Induetimeheranswercame。Hecarriedherletterouttoafavouritehauntofhisinasunnycooliewhereanoldcreek—bedwasmarkedbystragglingwillows，andthere，throwinghimselfdownupontheslopinggrass，hereadhermessage。
　　"Iknow，dear，howmuchthatlastsentenceofyourscostyou，andmyansweristhatwereyourdutylesstoyou，youwouldbelesstome。
　　HowcouldIhonourandloveamanwho，forthesakeofagirlorforanysake，wouldturnbackfromhiswork？Besides，youhavetaughtmetoowelltoloveyourgloriousWest，andyoucannotdauntmenowbyanysuchsombrepictureasyoudrewformeinyourlastletter。Nosir。TheWestforme！Andyoushouldbeashamed——andthisIshallmakeyouproperlyrepent——ashamedtoforcemetotheunmaidenlycourseofinsistingupongoingouttoyou，’roundingyouupintoacorral’——thatisthecorrectphrase，isitnot？——andnoosing，no，ropingyouthere。"
　　Whenhelookedupfromtheletterthelandscapewasblurredforatime。Butsoonhewonderedatthenewsplendouroftheday，thesweetnessoftheair，themellowmusicofthemeadow—lark。Anewglorywasuponskyandearthandanewraptureinhisheart。
　　"Wonderful！"heexclaimed。"Dearlittlesoul！Shedoesn’tknow，andyet，evenifshedid，Ibelieveitwouldmakenodifference。"
　　Experienceprovedthathehadrightlyestimatedher。Forayearandahalfshehadstoodbyherhusband’sside，makingsunshineforhimthatnocloudscoulddimnorblizzardsblowout。Itwasthisthatthrewintoherhusband’stoneashesaid，"Mywife，Mr。Macgregor，"
　　thetendernessandpride。ItmadeShock’sheartquiver，fortherecametohimthepictureofatallgirlwithwonderfuldarkgreyeyesthatlookedstraightintohiswhileshesaid，"YouknowIwillnotforget。"Itwasthisthatmadehimholdthelittlewoman’shandtillshewonderedathim，butwithawoman’sdiviningshereadhisstoryinthedeepblueeyes，alightnowwiththememoryoflove。
　　"Thatlightisnotforme，"shesaidtoherself，andwelcomedhimwithawelcomeofonewhohadbeensorecentlyand，indeed，wasstillalover。
　　Theintervalbetweensupperandbed—timewasspentineagertalkoverShock’sfield。Aroughmap，showingtrails，streams，sloughs，coolies，andsomeofthelargerrancheslaybeforethemonthetable。
　　"ThisisTheFort，"saidMcIntyre，puttinghisfingeruponadotontheleftsideofthemap。"Twenty—fivemileswestandsouthisLoonLake，thecentreofyourfield，whereitisbestthatyoushouldlive，ifyoucan;andthenfurtherawayuptowardthePasstheytellmethereisaqueerkindofungodlysettlement——ranchers，freighters，whisky—runners，cattlethieves，miners，almostanythingyoucanname。You’llhavetodosomeexplorationworkthere。"
　　"Prospecting，eh？"saidShock。
　　"Exactly。Prospectingistheword，"saidMcIntyre。"TheFortendofyourfieldwon’tbebadinoneway。You’llfindthepeoplequitecivilised。Indeed，TheFortisquitethesocialcentreforthewholedistrict。Afternoonteas，hunts，tennis，card—parties，anddancingpartiesmakelifeonegaywhirlforthem。Mindyou，I’mnotsayingawordagainstthem。Inthiscountryanythingcleaninthewayofsportoughttobeencouraged，butunfortunatelythereisabroad，badstreakrunningthroughthatcrowd，andwhatwithpoker，gambling，badwhisky，andthatsortofthing，theplaceisattimesaperfecthell。"
　　"Whisky？WhataboutthePolice？Ihaveheardthemwellspokenof，"
