第2章
Ihadn"tpaidnopertic"lerattentiontotheotherfellerwithhimwhentheystoppedatourplace，exceptingtonoticehewaskindofslimandblack-
hairedandfunnycomplected。ButIseennowI
orteroflookedcloseter。FurI"llbedad-bingedifheweren"tanInjun！Thereheset，underthattheregasolinelampthewagonwasalllitupwith，withmoccasinson，andbeadsandshellsalloverhim，andthegaudiestturkeytailoffeathersrain-
bowingdownfromhisheadyoueversee，andablanketaroundhimthatwasgaudierthanthefeathers。Andheshinedandrattledeverytimehemoved。
Thatwagonwasahullopryhousetoitself。ItwasrolledoutinfrontofSmith"sPalaceHotelwithoutthehosses。Thefrontpartwasfilledwithbottlesofmedicine。Thedoctor，hebegunbusinessbytakingoutalongbrasshornandtootingonit。
Theywasaboutadozencome，buttheywasmostlyboys。ThenhimandtheInjunpickedupsomebanjoesandsungacomicsongoutloudandclear。
Andtheywasanotherdozenorsocome。Andtheysunganothersong，andPopWilkins，heclosedupthepost-officeandcomeoverandtheothertwoveteransoftheGrandArmyoftheRepublicansthatalwaysplayscheckersintherenightscomealongwithhim。Butitwasn"tmuchofacrowd，andthedoctorhelookedsorto"worried。Ihadagoodplace，rightnearthehindwheelofthewagonwhereherestedhisfootoccasional，andIseenwhathewasthinking。SoIsaystohim：
“DoctorKirby，Iguessthecrowdisallgonetothecircusaginto-night。“AndallthemfellersthereseenIknowedhim。
“Iguessso，Rube，“hesaystome。Andtheyalllaughed"causehecalledmeRube，andIfeltkindoftookdown。
ThenhelitintotellaboutthatInjunmedicine。
Firstoffhetoldhowhecometofindoutaboutit。ItwasthefatheroftheInjunwhatwaswithhimhadshowedhim，hesaid。Anditwasinthedaysofhisyouthfulness，whenhewaswild，andacowboyontheplainsofOregon。Well，onenighthesays，theywasanawfulfightontheplainsofOregon，whereverthemis，andhegotpluggedfullofbulletholes。Andhishossrunawaywithhimandhewascarriedoff，andthehosswasgoingatadeadrun，andthebloodwasrunningdownontotheground。Andthewolvessmeltthebloodandtookoutafterhim，yippingandyowlingsomethingfrightfultohear，andthehosshekickedoutbe-
hindandkilledtheheadwolfandtheothersstoppedtoeathimup，andwhiletheywaseatinghimthehossgainedaquarterofamile。Buttheyethimupandtheywasgainingagin，furthesmellofhumanbloodwasontheplainsofOregon，hesays，andthesightofhismother"sfacewhensheasthimnevertobeacowboycometohiminthemoonlight，andheknowedthatsomehowallwouldyetbewell，andthenhemustoffaintedandheknowednomoretillhewokeupinatentontheplainsofOregon。
AndtheywasanoldInjunbendingoverhimandabeautifulInjunmaidenwasfeelingofhispulse，andtheysaystohim：
“Paleface，takehope，furwewilldoctoryouwithSiwashInjunSagraw，whichisnature"sowncurefuralldiseases。“
Theydoneit。Andhegotwell。IthadbeenasecretamongthemthereInjunsfurthousandsandthousandsofyears。AnyInjunthatgiveawaythesecretwaskilledandrubbedofftherollsofthetribeandburiedindisgraceupontheplainsofOregon。Andthedoctorwasmadeabloodbrotherofthechief，andlearntthesecretofthatmedicine。
Finallyhegotthechieftoseeasitwasn"tChristiantoholdbackthattheremedicinefromtheworldnolonger，andthechief，hisheartwassoftened，andhesaystogo。
