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。