　　saidShock。
　　"Andrightlyso。Theyareafinebodyofmenwithexceptions。Butthisinfernalpermitsystemmakesitalmostimpossibletoenforcethelaw，andwheretheInspectorisasoak，youcaneasilyunderstandthatthewholebusinessoflawenforcementisafarce。
　　AlmostallthePolice，however，inthiscountryarestraightfellows。There’sSergeantCrisp，now——thereisnotmoneyenoughintheTerritoriestobuyhim。Why，hewasofferedsixhundreddollarsnotlongagotobebusyattheotherendofthetownwhenthefreighterscameinonenight。Butnothe。Hewasonduty，withtheresultthatsomehalfdozenkegsofwhiskyfailedtoreachtheirintendeddestination。Butthere’sabadstreakinthecrowd，andthemischiefofitisthattheInspectorandhiswifesetthepaceforalltheyoungfellowsoftheranchesabout。Andwhenwhiskygetsa—
　　flowingtherearethingsdonethatitisashametospeakof。Buttheywon’tbotheryoumuch。TheybelongmostlytoFatherMike。"
　　"FatherMike，aRomanCatholic？"
　　"No，Anglican。Averydecentfellow。Havenotseenmuchofhim。Hispeopledoubtlessregardmeasabloomingdissenter，dontcherknow。
　　Butheisnosuchsnob。Hegoesinforalltheirfun——hunts，teas，dances，card—parties，andalltherestofit。"
　　"What，gambling？"askedShock，aghast。
　　"No，no。Iunderstandherakesthemforeandaftfortheirgamblingandthatsortofthing。Buttheydon’tminditmuch。Theyswearbyhim，forheisreallyafinefellow。InsicknessorintroubleFatherMikeisonthespot。Butastoinfluencingtheirlives，I
　　fearFatherMikeisnogreatforce。"
　　"Whydoyouhaveamissionthereatall？"enquiredShock。
　　"SimplybecausetheSuperintendentconsidersTheFortastrongstrategicpoint，andtherearealotofyoungfellowsandafewfamiliestherewhoarenotofFatherMike’sflockandwhocouldneverbepersuadedtoattendhischurch。Itdoesn’ttakemuchyouknow，tokeepamanfromgoingtochurchinthiscountry，sotheSuperintendent’spolicyistoremoveallpossibleexcusesandbarriersandtomakeiteasyformentogivethemselvesachance。
　　OurprincipalmanatTheFortisMacfarren，akindoflawyer，land—
　　agent，registrar，orsomethingofthatsort。Hascattletoo，onaranch。Averycleverfellow，buttheoldstory——whisky。Toobad。
　　He’sabrotherofRev。Dr。Macfarren。"
　　"What？Dr。MacfarrenofToronto？"
　　"Yes。Andhemightbealmostanythinginthiscountry。I’llgiveyoualettertohim。Hewillshowyouaboutandgiveyouallinformation。"
　　"AndisheintheChurch？"Shock’sfacewasastudy。McIntyrelaughedlongandloud。
　　"Why，mydearfellow，we’regladtogetholdofanykindofhalf—
　　decentchapthatiswillingtohelpinanyway。Weusehimasusher，manager，choir—master，sexton。Inshort，weputhimanyplacewherehewillstick。"
　　Shockdrewalongbreath。Thesituationwasbecomingcomplicatedtohim。
　　"AboutLoonLake，"continuedMcIntyre，"Ican’ttellyoumuch。ByalloddsthemostinterestingfigurethereistheoldProspector，asheiscalled。Youhaveheardabouthim？"
　　Shockbowed。
　　"Nooneknowshim，thoughhehasbeenthereformanyyears。Hisdaughter，Iunderstand，hasjustcomeoutfromEnglandtohim。Then，there’sAndyHepburn，whorunsastore，ashrewd，cannylittleScot。
　　Ihavenodoubthewillhelpyou。Butyou’llknowmoreabouttheplaceinaweekthanIcouldtellyouifItalkedallnight，andthatImustnotdo，foryoumustbetired。"
