CONTENTS
　　I。TheBlightintheHillsII。OntheWildDog’sTrailIII。TheAuricularTalentoftheHon。SamuelBuddIV。CloseQuartersV。BacktotheHillsVI。TheGreatDayVII。AtLast——TheTournamentVIII。TheKnightPassesAKNIGHTOFTHECUMBERLAND
　　I
　　THEBLIGHTINTHEHILLS
　　HighnoonofacrispOctoberday，sunshinefloodingtheearthwiththewarmthandlightofoldwineand，goingsingle-fileupthroughthejaggedgapthatthedrippingofwaterhasworndownthroughtheCumberlandMountainsfromcresttovalley-level，agrayhorseandtwobigmules，amanandtwoyounggirls。Onthegrayhorse，Iledthetortuousway。Aftermecamemysmallsister——andafterherandlikeher，mule-
　　back，rodetheBlight——dressedasshewouldbeforagallopinCentralParkortorideahunterinahorseshow。
　　Iwastakingthem，accordingtopromise，wherethefeetofotherwomenthanmountaineershadnevertrod——beyondthecrestoftheBigBlack——tothewatersoftheCumberland——thelairofmoonshinerandfeudsman，whereisyetpocketedacivilizationthat，elsewhere，islongagogone。ThishadbeenapetdreamoftheBlight’sforalongtime，andnowthedreamwascomingtrue。TheBlightwasinthehills。
　　Nobodyeverwenttohermother’shousewithoutaskingtoseeherevenwhenshewasalittlethingwithblackhair，merryfaceandblackeyes。Bothmenandwomen，withchildrenoftheirown，havetoldmethatshewas，perhaps，themostfascinatingchildthateverlived。Therebesomewhoclaimthatshehasneverchanged——andIamamongthem。Shebeganearly，regardlessofage，sexorpreviousconditionofservitude——shecontinuesrecklesslyasshebegan——andnonemakescomplaint。Thuswasitinherownworld——thusitwaswhenshecametomine。OnthewaydownfromtheNorth，theconductor’svoicechangedfromacommandtoarequestwhenheaskedforherticket。Thejacketedlordofthedining-carsawherfromafarandadvancedtoshowhertoaseat——thatshemightrideforward，sitnexttoashadedwindowandbefreefromtheglareofthesunontheotherside。Twoportersmadearushforherbagwhenshegotoffthecar，andtheproprietorofthelittlehotelinthelittletownwherewehadtowaitseveralhoursforthetrainintothemountainsgaveherthebridalchamberforanafternoonnap。Fromthislittletownto``TheGap’’istheworstsixty-mileride，perhaps，intheworld。Shesatinadirtyday-coach；thesmokerolledinatthewindowsanddoors；thecarsshookandswayedandlumberedaroundcurvesanddownandupgorges；therewereaboutherroughmen，cryingchildren，slatternlywomen，tobaccojuice，peanuts，popcornandapplecores，butdainty，sereneandasmerryasever，shesatthroughthatridewitharadiantsmile，herkeenblackeyesnotingeverythingunlovelywithinandthegloryofhill，treeandchasmwithout。
　　Nextmorningathome，whereweriseearly，noonewasallowedtowakenherandshehadbreakfastinbed——fortheBlight’sgentletyrannywasestablishedonsightandvariednotattheGap。
　　Whenshewentdownthestreetthatdayeverybodystaredsurreptitiouslyandwithperfectrespect，asherdaintyblackplumedfigurepassed；thepost-officeclerkcouldbarelybringhimselftosaythattherewasnoletterforher。Thesoda-fountainboynearlyfilledherglasswithsyrupbeforehesawthathewasnotstrictlymindinghisownbusiness；theclerk，whenI
　　boughtchocolateforher，unblushinglyaddedextraweightand，aswewentback，shemetthemboth——Marston，theyoungengineerfromtheNorth，crossingthestreetand，atthesamemoment，adrunkenyoungtoughwithaninfuriatedfacereelinginarunaroundthecorneraheadofusasthoughhewerebeingpursued。
　　NowwehaveavolunteerpoliceguardsomefortystrongattheGap——andfromhabit，Istartedforhim，buttheBlightcaughtmyarmtight。Theyoungengineerinthreestrideshadreachedthecurb-stoneandallhesternlysaidwas：
　　``Here！Here！’’
　　Thedrunkenyouthwheeledandhisrighthandshottowardhishippocket。
　　Theengineerwasbeltedwithapistol，butwithonelightningmovementandanincrediblylongreach，hisrightfistcaughtthefellow’sjawsothathepitchedbackwardandcollapsedlikeanemptybag。
　　ThentheengineercaughtsightoftheBlight’sbewilderedface，flushed，grippedhishandsinfrontofhimandsimplystared。Atlasthesawme：
　　``Oh，’’hesaid，``howdoyoudo？’’