“Go，mybrother，“hesays，“andgivetothepalefacesthemedicinethathasbeenkeptsecretfurthousandsandthousandsofyearsamongtheSiwashInjunsontheplainsofOregon。“
Andhewent。Itwasn"tthathewantedtomakenomoneyoutofthattheremedicine。Hecouldofmadeallthemoneyhewantedbeingadoctorinthereg"larway。Butwhathewantedwastospreadthegladtidingsofgoodhealthalloverthisfairlandofourn，hesays。
Well，sir，hewasatalker，thattheredoctorwas，andheknowedmorereligioussayingsandpoetryalongwithit，thananyfellerIeverhearn。Hegoesonandhetellshowawfulsickpeoplecanmanagetogetandneverknowit，andnooneelseneversuspicionit，andlivealongfuryearsandyearsthat-a-way，andallthetimeindangerofdeath。
Hesaysitmakeshimweepwhenheseesthempoordilutedfoolsgoingaroundandthinkingtheyiswellmen，talkingandlaughingandmarryingandgivingintomarriagerightontheedgeofthegrave。
Heseesdozensof"emineverytownhecomesto。
Buttheycan"tfoolhim，hesays。Hecantellataglancewho"sgotBright"sDiseaseintheirkidneysandwhoain"t。Hisownfather，hesays，wasdeathlysickfuryearsandyearsandneverknowedit，andtheknowledgecomeonhimsuddenlike，andhedied。ThatwasbeforeSiwashInjunSagrawwaseverfoundoutabout。DoctorKirbybrokedownandcriedrightthereinthewagonwhenhethoughtofhowhisfathermightofbeensavedifhewasonlyalivenowthatthatmedicinewasputupintobottleform，sixfurafive-dollarbillsolongashewasintown，andafterthattwodollarsfureachbottleatthedrugstore。
HeunrolledabigchartandtheInjunheltitbythattheregasolinelamp，soallcouldsee，turningthepagesnowandthen。Itwasamapofaman"sinsideorgansanddigestiveornamentsandthings。
Theywasredandblue，likeeachorgan"sowndiseasehadturnedit，andsomeof"emwasyaller。
Andtheywasalongstringofdiseasesprintedinblackhangingdownfromeachorgan"spicture。I
neverknowedbeforetheywassomanydiseasesnoryetsomanythingstohave"emin。
Well，Iwasfeelingpurtygoodwhenthatshowstarted。Butthedoc，hekep"lookingrightatmeeverynowandthenwhenhetalked，andIcouldn"tkeepmyeyesoff"nhim。
“Doesyourheartbeatfastwhenyouexercise？”
heaststhecrowd。“Isyourtonguecoatedaftermeals？Doyoureyesleakwhenyournoseisstoppedup？Doyouperspireunderyourarmpits？Doyoueverhavearinginginyourears？Doesyourstomachhurtyouaftermeals？Doesyourbackeverache？Doyoueverhavepainsinyourlegs？
Doyoureyesblurwhenyoulookatthesun？Areyourteethcoated？Doesyourhaircomeoutwhenyoucombit？Isyourbreathshortwhenyouwalkupstairs？Doyourfeetswellinwarmweather？
Aretherewhitespotsonyourfingernails？Doyoudrawyourbreathpartofthetimethroughonenostrilandpartofthetimethroughtheother？
Doyoueverhavenightmare？Didyournosebleedeasilywhenyouweregrowingup？Doesyourskinfesterwhenscratched？Areyoureyesgummyinthemornings？Then，“hesays，“ifyouhaveanyorallofthesesymptoms，yourbloodisbad，andyourliveriswastingaway。“
Well，sir，IseenIwasinabadway，furatonetimeoranotherIhadhadmostofthemtheresignsandwarnings，andhadn"theeded"em，andIhadsomeof"emyet。Ibeguntofeelkindo"sick，andlookingatthemorgansanddiseasesdidn"thelpmenone，either。Thedoctor，helitoutonanotherstringofsymptoms，andIhadthem，too。SeemstomeIhadpurtynigheverythingbutfits。Kidneycomplaintandconsumptionbothhadaholtonme。
