第2章

Ihadn\'tpaidnopertic\'lerattentiontotheotherfellerwithhimwhentheystoppedatourplace，exceptingtonoticehewaskindofslimandblack-

hairedandfunnycomplected。ButIseennowI

orteroflookedcloseter。FurI\'llbedad-bingedifheweren\'tanInjun！Thereheset，underthattheregasolinelampthewagonwasalllitupwith，withmoccasinson，andbeadsandshellsalloverhim，andthegaudiestturkeytailoffeathersrain-

bowingdownfromhisheadyoueversee，andablanketaroundhimthatwasgaudierthanthefeathers。Andheshinedandrattledeverytimehemoved。

Thatwagonwasahullopryhousetoitself。ItwasrolledoutinfrontofSmith\'sPalaceHotelwithoutthehosses。Thefrontpartwasfilledwithbottlesofmedicine。Thedoctor，hebegunbusinessbytakingoutalongbrasshornandtootingonit。

Theywasaboutadozencome，buttheywasmostlyboys。ThenhimandtheInjunpickedupsomebanjoesandsungacomicsongoutloudandclear。

Andtheywasanotherdozenorsocome。Andtheysunganothersong，andPopWilkins，heclosedupthepost-officeandcomeoverandtheothertwoveteransoftheGrandArmyoftheRepublicansthatalwaysplayscheckersintherenightscomealongwithhim。Butitwasn\'tmuchofacrowd，andthedoctorhelookedsorto\'worried。Ihadagoodplace，rightnearthehindwheelofthewagonwhereherestedhisfootoccasional，andIseenwhathewasthinking。SoIsaystohim：

“DoctorKirby，Iguessthecrowdisallgonetothecircusaginto-night。“AndallthemfellersthereseenIknowedhim。

“Iguessso，Rube，“hesaystome。Andtheyalllaughed\'causehecalledmeRube，andIfeltkindoftookdown。

ThenhelitintotellaboutthatInjunmedicine。

Firstoffhetoldhowhecometofindoutaboutit。ItwasthefatheroftheInjunwhatwaswithhimhadshowedhim，hesaid。Anditwasinthedaysofhisyouthfulness，whenhewaswild，andacowboyontheplainsofOregon。Well，onenighthesays，theywasanawfulfightontheplainsofOregon，whereverthemis，andhegotpluggedfullofbulletholes。Andhishossrunawaywithhimandhewascarriedoff，andthehosswasgoingatadeadrun，andthebloodwasrunningdownontotheground。Andthewolvessmeltthebloodandtookoutafterhim，yippingandyowlingsomethingfrightfultohear，andthehosshekickedoutbe-

hindandkilledtheheadwolfandtheothersstoppedtoeathimup，andwhiletheywaseatinghimthehossgainedaquarterofamile。Buttheyethimupandtheywasgainingagin，furthesmellofhumanbloodwasontheplainsofOregon，hesays，andthesightofhismother\'sfacewhensheasthimnevertobeacowboycometohiminthemoonlight，andheknowedthatsomehowallwouldyetbewell，andthenhemustoffaintedandheknowednomoretillhewokeupinatentontheplainsofOregon。

AndtheywasanoldInjunbendingoverhimandabeautifulInjunmaidenwasfeelingofhispulse，andtheysaystohim：

“Paleface，takehope，furwewilldoctoryouwithSiwashInjunSagraw，whichisnature\'sowncurefuralldiseases。“

Theydoneit。Andhegotwell。IthadbeenasecretamongthemthereInjunsfurthousandsandthousandsofyears。AnyInjunthatgiveawaythesecretwaskilledandrubbedofftherollsofthetribeandburiedindisgraceupontheplainsofOregon。Andthedoctorwasmadeabloodbrotherofthechief，andlearntthesecretofthatmedicine。

Finallyhegotthechieftoseeasitwasn\'tChristiantoholdbackthattheremedicinefromtheworldnolonger，andthechief，hisheartwassoftened，andhesaystogo。

“Go，mybrother，“hesays，“andgivetothepalefacesthemedicinethathasbeenkeptsecretfurthousandsandthousandsofyearsamongtheSiwashInjunsontheplainsofOregon。“

Andhewent。Itwasn\'tthathewantedtomakenomoneyoutofthattheremedicine。Hecouldofmadeallthemoneyhewantedbeingadoctorinthereg\'larway。Butwhathewantedwastospreadthegladtidingsofgoodhealthalloverthisfairlandofourn，hesays。

Well，sir，hewasatalker，thattheredoctorwas，andheknowedmorereligioussayingsandpoetryalongwithit，thananyfellerIeverhearn。Hegoesonandhetellshowawfulsickpeoplecanmanagetogetandneverknowit，andnooneelseneversuspicionit，andlivealongfuryearsandyearsthat-a-way，andallthetimeindangerofdeath。

Hesaysitmakeshimweepwhenheseesthempoordilutedfoolsgoingaroundandthinkingtheyiswellmen，talkingandlaughingandmarryingandgivingintomarriagerightontheedgeofthegrave。

Heseesdozensof\'emineverytownhecomesto。

Buttheycan\'tfoolhim，hesays。Hecantellataglancewho\'sgotBright\'sDiseaseintheirkidneysandwhoain\'t。Hisownfather，hesays，wasdeathlysickfuryearsandyearsandneverknowedit，andtheknowledgecomeonhimsuddenlike，andhedied。ThatwasbeforeSiwashInjunSagrawwaseverfoundoutabout。DoctorKirbybrokedownandcriedrightthereinthewagonwhenhethoughtofhowhisfathermightofbeensavedifhewasonlyalivenowthatthatmedicinewasputupintobottleform，sixfurafive-dollarbillsolongashewasintown，andafterthattwodollarsfureachbottleatthedrugstore。

HeunrolledabigchartandtheInjunheltitbythattheregasolinelamp，soallcouldsee，turningthepagesnowandthen。Itwasamapofaman\'sinsideorgansanddigestiveornamentsandthings。

Theywasredandblue，likeeachorgan\'sowndiseasehadturnedit，andsomeof\'emwasyaller。

Andtheywasalongstringofdiseasesprintedinblackhangingdownfromeachorgan\'spicture。I

neverknowedbeforetheywassomanydiseasesnoryetsomanythingstohave\'emin。

Well，Iwasfeelingpurtygoodwhenthatshowstarted。Butthedoc，hekep\'lookingrightatmeeverynowandthenwhenhetalked，andIcouldn\'tkeepmyeyesoff\'nhim。

“Doesyourheartbeatfastwhenyouexercise？”

heaststhecrowd。“Isyourtonguecoatedaftermeals？Doyoureyesleakwhenyournoseisstoppedup？Doyouperspireunderyourarmpits？Doyoueverhavearinginginyourears？Doesyourstomachhurtyouaftermeals？Doesyourbackeverache？Doyoueverhavepainsinyourlegs？

Doyoureyesblurwhenyoulookatthesun？Areyourteethcoated？Doesyourhaircomeoutwhenyoucombit？Isyourbreathshortwhenyouwalkupstairs？Doyourfeetswellinwarmweather？

Aretherewhitespotsonyourfingernails？Doyoudrawyourbreathpartofthetimethroughonenostrilandpartofthetimethroughtheother？

Doyoueverhavenightmare？Didyournosebleedeasilywhenyouweregrowingup？Doesyourskinfesterwhenscratched？Areyoureyesgummyinthemornings？Then，“hesays，“ifyouhaveanyorallofthesesymptoms，yourbloodisbad，andyourliveriswastingaway。“

