Sheisthinkingofthewheatharvestwheretheyisthousandsmakesfureveryfall。Butnoneof'emfurme。ThattherecountryisfullofthemScandiluvianSwedesandNorwegians，andtheygetsintothefieldbeforedaylightandstaystheresolongthehiredman'sgottomilkthecowsbymoonlight。
　　“IbeenacrosttheriverintoI'way，“Isays，“a-workingatmytrade，andnowI'mgoingbacktoChicagotoworkatitsomemore。“
　　“Whatmightyourtradebe？”sheasts，sizingmeupcareful；andIthinksI'llhandheronetochewonsheain'tneverhearntellofbefore。
　　“I'maagnosticbytrade，“Isays。Ispottedthattherewordinareligiousbookonetime，andthat'sthefirstchancetIeverhastotryitonanyone。
　　Youcan'tnevertellwhatthemreg'larsockdologersisgoingtodotillyoutriesthem。
　　“Isee，“saysshe。ButIseenshedidn'tsee。
　　AndIdidn'thelphernone。Shewouldofrutherdiedthantoletonshedidn'tsee。TheIrishislikethat。Purtysoonshesays：
　　“Ain'tthatthedangerouskindo'work，though！”
　　“Itis，“Isays。Andsaysnothingfurther。
　　Shesetsdownandfoldsherarms，likeshewasthinkingofit，watchingmyhandsclosetallthetimeIwaseating，likeshe'slookingfurscarswheresomethingslippedwhenIdonethatagnosticwork。
　　Purtysoonshesays：
　　“MebrotherMichaelwaskiltatitintheoldcountry。Hewasthemostvinturesomeladofthimall！”
　　“Diditflyupandhithim？”Iastsher。I
　　waswonderingw'ethersheismakingfunofmeoramImakingfunofher。ThemIrishislikethat，youcannevertellwhich。
　　“No，“saysshe，“hefelloffofit。AndI'mthink-
　　ingyoudon'tknowwhatitisyourself。“AndthenextthingIknowI'measedouto'thebackdoorandshe'sgrinningatmescornfulthroughthecrackofit。
　　SoIwaswalkingslowaroundtowardthefrontofthehousethinkinghowtheIrishwasagreatnation，andwhatshallIdonow，anyhow？AndIsaystomyself：“Danny，youwasafooltoletthatcircuswalkoffandleaveyouasleepinthisheretownwithnothingoveryoubutabarbedwirefencethismorning。FurwhatAREyougoingtodonext？Firstthingyouknow，youWILLbeareg'lartramp，whichsomefolkscan'tbemadetoseeyouain'tnow。“AndjestwhenIwasthinkingthat，afellercomesdownthefrontstepsofthathouseonthejumpandnabsmebythecoatcollar。
　　“Didyoucomeoutofthishouse？”heasts。
　　“Idid，“Isays，wonderingwhatnext。
　　“Backinyougo，then，“hesays，marchingmeforwardtowardthemfrontsteps，“they'vegotsmallpoxinthere。“
　　Iliketoofjumpedloosewhenhesaysthat。
　　“Smallpoxain'tnoinducementtome，mister，“
　　Itellshim。Buthetwistedmycoatcollartightanddughisthumbsintomyneck，allthetimehelpingmeonwardwithhiskneefrombehind，andIseentheywasn'tnousepullingback。I
　　couldprobableoflickedthatman，butthey'snosysteminmixingupwiththemwell-dressedmenintownswheretheythinkyouareatramp。Thejudgewillgiveyoutheworstofit。
　　Herungthedoorbellandthegirlthatopenedthedoorshelookedkindo'surprisedwhensheseenme，andinwewent。
　　“TellProfessorBooththatDoctorWilkinswantstoseehimagain，“saysthemana-holto'
　　me，notlettingloosenone。Andwesaysnothingfurthertilltheperfessorcomes，whichhedoes，slowandabsent-minded。Whenheseenmehetookoffhisglassesso'shecouldseemebetter，andhesays：
　　“Whatisthatyouhavethere，DoctorWilkins？”
　　“Aguestforyou，“saysDoctorWilkins，grinningalloverhisself。“Ifoundhimleavingyourhouse。
　　Andyoubeingunderquarantine，andmebeingsecretarytotheboardofhealth，andthecitypest-housebeingcrowdedtoofullalready，I'llhavetoaskyoutokeephimheretillwegetMissMargeryontoherfeetagain，“hesays。Ortheywaswordstothateffect，asthelawyersastsyou。
　　“Dearme，“saysPerfesserBooth，kindo'help-
　　lesslike。AndhecomesoverclosettomeandlooksmealloverlikeIwasoneofthemamphimissourianlizardsinafreemuseum。Andthenhegoestothefootofthestairsandsingsoutinavoicethatwassobleached-outandflat-chesteditwouldoflookedjestlikehimhimselfifyoucouldofsawit——
　　“Estelle，“hesingsout，“oh，Estelle！”
　　Estelle，shecomedownstairslookinglikeshewastheperfessor'sbigbrother。Ifoundoutlatershewashisoldmaidsister。Shewasn'tnospringchicken，Estellewasn't，andtheywasacontinuousgrinonherface。Ifiggereditmustoffrozethereyearsandyearsago。Theywasakidabouttenorelevenyearsoldcomealongdownwithher，thathadhairdowntoitsshouldersanddidn'tlooklikeitknowedwhetheritwasagirloraboy。
　　MissEstelle，shelooksmeoverinawaythatmakesmeshiver，whilethedoctorandtheperfessorjawsaboutwhosefaultitisthesmallpoxsignain'tbeenhungout。Andwhenshewasdonelisteningshesaystotheperfessor：“Youhadbettergobacktoyourlaboratory。“Andtheperfessorhewentalongout，andthedoctorwithhim。
　　“Whatareyougoingtodowithhim，AuntEstelle？”thekidastsher。
　　“WhatwouldYOUsuggest，William，Dear？”astshisaunt。Iain'tfeelingverycomfortable，andI
　　wasgettingallreadyjesttonatcherallyboltoutthefrontdoornowthedoctorwasgone。ThenI
　　thinksitmightn'tbenobadplacetostayinfuracoupleo'days，evenriskingthesmallpox。FurIhadriccolectedIcouldn'tketchitnohow，havingbeenvaccinatedafewmonthsbeforeinTerryHuttbycompulsivemedicaladvice，mebeingfurawhiledoingsomeworkonthecitypavementsthroughamistakeaboutmeinthepolicecourt。
　　WilliamDearlooksatmelikeitwasthedayofjudgmentandhisjobwastokeepthefattedcalvesseparatefromthegoatsandprodigals，andhesays：
　　“IfIwereyou，AuntEstelle，thefirstthingwouldbetogethishaircutandhisfacewashedandthengethimsomeclothes。“
　　“WilliamDearismyfriend，“thinksI。
　　ShecallsJames，whichwasabutler。James，hebuttlesmeintoabathroomthelikeo'whichIneverseenafore，andthenhebuttlesmeintoasuito'somebody'sclothesandintoaroomatthetopo'thehousenexttohis'n，andthenhecomesbackandbuttlesacombandbrushatme。Jameswasthemostmournful-lookingfatmanIeverseen，andhesaysthataccountofmenotbeingrespectableIwillhavemymealsaloneinthekitchenaftertheservantshaseat。
　　ThefirstthingIknowedIbeeninthathousemore'naweek。IeatandIsleptandIsmokedandIkindofenjoyednotworryingaboutthingsfurawhile。Theonlyoncomfortablethingaboutbeingtheperfessor'sguestwasMissEstelle。Soon'sshefoundoutIwasaagnosticshetookchargeo'
　　myintellectualsandwhatwentinto'em，andshemakesmereadthingsandastsmeabout'em，andshesayssheisgoingfurtoreformme。Andwhat-