Itwasaboutaevenbetwhichwouldgetmefirst。
Ikindo"gottowonderingwhich。IfiggeredfromwhathesaidthatI"dhadconsumptiontheLONGEST
while，butmykindofkidneytroublewasanawfulSLYkind，anditwaslibletojumpinwithoutnowarninga-tallandjestnatcherallywipemeoutQUICK。SoIsorto"betonthekidneytrouble。
ButIseenIwasagoner，andIforgiveHankallhisorneriness，furafellerdon"twanttodieholdinggrudges。
Takingitthehullwaythrough，thatwasaboutthebestmedicineshowIeverseen。Buttheydidn"tsellmuch。Allthepeoplewhathadanymoneywastothecircusaginthatnight。Sotheysungsomemoresongsandclosedearlyandwentintothehotel。
CHAPTERIV
Well，thenextmorningI"mfeelingcon-
siderablebetter，andthinkmebbyI"mgo-
ingtoliveafterall。Igotupearlier"nHankdid，andslippedoutwithouthimseeingme，anddidn"tgonightheshopa-tall。FurnowI"velickedHankoncetIfiggerhewon"tresttillhehaswipedthatdisgraceout，andhewon"tcareadernwhathepicksuptodoitwith，nuther。
Theywasacrickaboutahundredyardsfromourhouse，inthewoods，andIwentoverthereandlaiddownandwatcheditrunby。Ilaidawfulstill，thinkingIwishtIwasawayfromthattown。Purtysoonasquirrelcomesdownandsetsonalogandwatchesme。Ithrowedanacornathim，andhescootedupatreequicker"nscatt。AndthenI
wishtIhadn"tscaredhimaway，furitlookedlikeheknowedIwasintrouble。PurtysoonItakesaswim，andcomesoutandlaystheresomemore，spittingintothewaterandthinkingwhatshallIdonow，andwatchingbirdsandthingsmov-
ingaround，andantsworkingharder"neverI
wouldaginunlessIgotbetterprayfurit，andtheseheretumblebugskickingtheirloadsalonghindendto。
Afterawhileitisgettingalongtowardnoon，andI"mfeelinghungry。ButIdon"twanttohavenomoretroublewithHank，andIjestlaysthere。I
hearntwomencomingthroughtheunderbrush。
Irizuponmyelbowtolook，andoneofthemwasDoctorKirbyandtheotherwasLooey，onlyLooeywasn"tanInjunthismorning。
Theysetsdownontherootsofabigtreealittlewaysoff，withtheirbackstowardme，andtheyain"tseenme。SonacherallyIlistenedtowhattheywasjawingabout。Theywasbothkindo"
madatthehullworld，andatourtowninpertic"ler，andsomeateachother，too。Thedoctor，hesays：
“Ihaven"thadsuchrottenlucksinceIplayedthebloodhoundinaTomShow——Wereyoueveran"UncleTom"sCabin"artist，Looey？——andajusticeofthepeaceoverinIowafinedmefivedollarsforbeingonthestreetwithoutamuzzle。
Saiditwasacityordinance。TalkaboutthegentleRubebeinganeasymark！Ifthesecountrytownsdon"tgetthewanderingminstrel"smoneyonewaytheywillanother！”
“It"syourownfault，“saysLooey，kindo"sour。
“Ican"tseeit，“saysDoctorKirby。“HowdidIknowthatalltheseapple-knockershadbeenfilledupwithSykes"sMagicRemedyonlytwoweeksago？Imayhavebeenaspiritualisticmediuminmytimenowandthen，“hesays，“andamindreader，too，butI"mnoprophet。“
“Iain"ttalkingaboutthebusiness，Doc，andyouknowit，“saysLooey。“We"dbeallrightandhaveourhorsesandwagonnowifyou"donlystucktobusinessandnotgotusintothatpokergame。
Talkaboutsuckers！Doc，foramanthathasskinnedasmanyof"emasyouhave，you"retheworstsuckeryourselfIeversaw。“