Well，sir，IseenIwasinabadway，furatonetimeoranotherIhadhadmostofthemtheresignsandwarnings，andhadn\'theeded\'em，andIhadsomeof\'emyet。Ibeguntofeelkindo\'sick，andlookingatthemorgansanddiseasesdidn\'thelpmenone，either。Thedoctor，helitoutonanotherstringofsymptoms，andIhadthem，too。SeemstomeIhadpurtynigheverythingbutfits。Kidneycomplaintandconsumptionbothhadaholtonme。

Itwasaboutaevenbetwhichwouldgetmefirst。

Ikindo\'gottowonderingwhich。IfiggeredfromwhathesaidthatI\'dhadconsumptiontheLONGEST

while，butmykindofkidneytroublewasanawfulSLYkind，anditwaslibletojumpinwithoutnowarninga-tallandjestnatcherallywipemeoutQUICK。SoIsorto\'betonthekidneytrouble。

ButIseenIwasagoner，andIforgiveHankallhisorneriness，furafellerdon\'twanttodieholdinggrudges。

Takingitthehullwaythrough，thatwasaboutthebestmedicineshowIeverseen。Buttheydidn\'tsellmuch。Allthepeoplewhathadanymoneywastothecircusaginthatnight。Sotheysungsomemoresongsandclosedearlyandwentintothehotel。

CHAPTERIV

Well，thenextmorningI\'mfeelingcon-

siderablebetter，andthinkmebbyI\'mgo-

ingtoliveafterall。Igotupearlier\'nHankdid，andslippedoutwithouthimseeingme，anddidn\'tgonightheshopa-tall。FurnowI\'velickedHankoncetIfiggerhewon\'tresttillhehaswipedthatdisgraceout，andhewon\'tcareadernwhathepicksuptodoitwith，nuther。

Theywasacrickaboutahundredyardsfromourhouse，inthewoods，andIwentoverthereandlaiddownandwatcheditrunby。Ilaidawfulstill，thinkingIwishtIwasawayfromthattown。Purtysoonasquirrelcomesdownandsetsonalogandwatchesme。Ithrowedanacornathim，andhescootedupatreequicker\'nscatt。AndthenI

wishtIhadn\'tscaredhimaway，furitlookedlikeheknowedIwasintrouble。PurtysoonItakesaswim，andcomesoutandlaystheresomemore，spittingintothewaterandthinkingwhatshallIdonow，andwatchingbirdsandthingsmov-

ingaround，andantsworkingharder\'neverI

wouldaginunlessIgotbetterprayfurit，andtheseheretumblebugskickingtheirloadsalonghindendto。

Afterawhileitisgettingalongtowardnoon，andI\'mfeelinghungry。ButIdon\'twanttohavenomoretroublewithHank，andIjestlaysthere。I

hearntwomencomingthroughtheunderbrush。

Irizuponmyelbowtolook，andoneofthemwasDoctorKirbyandtheotherwasLooey，onlyLooeywasn\'tanInjunthismorning。

Theysetsdownontherootsofabigtreealittlewaysoff，withtheirbackstowardme，andtheyain\'tseenme。SonacherallyIlistenedtowhattheywasjawingabout。Theywasbothkindo\'

madatthehullworld，andatourtowninpertic\'ler，andsomeateachother，too。Thedoctor，hesays：

“Ihaven\'thadsuchrottenlucksinceIplayedthebloodhoundinaTomShow——Wereyoueveran\'UncleTom\'sCabin\'artist，Looey？——andajusticeofthepeaceoverinIowafinedmefivedollarsforbeingonthestreetwithoutamuzzle。

Saiditwasacityordinance。TalkaboutthegentleRubebeinganeasymark！Ifthesecountrytownsdon\'tgetthewanderingminstrel\'smoneyonewaytheywillanother！”

“It\'syourownfault，“saysLooey，kindo\'sour。

“Ican\'tseeit，“saysDoctorKirby。“HowdidIknowthatalltheseapple-knockershadbeenfilledupwithSykes\'sMagicRemedyonlytwoweeksago？Imayhavebeenaspiritualisticmediuminmytimenowandthen，“hesays，“andamindreader，too，butI\'mnoprophet。“

“Iain\'ttalkingaboutthebusiness，Doc，andyouknowit，“saysLooey。“We\'dbeallrightandhaveourhorsesandwagonnowifyou\'donlystucktobusinessandnotgotusintothatpokergame。

Talkaboutsuckers！Doc，foramanthathasskinnedasmanyof\'emasyouhave，you\'retheworstsuckeryourselfIeversaw。“

Thedoctor，hecussesthepokergameandcountrytownsandmedicineshowsandthehullcreationandsaysheissodisgustedwithlifeheguesseshe\'llgoandbeapreacherorabeardedladyinaside-

show。ButLooey，hedon\'tcheerupnone。Hesays：

“Allright，Doc，butit\'snousetalking。YoucanTALKallright。Weallknowthat。Theques-

tionishowarewegoingtogetourhorsesandwagonawayfromtheseRubes？”

Ilistenssomemore，andIseenthemfellerswasreallyintobadtrouble。DoctorKirby，hehadgotintoapokergameatSmith\'sPalaceHotelthenightbefore，rightaftertheshow。HehadwonfromJakeSmith，whichrunit，andfromtheothers。

Butshucks！itnevermadenodifferencewhatyouwoninthatcrowd。TheyhaddoneDoctorKirbyandLooeyliketheyalwaysdoneadrummerorastrangerthatcomealongtothattownandwasfoolenoughtoplaypokerwiththem。Theywasn\'tachancetfuranoutsider。Ifthedrummerlost，theywouldtakehismoneyandthatwouldbealltheywastoit。Butifthedrummergottowinninggood，someonewouldslipout\'nthehotelandtellSiEmery，whichwasthecitymarshal。AndSiwouldgetRalphScott，thatworkedfurJakeSmithinhisliverystable，andpinastarontoRalph，too。

Andtheywouldbearrestedfurgambling，onlythemthatlivedinourtownwouldgetaway。WhichSiandRalphwasalwaysscaredeverytimetheydoneit。Thenthedrummer，orwhoeveritwas，wouldbetooktothecalaboose，andspendallnightthere。

InthemorningtheywouldbetookbeforeSquireMatthews，thatwasjusticeofthepeace。Theywouldbefinedabigfine，andhewouldgetallthedrummerhadwonandallhehadbrungtotownwithhimbesides。SquireMatthewsandJakeSmithandWindyGoodellandMartWatson，whichthetwolastwaslawyers，wasalwaysplayingthattheregameondrummersthatwasfoolenoughtoplaypoker。Hank，hesayshebettheydivideditupafterward，thoughitwassupposedthemfineswenttothetown。Well，theyplayedapurtyclostegameofpokerinourlittletown。ItwasjestlikethedoctorsaystoLooey：

“ByGeorge，“hesays，“itisawell-nighperfectthing。Ifyouloseyoulose，andifyouwinyoulose。“