　　everbrando'disgracethemthereagnosticsreallyisIain'tfoundouttothisday，havingcomeacrostthewordaccidental。
　　BiddyMalone，whichwasthekitchenmechanic，shesaystheperfessor'swife'sbeenovertohermother'swhilethissmallpoxhasbeengoingon，andtheyisanurseinthehouselookingafterMissMargery，thelittlekidthat'ssick。AndBiddy，shesaysifshewasMrs。Boothshe'dstaythere，too。They'sbeensometalk，anyhow，aboutMrs。
　　Boothandamusicianfelleraroundthattheretown。ButBiddy，shelikesMrs。Booth，andevenifitwastrue，whichitain'tBiddysays，whocouldofblamedher？Furthingsain'tjoyousaroundthathousethelastyear，sinceMissEstelle'scometheretolive。Theperfessor，he'ssofullofscien-
　　tificshedon'tknownothingwithnosensetoit，Biddysays。He'sgotmoremoney'nyoucanshakeastickat，andhedon'thavetodonowork，norneverhas，andhisscientificsgetsworseandworseeveryyear。Butwhilescientificsisworryingtothenervesofafambly，andwhilehislabertoryoftenmakesthehousesmelllikeasickdrugstorehascrawledintoitanddiedthere，theywouldn'tofbeennoseriousrowonbetweentheperfessorandhiswife，notALLthetime，ifithadn'tofbeenfurMissEstelle。Shehasjestnatcherallymadeherselfbossofthattherehouse，Biddysays，andshe'sashe-devil。BetweenallthemscientificsandMissEstellethingshasgotwhereMrs。Boothcan'tstand'emmuchlonger。
　　Ididn'tblamehernonefurgettingsoreonherjob，neither。Youcan'texpectawomanthat'spurty，andknowsit，andain'tnomore'nthirty-twoorthree，anddon'tlookit，tobeseriousintrustedinmummiesandpickledsnakesandchemicalperfusions，notALLthetime。MebbywhenMrs。
　　Boothwouldasthimifhewasgoingtotakehertotheoperythatnighttheperfessorwouldlookupinanabsent-mindedsortofwayandastherdidsheknowthemGermanshadinventedanewgerm？Itwouldn'tofbeensobadiftheperfessorhadpickedoutjestonebrandofscientificsandstucktothatreg'lar。Mrs。BoothcouldofgotusetoanyONEkind。Butmebbythisweektheperfessorwouldbetookhardwithornithographyandhe'dgochasinghumming-birdsalloverthefrontyard，andthenexthe'dbeputtinggastronomyintoWilliam'sbreakfastfeed。
　　Theywasalwaysarowonoverthemkids，whichtheyhadn'tbeentillMissEstellecome。Mrs。
　　Booth，shesaidtheycouldkilltheirownselves，iftheywantedto，himandMissEstelle，butshehadmorerightthananyoneelsetosaywhatwentintoWilliam'sandMargery'sdigestiveornaments，andshedidn'twant'embrungupscientificnohow，butjesthuman。ButMissEstelle'sgotsosherunsthathullhousenow，andtheperfessortoo，buthedon'tknowit，Biddysays，andhera-sayingeverynowandthenitwastoobadFrederickcouldn'tofmarriedanoblewomanwhowouldoftookaseriousintrustinhiswork。Thekidsdon'thardlydaretokisstheirmainfrontofMissEstellenomore，onaccountofgermsandthings。AndwithMissEstelletakingcareoftheirreligiousorgansandtheirintellectualsandthethingslikethat，andtheperfessorfillingthemuponnewinventedfeeds，I
　　guesstheyneverwastwokidsgotmoreeducationtothesquareinch，outsideandin。Ithadn'tworkednoneonMissMargeryyet，herbeingyounger，butWilliamDearhetookithardandserious，anditmadebumpsalloverhishead，andhewaskindo'paleandspindly。Everytimethatkidcuthisfingerhejestnatcherallybledscientifics。OnedayIsaystoMissEstelle，saysI：
　　“ItlookstomelikeWilliamDeariskindofpeaked。“Shelooksworriedandshelooksmadfurmelippingin，andthenshesaysmebbyitistrue，butshedon'tseewhy，becauseheisbeingbrunguplikeheorterbeineverywayandnoex-
　　pensenortroublespared。
　　“Well，“saysI，“whatakidaboutthatsizewantstodoistogetoutandrollaroundinthedirtsome，andyellandholler。“
　　ShesniffslikeIwasn'tworthtakingnonoticeof。Butitkindo'soakedin，too。Sheandtheperfessormustoftalkeditover。FurthenextdayIseenherspreadingaoilclothonthehallfloor。AndthenJamescomesabuttlinginwithalotofsandwhattheperfessorhasbakedandmadeallscientificdowninhislabertory。James，hepoursallthatnice，cleandirtontotheoilclothandthenMissEstellesendsfurWilliamDear。
　　“WilliamDear，“shesays，“wehavedecided，yourpapaandI，thatwhatyouneedismoreromp-
　　ingaroundandplayingalongwithyourstudies。
　　Yououghttogetclosertothesoilandtonature，asismorehealthyforayouthofyourage。Soforanhoureachday，betweenyourstudies，youwillrompandplayinthissand。Youmaybegintofrolicnow，WilliamDear，andthenJameswillsweepupthedirtagainforto-morrow'sfrolic。“
　　ButWilliamdidn'tfrolicnone。Hejestlookedatthatdirtinasadkindo'way，andhesaysveryseriousbutverydecided：
　　“AuntEstelle，IshallNOTfrolic。“Andtheyhadtoletitgoatthat，furheneverwouldfrolicnone，neither。Andallthatnicecleandirtwasthrowedoutinthebackyardalongwiththeunscientificdirt。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　OnenightwhenI'vebeentheremore'naweek，andamgettingkindo'tiredstayinginoneplacesolong，Idon'twanttogotobedafterIeats，andIgetsa-holtofsomeoftheperfessor'scigarsandgoesintothelib'arytoseeifhe'sgotanythingfittoread。SettingtherethinkingoftheawfulremarkablepeopletheyisinthisworldImustofwenttosleep。Purtysoon，inmysleep，Ihearntwovoices。ThenIwakedupsudden，andstillhearn'em，lowandquick-
　　like，intheroomthatopensrightoffofthelib'arywithacoupleofthemslidingdoorslikeisontoaboxcar。Onevoicewasawoman'svoice，anditwasn'tMissEstelle's。
　　“ButIMUSTseethembeforewego，Henry，“
　　shesays。
　　Andtheotherwasaman'svoiceanditwasn'tnoonearoundourhouse。
　　“But，myGod，“hesays，“supposeyougetityourself，Jane！”
　　Isetupstraightthen，furJanewastheperfessor'swife'sfirstname。
　　“YoumeansupposeYOUgetit，“shesays。I
　　liketoofseenthelookshemustofgivehimtofitinwiththewayshesaysthatYOU。Hedidn'tsaynothing，themandidn't；andthenhervoicesoftensdownsome，andshesays，lowandslow：
　　“Henry，wouldn'tyoulovemeifIDIDgetit？
　　Supposeitmarkedandpittedmeallup？”
　　“Oh，ofcourse，“hesays，“ofcourseIwould。
　　NothingcanchangethewayIfeel。YOUknowthat。“Hesaiditquickenough，allright，jestthewaytheydoesinashow，butitsoundedTOOMUCH
　　likeitdoesonthestagetoofsuitedmeif_I_'Dbeenher。Iseenfolksoverdothemlittletalksbeforethis。
　　Ilistenssomemore，andthenIseeshowitis。