　　WhenhefinishedShocksatsilentwithhiseyesuponthemap。Hewasoncemoreconsciousofakindofterroroftheseunknownplacesandpeople。Howcouldhegetatthem？Whatplacewasthereforhimandhismissioninthatwild，recklesslifeoftheirs？Whathadhetobringthem。OnlyaTale？Inthefaceofthatvigorous，strenuouslifeitseemedatthatmomenttoShockalmostridiculousinitsinadequacy。AgainsthimandhisStorywerearraignedthegreathumanpassions——greedofgold，lustofpleasureinitsmostsensuousforms，andthatwildspiritofindependenceofallrestraintbylawofGoodorman。HewasstilllookingatthemapwhenMr。McIntyresaid:
　　"Wewilltakethebooks，astheysayinmycountry。"
　　"Ay，andinmine，"saidShock，comingoutofhisdreamwithastart。
　　Mrs。McIntyrelaidtheBibleonthetable。HerhusbandopenedtheBookandreadthatgreatPsalmofthewilderness，"Lord，thouhastbeenourdwellingplace，"andsoontothelastcryoffrailandfadinghumanityaftertheenduringandimperishable，"LetthebeautyoftheLordourGodbeuponus;andestablishthoutheworkofourhandsuponus:yea，theworkofourhandsestablishthouit。"
　　Ashelistenedtothevividwordsthatcarriedwiththemtheveryscentandsilenceofthehungrywilderness，therefelluponShock’searsthelonghowlandstaccatobarkoftheprairiewolf。ThatlonelyvoiceofthewildWestroundthemstruckShock’sheartwithachilloffear，butfollowingharduponthefearcamethememoryoftheabidingdwellingplaceforalldesertpilgrims，andinplaceofhisterroragreatquietnessfelluponhisspirit。ThegauntspectreofthehungrywildernessvanishedbeforethekindlypresenceofagreatCompanionshipthatmadeeventheunknownWestseemsafeandfamiliarasone’sownhome。ThequickchangeoffeelingfilledShock’shearttooverflowing，sothatwhenMr。McIntyre，closingtheBook，said，"Youwillleadusinprayer，Mr。Macgregor，"Shockcouldonlyshakehisheadinvoicelessrefusal。
　　"Yougoon，David，"saidhiswife，whohadbeenwatchingShock’sface。
　　AsShocklaythatnightuponhisbedofbuffaloskinsinthecorner，listeningtotheweirdsoundsofthenightwithout，heknewthatforthepresentatleastthathauntingterroroftheunknownandthatdisturbingsenseofhisowninsufficiencywouldnottroublehim。
　　Thatdwellingplace，quietandsecure，oftheMcIntyres’homeinthemidstofthewidewasteaboutwastohimformanyadayasymbolofthatothersafedwellingplaceforallpilgrimsthroughearth’swilderness。
　　"Poorchap，"saidMcIntyretohiswifewhentheyhadretiredforthenight，"I’mafraidhe’llfindithardwork，especiallyatTheFort。
　　Heisratherintherough，youknow。"
　　"Hehasbeautifulhonesteyes，"saidhiswife，"andIlikehim。"
　　"Doyou？"
　　"Yes，Ido，"sherepliedemphatically。
　　"Then，"saidherhusband，"inspiteofallappearanceshe’sallright。"
　　VIII
　　THEOLDPROSPECTOR
　　LoonLakelayintheafternoonsunlight，shimmeringinitsgloryofprismaticcolours，ononesidereflectingtherocksandthepinesthatlinedtheshoreandthegreatpeaksthatstoodfurtherback，andtheotherlappingthegrassesandreedsthatedgeditswatersandjoinedittotheprairie。Agentlebreezenowandthenbreathedacrossthelake，breakingintomyriadfragmentstheglassysurfacethatlaylikesheetsofpolishedmulti—colouredmetalofgoldandbronzeandsilver，purpleandgreenandblue。