Well，thedoctor，hehadstartedoutwinningthenightbefore。AndSiEmeryandRalphScotthadarrestedthem。Andthatmorning，whileIhadbeenlayingbythecrickandtherestofthetownwasseeingthefun，theyhadbeentookaforeSquireMatthewsandfinedonehundredandtwenty-fivedollarsapiece。Thedoctor，hetellsSquireMat-

thewsitisanoutrage，anditain\'tlegaliftriedinabiggercourt，andtheyain\'tthatmuchmoneyintheworldsofurasheknows，andhewon\'tpayit。But，thesquire，hesaysthetimehascometoteachthemtravellingfakirsasisalwaysrunningaroundthecountrywithshowsandelectricbeltsandthingsthattheygottostopdreeningthattownofhard-earnedmoney，andhehasdecidedtomakeanexampleof\'em。TheonlytwolawyersintownisWindyandMart，whichhasbeeninthepokergametheirselves，thesameasalways。Thedoctorsaysthehullthingisaput-upjob，andhecan\'tgetthemoney，andhewouldn\'tifhecould，andhe\'lllayinthattowncalabooseandrottherestofhislifeandeatthetownpoorbeforehe\'llstandit。Andthesquiresayshe\'lljesttaketheirhossesandwagonfurc\'latteraltilltheymakeuptherestofthetwohundredandfiftydollars。

AndthehossesandwagonwasnowintheliverystablenexttoSmith\'sPalaceHotel，whichJakerunthattoo。

Well，Ithinkstomyself，itISadernshame，andIfeltsorryfurthemtwofellers。Furourtownwasjestasgoodasstealingthatproperty。AndI

feltkindo\'shamedofbelongingtosuchatown，too。

AndIthinkstomyself，I\'dliketohelp\'emoutofthatscrape。AndthenIseenhowIcoulddoit，andnotgettookupfurit，neither。So，withoutthinking，allofasuddenIjumpsupandsays：

“Say，DoctorKirby，Igotascheme！”

Theyjumpsuptoo，andtheylooksatmestartled。

Thenthedoctorkindo\'laughsandsays：

“Why，it\'stheyoungblacksmith！”

Looey，hesays，lookingatmehardandsuspicious：

“Whatkindofaschemeareyoutalkingabout？”

“Why，“saysI，“togetthatoutfitofyourn。“

“You\'vebeenlisteningtous，“saysLooey。

Looeywasoneofthemquiet-lookingfellersthatneverlaughedmuchnortalkedmuch。Looey，henevermadefunofnobody，whichthedoctorwasalwaysdoing，andIwouldn\'tofcaredtomakefunofLooeymuch，either。

“Yes，“Isays，“Ibeenlayingherefurquiteaspell，andquitenatcheralIlistenedtoyou，asanyoneelsewouldofdone。AndmebbyIcangetthatteamandwagonofyournwithoutitcostingyouacent。“

Well，theydidn\'tknowwhattosay。Theyastsmehow，butIsaystoleaveitalltome。“Walkrightalongdownthisherecrick，“Isays，“tillyougettowhereitcomesout\'nthewoodsandrunsacrosttheroadinunderanironbridge。That\'saboutahalfamileeast。Jestaftertheroadcrossesthebridgeitforks。Taketherightforkandwalkanotherhalfamileandyou\'llseealittleyaller-

paintedschoolhousesettinglonesomeonasandhill。Theyain\'tnoschoolinitnow。Youwaittherefurme，“Isays，“furacoupleofhours。AfterthatifIain\'tthereyou\'llknowIcan\'tmakeit。

ButIthinkI\'llmakeit。“

Theylooksateachotherandtheylooksatme，andthentheygooffalittlepieceandtalklow，andthenthedoctorsaystome：

“Rube，“hesays，“Idon\'tknowhowyoucanworkanythingonusthathasn\'tbeenworkedalready。We\'vegotnothingmorewecanlose。

Yougotoit，Rube。“Andtheystartedoff。

SoIwentovertown。JakeSmithwassettingonthepiazzainfrontofhishotel，chawingandspittingtobacco，withhisfeetagintherailinglikehealwaysdone，andoneofhiseyessquinchedupandhishatovertheotherone。

“Jake，“Isays，“where\'sthattheredoctor？”

Jake，hespitcarefulaforeheanswered，andhepulledhislong，scragglymoustachecareful，andhesquinchedhiseyesatme。Jakewasacarefulmanineverythinghedone。

“Idunno，Danny，“hesays。“Why？”

“Well，“Isays，“Hanksentmeovertogetthatwagonandthemhossesoftheirnandfinishthatjob。“

“Thattherewagon，“saysJake，“isinmybarn，withSiEmerywatchingher，andshehasgottostaytheretillthelawletsherloose。“IfiggeredtomyselfJakecouldusethatteamandwagoninhisbusiness，andwasgoingtobuyhercheapoffnthetown，whatshareofherhedidn\'tfiggerheownedalready。

“Why，Jake，“Isays，“Ihopetheyain\'tbeennotroubleofnokindthathasdrugthelawintoyourbarn！”

“Well，Danny，“hesays，“theyHASbeenalittletrouble。Butit\'saboutover，now，Iguess。Andthatthereoutfitbelongstothetownnow。“

“Youdon\'tsayso！”saysI，surprised-like。

“WhenIseenthemmenlastnightitlookedtomeliketheywastoofinedressedtobehonest。“

“Idon\'tthinktheybe，Danny，“saysJake，confidential。“Inmyopiniontheyismightybadcustomers。Buttheyhasgotonthewrongsideofthelawnow，andIguesstheywon\'tstayaroundheremuchlonger。“

“Well，“saysI，“Hankwillbeglad。“

“Furwhat？”astsJake。

“Well，“saysI，“becausehegothispayinadvancefurthatjobandnowhedon\'thavetofinishit。

Theycomealongtoourplaceaboutsundownyesterday，andwenailedashoeononehoss。Theywasacoupleofotherhoofsneededfixing，andthetireononeofthehindwheelswasbeginningtorattleloose。“

IhadnoticedthatloosetirewhenIwasstandingbythehindwheelthenightbefore，anditcomeinhandynow。SoIgoeson：

“Hank，heallowedhe\'dfixthehullthingfursixbottlesofthatInjunmedicine。Elmirahasbeenailinglately，andhewanteditfurher。SotheyhandedHankoutsixbottlesthenandthere。“

“Huh！”saysJake。“Sothejobisallpaidfur，isit？”

“Yes，“saysI，“andIwasexpectingtodoitmyself。ButnowIguessI\'llgofishinginstead。

Theyain\'tnootherjobintheshop。“

“I\'llbedingedifyou\'vegottimetofish，“saysJake。“I\'mexpectingmebbytobuythatrigoffthetownmyselfwhenthelawletslooseofit。Soifthefixingispaidfur，Iwanteverythingfixed。“

“Jake，“saysI，kindofworriedlike，“Idon\'twanttodoitwithoutthatdoctorsaystogoahead。“

“Theyain\'this\'nnolonger，“saysJake。

“Idunno，“saysI，“asyougotanyrighttomakemedoit，Jake。Itdon\'tlooktomelikeit\'snoharmtobeatacoupleoffellerslikethemoutoftheirmedicine。AndIDIDwanttogofishingthisafternoon。“

ButJakewasthatcarefulandstingyhe\'dtrytoskinahosstwicetifitdied。He\'sboundtogetthatjobdone，now。

“Danny，“hesays，“yougottodothatwork。

Itain\'tHONESTnotto。Whatayoungfellerlikeyoujeststartingoutintolifewantstorememberistoalwaysbehonest。Then，“saysJake，squinch-

inguphiseyes，“peopletrustsyouandyougetagoodchancettomakemoney。Lookatthisherehotelandliverystable，Danny。TwentyyearsagoIdidn\'thavenomore\'nyou\'vegot，Danny。

ButIalwayswentbythemmottoes——hardworkandbeinghonest。YouGOTTOnailthemshoeson，Danny，andfixthatwheel。“