　　andheturnedtohisprisoner，butthepantingsergeantandanotherpoliceman——
　　alsoavolunteer——werealreadyliftinghimtohisfeet。IintroducedtheboyandtheBlightthen，andforthefirsttimeinmylifeIsawtheBlight——shaken。Round-
　　eyed，shemerelygazedathim。
　　``Thatwasprettywelldone，’’Isaid。
　　``Oh，hewasdrunkandIknewhewouldbeslow。’’Nowsomethingcurioushappened。Thedazedprisonerwasonhisfeet，andhiscaptorswerestartingwithhimtothecalaboosewhenheseemedsuddenlytocometohissenses。
　　``Jeswaitaminute，willye？’’hesaidquietly，andhiscaptors，thinkingperhapsthathewantedtosaysomethingtome，stopped。Themountainyouthturnedastrangelysoberedfaceandfixedhisblueeyesontheengineerasthoughheweresearingeveryfeatureofthatimperturbableyoungmaninhisbrainforever。Itwasnotabadface，buttheavenginghatredinitwasfearful。Thenhe，too，sawtheBlight，hisfacecalmedmagicallyandhe，too，staredather，andturnedawaywithanoathcheckedathislips。Wewenton——theBlightthrilled，forshehadheardmuchofourvolunteerforceattheGapandhadseensomethingalready。PresentlyIlookedback。PrisonerandcaptorswereclimbingthelittlehilltowardthecalabooseandthemountainboyjustthenturnedhisheadandIcouldswearthathiseyessoughtnottheengineer，whomweleftatthecorner，but，liketheengineer，hewaslookingattheBlight。WhereatI
　　didnotwonder——particularlyastotheengineer。HehadbeeninthemountainsforalongtimeandIknewwhatthisvisionfromhomemeanttohim。Heturnedupatthehousequiteearlythatnight。
　　``I’mnotondutyuntileleven，’’hesaidhesitantly，``andIthoughtI’d————’’
　　``Comerightin。’’
　　IaskedhimafewquestionsaboutbusinessandthenIlefthimandtheBlightalone。WhenIcamebackshehadaGatlinggunofeagerquestionsrangedonhimand——happywithal——hewassquirmingnolittle。Ifollowedhimtothegate。
　　``AreyoureallygoingoverintothoseGod-forsakenmountains？’’heasked。
　　``IthoughtIwould。’’
　　``AndyouaregoingtotakeHER？’’
　　``Andmysister。’’
　　``Oh，Ibegyourpardon。’’Hestrodeaway。
　　``Comingupbythemines？’’hecalledback。
　　``Perhapswillyoushowusaround？’’
　　``IguessIwill，’’hesaidemphatically，andhewentontoriskhisneckonaten-
　　mileridealongamountainroadinthedark。
　　``ILIKEaman，’’saidtheBlight。``I
　　likeaMAN。’’
　　OfcoursetheBlightmustseeeverything，sosheinsistedongoingtothepolicecourtnextmorningforthetrialofthemountainboy。Theboywasinthewitnesschairwhenwegotthere，andtheHon。SamuelBuddwashiscounsel。Hehadvolunteeredtodefendtheprisoner，I
　　wassoontold，andthenIunderstood。
　　TheNovemberelectionwasnotfaroffandtheHon。SamuelBuddwascandidateforlegislature。Moreeven，theboy’sfatherwasawarmsupporterofMr。Buddandtheboyhimselfmightperhapsrendergoodserviceinthecausewhenthetimecame——
　　asindeedhedid。OnoneofthefrontchairssattheyoungengineeranditwasaquestionwhetherheortheprisonersawtheBlight’sblackplumesfirst。Theeyesofbothflashedtowardhersimultaneously，theengineercoloredperceptiblyandthemountainboystoppedshortinspeechandhispallidfaceflushedwithunmistakableshame。Thenhewenton：``Hehadliqueredup，’’hesaid，``andhadgottightaforeheknoweditandhedidn’tmeannoharmandhadneverbeenarrestedaforeinhiswholelife。’’
　　``Haveyoueverbeendrunkbefore？’’
　　askedtheprosecutingattorneyseverely。
　　Theladlookedsurprised。
　　``Co’seIhave，butIain’tgoin’toagin——leastwisenotinthisheretown。’’Therewasagenerallaughatthisandtheagedmayorrappedloudly。
　　``Thatwilldo，’’saidtheattorney。
　　Theladsteppeddown，hitchedhischairslightlysothathisbackwastotheBlight，sankdowninituntilhisheadrestedonthebackofthechairandcrossedhislegs。
　　TheHon。SamuelBuddaroseandtheBlightlookedathimwithwonder。Hislongyellowhairwaspartedinthemiddleandbrushedwithplaster-likeprecisionbehindtwoenormousears，heworespectacles，gold-rimmedandwithgreatstaringlenses，andhisfacewassmoothandageless。Hecaressedhischinruminatinglyandrolledhislipsuntiltheysettledintoafineresultantofwisdom，patience，tolerationandfirmness。Hismannerwasprofoundandhisvoiceoilyandsoothing。