　　ThisisthatmusicianfellerBiddyMalone'sbeentalkingabout。Jane'sgoingtorunoffwithhimallright，butshe'sgottokissthekidsfirst。Womenislikethat。Theymayhatethekids'paallright，butthey'sdad-burnedfewof'emdon'tlikethekids。Ithinkstomyself：“Itmustbelate。
　　Ibettheywasalreadystarted，orreadytostart，andshemadehimbringherherefirstso'sshecouldsneakinandseethekids。Shejestsimplycouldn'tgetby。Butshe'stakingafoolrisk，too。Furhow'sshegoingtoseeMargerywiththatnursecomingandgoingandhangingaroundallnight？
　　AndevenifshetriesjesttoseeWilliamDearit'satentooneshothe'llwakeupandshe'llbeketchedatit。“
　　AndthenIthinks，supposesheISketchedatit？
　　Whatofit？Ain'tawomangotarighttocomeintoherownhousewithherowndoorkey，eveniftheyisaquarantineontoit，andseeherkids？Andifsheisketchedseeingthem，howwouldanyoneknowshewasgoingtorunoff？Andain'tshegotarighttohaveafriendofhernandherhusband'sbringheroverfromhermother'shouse，evenifitisalittlelate？
　　ThenIseenshewasn'ttakingnogreatrisksneither，andIthinksmebbyIbettergoandtellthatperfessorwhatisgoingon，furhehastreatedmepurtywhite。AndthenIthinks：“I'llbegosh-dernedifImeddle。SofurasIcanseethatthereperfessorain'tgettingfurfromwhat'scomingtohim，nohow。AndasfurHER，yougottoletsomepeoplefindoutwhattheywantfurtheir-
　　selves。Anyhow，wheredo_I_comeinat？”
　　ButIwanttogetalookatherandHenry，anyhow。SoIeasesoffmyshoes，careful-like，andIeasesacrostthefloortothemslidingdoors，andIputsmyeyedowntothelittlecrack。Thetalkisgoingbackwardandforwardbetweenthemtwo，himwantinghertocomeawayquick，andherundecidedwhethertoriskseeingthekids。Andallthetimeshe'skindo'hopingmebbyshewillbeketchedifshetriestoseethekids，andshe'sbeggingofffurmoretimeginerally。
　　Well，sir，Ididn'tblamethatmusicianfellernonewhenIseenher。Shewasapeach。
　　AndIcouldn'tblamehersomuch，neither，whenIthoughtofMissEstelleandallthemscientificsoftheperfessor'sstrungoutfuryearsandyearsworldwithoutend。
　　Yet，whenIseentheman，Isorto'wishedshewouldn't。IseenrightoffthatHenrywouldn'tdo。Ittakesamanwithalotofgumptiontokeepawomanfeelinggoodandnotsorryfurdoingitwhenhe'smarriedtoher。Butittakesamanwithtwicetasmuchtomakeherfeelrightwhentheyain'tmarried。Thisfellerwearsoneofthemlittle，brown，pointedbeardsfurtohidewherehischinain't。Andhiseyesistoomuchlikeawoman's。Whichisthekindthatgetsthebiggestpieceofpieatthelunchcounterandfergitstothankthegirlascutsitbig。Shewassettinginfrontofatable，twistingherfingerstogether，andhewaswalkingupanddown。Iseenhewasmadandtryingnottoshowit，andIseenhewasscaredofthesmallpoxandtryingnottoshowthat，too。
　　Andjestaboutthattimesomethinghappenedthatkindo'joltedme。
　　Theywasoneofthembigchairsintheroomwheretheywasthathasgotahighbackandspinsaroundonitself。Itwasrightacrostfromme，ontheothersideoftheroom，anditwasfacingthefrontwindow，whichwasabowwindow。Andthattherechairbeginstoturn，slowandeasy。
　　FirstIthoughtshewasn'tturning。ThenIseenshewas。ButJaneandHenrydidn't。Theywasalltookupwitheachotherinthemiddleoftheroom，withtheirbackstoit。
　　Henryisa-beggingofJane，andsheturnsalittlemore，thatchairdoes。Willshesqueak，I
　　wonders？
　　“Don'tyoubeafool，Jane，“saystheHenryfeller。
　　Aroundshecomesthreehullinches，thattherechair，andnaryasqueak。
　　“Afool？”astsJane，andlaughs。“AndI'mnotafooltothinkofgoingwithyouatall，then？”
　　Thatchair，shemovedsixinchesmoreandI
　　seenthecalfofalegandpartofacrumpled-upcoattail。
　　“ButIAMgoingwithyou，Henry，“saysJane。
　　Andshegetsupjestlikesheisgoingtoputherarmsaroundhim。
　　ButJanedon't。Furthatchairswingscleararoundandtheresetstheperfessor。He'sallhunchedupandcavedinandhe'srubbinghiseyeslikehe'sjestwokeuprecent，andhe'sgotagrinontohisfacethatmakeshimlooklikehissisterEstellelooksallthetime。
　　“Excuseme，“saystheperfessor。
　　Theybothswingsaroundandfaceshim。Icanhearmyheartbumping。Janeneversaysaword。
　　Themanwiththebrownbeardneversaysaword。
　　Butiftheyfeltlikemetheybothfeltlikelayingrightdownthereandhavingafit。Theylooksathimandhejestsetsthereandgrinsatthem。
　　ButafterawhileJane，shesays：
　　“Well，nowyouKNOW！Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？”
　　Henry，hestartstosaysomethingtoo。But——
　　“Don'tstartanything，“saystheperfessortohim。“YOUaren'tgoingtodoanything。“Ortheywaswordstothateffect。
　　“ProfessorBooth，“hesays，seeinghehasgottosaysomethingorelseJanewillthinktheworseofhim，“Iam——“
　　“Keepstill，“saystheperfessor，realquiet。“I'lltendtoyouinaminuteortwo。YOUdon'tcountformuch。Thisthingismostlybetweenmeandmywife。“
　　WhenhetalkssodecidedIthinksmebbythatperfessorhasgotsomethingintohimbesidesscienceafterall。Jane，shelookskindo'surprisedherself。Butshesaysnothing，except：
　　“Whatareyougoingtodo，Frederick？”Andshelaughsoneofthemmeankindoflaughs，andlooksatHenrylikeshewantedhimtospunkupalittlemore，andsays：“WhatCANyoudo，Fred-
　　erick？”
　　Frederick，hesays，notexcitedabit：
　　“There'squiteanumberofthingsICOULDdothatwouldlookbadwhentheygotintothenews-
　　papers。Butit'snoneofthem，unlessoneofyouforcesmetoit。“Thenhesays：
　　“YouDIDwanttoseethechildren，Jane？”
　　Shenodded。
　　“Jane，“hesays，“can'tyouseeI'mthebetterman？”
　　Theperfessor，hewaswokeupafterallthemyearsofscientifics，andhedidn'twanttoseehergo。“Lookathim，“hesays，pointingtothefellerwiththebrownbeard，“he'sscaredstiffrightnow。“
　　WhichIwouldofbeenscaredmyselfifI'da-beenketchedthat-a-waylikeHenrywas，andtheper-
　　fessor'svoicesoundinglikeyouwaschoppingiceeverytimehespoke。Iseentheperfessordidn'twanttohavenobloodonthecarpetwithouthehadtohaveit，butIseenhewasmakinguphismindaboutsomething，too。Jane，shesays：
　　“YOUabetterman？YOU？Youthinkyou'vebeenamodelhusbandjustbecauseyou'veneverbeatenme，don'tyou？”
　　“No，“saystheperfessor，“I'vebeenablamedfoolallright。I'vebeenaworsefool，maybe，thanifIHADbeatenyou。“ThenheturnstoHenryandhesays：