“Well，allright，Jake，“saysI，“ifyoufeelthatwayaboutit。Jestgivemeachawoftobaccoandcomearoundandhelpmehitch\'emup。“

SiEmerywasthereasleeponapileofstrawguardingthatproperty。ButRalphScottwasn\'taround。Sididn\'twakeuptillwehadhitched\'emup。Hesayshewillridearoundtotheshopwithme。ButJakesays：

“It\'sallright，Si。I\'llgoovermyselfandfetch\'embackpurtysoon。“WhichSiwasworeoutwithbeingupsolatethenightbefore，andgoesbacktosleepaginrightoff。

Well，sir，theywasn\'tnothingwentwrong。I

droveslowthroughthevillageandpastourshop。

HankcometothedoorofitasIwentpast。ButIhitthemhossesalick，andtheybrokeintoarightsmarttrot。Elmira，shecomeontotheporchandIwavedmyhandather。Sheputherhanduptoherforeheadtoshutoutthesunandjeststared。

Shedidn\'tknowIwaswavingherfarewell。Hank，heyelledsomethingatme，butIneverhearnwhat。

Ilickedthemhossesintoagallopandwentaroundtheturnoftheroad。Andthat\'sthelastIeverseenorhearnofHankorElmiraorthattherelittletown。

CHAPTERV

IsloweddownwhenIgottotheschool-

house，andboththemfellerspiledin。

“IguessIbetterturnnorthfuraboutamileandthenturnwest，DoctorKirby，“Isays，“soastomakeakindofacirclearoundthattown。“

“Why，so，Rube？”heastsme。

“Well，“Isays，“weleftitgoingeast，andthey\'llfolleruseast；sodon\'twewanttobegoingwestwhilethey\'refolleringeast？”

Looey，heagreedwithme。Buthesaiditwouldn\'tbemuchuse，furwewouldlikelybeketchedupwithandtookbackandhungorsome-

thing，anyhow。LooeycouldgetthelowestinhissperritssometimesofanymanIeverseen。

“Don\'tbeafraidofthat，“saysthedoctor。

“Theyarenotgoingtofollowus。THEYknowtheydidn\'tgetthispropertybydueprocessoflaw。

THEYaren\'tgoingtotakethecaseintoacountycourtwhereitwillallcomeoutaboutthewaytheyrobbedacoupleoftravellingmenwithafaketrial。“

“Iguessyouknowmoreaboutthelaw\'nIdo，“

Isays。“Ikindo\'thoughtmebbywestolethemhosses。“

“Well，“hesays，“wegot\'em，anyhow。Andiftheytrytoarrestuswithoutawarrantthere\'llbethedeucetopay。Buttheyaren\'tgoingtomakeanymoretrouble。Iknowthesecountrycrooks。They\'vegotnostomachfortroubleout-

sidetheirowntownship。“

Whichmademefeelconsiderablebetter，furI

neverbeenoftheopinionthatgoingaginthelawdoneanyonenogood。

Theylooksaroundinthatwagon，andalltheirstuffwasthere——JakeSmithandthesquirehav-

ingkep\'italltogethercarefultomakethingsseemmorelegal，Isuppose——andthedoctorwasplumbtickled，andLooeyfeltascheerfulasheeverfeltaboutanything。Sothedoctorsaystheyhasevery-

thingtheyneedsbutsomereadymoney，andhe\'llgetthatsure，furheneverseenthetimehecouldn\'t。

“But，Looey，“hesays，“I\'mdonewithcountryhotelsfromnowon。They\'vegotthelastcenttheyeverwillfromme——atleastinthesummertime。“

“Howyougoingtoworkit？”Looeyastshim，likehehasn\'tnohopesitwillworkright。

“Campout，“saysthedoctor。“I\'vebeenthink-

ingitallover。“Thenheturnstome。“Rube，“

hesays，“whereareyougoing？”

“Well，“Isays，“Iain\'tpintednowhereinper-

tic\'lerexceptawayfromthattownwejustleft。

Whichmynameain\'tRube，DoctorKirby，butDanny。“

“Dannywhat？”astshe。

“Nothing，“saysI，“jestDanny。“

“Well，then，Danny，“sayshe，“howwouldyouliketobeanIndian？”

“Medical？”astsI，“orreal？”

“LikeLooey，“sayshe。

ItellshimbeingamedicalInjunandmixedupwithashowlikehis\'nwouldsuitmedowntotheground，andastshimwhatisthemaindutiesofonebesidestheblanketsandthefeathers。

“Well，“hesays，“thiscamping-outschemeofminewilltakeacoupleofIndians。Insteadofpay-

inghotelandfeedbillswe\'llpitchourtent，“hesays，“attheedgeoftownineachsweetAuburnoftheplains。We\'llsavemoneyandwe\'llbenearthethrobbingheartofnature。AndanIndiancampineachplacewillbeagoodadvertisementfortheSagraw。Youcanlookafterthehorsesandlearntodothecookingandthatkindo\'thing。Andmaybeafterwhile，“hesays，kindo\'workinghim-

selfuptowherehethoughtitwasgoingtoberealnice，“maybeafterwhileIwillgiveyousomein-

sightintothehiddenmysteriesofsellingSiwashIndianSagraw。“

“Well，“saysI，“I\'dliketolearnthat。“

“Wouldyou？”sayshe，kindo\'laughingathim-

selfandmetoo，andyetkindo\'enthusiastic，“well，then，thefirstthingyouhavetodoislearnhowtosellcornsalve。Anyonethatcansellcornsalvecansellanything。There\'safarmhouserightoverthere，andI\'llgiveyouyourfirstlessonrightnow。

Rummagearoundinthatsatchelthereundertheseatandgetmeatinboxandsomecornsalvelabels。“

Ifoundalotoflabels，andsomeboxestoo。Thelabelswasalldifferentsizes，butbarringthattheyalllookedaboutthesametome。WhilstIwassizingthemupheastsmeaginwastheyanycornsalveonesinthere。

“Whatcolourlabelisit，DoctorKirby？”I

astshim。Furtheywasbluelabelsandwhitelabelsandpinklabels。

Helooksatmerightqueer。“Can\'tyoureadthelabels？”hesays，rightsharp。

“Well，“Isays，“Ineverbeenmuchofareaderwhenitcomestodifferentkindofmedicines。“

“Cornsalveisspelledonlyoneway，“sayshe。

“That\'sright，“Isays，“andyou\'dthinkIorterbeabletopickoutacommon，ordinarythinglikecornsalverightoff，wouldn\'tyou？”

“Danny，“hesays，“youdon\'tmeantotellmeyoucan\'treadanythingatall？”

“Inevertoldyounothingofthekind。“

Hepicksoutalabel。

“Ifyoucanreadsofast，what\'sthat？”heasts。

Sheisapinkone。Ithinkstomyself；sheeitheriscornsalveorelsesheain\'tcornsalve。Anditain\'tnatcheralhewillpickcornsalve，furhewouldthinkIwouldsaythatfirstoff。SoI\'mbettingitain\'t。Itakesachancetonit。

“That，“saysI，“ismightyeasyreading。ThatisSiwashInjunSagraw。“Ilost。

“It\'scornsalve，“hesays。“AndGreatScott！

Theycallthisthetwentiethcentury！”

“Inevercalleditthat，“saysI，sorto\'mad-like。

FurIwasfeelingbadDoctorKirbyhadfoundoutIwassuchaignoramus。

“Whereignoranceisbliss，“sayshe，“itisfollytobewise。Butallthesame，I\'mgoingtotakeyoureducationinhandandmakeyoudrinkoflife\'sPeruviansprings。“Orsomespringlikethatitwas。