　　``MayitpleaseyourHonor——myyoungfriendfranklypleadsguilty。’’Hepausedasthoughthemajestyofthelawcouldasknomore。``Heisayoungmanofnaturallyhighandsomewhat——naturally，too，nodoubt——bibulousspirits。Homoepathically——
　　ifinversely——theresultwaslogical。
　　Intheuntrammelledlifeoftheliberty-
　　breathingmountains，wherethesternspiritoflawandorder，ofwhichyourHonoristheaugustsymbol，doesnotprevailasitdoeshere——thankstoyourHonor’swiseandjustdispensations——theladhas，I
　　maysay，naturallyacquiredacertainrecklessnessofmood——indulgencewhich，howevereasilycondonedthere，mustherebesternlyrebuked。Atthesametime，heknewnottheconditionshere，hebecameexhilaratedwithoutmalice，prepenseyoreven，Imaysay，consciousness。Hewouldnothavedoneashehas，ifhehadknownwhatheknowsnow，and，knowing，hewillnotrepeattheoffence。Ineedsaynomore。IpleadsimplythatyourHonorwilltemperthejusticethatisonlyyourswiththemercythatisyours——only。’’
　　HisHonorwasvisiblyaffectedandtocoverit——hismethodsbeinginformal——hesaidwithsharpirrelevancy：
　　``Whobailedthisyoungfelleroutlastnight？’’Thesergeantspoke：
　　``Why，Mr。Marstonthar’’——withoutstretchedfingertowardtheyoungengineer。TheBlight’sblackeyesleapedwithexultantappreciationandtheengineerturnedcrimson。HisHonorrolledhisquidaroundinhismouthonce，andpeeredoverhisglasses：
　　``Ifinethisyoungfellertwodollarsandcosts。’’Theyoungfellowhadturnedslowlyinhischairandhisblueeyesblazedattheengineerwithunappeasablehatred。
　　IdoubtifhehadheardhisHonor’svoice。
　　``IwantyetoknowthatI’mobleegedtoyean’Iain’ta-goin’tofergitit；butifI’daknownhitwasyouI’dastayedinjailan’seenyouinhellaforeI’dabeenboundentoye。’’
　　``Tendollarsfercontemptofcouht。’’
　　Theboywashotnow。
　　``Oh，fineandbe——’’TheHon。SamuelBuddhadhimbytheshoulder，theboyswallowedhisvoiceandhisstartingtearsofrage，andafterawhispertohisHonor，theHon。Samuelledhimout。Outside，theengineerlaughedtotheBlight：
　　``Prettypeppery，isn’the？’’buttheBlightsaidnothing，andlaterwesawtheyouthonagrayhorsecrossingthebridgeandconductedbytheHon。SamuelBudd，whostoppedandwavedhimtowardthemountains。Theboywentonandacrosstheplateau，thegrayGapswallowedhim。
　　Thatnight，atthepost-office，theHon。
　　Sampluckedmeasidebythesleeve。
　　``IknowMarstonisaginmeinthisrace——butI’lldohimagoodturnjustthesame。Youtellhimtowatchoutforthatyoungfellow。He’sallrightwhenhe’ssober，butwhenhe’sdrunk——well，overinKentucky，theycallhimtheWildDog。’’
　　SeveraldayslaterwestartedoutthroughthatsameGap。TheglumstablemanlookedattheBlight’sgirthsthreetimes，andwithmyowneyesstartingandmyheartinmymouth，Isawherpassbehindhersixteen-hand-highmuleandgivehimafriendlytapontherumpasshewentby。
　　Thebeastgaveanappreciativeflopofoneearandthatwasall。HadIdonethat，anyfurtherbenefittomeorminewouldbeincorporatedinthetermsofaninsurancepolicy。So，statingthis，IbelieveI
　　statethelimitandcannowgoontosayatlastthatitwasbecausesheseemedtobelovedbymanandbrutealikethatabigmanofherowntown，whosebody，bigasitwas，wasyettoosmallforhisheartandfromwhosebrainthingswentoffatqueerangles，alwayschristenedherperverselyas——``TheBlight。’’
　　II
　　ONTHEWILDDOG’STRAIL
　　SoupwewentpastBeeRock，Preacher’sCreekandLittleLooney，pastthemineswherehighona``tipple’’stoodtheyoungengineerlookingdownatus，andlookingaftertheBlightaswepassedonintoadimrockyavenuewalledoneachsidewithrhododendrons。Iwavedathimandshookmyhead——wewouldseehimcomingback。Beyondadesertedlog-
　　cabinweturnedupaspurofthemountain。
　　Aroundaclumpofbusheswecameonagray-beardedmountaineerholdinghishorsebythebridleandfromacoverthighabovetwomoremenappearedwithWinchesters。TheBlightbreathedforthanawedwhisper：
　　``Aretheymoonshiners？’’