　　“Duelsareoutoffashion，aren'tthey？Andaplainkillinglooksbadinthepapers，doesn'tit？
　　Well，youjustwaitforme。“Withwhichhegetsupandtrotsout，andIhearnhimrunningdownstairstohislabertory。
　　Henry，he'druthergonow。Hedon'twanttowait。ButwithJanea-lookingathimhe'sshamednottowait。It'shisplacetomakesomekindofastrongactionnowtoshowJaneheisagreatman。
　　Buthedon'tdoit。AndJaneistoomuchofathoroughbredtoshowhimsheexpectsit。Andme，I'mgettingthefidgetsandwonderingtomyself，“Whatisthatthereperfessoruptonow？What-
　　everitis，itain'tlikenooneelse。Heislooney，thatperfessoris。Andsheiskindo'looney，too。
　　Iwonderiftheyisanyonethatain'tlooneysome-
　　times？”Ibeenaroundthecountryagood'eal，too，andseenandhearnofsomeawfulremarkablethings，andIneverseennoonethatwasn'tmoreorlesslooneywhentheSEARCHUSTHEFEMMcomesintothecase。WhichisaDagowordIgotout'nanewspaperanditmeans：“Whowasthedeadgent'sladyfriend？”Andweallsetandsweatandgotthefidgetswaitingfurthatperfessortocomeback。
　　WhichhedonewiththatSisterEstellegrinontohisfaceandapillboxinhishand。Theywastwopillsinthebox。Hesays，placidandchilly：
　　“Yes，sir，duelsareoutoffashion。Thisistheageofscience。Allthesame，theonethatgetsherhasgottofightforher。Ifsheisn'tworthfightingfor，sheisn'tworthhaving。Herearetwopills。Imade'emmyself。Onehasenoughpoisoninittokillaregimentwhenitgetstoworkingwell——whichitdoesfifteenminutesafteritistaken。Theotheronehasgotnothingharmfulinit。Ifyougetthepoisonone，Ikeepher。IfI
　　getit，youcanhaveher。OnlyIhopeyouwillwaitlongenoughafterI'mdeadsotherewon'tbeanyscandalaroundtown。“
　　Henry，heneversaidaword。Heopenedhismouth，butnothingcomeofit。WhenhedonethatIthoughtIhearnhistonguescrapeaginhischeekontheinsidelikeapieceofsand-paper。
　　Hewasscared，Henrywas。
　　“ButYOUknowwhichiswhich，“Janesingsout。
　　“Thething'snotfair！”
　　“ThatisthereasonmydearJaneisgoingtoshufflethesepillsaroundeachotherherself，“saystheperfessor，“andthenpickoutoneforhimandoneforme。YOUdon'tknowwhichiswhich，Jane。Andasheisthefavourite，heisgoingtogetthefirstchance。IfhegetstheoneIwanthimtoget，hewillhavejustfifteenminutestoliveaftertakingit。Inthatfifteenminuteshewillpleasetowalksofarfrommyhousethathewon'tdienearitandmakeascandal。Iwon'thaveascandalwithoutIhaveto。Everythingisgoingtobeniceandquietandrespectable。Theeffectofthepoisonissimilartoheartfailure。Noonecantellthedifferenceonthecorpse。There'sgoingtobenobloodanywhere。Iwillbefounddeadinmyhouseinthemorningwithheartfailure，orelsehewillbepickedupdeadinthestreet，farenoughawaysoastomakenotalk。“Ortheywaswordstothateffect。
　　Heisrubbingitinconsiderable，Ithinks，thatperfessoris。IwonderifIbetterjumpinandstopthehullthing。ThenIthinks：“No，it'sbetweenthemthree。“Besides，Iwanttoseewhichoneisgoingtogetthatthereloadedpill。Ialwaysbeenintrustedingamesofchancetofallkinds，andwhenIseentheperfessorwassuchasport，I'msorryIbeenmisjudginghimallthistime。
　　Jane，shelooksatthebox，andshebreatheshardandquick。
　　“Iwon'ttouch'em，“shesays。“Irefusetobeapartytoanymurderofthatkind。“
　　“Huh？Youdo？”saystheperfessor。“Butthetimewhenyoumighthaverefusedhasgoneby。
　　Youhavemadeyourselfapartytoitalready。
　　You'rereallytheMAINpartytoit。
　　“Butdoasyoulike，“hegoeson。“I'mgivinghimmorechancethanIoughttowiththosepills。
　　Imightshoothim，andIwould，andthenfacethemusic，ifitwasn'tformixingthechildrenupinthescandal，Jane。Ifyouwanttoseehimgetafairchance，Jane，you'vegottohandoutthesepills，onetohimandthenonetome。YOUmustkilloneortheotherofus，orelse_I_'LLkillHIMtheotherway。AndYOUhadbetterpickoneoutforhim，because_I_knowwhichiswhich。Orelselethimpickoneoutforhimself，“hesays。
　　Henry，hewasn'tsayingnothing。Ithoughthehadfainted。Buthehadn't。Iseenhimlickinghislips。IbetHenry'smouthwasalldryinside。
　　Jane，shetooktheboxandshewentroundinfrontofHenryandshelookedathimhard。Shelookedathimlikeshewasthinking：“FurGod'ssake，spunkupsome，andtakeoneifitDOESkillyou！”Thenshesaysoutloud：“Henry，ifyoudieIwilldie，too！”
　　AndHenry，hetookone。Hishandshook，buthetookitout'nthebox。IfshehadoflookedlikethatatmemebbyIwouldoftookonemyself。
　　FurJane，shewasapeach，shewas。ButIdon'tknowwhetherIwouldofornot。Whenshemakesthatbragaboutdying，Ilookedattheperfessor。
　　Whatshesaidneverfazedhim。AndIthinksagin：
　　“MebbyIbetterjumpinnowandstopthisthing。“
　　AndthenIthinksagin：“No，itisbetweenthemthreeandProvidence。“Besides，I'manxioustoseewhoisgoingtogetthatpillwiththescienceinit。IgetstofeelingjestlikeProvidencehisselfwasinthatthereroompickingoutthempillswithhisownhands。AndIwasanxioustoseewhatProvidence'sideasofrightandwrongwaslike。
　　SofurasIcouldseetheywasallthreeinthewrong，butifIhadofbeeninthererunningthempillsinProvidence'splaceIwouldofletthemalloffkindo'easy。
　　Henry，heain'teathispillyet。Heisjestlookingatitandshaking。Theperfessorpullsouthiswatchandlaysitonthetable。
　　“Itisaquarterpasteleven，“hesays。“Mr。
　　Murray，areyougoingtomakemeshootyou，afterall？Ididn'twantascandal，“hesays。
　　“It'sforyoutosaywhetheryouwanttoeatthatpillandgetyourevenchance，orwhetheryouwanttogetshot。Theshootingmethodissure，butitcausestalk。Thesepillswon't。WHICH？”
　　Andhepullsarevolver。WhichIsupposehehadgotthattoowhenhewentdownafterthempills。
　　Henry，helooksatthegun。
　　Thenhelooksatthepill。
　　Thenheswallersthepill。
　　Theperfessorputshisgunbackintohispocket，andthenheputshispillintohismouth。Hedon'tswallerit。Helooksatthewatch，andhelooksatHenry。
　　“Sixteenminutespasteleven，“hesays。“AT
　　EXACTLYTWENTY-NINEMINUTESTOTWELVEMR。MURRAY
　　WILLBEDEAD。Igottheharmlessone。Icantellbythetaste。“
　　Andheputthepiecesoutintohishand，toshowthathehaschewedhis'nup，notbeingwillingtowaitfifteenminutesfuraverdictfromhisdigestiveornaments。Thenheputthempiecesbackintohismouthandchewed'emupandswallered'emdownlikehewaseatingcoughdrops。
　　Henryhasgotsweatbreakingoutalloverhisface，andhetriestomakefurthedoor，buthefallsdownontoasofa。