Andthedoctor，hedoneit。Looeysaiditwouldn\'tbenouselearningtoread。He\'ddonealotofreading，hesaid，anditneverhelpedhimnone。

AllheeverreadshowedhimthisfellerHamletwasright，hesaid，whenhewroteShakespeare\'sworks，andtheywasn\'tmuchuseinanything，withoutyouhadaloto\'money。Andtheywasn\'tnochancettogetthatwithalltheseheretrustsaroundgobblingupeverythingandstompingthepoormanintothedirt，andtheywaslotsoftimeshewishthewasaInjunsureenough，andnotjestamedicalone，furthenhe\'dbeafreemanandthebossesandthetrustsandtherailroadsandtherobbertariffcouldn\'ttouchhim。Andthenheshutup，anddidn\'tsaynothingfurahullhour，exceptoncethelaughed。

FurDoctorKirby，hesays，winkingatme：

“Looey，here，isanihilist。“

“Ishe，“saysI，what\'sthat？”Andthedoctortellsmeabouthowtheyblowupdukesandczarsandthemforeignhigh-mucky-muckswithdynamite。

WhichiswhenLooeylaughed。

Well，wejoggedalongataprettygoodgaitfurseveralhours，andwestayedthatnightataSwede\'splace，whichthedoctorpaidhimfureverythinginmedicine，onlyittookalongtimetomakethebar-

gain，furthemSwedesisalwayscarefulnottogetcheated，andhasn\'tmanydiseases。Andthenextnightweshowedinalittletown，anddonerightwell，andtookinconsiderablemoney。Westayedtherethreedaysandboughtatentandasheet-ironstoveandsomeskilletsandthingsandsomeprovisions，andasuitofdudsforme。

Well，wewenton，andwekeptgoingon，andtheywasbullytimes。We\'deaseupcarefultowardatown，andpickusoutaplaceontheedge，wherethehossescouldgrazealongthesideoftheroad；

andmostginerallybyapieceofwoodsnotfurfromthattown，andnighacrick，ifwecould。Thenwe\'dsetupourtent。Afterwehadeverythingfixed，I\'dputonmyInjunclothesandLooeyhis\'n，andwe\'ddrivethroughthemainstorestreetofthetownatapurtygoodlick，mea-holtofthereins，andthedoctoralltoggedoutinhisbestclothes，andLooeydoingaInjundanceinthemidstofthewagon。I\'dpullupthehossessuddeninfrontofthepost-officeorthedepotplatformorthehotel，andthepeoplewouldcomecrowdingaround，andthedoctorhe\'dmakealittletalkfromthewagon，andtelleverybodytheywouldbeafreeshowthatnightonthatcorner，andfureverybodytocometoit。Andthenwe\'ddrivebacktocamp，lickity-

split。

Purtysooneveryboyintownwouldbeoutthere，kindo\'hangingaround，toseewhataInjuncampwaslike。Andthefarmersthatwentintoandoutoftownalwaysstoppedandpassedthetimeofday，andtheInjuncampgotthehulltownallworkedupasausualthing；andthedoctor，hedonewell，furwhennightcomeeveryonewouldbeonhand。Looeyandme，everytimewewentintotown，hadonourInjunsuits，andthedoctor，hewonderedwhyhehadn\'tneverthoughtupthatschemebefore。Sometimes，whentheywaslotsofpeopleailinginatown，andtheyhadn\'tbeennoshowfurquiteawhile，we\'dstayfiveorsixdays，andmakeagoodclean-up。Thedoctor，hesenttoChicagoseveraltimesfuralcoholinbarrels，\'causehewassellingitsofasthehadtomakenewSagraw。Andhehadtogetmoreandmorebottles，andahullsatchelfullofnewSagrawlabelsprinted。

Andallthetimethedoctorwaslearningmeedu-

cation。Andshucks！theywasn\'tnothingsohardaboutitoncetyou\'dgotstartedintoreadingthings。

Ijestnatcherallytooktoprintlikeaducktowater，andinsideofamonthIwasreadingnighevery-

thingthathaseverbeenwrote。HehadlotsofbookswithhimandeverytimeanewsockdologerofawordcomealongandIlearnthowtospellherandwheresheorterfitintomakesenseitkindo\'tickledmeallover。Andmany\'sthetimeafterward，whenmeandthedoctorhadlosttrackofeachother，andtheywasquiteaspellpeoplegottothinkingIwasatramp，I\'vewentintothesehereAndrewCarnegielibrariesindifferenttownsjestasmuchtoseeiftheyhadanythingfittentoreadasfurtokeepwarm。

Well，wewenteasingovertowardtheIndianyline，andwewashavingapurtygoodtime。Theywasn\'tnoworktodoyoucouldcallreallyhard，andtheywasplentyofvittles。Afternoonswe\'dlazyaroundthecampandswapstoriesandmakemedicineifweneededabatch，andjoshbackandforthwiththepeoplethathungaround，andloafanddozeandsmoke；ormebbydoalittlefishingifwewasnighacrick。

Andnightsaftertheshowwasoveritwasfun，too。Wealwayshadafire，evenifitwasahotnight，furtocookbyinthefirstplace，andfurtokeepmosquitoesoff，andtomakethingsseemmorecheerful。Theyain\'tnothingsogoodashangingroundacampfire。Andtheyain\'tnothinganybetterthansleepingoutdoors，neither。Yourollupinyourblanketwithyourfeettothefireandyougettowonderingthingsaboutthingsaforeyougotosleep。Thesilentnessjestnatcherallyswampseverythingafterawhile，andthenallthemqueerlittlenoisesyouneverhearinthedaytimecomespoppingandpokingthroughthesilentness，orkindo\'scratchingtheirwaythroughitsometimes，andmakesitkindo\'feelmoresilentthanever。Andifyouarenighacrick，purtysoonitwillsortofgettotalkingtoyou，onlyyoucan\'tmakeoutwhatit\'stryingtosay，andyougettowonderingaboutthat，too。Andifyouareinatentanditrainsandthetentdon\'tleak，thatrainisakindofanicethingtolistentoitself。Butifyoucanseethestarsyougettowonderingmore\'never。Theycomeoutandtheyissomanyofthemandtheyaresofuraway，andyettheyaresokindo\'friendly-

like，too，ifyouhappentobefeelingpurtygood。

Butifyouain\'tfeelingpurtygood，jestlaythereandlookatthemstarslongenough；andthenmebbyyou\'llseeitdon\'tmakenodifferencewhetheryou\'refeelinggoodornot，furtheygotawayo\'

makingyourprivatetroubleslookmightysmall。

Andyougettowonderingwhythatis，too，furtheyain\'thuman；anditdon\'tstandtoreasonyouorterpaynoattentiontothem，onewaynortheother。

Theyisjestthere，liketreesandcricksandhills。

ButIhaveoftennoticedthatthethingsthatisjesttherehasgotawayofseemingmorefriendlythanthethingsthathasbeenbuiltandputthere。