　　Inoddedsagely，``Mostlikely，’’andtheBlightwasthrilled。Theymighthavebeensquirrel-huntersmostinnocent，buttheBlighthadheardmuchtalkofmoonshinestillsandmountainfeudsandthemenwhorunthemandItooktheriskofdenyinghernothing。Upandupwewent，thosetwomulesswayingfromsidetosidewithamotionlittleshortofelephantineand，byandby，theBlightcalledout：
　　``Yourideaheadanddon’tyouDARE
　　lookback。’’
　　AccustomedtoobeyingtheBlight’sorders，Irodeaheadwitheyestothefront。
　　Presently，ashriekmademeturnsuddenly。
　　Itwasnothing——mylittlesister’smulehadgonenearasteepcliff——perilouslynear，asitsriderthought，butIsawwhyImustnotlookback；thosetwolittlegirlswereridingastrideonside-saddles，thebootedlittlerightfootofeachdanglingstirrupless——aposturequitedecorousbutludicrous。
　　``Letusknowifanybodycomes，’’theycried。Amountaineerdescendedintosightaroundaloopofthepathabove。
　　``Changecars，’’Ishouted。
　　Theychangedand，passing，weregrave，demure——thentheychangedagain，andthusweclimbed。
　　Suchagloryaswasbelow，aroundandaboveus；theairlikechampagne；thesunlightrichandpouringlikeafloodonthegoldthatthebeecheshadstrewninthepath，onthegoldthatthepoplarsstillshookhighaboveandshimmeringontheroyalscarletofthemapleandthesombrerussetoftheoak。Fromfarbelowustofaraboveusadeepcurvingravinewasslashedintothemountainsideasbyonestrokeofagiganticscimitar。Thedarknessdeepdownwaslightedupwithcoolgreen，interfusedwithliquidgold。Russetandyellowsplashedthemountainsidesbeyondandhighupthemapleswereinashakingblaze。TheBlight’sswifteyestookallinandwithindrawnbreathshedrankitalldeepdown。
　　Anhourbysunwewerenearthetop，whichwasbaredoftreesandturnedintorichfarm-landcoveredwithblue-grass。
　　Alongtheseuplandpastures，dottedwithgrazingcattle，andacrossthemwerodetowardthemountainwildernessesontheotherside，downintowhichazigzagpathwrigglesalongthesteepfrontofBenham’sspur。Attheedgeofthesteepwasacabinandabushy-beardedmountaineer，wholookedlikeabrigand，answeredmyhail。He``mought’’keepusallnight，buthe’d``ruthernot，aswecouldgitaplacetostaydownthespur。’’Couldwegetdownbeforedark？Themountaineerliftedhiseyestowherethesunwasbreakingthehorizonofthewestintostreaksandsplashesofyellowandcrimson。
　　``Oh，yes，youcangittharaforedark。’’
　　NowIknewthatthemountaineer’sideaofdistanceisvague——butheknowshowlongittakestogetfromoneplacetoanother。Sowestarteddown——droppingatonceintothickdarkwoods，andaswewentloopingdown，thedeeperwasthegloom。Thatsunhadsuddenlyseveredallconnectionwiththelawsofgravityandsunk，anditwasallthedarkerbecausethestarswerenotout。Thepathwassteepandcoileddownwardlikeawoundedsnake。Inoneplaceatreehadfallenacrossit，andtoreachthenextcoilofthepathbelowwasdangerous。SoIhadthegirlsdismountandIledthegrayhorsedownonhishaunches。Themulesrefusedtofollow，whichwasratherunusual。I
　　wentbackandfromasafedistanceintherearIbelaboredthemdown。Theycaredneitherforgrayhorsenorcrookedpath，butturnedoftheirowndevilishwillsalongthebushymountainside。AsIranafterthemthegrayhorsestartedcalmlyondownandthosetwogirlsshriekedwithlaughter——theyknewnobetter。Firstonewayandthentheotherdownthemountainwentthosemules，withmeafterthem，throughthickbushes，overlogs，stumpsandbowldersandholes——crossingthepathadozentimes。Whatthatpathwasthereforneveroccurredtothoselong-earedhalfasses，wholefools，andbyandby，whenthegirlstriedtoshoothemdowntheyclamberedaroundandabovethemandstruckthepathbackupthemountain。
　　Thehorsehadgonedownoneway，themulesuptheother，andtherewasnohealthinanything。Thegirlscouldnotgoup——sotherewasnothingtodobutgodown，which，hardasitwas，waseasierthangoingup。Thepathwasnotvisiblenow。OnceinawhileIwouldstumblefromitandcrashthroughthebushestothenextcoilbelow。FinallyIwentdown，slidingonefootaheadallthetime——knowingthatwhenleavesrustledunderthatfootIwasonthepointofgoingastray。
　　SometimesIhadtolightamatchtomakesureoftheway，andthustheridiculousdescentwasmadewiththosegirlsinhighspiritsbehind。Indeed，thedarker，rockier，steeperitgot，themoretheyshriekedfrompurejoy——butIwasanythingthanhappy。Itwasdangerous。I