　　“Thisismurder，“hesays，weak-like。Andhetriestogetupagain，butthistimehefallstothefloorinadeadfaint。
　　“It'sadernshortfifteenminutes，“Ithinkstomyself。“ThatperfessormustofputmorescienceintoHenry'spillthanhethoughthedidfurittoofknockedhimoutthisquick。Itain'tskeerclythreeminutes。“
　　WhenHenryfallsthewomanstaggersandtriestothrowherselfontopofhim。Thecornersofhermouthwasalldraweddown，andhereyeswasturnedup。Butshedon'tyellnone。Shecan't。
　　Shetries，butshejestgurglesinherthroat。Theperfessorwon'tletherfallacrostHenry。Heketchesher。“Situp，Jane，“hesays，withthatEstellelookontohisface，“andletushaveatalk。“
　　Shelooksathimwithnomoresenseinherfacethanapieceofputtyhasgot。Butshecan'tlookawayfromhim。
　　AndI'mkindo'paralyzed，too。Ifthatfellerlayingonthefloorhadonlyjestkickedoncet，orgrunted，ordonesomething，Icouldofloosenedupandyelled，andIwouldof。IjestNEEDEDtofetchayell。ButHenryain'tmore'ndroppeddowntheretillI'mfeelingjestlikehe'dALWAYSbeenthere，andI'dALWAYSbeenstaringintothatroom，andthelastwordanyonespokewassaidhundredsandhundredsofyearsago。
　　“You'reamurderer，“saysJaneinawhisper，lookingattheperfessorinthatstare-eyedway。
　　“You'reaMURDERER，“shesays，sayingitlikeshewastryingtomakeherselffeelsurehereallywasone。
　　“Murder！”saystheperfessor。“DidyouthinkIwasgoingtorunanychancesforapuplikehim？
　　He'sscared，that'sall。He'sjustfaintedthroughfright。He'sacoward。Thosepillswerebothjustbreadandsugar。He'llbeallrightinaminuteortwo。I'vejustbeenshowingyouthatthefellowhasn'tgotnerveenoughnorbrainsenoughforafinewomanlikeyou，Jane，“hesays。
　　ThenJanebeginstosobandlaugh，bothtooncet，kindo'wildlike，hervoicecluckinglikeahendoes，andshesays：
　　“It'sworsethen，it'sworse！It'sworseformethanifitwereamurder！Somefarcescanbemoretragicthananytragedyeverwas，“shesays。Ortheywaswordstothateffect。
　　AndifHenryhadofbeenreallydeadshecouldn'toftookitnoharderthanshebeguntotakeitnowwhenshesawhewasalive，butjestwasn'tnogood。
　　ButIseenshewastakingonfurherselfnowmore'nfurHenry。DoctorKirbyalwaysusetosaywomenismadeunlikemostotheranimalsinmanyways。
　　Whentheyisfoolishaboutamantheycanstandtohavethatmankilledagood'ealbetterthantohavehimshowedupridiculousrightinfrontofthem。Theywillstillbecrazyaboutthemanthatisdead，evenifhewascrooked。Buttheydon'tneverforgivethefellowthatletshimselfbemadeafoolandletsthemlookfoolish，too。AndwhentheperfessorkicksHenryintheribs，andHenrycomestoandsneaksout，Jane，shenevereventurnsherheadandlooksathim。
　　“Jane，“saystheperfessor，whenshequietsdownsome，“youhavealoto'thingstoforgiveme。ButdoyousupposeIhavelearnedenoughsothatwecanmakeagoofitifwestartalloveragain？”
　　ButJanesheneversaidnothing。
　　“Jane，“hesays，“EstelleisgoingbacktoNewEngland，assoonasMargerygetswell，andshewillstaythereforgood。“
　　Jane，shebeginstotakealittleintrustthen。
　　“DidEstelletellyouso？”sheasts。
　　“No，“saystheperfessor。“Estelledoesn'tknowityet。I'mgoingtobreakthenewstoherinthemorning。“
　　ButJanestillhateshim。She'smakingherselfhatehimhard。Shewouldn'tofbeenahumanwomanifshehadletherselfbecoaxedupalltooncet。Purtysoonshesays：“I'mtired。“Andshewentoutlookingliketheperfessorwasaperfectstranger。Shewasapeace，Janewas。
　　Aftersheleft，theperfessorsettherequiteaspellandsmoked。Andhewaslookingtiredout，too。
　　Theywasn'tnomistakeaboutme。Iwasjestdeadallthroughmylegs。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　Iwasdownintheperfessor'slabertoryoneday，andthatwasaqueerplace。Theywaseverykindofscientificsthathaseverbeendis-
　　coveredinit。Somewaspickledinbottlesandsomewasstuffedandsomewaspinnedtothewallswiththeirwingsspreadout。Ifyoutookholdofanything，itwaslikelytobeaskullandgiveyoutheshiversorsomeelectriccontraptionandshockyou；andifyoutippedoverajaranditbroke，enoughgermsmightgetloosetoslaughterahulltown。Iwashelpingtheperfessortounpackalotofstuffsomefriendshadsenthim，andInoticedabottlethathadontoit，blowedintheglass：
　　DANIEL，DUNNEANDCOMPANY
　　“That'sfunny，“saysI，outloud。
　　“Whatis？”aststheperfessor。
　　IshowedhimthebottleandtoldhimhowIwasnamedafterthecompanythatmade'em。Hesaystolookaroundme。Theyisallkindsofglass-
　　wareinthatroom——bottlesandjarsandqueer-
　　shapedthingswithcrookedtailsandnoses——andnigheverypieceofglasstheperfessorownsismadebythatcompany。
　　“Why，“saystheperfessor，“theirfactoryisinthisverytown。“
　　AndnothingwoulddofurmebutImustgoandseethatfactory。Icouldn'ttillthequarantinewaspriedloosefromourhouse。Butwhenitwas，I
　　wentdowntownandhunteduptheplaceandlookedherover。
　　Itwasabigfactory，andIwaskindofproudofthat。Iwasgladshewasn'tnomeasly，little，old-
　　fashioned，run-downconcern。Ofcourse，Iwasn'treallynorelationtoitanditwasn'tnonetome。
　　ButIwasnamedfurit，too，anditcomeaboutasneartobeingafamblyasanythingIhadeverhadorwaslikelytofind。SoIwasprouditseemedtobedoingsowell。
　　IthinksasIlooksatherofthethousandsandthousandsofbottlesthathasbeencomingoutoftherefuryearsandyears，andwillbefuryearsandyearstocome。Andonebottlenotsomuchdifferentfromanotherone。Andallthatwasreallyknowedaboutmewasjestthenameononeoutofallthemmillionsandmillionsofbottles。Itmademefeelkindofqueer，whenIthoughtofthat，asifIdidn'thavenoseparateplaceintheworldanymorethanoneofthemmillionsofbottles。Ifanyonewillshuthiseyesandsayhisownnameoverandoveraginfurquiteaspell，hewillgetkindofwonderizedandmesmerizeda-doingit——hewillbegintowonderwhothedickensheis，anyhow，andwhatheis，andwhatthedifferencebetweenhimandthenextfelleris。HewillwonderwhyhehappenstobehimselfandthenextfellerHIMSELF。
　　Hewonderswherehimselfleavesoffandtherestoftheworldbegins。Ibeenthatwaymyself——allwonderized，sothatIfeltjestlikeIwasameltingpieceofthehullcreation，anditwasallshiftinganddriftingandchangingandflowing，andnotsolidanywhere，andIcouldhardlykeepmyselffromflowingintoit。Itmakesapersonfeelawfulqueer，likeseeingaghostwould。ItmakeshimfeellikeHEwasn'tnosoliderthanaghosthimself。Well，ifyoueverdonethatandgotthatfeeling，youKNOW