Youcanlookatabigironbridgeoragrainelevatororacanalalldaylong，andifyou\'refeelingblueitdon\'thelpyounone。Itwasjestputthere。Orahaystackisthesameway。Butyougoandlazyaroundinthegrasswhenyou\'redownonyourluckandkindo\'makeremarkstoacrickorabig，oldwalnuttree，andbeforelongitgetsyoutofeelinglikeitdidn\'tmakenodifferencehowyoufelt，anyhow；furyoudon\'tamounttonothingbythesideofsomethingthatwasalwaysthere。Yougettothinkinghowthehullworlditselfwasalwayshere，andyousorto\'seetheyain\'tnothingim-

portantenoughaboutyourselftoworryabout，andpresentlyyouwillgotosleepandforgetit。Thedoctorsaystomeonetimethemstarsain\'tanydifferentfromthisworld，andthisisoneofthem。Whichisafoolidea，asanyonecansee。Hehadalotofqueerideaslikethat，DoctorKirbyhad。Buttheyain\'tnothinglikesleepingoutofdoorsnightstomakeyouwonderthekindofwonderingsyouneverwillgetanyanswerto。

Well，Inevercaredsomuchfurhousesafterthemdays。Theywasbullytimes，themwas。AndI

waskindofproudofbeingwithashow，too。

Many\'sthetimeIhavewentdownthestreetinthatthereInjunsuit，andseenhowtheyoungfellerswouldofgivealltheyownedtobeme。Andeverynowandthenyouwouldhearonesaywhenyouwentpast：

“Huh，Iknowhim！That\'soneofthemshowfellers！”

OneafternoonwepitchesourtentrightontheedgeofalittletowncalledAthens。Wewasnighthebankofacrick，andtheywasagrovethere。

Wewascampedjestoutsideofawood-lotfence，andbackinthroughthetreesfromustheywasahousewithahedgefenceallaroundit。Theywasappletreesandallkindofflowerbushesandthingsinsideofthehedge。TheseconddaywewasthereItakesawalkbackthroughthewood-lot，andalongpastthehouse，andtheywasoneofthesehereearlyharvestappletreesspillingapplesthroughagapinthefence。Themisamightysweetandjuicykindofapple，andIpicksoneupandbitesintoit。

“Ithinkyoumighthaveaskedforit，“sayssomeone。

CHAPTERVI

Ilooksup，andthatwashowIgotac-

quaintedwithMartha。Shewaseatingoneherself，settingupinthetreelikeaboy。

Inherlapwasabookshehadbeenreading。Shewasleaningbackintotheforktwolimbsmadesoasnottotumble。

“Well，“Isays，“canIhaveone？”

“You\'veeatenitalready，“shesays，“sothereisn\'tanyusebeggingforitnow。“

Iseenshewasatease，thatgirl，andIwouldofgiveanythingtoofbeenabletoteaseherrightbackagin。ButIcouldn\'tthinkofnothingtosay，soIjeststandstherekindo\'dumblike，thinkingwhatadernpurtygirlshewas，andthinkinghowdumbImustlook，andIfeltmyfacegettingred。

DoctorKirbywouldofthoughtofsomethingtosayrightoff。AndafterIgotbacktocampIwouldthinkofsomethingmyself。ButIcouldn\'tthinkofnothingbright，soIsays：

“Well，then，yougivemeanotherone！”

Shegivesthecoreoftheoneshehasbeeneatingatossatme。ButIketchedit，andmadelikeI

wasgoingtothrowitbackatherrealhard。Sheslungupherarm，anddodgedback，andshedroppedherbook。

IthinkstomyselfI\'lllearnthatgirltogetsassyandmakemefeellikeadumb-head，evenifsheispurty。SoIdon\'tsayaword。Ijestpicksupthatbookandsticksitundermyarmandwalksawayslowwithittowheretheywasastumpalittlewaysoff，notfurfromthecrick，andsetsdownwithmybacktoherandopensit。AndIwastryingallthetimetothinkofsomethingsmarttosaytoher。ButIcouldn\'tofdoneitifIwastobeshot。Still，Ithinkstomyself，nogirlcansassmeandnotgetsassedback，neither。

IhearnascramblebehindmewhichIknowedwashergettingoutofthattree。Andinaminuteshewasinfrontofme，mad。

“Givememybook，“shesays。

ButIonlyreadsthenameofthebookoutloud，furtoaggervateher。Ihadonpurtygoodduds，butIkindofwishtIhadonmyInjunrigthen。

YoutakethegirlsthatalwayscomesdowntoseethepassengertraincomeintothedepotinthemcountrytownsandthatInjunrigofmineandLooey\'salwaysmade\'emturnaroundandlookatusagin。IneverwishtIhadonthemInjundudssohardbeforeinmylife。ButIcouldn\'tthinkofnothingbrighttosay，soIjestreadsthenameofthatbookovertomyselfagin，kindo\'grinninglikeIgotagoodjokeIain\'tgoingtotellanyone。

“Yougivememybook，“shesaysagin，redasoneofthemharvestapples，“orI\'lltellMissHamp-

tonyoustoleitandshe\'llhaveyouandyourshowarrested。“

Ireadsthenameagin。Itwas“TheLostHeir。“

IseenIhadhergoodandteasednow，soIsays：

“Itmustbeoneoftheseherelovestoriesbythewayyoutakeonoverit。“

“It\'snot，“shesays，gettingreadytocry。“Andwhatrighthaveyougotinourwood-lot，anyhow？”

“Well，“Isays，“Iwasjestabouttomoveonandclimboutofitwhenyouholleredtomefromthattree。“

“Ididn\'t！”shesays。ButshewasmadbecausesheknowedsheHADspoketomefirst，andshewasawfulsorryshehad。

“IthoughtIhearnyouholler，“Isays，“butIguessitmustofbeenasquirrel。“Isaiditkindo\'sarcasticlike，furIwasstillmadwithmyselffurbeingsodumbwhenwefirstseeneachother。

Ihadn\'tnoideaitwouldhurtherfeelingsashardasitdid。Butallofasuddenshebeginstowink，andherchintrembled，andsheturnedaroundshort，andstartedtowalkoffslow。Shewasmadwithherselffurbeingketchedinalie，andshewaswonderingwhatIwouldthinkofherfurbeingsoboldastoofspokefirsttoafellershedidn\'tknow。

Igotupandfolleredheralittlepiece。AnditcometomealltooncetIhadteasedhertoohard，andIwasdownonmyselffurit。

“Say，“Isays，kindoftaggingalongbesideofher，“here\'syouroldbook。“

Butshedidn\'tmakenomovetotakeit，andherhandswasoverherface，andshewouldn\'tpull\'emdowntoevenlookatit。

SoItriedagin。

“Well，“Isays，feelingrealmean，“Iwishtyouwouldn\'tcry。Ididn\'tgotomakeyoudothat。“

Shedropsherhandsandwhirlsaroundonme，madasawethenrightoff。

“I\'mnot！I\'mnot！”shesingsout，andstampsherfeet。“I\'mnotcrying！”Butjestthenshelosesherholtonherselfandbustsoutandjestnatcherallybellers。“Ihateyou！”shesays，likeshecouldofkilledme。

Thatmademekindofdumbagin。FuritcometomealltooncetIlikedthatgirlawfulwell。AndhereI\'dupandmadeherhateme。Iheldthebookouttoheraginandsays：

“Well，I\'mmightysorryfurthat，furIdon\'tfeelthat-a-wayaboutyoua-tall。Here\'syourbook。“

Well，sir，shesnatchesthatbookandshegivesitasling。Ithoughtitwasgoingkersplashintothecrick。Butitdidn\'t。Ithitrightintotheforkofalimbthathungdownoverthecrick，anditallspreadoutwhenitlit，andstuckinthatcrotchsomehow。Shecouldn\'tofslungitthatwayonpurposeinamillionyears。Webothstandsandlooksatitaminute。