Thedoctor，hecussesthepokergameandcountrytownsandmedicineshowsandthehullcreationandsaysheissodisgustedwithlifeheguesseshe"llgoandbeapreacherorabeardedladyinaside-
show。ButLooey，hedon"tcheerupnone。Hesays：
“Allright，Doc，butit"snousetalking。YoucanTALKallright。Weallknowthat。Theques-
tionishowarewegoingtogetourhorsesandwagonawayfromtheseRubes？”
Ilistenssomemore，andIseenthemfellerswasreallyintobadtrouble。DoctorKirby，hehadgotintoapokergameatSmith"sPalaceHotelthenightbefore，rightaftertheshow。HehadwonfromJakeSmith，whichrunit，andfromtheothers。
Butshucks！itnevermadenodifferencewhatyouwoninthatcrowd。TheyhaddoneDoctorKirbyandLooeyliketheyalwaysdoneadrummerorastrangerthatcomealongtothattownandwasfoolenoughtoplaypokerwiththem。Theywasn"tachancetfuranoutsider。Ifthedrummerlost，theywouldtakehismoneyandthatwouldbealltheywastoit。Butifthedrummergottowinninggood，someonewouldslipout"nthehotelandtellSiEmery，whichwasthecitymarshal。AndSiwouldgetRalphScott，thatworkedfurJakeSmithinhisliverystable，andpinastarontoRalph，too。
Andtheywouldbearrestedfurgambling，onlythemthatlivedinourtownwouldgetaway。WhichSiandRalphwasalwaysscaredeverytimetheydoneit。Thenthedrummer，orwhoeveritwas，wouldbetooktothecalaboose，andspendallnightthere。
InthemorningtheywouldbetookbeforeSquireMatthews，thatwasjusticeofthepeace。Theywouldbefinedabigfine，andhewouldgetallthedrummerhadwonandallhehadbrungtotownwithhimbesides。SquireMatthewsandJakeSmithandWindyGoodellandMartWatson，whichthetwolastwaslawyers，wasalwaysplayingthattheregameondrummersthatwasfoolenoughtoplaypoker。Hank，hesayshebettheydivideditupafterward，thoughitwassupposedthemfineswenttothetown。Well，theyplayedapurtyclostegameofpokerinourlittletown。ItwasjestlikethedoctorsaystoLooey：
“ByGeorge，“hesays，“itisawell-nighperfectthing。Ifyouloseyoulose，andifyouwinyoulose。“
Well，thedoctor，hehadstartedoutwinningthenightbefore。AndSiEmeryandRalphScotthadarrestedthem。Andthatmorning，whileIhadbeenlayingbythecrickandtherestofthetownwasseeingthefun，theyhadbeentookaforeSquireMatthewsandfinedonehundredandtwenty-fivedollarsapiece。Thedoctor，hetellsSquireMat-
thewsitisanoutrage，anditain"tlegaliftriedinabiggercourt，andtheyain"tthatmuchmoneyintheworldsofurasheknows，andhewon"tpayit。But，thesquire，hesaysthetimehascometoteachthemtravellingfakirsasisalwaysrunningaroundthecountrywithshowsandelectricbeltsandthingsthattheygottostopdreeningthattownofhard-earnedmoney，andhehasdecidedtomakeanexampleof"em。TheonlytwolawyersintownisWindyandMart，whichhasbeeninthepokergametheirselves，thesameasalways。Thedoctorsaysthehullthingisaput-upjob，andhecan"tgetthemoney，andhewouldn"tifhecould，andhe"lllayinthattowncalabooseandrottherestofhislifeandeatthetownpoorbeforehe"llstandit。Andthesquiresayshe"lljesttaketheirhossesandwagonfurc"latteraltilltheymakeuptherestofthetwohundredandfiftydollars。
AndthehossesandwagonwasnowintheliverystablenexttoSmith"sPalaceHotel，whichJakerunthattoo。
Well，Ithinkstomyself，itISadernshame，andIfeltsorryfurthemtwofellers。Furourtownwasjestasgoodasstealingthatproperty。AndI
