationofthepracticalbearingofthegreatdoctrine。Andwhilethemysteryremainedunsolved，thelimpidclearnessofherthought，thehumbleattitudeofmind，thesympathywithdoubt，andaboveall，thesweetandtenderpathosthatfilledhervoice，senttheclassawayhumbled，subdued，comforted，andwillingtowaitthedayofclearerlight。NotthattheyweredonewithPharaohandhisuntowardfate；thatoccupiedthemformanyaday。

Theclasswasclosedwithprayerandsinging。Asakindoftreat，thelastsingingwasahymnandtheystooduptosingit。ItwasPerronet\'sgreathymnsungtooldCoronation，andwhentheycametotherefrain，"CrownhimLordofall，"theveryraftersofthelittlechurchrangwiththemightyvolumeofsound。TheBibleclassalwaysclosedwithagreatoutburstofsinging，andasarule，Ranaldwentouttinglingandthrillingthroughandthrough。

Buttonight，sodeeplywasheexercisedwiththeunhappydoomoftheunfortunatekingofEgypt，fromwhich，apparently，therewasnoescape，fixedasitwasbytheDivinedecree，andoppressedwiththefeelingthatthesamedecreewoulddeterminethecourseofhislife，hemissedhisusualthrill。Hewaswalkingoffbyhimselfinaperplexedanddowncastmood，avoidingeveryone，evenDon，andwasnearlypasttheminister\'sgatewhenHughie，excitedandbreathless，caughtuptohimandexclaimed："Oh，Ranald，wasnotthatsplendid？Man，IliketohearJohn\'Aleck\'sing\'Crownhim\'

thatway。AndIsay，"hecontinued，"motherwantsyoutocomein。"

ThenallatonceRanaldrememberedtheyoungmanwhohadbehavedsodisgracefullyinchurch。

"No，"hesaid，firmly，"Imustbehurryinghome。Thecowswillbetomilkyet。"

"Oh，pshaw！youmustcome，"pleadedHughie。"Wewillhavesomesinging。Iwantyoutosingbass。PerhapsJohn\'Aleck\'willcomein。"Thiswassheerguessing，butitwasgoodbait。Buttheyoungmanwith"hisheadsplitinthemiddle"wouldbethere，andperhapsMaimiewouldbe"goingon，"withhimasshedidintheBibleclass。

"YouwilltellyourmotherIcouldnotcome，"hesaid。"Yankeeandfatherarebothout，andtherewillbenooneathome。"

"Well，Ithinkyouareprettymean，"saidHughie，grievouslydisappointed。"Iwantedyoutocomein，andmotherwantedCousinHarrytoseeyou。"

"CousinHarry？"

"Yes；Maimie\'sbrothercamelastnight，youknow，andMaimieisgoingbackwithhimintwoweeks。"

"Maimie\'sbrother。Well，well，isthatthenice-lookingfellowthatsatbyyou？"

"Huh-huh，heisawfulnice，andmotherwanted——"

"Indeedhelooksit，Iamsure，"Ranaldsaid，withsuddenenthusiasm；"Iwouldjustliketoknowhim。IfIthoughtYankeewould——"

"Oh，pshaw！OfcourseYankeewillmilkthecows，"exclaimedHughie。"Comeon，comeonin。AndRanaldwenttomeetoneofthegreatnightsofhislife。

"HereisRanald！"calledHughieatthetopofhisvoice，asheenteredtheroomwherethefamilyweregathered。

"Youdon\'tsayso，Hughie？"answeredhiscousin，comingforward。

"Yououghttomakethatfactknown。Weallwanttohearit。"

Ranaldlikedhimfromthefirst。Hewasnotabit"proud"inspiteofhisfineclothesandhisheadbeing"splitinthemiddle。"

"You\'rethechap，"hesaid，stretchingouthishandtoRanald，"thatsnatchedMaimiefromthefire。Mightycleverthingtodo。

Wehaveheardalotaboutyouatourhouse。Why，everyweek——"

"Letsomeoneelsetalk，Harry，"interruptedMaimie，withcheeksflaming。"Wearegoingtohavesomesingingnow。Hereisauntie。

Mayn\'tweusethepiano？"

"Why，yes，Isupposeso，"saidMrs。Murray。"Iwasgladtoseeyourfatherthereto-night，"shesaidtoRanald。

"AndYankee，mother。"

"Hush，Hughie；youmustcallpeoplebytheirrightnames。Nowletushavesomesinging。IhearRanaldissingingbassthesedays。"

"Andbullygoodbass，too，"criedHughie。"John\'Aleck\'saysthatit\'sthefinestbassinthewholesingingschool。"

"Well，Hughie，"saidhismother，quietly，"Idon\'tthinkitisnecessarytoshoutevensuchpleasantinformationasthat。Nowgotoyoursinging，andIshalllisten。"