　　whatImean。Allofasudden，whenIamtryingtotakeinallthemmillionsandmillionsofbottles，itrushedontome，thatfeeling，strong。Thinkingofthembottleshadsomehowbrungiton。Thebignessofthehullcreation，andthesmallnessofme，andthegaitatwhicheverythingwasracingandrushingahead，mademewanttograbholdofsomethingsolidandhangon。
　　Ireachedoutmyhand，andithitsomethingsolidallright。Itwasafellerwhowaswheelingoutahandtruckloadedwithboxesfromtheshippingdepartment。Ihadbeenstandingbytheshippingdepartmentdoor，andIreachedrightaginhim。
　　HewantstoknowifIamdrunkorablankedfool。SoaftersometalkofthatkindIborrowsachewoftobaccoofhimandwegetsrightwellacquainted。
　　Ihelpedhimfinishloadinghiswagonandrodeovertothefreightdepotwithhimandhelpedhimunloadher。LiftingoneofthemboxesdownfromthewagonIgotsuchashockIliketoofdroppedher。
　　Furshewasmarkedsomanydozen，glass，handlewithcare，andshewasaddressedtoDr。HartleyL。Kirby，Atlanta，Ga。
　　Imanagedtogetthatboxontotheplatformwith-
　　outbustingher，andthenIsetsdownontopofherawfulweak。
　　“What'sthematter？”aststhefellerIwaswith。
　　“Nothing，“saysI。
　　“Youlooksick，“hesays。AndIWASfeelingthat-a-way。
　　“MebbyIdo，“saysI，“andit'senoughtoshakeafelleruptofindadeadmancometolifesuddenlikethis。“
　　“Greatsnakes，no！”sayshe，lookingallaround，“where？”
　　ButIdidn'tstoptochewtheragnone。Ilefthimrightthere，withhismouthwideopen，staringaftermelikeIwascrazy。HalfablockawayI
　　lookedbackandIseenhimdoubleoverandslaphiskneeandlaughloud，likehehadhearnabigjoke，butwhathewaslaughingatIneverknew。
　　Iwastickled。Tickled？JestsotickledIwasplumbfoolishwithit。Thedoctorwasaliveafterall——Ikeptsayingitoverandovertomyself——hehadn'tdrowndednorblowedaway。AndIwasgo-
　　ingtohunthimup。
　　Ihadalittlemoney。Theperfessorhadpaidittome。Hehadgivemeajobhelpingtakecareofhishossesandthingslikethat，andwantedmetostay，andIhadbeenthinkingmebbyIwouldfurawhile。Butnotnow！
　　IcalkelatedIcouldgrabaridethatverynightthatwouldputmeintoEvansvillethenextmorning。
　　IfiggeredifIketchedathroughfreightfromthereonthenextnightImightgetwherehewasalmostasquickasthembottlesdid。
　　Ididn'tthinkitwasnousewritingoutmyresignationfurtheperfessor。ButIgotquiteabitofgrubfromBiddyMalonetomakeastarton，furIdidn'tfiggeronspendingnomoremoneythanI
　　hadtoongrub。Sheastsmealotofquestions，andIhadtolietoheragooddeal，butIgotthegrub。
　　AndattenthatnightIwasinanemptybumpingalongsouth，alongwithacross-eyedfellernamedLooneyHoganwhohappenedtobetravellingthesameway。
　　Ridingontrainswithoutpayingfareain'talwaystheeasythingitsounds。Itislikeatradethathasgottobelearned。Theyisdifferentwaysofdoingit。Ihavedoneeverywayfrequent，exceptone。
　　ThatIgiveupaftertryinghertwo，threetimes。
　　Thatisridingtherodsdownunderneaththecars，withapieceofboardputacrost'emtolayyourselfon。
　　IneverwanttogoANYWHERESaginbadenoughtoridetherods。
　　Becausesometimesyouarrivewhereyouaregoingtopartlysmearedoverthetrucksandinnocondi-
　　tionfurtobemadewelcometoourcity，asDoctorKirbywouldsay。Sometimesyoudon'tarrive。
　　Everyoncetinawhileyoureadalittlepieceinanewspaperaboutamanbeingfoundalongsidethetracks，considerablecutup，orlayingrightacrostthem，mebby。Heisheldinthemorgueawhileandnooneknowswhoheis，andnoneofthetraincrewknowstheyhasrunoveraman，andtheengineersaystheywasn'tnoneonthetrack。More'nlikelythatfellerhasbeenridingtherods，alongaboutthemiddleofthetrain。Mebbyhelethimselfgotosleepandjestrolledoff。Mebbyhispieceofboardslippedandhefellwhenthetrainjolted。Ormebbyhejestnatcherallymadeuphismindheratherletlooseandgetsquashedthengetanymorecindersintohiseyes。RidingtheblindbaggageorthebumpersgivesmealltheexcitementIwants，orallthegamblingchanceteither；otherscanhavetherodsfurallofme。AndtheyISsomepeopleack-
　　shallysaystheylikes'embest。
　　Agoodplace，ifitiswintertime，isthefeedrackoveracattlecar，furtheheatandsteamfromallthemsteersintherewillkeepyouwarm。Butdon'tcrawlinnolumbercarthatisonlyloadedabouthalffull，andshortlengthsandbundlesoflathsandshinglesinher；furtheyislikelytogettoshiftingandbumping。Baledhayispurtygoodsometimes。
　　Myself，notbeinglikethesebumsthatistooproudtowork，Ihaveoftenhelpedthefiremanshovelcoalandpaidfurmyridethat-a-way。Butanempty，furgineralpurposes，willdoaboutaswellasanything。
　　ThisfellerLooneyHoganthatwaswithmewasakindofaharmlesscritter，andhedidn'tknowjestwherehewasgoing，norwhy。Hewasmostlyscaredofthings，andifyouspoketohimquickheshiveredfirstandthengrinnedidioticsoyouwouldn'tkickhim，andwhenhetalkedhehadasillylittlegiggle。Hehadbeenmadethat-a-wayinareformschoolwheretheytookhimyoungandtriedtoworkthecussednessout'nhimbybattinghimaround。Theyworkeditout，andpurtynighevery-
　　thingelsealongwithit，Iguess。LooneyhadhadapardnerwhosenamewasSlim，hesaid；butacoupleofyearsbeforeSlimhadfelloverboardoff'nabargeuptoDuluthandnevercomeupagin。
　　LooneyknowedSlimwasdrowndedallright，buthewasalwaystravellingaroundlookingattanksandfreightdepotsandswitchshanties，furSlim'smarktobefreshcutwithaknifesomewheres，sohewouldknowwheretofollerandketchupwithhimagin。HeknowedhewouldneverfindSlim'smark，hesaid，buthekepta-looking，andheguessedthatwasthewayhegotthenameofLooney。
　　LooneyleftmeatEvansville。Hesaidhewasgoingeastfromthere，heguessed。AndIwentalongsouth。ButIwashinderedconsiderable，beingputoffoftrainsthreeorfourtimes，andhav-
　　ingtograbthesehereslowlocalfreightsbetweentownsallthewaydownthroughKentuckey。Any-
　　wheressouthoftheOhioRiverandeastoftheMississippiRivertrainmenisgrouchiertothemtheythinksisbumsthannorthofit，anyhow。Andinsomepartsofit，ifarealbumgetspinched，heavenhelp'im，furnothingelsewon't。