“Oh，oh！”shesays，“whathaveIdone？It\'soutofthetownlibraryandI\'llhavetopayforit。“

“I\'llgetitfuryou，“Isays。Butitwasn\'tnoeasyjob。IfIshookthatlimbitwouldtumbleintothecrick。ButIclumbthetreeandeasedoutonthatlimbasfurasIdastto。And，ofcourse，jestasIgotholtofthebook，thatlimbbrokeandIfellintothecrick。ButIhadthebook。

Itwassomesoaked，butIreckoneditcouldstillberead。

Iclumboutandshewasjestsplittingherselflaughingatme。Thewetonherfacewhereshehadcriedwasn\'tdriedupyet，andshewaslaughingrightthroughit，kindo\'likethesundoestooneofthesehereMayrainstormssometimes，andshewasthepurtiestgirlIeverseen。Gosh！——howI

wasgettingtolikethatgirl！AndshetoldmeI

lookedlikeadrownedrat。

Well，thatwashowMarthaandmewasinter-

duced。Shewasn\'tmore\'nsixteen，andwhenshefoundoutIwasaorphanshewasglad，furshewasoneherself。WhichMissHamptonthatlivedinthathousehadtookhertoraise。AndwhenI

tellsherhowIbeentravellingaroundthecountryallsummersheclapsherhandsandshesays：

“Oh，youareonaquest！Howromantic！”

Iastsherwhatisaquest。Andshetellsme。

Sheknowedallaboutthem，furMarthawascon-

siderableofareader。Someofthemwaslongerandsomeofthemwasshorter，themquests，butmostly，Marthasays，theywasfuratwelvemonthandaday。Andthenyouarereleasedfromyourvowandoneoftheseherequeensgivesyouawhackovertheshoulderwithaswordandsays：“Arise，SirMarmeluke，Idubyouanight。“Andthenitislegalfuryoutogooutandrescuepeopleandreformthemandspearthemiftheydon\'tseethingsyourway，andcomebetweenhusbandandwifewhentheyrow，anddoaheapofgoodintheworld。Well，theywasotherkindofqueststoo，butmostlyyoumarriedsomebody，orwasdubbedanight，orfoundthepartyyouwaslookingfur，intheend。AndMarthahaditallfixedupinherownmindIwasinaquesttofindmyfather。Fur，saysshe，heispurtycertaintobeapowerfulrichmanandmore\'nlikelyaearl。

ThewayIwasfound，Marthasays，kindo\'

pintstotheideatheywasaearlmixedupinitsomewhere。Shehadreadalotaboutearls，andknewtheirways。Mebbymymotherwasaearl\'sdaughter。Earl\'sdaughtersistheworstfurleavingyououtinbaskets，goingbywhatMarthasaid。

Itisakindofahabitwiththem，furtheyisawfulproudpeople。Butitwasaluckywaytostartlife，fromallshesaid，thatbasketway。TherewasMoseswasleftoutthatway，andwhenhegroweduphewasmadeakindofapresidentofthehullhumanrace，thesameasRuzevelt，andfiggeredoutthetwelvecommandments。Marthawouldofgiveanythingifshecouldofonlybeenfoundinabasketlikeme，Icouldseethat。Butshewasn\'t。Shehadjestbeenleftaorphanwhenherfolksdied。Theywasn\'tevennohopesshehadbeenchangedatbirthfuranotherone。ButIseendowninundereverythingMarthakindo\'

thoughtmebbyoneofthemnightsmightcomea-prancingalongandwedherinspiteofherself，orshewouldbecarriedoff，orsomething。Shewasaveryromancefulkindofgirl。

WhenIseenshehaditfiggeredoutIwasinaquestfursomehigh-mucky-muckfuradad，I

didn\'ttellhernodifferent。Ididn\'ttakemuchstockinthemearlsandnightsmyself。SofurasIcouldseetheywasallfurrinersofonekindoranother。Butthatthingofbeingintoaquestkindofinterestedme，too。

“HowwouldIknowhimifIwastorunacrosthim？”Iastsher。

“YouwouldfeelanIntangibleSomething，“shesays，“drawingyoutowardhim。“

Iastsherwhatkindofasomething。Imakeoutfromwhatshesaysitissomelikethesefellersthatcanfindwaterwithapieceofwitchhazelswitch。

Youtakeaswitchofitbetweenyourthumbsandpointitup。Thenyoushutyoureyesandwalkbackwards。Whenyougetoverwherethewateristhewitchhazelsticktwistsaroundandpointstotheground。Youdigthereandyougetagoodwell。Nobodyknowsjestwhythatstickisdrawedtotheground。Itislikeoneoftheselittlewhirly-

gigcompassesisdrawedtothenorth。Itisthesame，Marthasays，ifyouisonaquestfurafatheroramother，onlyyouhavegottobeworthyofthattherequest，shesays。Thefirsttimeyoumeettherightoneyouaredrawedjestlikethewitchhazel。ThatistheIntangibleSomethingworkingonyou，shesays。

Marthahadlearntalotaboutthat。Thebookthathadfellinthecrickwaslikethat。Shelentittome。

Well，thatallsoundedkindofreasonabletome。

Iseenthatwitchhazelworkmyself。OldBlindyWolfe，whoseeyeshadbeendeadfursomanyyearstheyhadturnedplumbwhite，hadthatgift，andpickedoutalltheplacesfurwellsthatwasduginourneighbourhoodathome。AndImakesupmymindIwillwatchoutfurthatfeelingofbeingdrawedwhereverIgoesafterthis。Youcan\'ttellwhatwillcomeofthemkindofthings。SopurtysoonMarthahastomilkthecow，andIgoesalongbacktocampthinkingaboutthatquestandaboutwhatapurtygirlsheis，whichwehadsettheretalkingsolongitwasnighsundownandmyclotheshaddriedontome。

WhenIgotovertocampIseentheymustbesomethingwrong。Looeywassettinginthegrassunderthewagonlookingkindofsourandkindofworriedandwatchingthedoctor。Thedoctorwasjestinsidethetent，andhewaslookingqueertoo，andnotcheerful，whichhewasusually。

Thedoctorlooksatmelikehedon\'tskeerclyknowme。Whichhedon\'t。Hehasoneofthemquietkindofdrunkson。WhichLooeyexplainsisboundtocomeeverysooften。Hedon\'tdonothingmean，butjestgetslow-sperritedandwon\'ttalktonoone。Thenallofasuddenhewillgodowntownandwalkupanddownthemainstreets，orderly，butlookinghardintopeople\'sfaces，mostlywomen\'sfaces。Oncet，Looeysays，theywasbigtroubleoverit。Theywasinastoreinagood-sizedtown，andhetookholdofawoman\'schin，andtiltedherfaceback，andlookedatherhard，andmostscaredhertodeath，andtheywasnearlybeingariotthere。Andhewasjailedandhadtopayabigfine。SincethenLooeyalwaysfollershimaroundwhenheisthat-a-way。

Well，thatnightDoctorKirbyistoofurgonefurustohaveourshow。Hejestsetsandstaresandstaresatthefire，andhiseyeslooksliketheyisanotherfireinsideofhishead，andheishurtingoutsideandin。Looeyandmewatcheshimfromtheshaddersfuralongtimebeforeweturnsin，andthelastthingIseenbeforeIwenttosleepwashimsettingtherewithhisfaceinhishands，staring，andhislipsmovingnowandthenlikehewastalkingtohimself。