　　Ayounggirlofaboutsixteenyears，ridingacayusealongthelakeshore，suddenlyreinedinherponyandsatgazinguponthescene。
　　"Afterall，"shesaidaloud，"itisalovelyspot，andifonlyfathercouldhavestayed，Iwouldn’tmind。"
　　Hertonewasoneofdiscontent。Herfacewasnotbeautiful，anditsplainnesswasincreasedbyakindofsullengloomthathadbecomeitshabit。AftergazingacrossthelakeforsomeminutessheturnedherhorseandcanteredtowardalittleclusterofbuildingsofallsizesandshapesthathuddledabouttheendofthelakeandconstitutedLoonLakevillage。Asshedrewnearthelargestofthehouses，whichwasdignifiedbythenameofLoonLakeStoppingPlace，shecameuponagroupofchildrengatheredaboutalittlecrippleofaboutsevenoreightyearsofage，butsopunyandpoorlydevelopedthatheappearedmuchyounger。Thelittleladwassobbingbitterly，shriekingoathsandstrikingsavagelywithhiscrutchatthechildrenthathemmedhimin。Thegirlsprangoffherpony。
　　"Oh，shameonyou！"sheexclaimed，rushingatthem。"Youbadchildren，toteasepoorPatsyso。Beoffwithyou。Come，Patsy，nevermindthem。Iamgoingtotellyouastory。"
　　"Hewasthrowin’stonesatus，sohewas，"saidhisbrother，asturdylittlered—headedladofsix。"AndhehitBatcheeserightontheleg，too。"
　　"Hepu——pu——pulleddownmymountainrighttotheground，"sobbedPatsy，liftingapale，tear—stainedfacedistortedwithpassion。
　　"Nevermind，Patsy，"shesaidsoothingly，"I’llhelpyoutobuilditupagain。"
　　"Andtheyalllaughedatme，"continuedPatsy，stillsobbingstormily。"AndI’llknocktheirblank，blankheadsoff，soIwill！"
　　AndPatsyliftedhiscrutchandshookitattheminimpotentwrath。
　　"Hush，hush，Patsy！youmustnotsaythoseawfulwords，"saidthegirl，layingherhandoverhismouthandliftinghimontoherknee。
　　"Yes，Iwill。AndIjustwishGodwouldsendthemtohell—fire！"
　　"Oh，Patsy，hush！"saidthegirl。"That’sawful。Never，neversaysuchathingagain。"
　　"Iwill！"criedPatsy，"andI’llaskGodto—night，andmothersaidHewouldiftheydidn’tleavemealone。"
　　"But，Patsy，youmustnotsaynorthinkthoseawfulthings。ComenowandI’lltellyouastory。"
　　"Idon’twantastory，"hesobbed。"Sing。"
　　"Oh，I’lltellyouastory，Patsy。I’llcomeintothehouseto—nightandsingforyou。"
　　"No，sing，"saidthelittleladimperiously，andsothegirlbegantosingthethrillinglovestoryofTheFrogandTheMouse，tillnotonlywasPatsy’spalefacewreathedinsmiles，buttheotherchildrenweredrawninanenchantedcircleaboutthesinger。SoentrancedwerethechildrenandsointerestedthesingerthattheyfailedtonoticethedooroftheStoppingPlaceopen。Aslovenlywomanshowedahardfaceanddishevelledhairforamomentatthedoor，andthenstolequietlyaway。Inafewmomentsshereturned，bringingherhusband，ahugemanwithashaggy，blackheadandrepulsiveface。
　　"Jistbeaftherlookin’atthatnow，willye，Carroll！"shesaid。
　　Asthemanlookedhisfacechangedasthesunbreaksthroughastorm—cloud。
　　"Didyeiverseetheloikesavthat？"shesaidinalowvoice。
　　"She’ddrawthebadgersoutavtheirholeswiththimsongsavhers。
　　Andthimlittledivilshavebeenallthemornin’a—fightin’anda—
　　scrappin’loikeKilkennycats。"
　　"An’lookatPatsy，"saidherhusband，withwonderandpityinhiseyes。