　　didn’tknowthecliffsandhighrockswemightskirtandanunluckyguidancemightlandusinthecreek-bedfardown。
　　Buttheblessedstarscameout，themoonpeeredoverafarthermountainandonthelastspurtherewasthegrayhorsebrowsinginthepath——andthesoundofrunningwaternotfarbelow。Fortunatelyonthegrayhorsewerethesaddle-bagsofthechatteringinfantswhothoughtthewholethingamightylark。Wereachedtherunningwater，struckaflockofgeeseandknew，inconsequence，thathumanitywassomewherenear。Afewturnsofthecreekandabeaconlightshonebelow。
　　Thepalesofapicketfence，thecheeringoutlinesofalog-cabincameinviewandatapeakedgateIshouted：
　　``Hello！’’
　　Youenternomountaineer’syardwithoutthatannouncingcry。Itwasmediaeval，theBlightsaid，positively——twolorndamsels，abenightedknightpartiallystrippedofhisarmorbybushandsharp-edgedrock，agraypalfrey（shedidn’tmentiontheimpatientassesthathadturnedhomeward）
　　andshewishedIhadahorntowind。Iwanteda``horn’’badlyenough——butitwasnotthekindmenwind。Byandbywegotaresponse：
　　``Hello！’’wastheanswer，asanopeneddoorletoutintotheyardabroadbandoflight。Couldwestayallnight？Thevoicerepliedthattheownerwouldsee``Pap。’’``Pap’’seemedwilling，andtheboyopenedthegateandintothehousewenttheBlightandthelittlesister。
　　Shortly，Ifollowed。
　　There，allinoneroom，lightedbyahugewood-fire，raftersabove，puncheonfloorbeneath——cane-bottomedchairsandtwobedstheonlyfurniture-``pap，’’
　　barefooted，theoldmotherinthechimney-
　　cornerwithapipe，stringsofredpepper-
　　pods，beansandherbshangingaroundandabove，amarrieddaughterwithachildatherbreast，twoorthreechildrenwithyellowhairandbarefeetalllookingwithalltheireyesatthetwovisitorswhohaddroppeduponthemfromanotherworld。
　　TheBlight’seyeswerebrighterthanusual——thatwastheonlysignshegavethatshewasnotinherowndrawing-
　　room。Apparentlyshesawnothingstrangeorunusualeven，buttherewasreallynothingthatshedidnotseeorhearandabsorb，asfewothersthantheBlightcan。
　　Straightway，theoldwomanknockedtheashesoutofherpipe。
　　``Ireckonyouhain’thadnothin’toeat，’’shesaidanddisappeared。Theoldmanaskedquestions，theyoungmotherrockedherbabyonherknees，thechildrengotlessshyanddrewnearthefireplace，theBlightandthelittlesisterexchangedafurtivesmileandthecontrastoftheextremesinAmericancivilization，asshowninthatlittlecabin，interestedmemightily。
　　``Yersnack’sready，’’saidtheoldwoman。Theoldmancarriedthechairsintothekitchen，andwhenIfollowedthegirlswereseated。Thechairsweresolowthattheirchinscamebarelyovertheirplates，anddemureandseriousastheyweretheysurelylookedmostcomical。Therewastheusualbaconandcorn-breadandpotatoesandsourmilk，andthetwogirlsstruggledwiththerudefarenobly。
　　AftersupperIjoinedtheoldmanandtheoldwomanwithapipe——exchangingmytobaccofortheirlonggreenwithmoresatisfactionprobablytomethantothem，forthelonggreenwasgood，andstrongandfragrant。
　　TheoldwomanaskedtheBlightandthelittlesistermanyquestionsandthey，inturn，showedgreatinterestinthebabyinarms，whereattheeighteen-year-oldmotherblushedandlookedgreatlypleased。
　　``Yougotmightypurtyblackeyes，’’
　　saidtheoldwomantotheBlight，andnottoslightthelittlesistersheadded，``An’
　　yougotmightypurtyteeth。’’
　　TheBlightshowedhersinaradiantsmileandtheoldwomanturnedbacktoher。
　　``Oh，you’vegotboth，’’shesaidandsheshookherhead，asthoughshewerethinkingofthedamagetheyhaddone。
　　Itwasmytimenow——toaskquestions。
　　Theydidn’thavemanyamusementsonthatcreek，Idiscovered——andnodances。
　　Sometimestheboyswentcoon-huntingandtherewerecorn-shuckings，house-raisingsandquilting-parties。
　　``Doesanybodyroundhereplaythebanjo？’’
　　``Noneo’myboys，’’saidtheoldwoman，``butTomGreen’ssondownthecreek——hefollerspickin’thebanjoaleetle。’’
　　``Followspickin’’’——theBlightdidnotmissthatphrase。
　　``Whatdoyoufollerferalivin’？’’theoldmanaskedmesuddenly。