feltkindo"shamedofbelongingtosuchatown，too。
AndIthinkstomyself，I"dliketohelp"emoutofthatscrape。AndthenIseenhowIcoulddoit，andnotgettookupfurit，neither。So，withoutthinking，allofasuddenIjumpsupandsays：
“Say，DoctorKirby，Igotascheme！”
Theyjumpsuptoo，andtheylooksatmestartled。
Thenthedoctorkindo"laughsandsays：
“Why，it"stheyoungblacksmith！”
Looey，hesays，lookingatmehardandsuspicious：
“Whatkindofaschemeareyoutalkingabout？”
“Why，“saysI，“togetthatoutfitofyourn。“
“You"vebeenlisteningtous，“saysLooey。
Looeywasoneofthemquiet-lookingfellersthatneverlaughedmuchnortalkedmuch。Looey，henevermadefunofnobody，whichthedoctorwasalwaysdoing，andIwouldn"tofcaredtomakefunofLooeymuch，either。
“Yes，“Isays，“Ibeenlayingherefurquiteaspell，andquitenatcheralIlistenedtoyou，asanyoneelsewouldofdone。AndmebbyIcangetthatteamandwagonofyournwithoutitcostingyouacent。“
Well，theydidn"tknowwhattosay。Theyastsmehow，butIsaystoleaveitalltome。“Walkrightalongdownthisherecrick，“Isays，“tillyougettowhereitcomesout"nthewoodsandrunsacrosttheroadinunderanironbridge。That"saboutahalfamileeast。Jestaftertheroadcrossesthebridgeitforks。Taketherightforkandwalkanotherhalfamileandyou"llseealittleyaller-
paintedschoolhousesettinglonesomeonasandhill。Theyain"tnoschoolinitnow。Youwaittherefurme，“Isays，“furacoupleofhours。AfterthatifIain"tthereyou"llknowIcan"tmakeit。
ButIthinkI"llmakeit。“
Theylooksateachotherandtheylooksatme，andthentheygooffalittlepieceandtalklow，andthenthedoctorsaystome：
“Rube，“hesays，“Idon"tknowhowyoucanworkanythingonusthathasn"tbeenworkedalready。We"vegotnothingmorewecanlose。
Yougotoit，Rube。“Andtheystartedoff。
SoIwentovertown。JakeSmithwassettingonthepiazzainfrontofhishotel，chawingandspittingtobacco，withhisfeetagintherailinglikehealwaysdone，andoneofhiseyessquinchedupandhishatovertheotherone。
“Jake，“Isays，“where"sthattheredoctor？”
Jake，hespitcarefulaforeheanswered，andhepulledhislong，scragglymoustachecareful，andhesquinchedhiseyesatme。Jakewasacarefulmanineverythinghedone。
“Idunno，Danny，“hesays。“Why？”
“Well，“Isays，“Hanksentmeovertogetthatwagonandthemhossesoftheirnandfinishthatjob。“
“Thattherewagon，“saysJake，“isinmybarn，withSiEmerywatchingher，andshehasgottostaytheretillthelawletsherloose。“IfiggeredtomyselfJakecouldusethatteamandwagoninhisbusiness，andwasgoingtobuyhercheapoffnthetown，whatshareofherhedidn"tfiggerheownedalready。
“Why，Jake，“Isays，“Ihopetheyain"tbeennotroubleofnokindthathasdrugthelawintoyourbarn！”
“Well，Danny，“hesays，“theyHASbeenalittletrouble。Butit"saboutover，now，Iguess。Andthatthereoutfitbelongstothetownnow。“
“Youdon"tsayso！”saysI，surprised-like。
“WhenIseenthemmenlastnightitlookedtomeliketheywastoofinedressedtobehonest。“
“Idon"tthinktheybe，Danny，“saysJake，confidential。“Inmyopiniontheyismightybadcustomers。Buttheyhasgotonthewrongsideofthelawnow，andIguesstheywon"tstayaroundheremuchlonger。“
“Well，“saysI，“Hankwillbeglad。“
“Furwhat？”astsJake。
“Well，“saysI，“becausehegothispayinadvancefurthatjobandnowhedon"thavetofinishit。