　　"Yis，yemaysaythat，forit’sthecantankerouslittlecurmudgeonheis，poorlittlemanny。"
　　"Cantankerous！"echoedherhusband。"It’sthatblankpainavhis。"
　　"Whistnow，Tim。There’sThimthat’llbehearin’ye，an’it’llbetheworsef’rhiman’f’ryou，beloike。"
　　"DivilafearhaveOiavThim，"saidherscepticalhusbandscornfully。
　　"Aw，now，dobequiet，now，"saidhiswife，crossingherself。"Sure，prayin’isjistasaisyascursin’，andnoharrumdone，atall。"Sheshutthedoor。
　　"Aw，it’sthebeautifulsingersheis，"asthegirlstruckupanewsong。"Listentothatnow。"
　　Full，clear，soft，likethewarblingofthethrushatevening，camethevoicethroughthecloseddoor。Themanandhiswifestoodlisteningwitharaptlookontheirfaces。
　　"PhatinHivin’snameisshesingin’，atall？"saidMrs。Carroll。
　　"Whisht！"saidherhusband，holdinguphishand。"It’slikeawildburrd，"headded，afterlisteningafewmoments。
　　"Theporething。An’it’sloikeawildburrdsheis，"saidMrs。
　　Carrollpityingly。"Leftalonesosoonafthercomin’tothissthrangecounthry。It’sauselessmanaltogether，isthatouldProspector。"
　　Carroll’sfacedarkened。
　　"Useless！"heexclaimedwrathfully，"he’sablankouldfool，crazyasajackrabbit！An’Oi’manotherblankfooltoputanymoneyinto’im。"
　　"Didyeputmuchin，Tim？"venturedMrs。Carroll。
　　"Toomuchtobethrownaway，anyhow。"
　　"Thin，whydoesyedoit，Tim？"
　　"BlankedifOiknow。It’sthesmooth，slippin’tongueav’im。He’dtalkthetaleaffamonkey，sohewould。"
　　Atthismomentaloudcry，followedbyastreamofoathsinashrillchildishvoice，piercedthroughthesinging。
　　"Phat’sthatinalltheworrld？"exclaimedMrs。Carroll。"Hivinpreserveus，it’slittlePatsy。Tim，ye’ll’avtobespakin’tothatchildfortheswearin’。Listentotheoathsav’im。TheLordforgive’im！"
　　Timstrodetothedoor，followedbyhiswife。
　　"Phattheblank，blankisthisyellin’about？Phatd’yemaneswearin’loikethat，Patsy？Oi’llknockyerblanklittleheadaffifOicatchyeswearin’agin。"
　　"Idon’tcare，"stormedlittlePatsy，quiteunafraidofhisfatherwhentheotherchildrenfled。"It’sthatblank，blankBatcheesean’
　　Timthere。Theykeepteasin’mean’Mayanallthetime"
　　"Letmecatchyez，yelittledivils！"shoutedCarrollafterthechildren，whohadgotofftoasafedistance。"Goon，Marion，an’
　　singphatyeloike。It’sloikeaburrdyeare，an’Oiloikest’hearye。An’Patsy，too，eh？"
　　Hetookthelittlecrippleupinhisarmsverygentlyandheldhimforsomeminutes。
　　"You’reabigman，dad，aintye？"saidPatsy，puttinghispunyarmroundhisfather’shairyneck。"An’yecanlickthehulltown，can’tye？"
　　"Whowuztellin’yethat，Patsy？"askedhisfather，withasmile。
　　"Iheardyemeselflastweekwhenthebigrowwason。"
　　"Yedid，bedad！ThinOi’mthinkin’yedobehearin’toomuch。"
　　"Butyecan，dad，can’tye？"persistedtheboy。
　　"Well，Oi’llsticktophatOisaid，anyway，Patsyboy，"repliedhisfather。
　　"An’I’llbeabigmanlikeyou，dad，someday，an’lickthehulltown，won’tI？"askedPatsyeagerly。
　　Hisfathershudderedandheldhimclosetohisbreast。
　　"Iwill，dad，won’tI？"persistedthelad，thelittlefaceturnedanxiouslytowardhisfather。
　　"Whishtnow，laddie。Surean’ye’llbetheclivirmansomeday，"
　　saidthebigmanhuskily，whilehiswifeturnedherfacetowardthedoor。