　　Onenight，betweentwelveandoneo'clock，IwasputoffofafreighttrainfurthesecondtimeinaplaceinthenorthernpartofTennessee，rightneartheKentuckeyline。Isetdowninalumberyardneartherailroadtrack，andwhenshestartedupaginIgrabbedontotheironladderandswungmy-
　　selfaboard。Butthebrakemanwaswatchingfurme，andclumbdowntheladderandstampedonmyfingers。SoIdroppedoff，withonefingercon-
　　siderablemashed，andsetdowninthatlumberyardwonderingwhatnext。
　　Itwasadarknight，andsofurasIcouldseetheywasn'tmuchmovinginthattown。Onlyafewplaceswaslitup。Onewaswayacrostthetownsquarefromme，anditwasthetelephoneexchange，withamanoperatorreadingabookinthere。Theotherwasthetelegraphroominthedepotaboutahundredyardsfromme，andtheywasonlytwofellersinit，bothsmoking。Themainbusinesspartofthetownwasbuiltuparoundthesquare，likelotsofold-fashionedtownsis，andtheywasjestenoughbrightnessfromfour，fiveelectriclightstoshowtheshapeofthesquareandbereflectedfromthewindowsoftheclosed-upstores。
　　Iknowedtheywaslikelyawatchmansomewheresabout，too。IguessedIwouldn'twanderaroundnoneandrunnochancesofgettingtookupbyhim。
　　SoIwasgettingreadytolaydownontopofalevelpileofboardsandgotosleepwhenIhearnacuriouskindofnoiseawayoff，likeitmustbeattheedgeoftown。
　　Itsoundedlikequiteabunchofcattlemightshufflingalongadustyroad。Thenightwassoquietyoucouldhearthingsplainfromalongwaysoff。Itgrowedalittlelouderandalittlenearer。
　　Andthenitstruckaplankbridgesomewheres，andcomeacrostitwithaclatter。ThenIknoweditwasn'tcattle。Cowsandsteersdon'tmakethatcanteringkindofnoiseasarule；theytrot。Itwashossescrossingthatbridge。Andtheywasquitealotof'em。
　　Astheystruckthedirtroadagin，Ihearnashot。
　　Andthenanotherandanother。Thenadozenalltooncet，andawayoffthroughthenightawomanscreamed。
　　IseenthemaninthetelephoneplaceflingdownhisbookandgrabapistolfromIdon'tknowwhere。
　　Hesteppedoutintothestreetandfiredthreeshotsintotheairasfastashecouldpullthetrigger。Andashedonesotheywasalightflashedoutinabuild-
　　ingwaydowntherailroadtrack，andshotscomeansweringfromthere。Men'svoicesbegantoyellout；theywasthenoiseofpeoplerunningalongplanksidewalks，andwindowsopeninginthedark。
　　Thenwitharushthegallopingnoisecomenearer，comecloset；racedbytheplacewhereIwashiding，andnighahundredmenwithgunssweptrightintothemiddleofthatsquareandpulledtheirhossesup。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　Iseenthefellerfromthetelephoneexchangerundownthestreetalittlewaysasthefirstrushhitthesquare，andfirehispistoltwice。Thenheturnedandmadefuranalleyway，butasheturnedtheylethimhaveit。Hethroweduphisarmsandmadeonelongstagger，rightacrostthebaroflightthatstreamedoutofthewindows，andhefellintotheshadder，outofsight，jestlikeascorchedmothdropsdeadintothedark-
　　nessfromatorch。
　　Outofthemiddleofthatbunchofriderscomeabigvoice，yellingnumbers，insteadofmen'snames。
　　Thendifferentcrowdslitoutinalldirections——
　　someonfoot，whileothersheldtheirhosses——furtheyseemedtohaveaplanlaidahead。
　　Andthenthingsbegantohappen。Theyhap-
　　penedsoquickandwithsuchawhirlitwasallunrealtome——shotsandshouts，andwindowsbreakingastheyblazedawayatthestorefrontsallaroundthesquare——andordersandcuss-wordsringingoutbetweenthenoiseofshooting——andthoseelectriclightsshiningonthemastheytossedandtrampled，andshowingupmaskedfaceshereandthere——andpoundinghoofs，andhossesscream-
　　likehumanswithexcitement——andspurtsofflamesquirtedsuddenoutoftheringofdarknessroundabouttheopenplace——andabull-dogshutupinastoresomewhereshowlinghimselfhoarse——
　　andwhitepuffsofpowdersmokelikeghoststhatwenta-driftingbythelights——itwasallunrealtome，asifIhadafeverandwasdreamingit。
　　Thatsquarewaslikeagreatbigstageinfrontofme，andIlaidinthedarknessonmylumberpileandwatchedthingslikeashow——notmuchscaredbecauseitWASsodernedunreal。
　　Fromwaydownalongtherailroadtracktheycomeasortofbluntedroar，likeblastingbigstumpsout——andthenanotherandanother。Purtysoon，downthatway，aslimflamelickedupthesideofabigbuildingthere，andcrookeditstongueoverthetop。Thenasecondbigbuildingrightbesideitketchedafire，andtheybothshowedupintheirownlight，bigandangryandhandsome，andthelightshowedupthemeninfrontof'em，too——
　　guarding'em，Iguess，furfearthetownwouldgetitsnerveandmakeafighttoput'emout。Theybeguntolightthewholetownupaslightasday，andpaintaredpatchontothesky，thatmustofbeennoticedfurmilesaround。Itwasamightypurtysighttosee'emburn。Thesmokewasrollinghigh，too，andthesparksflyingandotherthingsindangerofketching，andafterwhilealickofsmokecomedriftingupmyway。Ismelther。
　　Itwastobaccoburninginthemwarehouses。
　　Butthattownhadsomefightinher，inspiteofbeingtookunexpectedthat-a-way。Itwasn'tnocowardtown。Thelightfromtheburningbuildingsmadealltheshaddersaroundaboutseemallthedarker。Andeveryonceinawhile，afterthesurpriseofthefirstrush，theywouldcomethinlittlestreaksoffireoutofthedarknesssomewheres，andthesoundofshots。Andthenagangofriderswouldgallopinthatdirectionshootingupallcrea-
　　tion。Butbythetimethewarehouseswasalllitupsothatyoucouldseetheywasnohopeofputtingthemouttheshootingfromthedarknesshadjestaboutstopped。
　　Itlookedlikethembigtobaccowarehouseswasthemainobjectoftheraid。Furwhentheywasburningpastallchancetofsaving，withwallsandfloorsa-tumblingandcrashingdownandsendingupgreatgoutsoffreshflameastheyfell，theleadersingsoutanorder，andallthatisnotontheirhossesjumpson，andtheyridesawayfromtheblaze。
　　Theycomeacrossthesquare——notgallopingnow，buttakingiteasy，laughingandtalkingandcussingandjokingeachother——andpassedrightbymylumberpileaginanddownthestreettheyhadcome。YoubetIlaidlowonthemboardswhiletheywasgoingby，andflattenedmyselfouttillIfeltlikeashingle。
　　AsIhearntheirhoof-soundsgettingfartheroff，Iliftsupmyheadagin。Buttheywasn'tallgone，either。Threethatmustofbeenuptosomepertic'lerdeviltryoftheirowncomegallopingacrostthesquaretoketchupwiththemainbunch。