Theycomealongtoourplaceaboutsundownyesterday，andwenailedashoeononehoss。Theywasacoupleofotherhoofsneededfixing，andthetireononeofthehindwheelswasbeginningtorattleloose。“
IhadnoticedthatloosetirewhenIwasstandingbythehindwheelthenightbefore，anditcomeinhandynow。SoIgoeson：
“Hank，heallowedhe"dfixthehullthingfursixbottlesofthatInjunmedicine。Elmirahasbeenailinglately，andhewanteditfurher。SotheyhandedHankoutsixbottlesthenandthere。“
“Huh！”saysJake。“Sothejobisallpaidfur，isit？”
“Yes，“saysI，“andIwasexpectingtodoitmyself。ButnowIguessI"llgofishinginstead。
Theyain"tnootherjobintheshop。“
“I"llbedingedifyou"vegottimetofish，“saysJake。“I"mexpectingmebbytobuythatrigoffthetownmyselfwhenthelawletslooseofit。Soifthefixingispaidfur，Iwanteverythingfixed。“
“Jake，“saysI，kindofworriedlike，“Idon"twanttodoitwithoutthatdoctorsaystogoahead。“
“Theyain"this"nnolonger，“saysJake。
“Idunno，“saysI，“asyougotanyrighttomakemedoit，Jake。Itdon"tlooktomelikeit"snoharmtobeatacoupleoffellerslikethemoutoftheirmedicine。AndIDIDwanttogofishingthisafternoon。“
ButJakewasthatcarefulandstingyhe"dtrytoskinahosstwicetifitdied。He"sboundtogetthatjobdone，now。
“Danny，“hesays，“yougottodothatwork。
Itain"tHONESTnotto。Whatayoungfellerlikeyoujeststartingoutintolifewantstorememberistoalwaysbehonest。Then，“saysJake，squinch-
inguphiseyes，“peopletrustsyouandyougetagoodchancettomakemoney。Lookatthisherehotelandliverystable，Danny。TwentyyearsagoIdidn"thavenomore"nyou"vegot，Danny。
ButIalwayswentbythemmottoes——hardworkandbeinghonest。YouGOTTOnailthemshoeson，Danny，andfixthatwheel。“
“Well，allright，Jake，“saysI，“ifyoufeelthatwayaboutit。Jestgivemeachawoftobaccoandcomearoundandhelpmehitch"emup。“
SiEmerywasthereasleeponapileofstrawguardingthatproperty。ButRalphScottwasn"taround。Sididn"twakeuptillwehadhitched"emup。Hesayshewillridearoundtotheshopwithme。ButJakesays：
“It"sallright，Si。I"llgoovermyselfandfetch"embackpurtysoon。“WhichSiwasworeoutwithbeingupsolatethenightbefore，andgoesbacktosleepaginrightoff。
Well，sir，theywasn"tnothingwentwrong。I
droveslowthroughthevillageandpastourshop。
HankcometothedoorofitasIwentpast。ButIhitthemhossesalick，andtheybrokeintoarightsmarttrot。Elmira，shecomeontotheporchandIwavedmyhandather。Sheputherhanduptoherforeheadtoshutoutthesunandjeststared。
Shedidn"tknowIwaswavingherfarewell。Hank，heyelledsomethingatme，butIneverhearnwhat。
Ilickedthemhossesintoagallopandwentaroundtheturnoftheroad。Andthat"sthelastIeverseenorhearnofHankorElmiraorthattherelittletown。
CHAPTERV
IsloweddownwhenIgottotheschool-
house，andboththemfellerspiledin。
“IguessIbetterturnnorthfuraboutamileandthenturnwest，DoctorKirby，“Isays，“soastomakeakindofacirclearoundthattown。“
“Why，so，Rube？”heastsme。
“Well，“Isays，“weleftitgoingeast，andthey"llfolleruseast；sodon"twewanttobegoingwestwhilethey"refolleringeast？”
Looey，heagreedwithme。Buthesaiditwouldn"tbemuchuse，furwewouldlikelybeketchedupwithandtookbackandhungorsome-
thing，anyhow。LooeycouldgetthelowestinhissperritssometimesofanymanIeverseen。