　　"ButtheysaidI’dniverlickanybody，"persistedPatsy。"An’that’sablanklie，isn’tit，dad？"
　　Theman’sfacegrewblackwithwrath。Hepouredoutfierceoaths。
　　"Letmecatchthim。Oi’llbreaktheirbacks，theblank，blanklittlecowards！Niveryeheedthim。Ye’llbeabetthermanthinanyavthim，Patsyavick，an’thatyewill。An’they’llallbestandin’
　　bare—headedaforeyesomeday。ButPatsy，darlin’，Oiwantyetogiveuptheswearin’andlistentoMarionyonder，who’llbeafthertellin’yegoodthingsan’cliverthings。"
　　"But，dad，"persistedthelittleboy，"won’tIbe？
　　"Hushnow，Patsy，"saidhisfatherhurriedly。"Don’tyewanttogoontheponywithMarion？Comeonnow，an’Oi’llputyeup。"
　　"Oh，goody，goody！"shoutedlittlePatsy，hispale，beautifulfaceaglowwithdelight。
　　"Poorlittlemanny！"groanedCarrolltohiswife，lookingafterthepairastheyrodeoffupthetrail。"It’snotmanyye’llbeafterlickin’，exceptwithyertongue。"
　　"But，begorra，"saidhiswife，"that’sthelickin’thathurts，aftherall。An’it’sharrdtellin’what’llbecomin’tillthelad。"
　　Herhusbandturnedwithoutmorewordsandwentintothehouse。
　　MeantimeMarionandPatsywereenjoyingtheircanter。
　　"TakemeuptotheJumpingRock，"saidtheboy，andtheytookthetrailthatwoundupthewestsideofthelake。
　　"Therenow，Patsy，"saidMarion，whentheyhadarrivedatasmoothshelfofrockthatrosesheeroutofthebluewaterofthelake，"I’llputyoubythebigsprucethere，andyoucanseealloverthelakeandeverywhere。"
　　Sheslippedoffthepony，carefullyliftedtheboydownandsethimleaningagainstabigsprucepinethatgrewseeminglyupoutofthebarerockandleanedfaroutoverthewater。Thiswastheswimmingplacefortheboysandmenofthevillage;andanidealplaceitwas，forofftherockoroutoftheoverhanginglimbstheswimmerscoulddivewithoutfearintotheclear，deepwaterbelow。
　　"Therenow，Patsy，"saidthegirlaftershehadpicketedherpony，"shallItellyouastory？"
　　"No。Sing，Mayan，Ilikeyoutosing。"
　　Butjustasthegirlwasabouttobeginhecried，"Who’sthatcomin’，Mayan？"pointingdownthetrail。
　　Thekeeneyesoftheladhaddescriedahorsemanfarawaywherethelongsloperosetothehorizen。
　　"Idon’tknow，"answeredthegirl。"Whoisit，Patsy？Acowboy？"
　　"No，"saidPatsy，afterwaitingforafewminutes，"Ithinkit’sPerault。"
　　"No，Patsy，thatcan’tbe。YouknowPeraultwentoutwithfatherlastweek。"
　　"Yes，itis，"insistedPatsy。"That’sfather’spony。That’sRat—
　　tail，Iknow。"
　　Thegirlstoodupandgazedanxiouslyattheapproachingrider。
　　"Surelyitcan’tbePerault，"shesaidtoherself。"Whatcanhavehappened？"
　　Sheunhitchedherhorse，rolledupherpicketrope，andstoodwaitingwithdisturbedface。Astheriderdrewnearshecalled，"Perault！Ho，Perault！"
　　"Hola！"exclaimedPerault，awizened，tough—lookinglittleFrenchman，pullinguphisponywithajerk"Bojou，Mam’selle，"headded，takingoffhishat。
　　Perault’smannerisreassuring，indeedquitegay。
　　"Whatisit，Perault？Whyareyoucomeback？Whereisfather？"Thegirl’slipswerewhite。
　　"Coming，"saidPeraultnonchalantly，pointingupthetrail。"Westrakdebadluck，Mam’selle，sowestartheemagain。"
　　"Tellme，Perault，"saidthegirl，turningherpiercingblackeyesonhisface，"tellmetruly，isfatherhurt？"