Thenextdayheisasleepallmorning。Butthatdayhedon\'tdrinkanymore，andLooeysaysmebbyitain\'tgoingtobeoneofthereg\'larpifflicatedkind。IseenMarthaaginthatday，too——twicetIhastalkswithher。Itoldheraboutthedoctor。

“Isheintoaquest，doyouthink？”Iastsher。

Shesaysshethinksitisremorsefursomecrimehehasdone。ButIcouldn\'tfiggerDoctorKirbywouldofdonenone。SothatnightaftertheshowIsaystohim，innocent-like：

“DoctorKirby，whatisaquest？”Helooksatmekindofqueer。

“Wherefore，“sayshe，“thissuddenthirstforenlightenment？”

“Ijestrunacrostthewordaccidental-like，“I

toldhim。

Helooksatmeawfulhard，hiseyesjestnatcherallydiggingintome。IfeltlikeheknowedIhadsetouttopumphim。IwishtIhadn\'ttriedit。Thenhetellsmeaquestisahunt。AndI\'mgladthat\'soverwith。Butitain\'t。Furpurtysoonhesays：

“Danny，didyoueverhearofLadyClaraVeredeVere？”

“No，“Isays，“whoisshe？”

“AladyfriendofLordTennyson\'s，“hesays，“whosemannerswereabovereproach。“

“Well，“Isays，“shesoundskindoflikeamedi-

cinetome。“

“LadyClara，“hesays，“andalltheotherVeredeVeres，werepeoplewithmannersweshouldtrytoimitate。IfLadyClarahadbeenherelastnightwhenIwastalkingtomyself，Danny，hermannerswouldn\'thaveletherlistentowhatI

wastalkingabout。“

“Ididn\'tlisten！”Isays。FurIseenwhathewasdrivingatnowwiththemVeredeVeres。HethoughtIhadasthimwhataquestwasbecausehewasonone。Iwascertainofthat，now。Hewasn\'tquitesurewhathehadbeentalkingabout，andhewantedtoseehowmuchIhadhearn。I

thinkstomyselfitmustbeaawfulfunnykindofhuntheison，ifheonlyhuntswhenheisinthatfix。ButIactedrealinnocentandlikemyfeelingswashurt，andhebelievedme。Purtysoonhesays，cheerfullike：

“Therewasagirltalkingtoyouto-day，Danny。“

“Mebbytheywas，“Isays，“andmebbytheywasn\'t。“ButIfeltmyfacegettingredallthesame，andwasmadbecauseitdid。Hegrinnedkindofaggervatingatmeandsayssomepoetryatmeaboutinthespringayoungman\'sfrenzylikelyturnstothoughtsoflove。

“Well，“Isays，kindofsheepish-like，“thisissummer-time，andpurtynighautumn。“ThenI

seenI\'djestasgoodasownedupIlikedMartha，andwaskindofmadatmyselffurthat。ButI

toldhimsomemoreabouther，too。SomehowIjestcouldn\'thelpit。Helaughsatmeandgoesonintothetent。

Ilaidthereandlookedatthefirefurquiteaspell，outsidethetent。Iwasthinking，ifallthemtaleswasn\'tjestdernfoolishness，howIwishtI

wouldreallyfindadadthatwasahigh-mucky-

muckandcouldcomebackinanautomobileandtakeheraway。Ilaidtherefuralong，longtime；

itmustofbeenfuracoupleofhours。Isupposedthedoctorhadwenttosleep。

ButallofasuddenIlooksup，andheisinthedoorofthetentstaringatme。Iseenhehadbeeninthereatithardagin，andthinking，quiet-like，allthistime。Hestoodthereinthedoorwayofthetent，withthefirelightontohisfaceandhisredbeard，andhisarmsstretchedout，holdingtothecanvasandlookingatmestrangeandwild。

Thenhemovedhishandupanddownatme，andhesays：

“Ifshe\'sfoolenoughtoloveyou，treatherwell——

treatherwell。Forifyoudon\'t，youcanneverrunawayfromthehellyou\'llcarryinyourownheart。“

Andhekindofdoubledupandpitchedforwardwhenhesaidthat，andifIhadn\'tketchedhimhewouldoffellrightacrostthefire。Hewasplumbpifflicated。

CHAPTERVII

Marthawouldn\'toftookanythingfurbeingaroundMissHampton，shesaid。

MissHamptonwaskindofquietandsweetandpalelooking，andnobodyeverthoughtoftalkingloudorraisinganyfusswhenshewasaround。Shehadenoughmoneyofherowntorunherselfon，andshekep\'toherselfagooddeal。

Shehadcometothattownfromnooneknowedwhere，yearsago，andboughtthatplace。Furallofherbeingsogentleandeasyandtalkingwithoneofthemsoft，drawlykindofvoices，Marthasays，noonehadeverdaredtoastheraboutherself，thoughtheywasalotofwomeninthattownthatwaswishfulto。

ButMarthasaidsheknowedwhatMissHamp-

ton\'ssecretwas，andshehadn\'ttoldnoone，neither。

Whichshetoldme，andallthepromisingIdoneaboutnottellingwouldofmadethecoldchillsrunupyourback，itwassosolemn。MissHamptonhadbeenjiltedyearsago，Marthasaid，andthenameofthejilterwasDavidArmstrong。Well，hemustofbeenalowdownsortofman。Marthasaidifthingswasonlyfixedinthiscountryliketheyoughttobe，shewouldofsentanighttofindthatDavidArmstrong。Andthatwouldofendedupinamortalcombat，andthenightwouldhavecleavedhim。

“Yes，“saysI，“andthenyouwouldofmarriedthattherenight，Isuppose。“

Shesaysshewouldof。

“Well，“saysI，“mebbyyouwouldofandmebbyyouwouldn\'tof。IfhecleavedDavidArmstrong，thatnightwouldlikelybearrestedfurit。“

Marthasaysifhewasshewouldwaitoutsidehisdungeonkeepfuryearsandyears，tillshewasaoldwomanwithgrayinherhair，andeverydaytheywouldgivelingeringlooksateachotherthroughthewindowbars。Andtheywouldbehappythat-

a-way。Andshewouldgetherawhitedoveandtrainitsoitwouldflyuptothatwindowandtakeinnotestohim，andhewouldsendnotesbackthat-a-

way，andtheywouldbothbeawfulsadandro-

mancefulandcontenteddoingthat-a-wayfureverandever。

Well，Inevertooknostockinthemmournfulwaysofbeinghappy。Icouldn\'tofrizuptobeinganightfurMartha。Sheexpectedtoomuchofone。

Ithoughtitoverfuralittlespellwithoutsayinganything，andItriedtomakemyselfbelieveIwouldoflikedallthatdovebusiness。Butitwasn\'tnousepertending。IknowedIwouldgettiredofit。

“Martha，“Isays，“mebbytheseherenightsisallright，andmebbytheyain\'t。Ineverseenone，andIdon\'tknow。And，mindyou，Iain\'tsayingawordagintheirwayofacting。Ican\'tsayhowIwouldofbeenmyself，ifIhadbeenbrunguplikethem。Butitlookstome，fromsomeofthethingsyou\'vesaidabout\'em，theymusthaveadernfoolstreakin\'emsomewheres。“

Iwaskindofjealousofthemnights，Iguess，orIwouldn\'tofrun\'emdownthat-a-waybehindtheirbacks。ButthewayshewasalwaystakingonoverthemwascalkelatedtomakemeseeI

wasn\'tknee-hightoaduckinMartha\'smindwhenoneofthemnightspoppedintoherhead。