　　``Iwriteforaliving。’’Hethoughtawhile。
　　``Well，itmustbepurtyfinetohaveagoodhandwrite。’’ThisnearlydissolvedtheBlightandthelittlesister，buttheyheldonheroically。
　　``Istheremuchfightingaroundhere？’’
　　Iaskedpresently。
　　``Notmuch’ceptwhenoneyoungfelleruptherivergetstotearin’upthings。I
　　heerdashowhewasovertotheGaplastweek——raisin’hell。Hecomesbyhereonhiswayhome。’’TheBlight’seyesopenedwide——apparentlywewereonhistrail。
　　ItisnotwiseforamemberofthepoliceguardattheGaptoshowtoomuchcuriosityaboutthelawlessonesofthehills，andIaskednoquestions。
　　``TheycallshimtheWildDogoverhere，’’headded，andthenheyawnedcavernously。
　　Ilookedaroundwithdiviningeyeforthesleepingarrangementssoontocome，whichsometimesareembarrassingto``furriners’’whoareunabletograspatoncetheprimitiveunconsciousnessofthemountaineersand，inconsequence，acceptapointofviewnaturaltothembecauseenforcedbyarchitecturallimitationsandahospitalitythatturnsnooneseekingshelterfromanydoor。Theywere，however，betterpreparedthanIhadhopedfor。
　　Theyhadaspareroomontheporchandjustoutsidethedoor，andwhentheoldwomanledthetwogirlstoit，Ifollowedwiththeirsaddle-bags。Theroomwasaboutsevenfeetbysixandwaswindowless。
　　``You’dbetterleaveyourdooropenalittle，’’Isaid，``oryou’llsmotherinthere。’’
　　``Well，’’saidtheoldwoman，``hit’sallrighttoleavethedooropen。Nothin’sgoin’terbotherye，butoneo’mysonsisoutacoon-huntin’andhemoughtcomein，notknowin’you’rethar。Butyoujes’
　　holleran’he’llmoveon。’’Shemeantpreciselywhatshesaidandsawnohumoratallinsuchapossibility——butwhenthedoorclosed，Icouldhearthosegirlsstiflingshrieksoflaughter。
　　Literally，thatnight，Iwasamemberofthefamily。Ihadabedtomyself（thefollowingnightIwasnotsofortunate）——
　　inonecorner；behindtheheadofminetheoldwoman，thedaughter-in-lawandthebabyhadanotherintheothercorner，andtheoldmanwiththetwoboysspreadapalletonthefloor。Thatistheinvariableruleofcourtesywiththemountaineer，togivehisbedtothestrangerandtaketothefloorhimself，and，inpassing，letmesaythatnever，inalongexperience，haveIseentheslightestconsciousness——
　　muchlessimmodesty——inamountaincabininmylife。Thesameattitudeonthepartofthevisitorsistakenforgranted——anyotherindeedholdsmortalpossibilitiesofoffence——sothatifthevisitorhascommonsense，allembarrassmentpassesatonce。
　　Thedoorwasclosed，thefireblazedonuncovered，thesmotheredtalkandlaughterofthetwogirlsceased，thecoon-huntercamenotandthenightpassedinpeace。
　　ItmusthavebeenneardaybreakthatI
　　wasarousedbytheoldmanleavingthecabinandIheardvoicesandthesoundofhorses’feetoutside。Whenhecamebackhewasgrinning。
　　``Hit’syourmules。’’
　　``Whofoundthem？’’
　　``TheWildDoghad’em，’’hesaid。
　　III
　　THEAURICULARTALENTOFTHE
　　HON。SAMUELBUDD
　　BehinduscametheHon。SamuelBudd。Justwhenthesunwasslittingtheeastwithalongstreakoffire，theHon。Samuelwas，withthejocundday，standingtiptoeinhisstirrupsonthemistymountaintopandpeeringintotheravinedownwhichwehadslidthenightbefore，andhegrumblednolittlewhenhesawthathe，too，mustgetoffhishorseandslidedown。TheHon。Samuelwasambitious，Southern，andalawyer。Withoutsaying，itgoesthathewasalsoapolitician。Hewasnotanativeofthemountains，buthehadcasthisfortunesinthehighlands，andhewastakingthefirststepthathehopedwould，beforemanyyears，landhimintheNationalCapitol。Hereallyknewlittleaboutthemountaineers，evennow，andhehadneverbeenamonghisconstituentsonDevil’sFork，wherehewasboundnow。Thecampaignhadsofarbeenfullofhumorandfulloftrials——nottheleastofwhichsprangfromthefactthatitwassorghumtime。Everybodythroughthemountainswasmakingsorghum，andeverymountainchildwaseatingmolasses。