　　Twowasquiteabitaheadofthethirdone，andheyelledtothemtowait。Buttheyonlylaughedandrodeharder。
　　Andthenfursomefoolreasonthatlastfellerpulleduphishossandstopped。Hestoppedintheroadrightinfrontofme，andwheeledhishossacrosttheroadandstoodupinhisstirrupsandtookalonglookatthatblaze。You'd'a'saidhehaddoneitallhimselfandwasmightyproudofit，thewayheraisedhisheadandlookedbackatthattown。HewassonearthatIhearnhimdrawinaslow，deepbreath。Hestoodstillfurmostaminutelikethat，blackagintheredsky，andthenheturnedhishoss'sheadandjabbedhimwithhisstirrupedge。
　　Jestasthehossstartedtheycomeashotfromsomewheresbehindme。Is'posetheywassomeonehidinthelumberpiles，wherethestreetcrossedtherailway，besidesmyself。Thehossjumpedforwardattheshot，andthefellerswayedsidewaysanddroppedhisgunandlosthisstirrupsandcomedownheavyontheground。Hishossgallopedoff。
　　Iheardthenoiseofsomeonerunningoffthroughthedark，andstumblingaginthelumber。Itwasthefellerwhohadfiredtheshotrunningaway。
　　Isupposehethoughttherestofthemriderswouldcomeback，whentheyheardthatshot，andhunthimdown。
　　Ithoughttheymightmyself。ButIlaidthere，andjestwaited。Iftheycome，Ididn'twanttobefoundrunning。Buttheydidn'tcome。Thetwolastoneshadcaughtupwiththemaingang，Iguess，furpurtysoonIhearnthemallcrossingthatplankbridgeagin，andknowedtheywasgone。
　　AtfirstIguessedthefelleronthegroundmustbedead。Buthewasn't，furpurtysoonIhearnhimgroan。Hehadmebbybeenstunnedbyhisfall，andwascomingtoenoughtofeelhispain。
　　Ididn'tfeellikeheorterbeleftthere。SoI
　　clumbdownandwentovertohim。Hewaslyingononesideallkindofhuddledup。Therehadbeenamaskonhisface，liketherestofthem，withsomehairontothebottomofittolooklikeabeard。
　　Butnowithadslippeddowntillithungloosearoundhisneckbythestring。Theywasenoughlighttoseehewasn'tnothingbutayoungfeller。HeraisedhimselfslowasIcomenearhim，leaningononearmandtryingtosetup。Theotherarmhunglooseandhelpless。Halfsettingupthat-a-
　　wayhemadeafeelathisbeltwithhisgoodhand，asIcomenear。Butthatgoodarmwashisprop，andwhenhetookitoffthegroundhefellback。
　　Hishandcomeawayemptyfromhisbelt。
　　Thebigsix-shooterhehadbeenfeelingfurwasn'tinitsholster，anyhow。Ithadfelloutwhenhetumbled。Ipickeditupintheroadjestafewfeetfromhisshot-gun，andstoodtherewithitinmyhand，lookingdownathim。
　　“Well，“hesays，inadrawlykindofvoice，slowandfeeble，butlookingatmesteadyandtryingtoraisehimselfagin，“yo'canfinishyo'
　　littlejobnow——yo'shotmefromthedarkness，andnowyo'donegotmypistol。Ireckonyo'
　　bettershootAGIN。“
　　“Idon'twanttorubitinnone，“Isays，“withyoudownandout，butfromwhatIseenaroundthistownto-nightIguessyouandyourownganggotnoGREATobjectionstoshootingfromthedarkyourselves。“
　　“Whydon'tyo'shootthen？”hesays。“ItmostsuttinlyisYO'turnnow。“Andheneverbattedaneye。
　　“Bo，“Isays，“yougotnerve。ILIKEyou，Bo。
　　Ididn'tshootyou，andIain'tgoingto。Thefellerthatdidhaswent。I'mgoingtogetyououtofthis。Whereyouhurt？”
　　“Hip，“hesays，“butthatain'tmuch。Thethingthatbothersmeisthisarm。It'sdonebusted。I
　　fellonit。“
　　IdrughimoutoftheroadandbackofthelumberpileIhadbeenlayingon，andhurthimconsiderablea-doingit。
　　“Now，“Isays，“whatcanIdofuryou？”
　　“Ireckonyo'betterleaveme，“hesays，“withoutyo'wanttogetyo'selfmixedupinallthis。“
　　“IfIdo，“Isays，“youmaybleedtodeathhere：
　　oranywayyouwouldgetfoundinthemorningandberunin。“
　　“Yo'mightygoodtome，“sayshe，“consideringyo'arenokintothisherepartofthecountryatall。Ireckonbyyo'talkyo'areoneofthemdamnYankees，ain'tyo'？”
　　InIllinoiseaYankeeissomeonefromtheEast，butdownSouthheisanybodyfromnorthoftheOhio，andthoughthattherewarwasfoughtfortyyearsagosomeofthemfellersdowntheredon'tknowdamnandYankeeistwowordsyet。Butshucks！——theydon'tmeannoharmbyit！SoItellshimIamadamnYankeeandastshimaginifIcandoanythingfurhim。
　　“Yes，“hesays，“yo'cantellafriendofmineBudDavishashappenedtoanaccident，andgethimoverherequickwithhiswagontototemehome。“
　　IwastogodowntherailroadtrackpastthemburningwarehousestillIcometothethirdstreet，andthenturntomyleft。“Thethirdhousefromthetrackhasgotanironpicketfenceinfrontofit，“saysBud，“andit'stheonlyhouseinthatpartoftownwhichhas。BeauregardPeopleslivesthere。Heiskintome。“
　　“Yes，“Isays，“andBeauregardisjestaslikelyasnotgoingtotakeashotoutofthefrontwindowatme，furluck，aforeIcantellhimwhatIwant。
　　Itseemstobeakindofhabitintheseherepartsto-night——I'mgettinghomesickfurIllinoise。ButI'lltakeachancet。“
　　“Hewon'tshoot，“saysBud，“ifyo'goaboutitright。Beauregardain'tgoingtobeasleepwithallthisgoingonintownto-night。Yo'rattleontheirongateandhe'llhollertoknowwhatyo'allwant。“
　　“Ifhedon'tshootfirst，“Isays。
　　“Whenhehollers，yo'crybackathimyo'havefoundhisOLDDEADHOSSintheroad。Itwon'thurttohollerthatloud，andthatwillmakehimletyouwithintalkingdistance。“
　　“HisoldDEADHOSS？”
　　“Yo'don'tneedtoknowwhatthatis。HE
　　will。“AndthenBudtoldmeenoughofthesignsandwordstosay，andthingstodo，tokeepBeaure-
　　gardfromshooting——hesaidhereckonedhehadtrustedmesomuchhemightaswellgothehullhog。Beauregard，hesays，belongstothemriderstoo；theyhavefriendsinallthetownsthatwatchesthelayofthelandfurthem，hesays。
　　Imadealonghalf-circlearoundthemburningbuildings，keepinginthedark，furpeoplewascomingoutinbunches，nowthatitwasalloverwith，watchingthemfiresburning，andtalkingexcited，andsayingtheridersshouldbefollered——
　　onlynotfollering。
　　IfoundthehouseBudmeant，andtheywasalightinthesecond-storywindow。Irattledonthegate。Adogbarkedsomewheresnear，butIhearnhischainjangleandknowedhewasfast，andI
　　rattledonthegateagin。
　　Thelightmovedawayfromthewindow。Thenanotherfrontwindowopenedquiet，andavoicesays：
　　“Doctor，isthatyo'backagin？”
　　“No，“Isays，“Iain'tadoctor。“
　　“Staywhereyouare，then。_I_GOTYOUCOVERED。“
　　“Iamstaying，“Isays，“don'tshoot。“
　　“Whoareyo'？”
　　“Afeller，“Isays，kindofsensinghisgunthroughthedarknessasIspoke，“whohasfoundyourOLDDEADHOSSintheroad。“