　　"Oui，forsure，"saidPeraultwithanexaggerationofcarelessnesswhichdidnotescapethekeeneyesfastenedonhisface，"datoleboss，youknow，heblam—fool。Hees’fraidnoting。HeestryforsweemdeBlackDogondecrossingbelow。DeBlackDogheesfulloverheesbank，an’boil，boil，lakonekettle。Deolebosshesay’Perault，wemakdepassage，eh？’’No，’Isay，’wetrynodercrossing。’’Howfar？’hesay。’Two——treemile’’Guesstryheemhere，’hesay，an’nomatterhowIsayheembeblam—foolfortry，datolebossheeslafsmall，leelelafan’makdestart。Well，datponyheesgoingnicean’slowtroodewateroverdebank，butwenhestrukdatfaswater，poof！wheez！datponyheesupsethessef，bygar！Heestrowheesfeetoutondewater。Bymbeheescomeallrightforameenit。Dendatfoolponyheesmissdecrossing。Heesgodreefdowndestreamwheredehighbankheesimposseeb。MonDieu！Dasmakmescare。Ido’nowhatIdo。Istan’an’yelllakonebeegfoolme。Upcomebeegfelleronbuckboardonnoderside。Beegblam—fooljus’lakboss。Not’fraidnoting。Heestrowropecrosssaddle。Deolebossheeswin’
　　heemroun’dehorn。Poof！dasupsetdatponyoncemore。Heestrowheesfeetuponwater，catcholebossonheadan’arm，knockheemrightofftoblazes。’Goodbye，’Isay，’Inotseeheemmore。’Beegfellerheesloosedatrope，rondownondebankhitchingropeonwillowtreean’roun’heesownshoulderan’jumponreeverwaydownonbendan’waitforoleboss。Forme？Imakdisponycrossver’
　　queek。Notknowhow，an’passondenoderside。Iseebeegfeller，heeshol’deolebossonheescoatcollarwitbeesteef，bygar！an’
　　sweemlakottar。Sap—r—r—e！NotlongbeforeIpullondatropean’
　　getbotonshore。Beegfellerheesallright。Deolebossheesliewhite，whiteandstill。Icryonmyeyebad。’Gogetsometingfordreenk，’saybeegfeller，’queek。’Sac—r—re！beegfoolmessef！Bah！
　　Goodfornoting！Ifin’brandy，an’leeletam，tree—fourminute，deolebossbeessitupallright。LeBonDieuheesdogoodturndattime，forsure。Sendbeegfelleralongallright。"
　　ThegirlstoodlisteningtoPerault’sdramatictale，herfacegrowingwhite。
　　"Isfathernothurtatall，then？"sheasked。
　　"Non。Heestougholeman，datboss，"saidPerault。Thenheaddedlightly，"Oh！heesbrokesomesmallbone——whatyoucall？——ondecollar，dere。Datnoting’tall。"
　　"Oh，Perault！"exclaimedthegirl。"You’renottellingmethetruth。
　　You’rekeepingbacksomething。Myfatherishurt。"
　　"Non，forsure，"saidPerault，puttinghishandoverhisheart。
　　"Heesbrokedatboneondecollar。Datnoting’tall。Henotridever’well，soheescomeonbeegfeller’sbuckboard。Dat’sfinebeegfeller！MonDieu！heesnot’fraidnoting！Beegblam—fooljus’lakboss。"NohighercommendationwaspossiblefromPerault。
　　"Butwhyisfathercomingbackthen？"askedthegirlanxiously。
　　"Maisoui！Bah！DatleelefoolponygothisselfdronondeBlackDog，an’allheesstuff，sodeolebosshemus’comebackformoreponyan’morestuff。"
　　"Whenwilltheybehere，Perault？"askedthegirlquietly。
　　"Ver’soon。One——twohour。But，"saidPeraultwithsomehesitation，"deolebossbettergoonbedleelespell，mebbe。"
　　ThenthegirlknewthatPeraulthadnottoldhertheworst，turningimpatientlyfromhim，sheliftedlittlePatsyontothesaddleand，disdainingPerault’sofferedhelp，sprangonherselfandsetofftowardthevillageaboutamileawayatfullgallop。