　　Now，astheworldknows，thestraightestwaytotheheartofthehonestvoteristhroughthewomenoftheland，andthestraightestwaytotheheartofthewomenisthroughthechildrenoftheland；andonemethodofwinningboth，withruralpoliticians，istokissthebabieswideandfar。Soaseachinfant，atsorghumtime，hasacircleofgreen-brownstickinessabouthischubbylips，andastheHon。Samwasaverseto``longsweetenin’’’eveninhiscoffee，thisparticularpoliticaldevicejustnowwasnosmalltrialtotheHon。SamuelBudd。ButinthelanguageofoneofhisfirmestsupportersUncleTommieHendricks：
　　``TheHon。Samdonehisduty，andhedoneitdamnwell。’’
　　TheissueatstakewasthesiteofthenewCourt-House——twolocalitiesclaimingtherightundisputed，becausetheyweretheonlytwoplacesinthecountywheretherewasenoughlevellandfortheCourt-
　　Housetostandon。Letnomanthinkthisatrivialissue。TherehadbeenasimilaroneoverontheVirginiasideonce，andtheopposingfactionsagreedtodecidethequestionbytheancientwagerofbattle，fistandskull——twohundredmenoneachside——andthewomenofthecountywithdifficultypreventedthefight。Justnow，Mr。Buddwasonhiswayto``ThePocket’’——thevotingplaceofonefaction——wherehehadneverbeen，wherethehostilityagainsthimwasmostbitter，and，thatday，heknewhewas``upagainst’’
　　Waterloo，thecrossingoftheRubicon，holdingthepassatThermopylae，oranyotherhistoricalcrisisinthehistoryofman。IwassaddlingthemuleswhenthecacklingofgeeseinthecreekannouncedthecomingoftheHon。SamuelBudd，comingwithhischinonhisbreast-deepinthought。Stillhiseyesbeamedcheerily，heliftedhisslouchedhatgallantlytotheBlightandthelittlesister，andhewouldwaitforustojogalongwithhim。Itoldhimofourtroubles，meanwhile。TheWildDoghadrestoredourmulesandtheHon。Sambeamed：
　　``He’sawonder——whereishe？’’
　　``Heneverwaited——evenforthanks。’’
　　AgaintheHon。Sambeamed：
　　``Ah！justlikehim。He’sgoneaheadtohelpme。’’
　　``Well，howdidhehappentobehere？’’
　　Iasked。
　　``He’severywhere，’’saidtheHon。Sam。
　　``Howdidheknowthemuleswereours？’’
　　``Easy。Thatboyknowseverything。’’
　　``Well，whydidhebringthembackandthenleavesomysteriously？’’
　　TheHon。SamsilentlypointedafingeratthelaughingBlightahead，andIlookedincredulous。
　　``Justthesame，that’sanotherreasonI
　　toldyoutowarnMarston。He’salreadygotitinhisheadthatMarstonishisrival。’’
　　``Pshaw！’’Isaid——foritwastooridiculous。
　　``Allright，’’saidtheHon。Samplacidly。
　　``Thenwhydoesn’thewanttoseeher？’’
　　``Howdoyouknowheain’twatchin’
　　hernow，forallweknow？Markme，’’
　　headded，``youwon’tseehimatthespeakin’，butI’llbetfruitcakeagingingerbreadhe’llbesomewherearound。’’
　　Sowewenton，thetwogirlsleadingthewayandtheHon。Samnowtellinghispoliticaltroublestome。Halfamiledowntheroad，asolitaryhorsemanstoodwaiting，andMr。Buddgavealowwhistle。
　　``Oneo’myrivals，’’hesaid，fromthecornerofhismouth。
　　``Mornin’，’’saidthehorseman；``lemmeseeyouaminute。’’
　　Hemadeamovementtodrawaside，buttheHon。Samuelmadeacounter-
　　gestureofdissent。
　　``Thisgentlemanisafriendofmine，’’
　　hesaidfirmly，butwithgreatcourtesy，``andhecanhearwhatyouhavetosaytome。’’
　　Themountaineerrubbedonehugehandoverhisstubblychin，threwoneofhislonglegsoverthepommelofhissaddle，anddangledaheavycowhideshoetoandfro。
　　``Wouldyoumindtellin’mewhutpayamemberoftheHouseofLegislatur’gitsaday？’’
　　TheHon。Samlookedsurprised。
　　``Ithinkabouttwodollarsandahalf。’’
　　``An’hismeals？’’
　　``No！’’laughedMr。Budd。
　　``Well，look-eehere，stranger。I’maporemanan’I’vegotamortgageonmyfarm。Thatmoneydon’tmeannothin’toyou——butifyou’lldrawoutnowan’I
　　win，I’lltellyewhutI’lldo。’’Hepausedasthoughtomakesurethatthesacrificewaspossible。``I’lljustgiveyehalfofthattwodollarsandahalfaday，asshoreasyou’rea-settin’onthathoss，andyouwon’thav’tohitadurnlicktoearnit。’’
　　Ihadnotthehearttosmile——nordidtheHon。Samuel——soartlessandsimplewasthemanandsopathetichisappeal。
　　``Yousee——you’lldividemyvote，an’
　　efwebothrun，oleJoshBarton’llgititshore。Efyougitouto’theway，Icanlickhimeasy。’’
　　Mr。Budd’sanswerwaskind，instructive，anduplifted。
　　``Myfriend，’’saidhe，``I’msorry，butIcannotpossiblyaccedetoyourrequestforthefollowingreasons：First，itwouldnotbefairtomyconstituents；secondly，itwouldhardlybeseemingtobarterthenoblegiftofthepeopletowhichwebothaspire；thirdly，youmightlosewithmeoutoftheway；andfourthly，I’mgoingtowinwhetheryouareinthewayornot。’’
　　ThehorsemanslowlycollapsedwhiletheHon。Samuelwastalking，andnowhethrewthelegback，kickedforhisstirruptwice，spatonce，andturnedhishorse’shead。
　　``Ireckonyouwill，stranger，’’hesaidsadly，``withthatgifto’gabo’yourn。’’
　　Heturnedwithoutanotherwordornodofgood-byandstartedbackupthecreekwhencehehadcome。
　　``Onegone，’’saidtheHon。SamuelBuddgrimly，``andIswearI’mrightsorryforhim。’’AndsowasI。
　　Anhourlaterwestrucktheriver，andanotherhourupstreambroughtustowherethecontestoftongueswastocomeabout。
　　NosylvandellinArcadycouldhavebeenlovelierthanthespot。Abovetheroad，abigspringpouredaclearlittlestreamovershiningpebblesintotheriver；
　　aboveitthebusheshungthickwithautumnleaves，andabovethemstoodyellowbeecheslikepillarsofpalefire。Onbothsidesoftheroadsatandsquattedthehonestvoters，sour-looking，disgruntled——adistinctlyhostilecrowd。TheBlightandmylittlesisterdrewgreatandcuriousattentionastheysatonabowlderabovethespringwhileIwentwiththeHon。SamuelBuddundertheguidanceofUncleTommieHendricks，whointroducedhimrightandleft。TheHon。Samuelwascheery，buthewasplainlynervous。Thereweretwolankyyouthswhosenames，oddlyenough，wereBudd。Astheygavehimtheirhugepawsinlifelessfashion，theHon。Samuelslappedoneontheshoulder，withthetruedemocracyofthepolitician，andsaidjocosely：
　　``Well，weBuddsmaynotbewhatyoucallgreatpeople，but，thankGod，noneofushaveeverbeeninthepenitentiary，’’
　　andhelaughedloudly，thinkingthathehadscoredagreatandjollypoint。ThetwoyoungmenlookedexceedinglygraveandUncleTommiepanic-stricken。HepluckedtheHon。Sambythesleeveandledhimaside：
　　``Ireckonyoumadealeetlemistakethar。Themtwofellers’daddydiedinthepenitentiarylastspring。’’TheHon。Samwhistledmournfully，buthelookedgameenoughwhenhisopponentrosetospeak——UncleJoshBarton，whohadshort，thick，uprighthair，littlesharpeyes，andaraspingvoice。UncleJoshwastednotime：
　　``Feller-citizens，’’heshouted，``thismanisalawyer——he’sacorporationlawyer’’；thefearfulname——pronounced``lie-yer’’——rangthroughthecrowdlikeatrumpet，andlikelightningtheHon。Samwasonhisfeet。
　　``Themanwhosaysthatisaliar，’’hesaidcalmly，``andIdemandyourauthorityforthestatement。Ifyouwon’tgiveit——Ishallholdyoupersonallyresponsible，sir。’’
　　Itwasastrikehome，andundertheflashingeyesthatstaredunwaveringly，throughthebiggoggles，UncleJoshhaltedandstammeredandadmittedthathemighthavebeenmisinformed。
　　``ThenIadviseyoutobemorecareful，’’
　　cautionedtheHon。Samuelsharply。
　　``Feller-citizens，’’saidUncleJosh，``ifheain’tacorporationlawyer——whoisthisman？Wheredidhecomefrom？Ihavebeenbornandraisedamongyou。Youallknowme——doyouknowhim？Whut’shea-doin’now？He’safine-hairedfurriner，an’he’scomedownhyehfromthesettlemintstotellyethatyouhain’tgotnomaninyo’owndeestrictthat’sfittin’torepresentyeinthelegislatur’。Lookathim——
　　lookathim！He’sgotFOUReyes！Lookathishair——hit’sPARTEDINTHEMIDDLE！’’
　　Therewasastormoflaughter——UncleJoshhadmadegood——andiftheHon。
　　Samuelcouldstraightwayhaveturnedbald-headedandsightless，hewouldhavebeenahappyman。Helookedsickwithhopelessness，butUncleTommieHendricks，hismentor，wasvigorouslywhisperingsomethinginhisear，andgraduallyhisfacecleared。Indeed，theHon。Samuelwassmilinglyconfidentwhenherose。
　　Likehisrival，hestoodintheopenroad，andthesunbeatdownonhispartedyellowhair，sothattheeyesofallcouldsee，andthelaughterwasstillrunninground。
　　``WhoisyourUncleJosh？’’heaskedwiththreateningmildness。``IknowIwasnotbornhere，but，myfriends，Icouldn’thelpthat。AndjustassoonasIcouldgetawayfromwhereIwasborn，Icamehereand，’’hepausedwithlipspartedandlongfingeroutstretched，``and——I——came——because——IWANTED——tocome——andNOT
　　becauseIHADTO。’’