“Don"tbeafraidofthat，“saysthedoctor。
“Theyarenotgoingtofollowus。THEYknowtheydidn"tgetthispropertybydueprocessoflaw。
THEYaren"tgoingtotakethecaseintoacountycourtwhereitwillallcomeoutaboutthewaytheyrobbedacoupleoftravellingmenwithafaketrial。“
“Iguessyouknowmoreaboutthelaw"nIdo，“
Isays。“Ikindo"thoughtmebbywestolethemhosses。“
“Well，“hesays，“wegot"em，anyhow。Andiftheytrytoarrestuswithoutawarrantthere"llbethedeucetopay。Buttheyaren"tgoingtomakeanymoretrouble。Iknowthesecountrycrooks。They"vegotnostomachfortroubleout-
sidetheirowntownship。“
Whichmademefeelconsiderablebetter，furI
neverbeenoftheopinionthatgoingaginthelawdoneanyonenogood。
Theylooksaroundinthatwagon，andalltheirstuffwasthere——JakeSmithandthesquirehav-
ingkep"italltogethercarefultomakethingsseemmorelegal，Isuppose——andthedoctorwasplumbtickled，andLooeyfeltascheerfulasheeverfeltaboutanything。Sothedoctorsaystheyhasevery-
thingtheyneedsbutsomereadymoney，andhe"llgetthatsure，furheneverseenthetimehecouldn"t。
“But，Looey，“hesays，“I"mdonewithcountryhotelsfromnowon。They"vegotthelastcenttheyeverwillfromme——atleastinthesummertime。“
“Howyougoingtoworkit？”Looeyastshim，likehehasn"tnohopesitwillworkright。
“Campout，“saysthedoctor。“I"vebeenthink-
ingitallover。“Thenheturnstome。“Rube，“
hesays，“whereareyougoing？”
“Well，“Isays，“Iain"tpintednowhereinper-
tic"lerexceptawayfromthattownwejustleft。
Whichmynameain"tRube，DoctorKirby，butDanny。“
“Dannywhat？”astshe。
“Nothing，“saysI，“jestDanny。“
“Well，then，Danny，“sayshe，“howwouldyouliketobeanIndian？”
“Medical？”astsI，“orreal？”
“LikeLooey，“sayshe。
ItellshimbeingamedicalInjunandmixedupwithashowlikehis"nwouldsuitmedowntotheground，andastshimwhatisthemaindutiesofonebesidestheblanketsandthefeathers。
“Well，“hesays，“thiscamping-outschemeofminewilltakeacoupleofIndians。Insteadofpay-
inghotelandfeedbillswe"llpitchourtent，“hesays，“attheedgeoftownineachsweetAuburnoftheplains。We"llsavemoneyandwe"llbenearthethrobbingheartofnature。AndanIndiancampineachplacewillbeagoodadvertisementfortheSagraw。Youcanlookafterthehorsesandlearntodothecookingandthatkindo"thing。Andmaybeafterwhile，“hesays，kindo"workinghim-
selfuptowherehethoughtitwasgoingtoberealnice，“maybeafterwhileIwillgiveyousomein-
sightintothehiddenmysteriesofsellingSiwashIndianSagraw。“
“Well，“saysI，“I"dliketolearnthat。“
“Wouldyou？”sayshe，kindo"laughingathim-
selfandmetoo，andyetkindo"enthusiastic，“well，then，thefirstthingyouhavetodoislearnhowtosellcornsalve。Anyonethatcansellcornsalvecansellanything。There"safarmhouserightoverthere，andI"llgiveyouyourfirstlessonrightnow。
Rummagearoundinthatsatchelthereundertheseatandgetmeatinboxandsomecornsalvelabels。“
Ifoundalotoflabels，andsomeboxestoo。Thelabelswasalldifferentsizes，butbarringthattheyalllookedaboutthesametome。WhilstIwassizingthemupheastsmeaginwastheyanycornsalveonesinthere。
“Whatcolourlabelisit，DoctorKirby？”I
astshim。Furtheywasbluelabelsandwhitelabelsandpinklabels。
Helooksatmerightqueer。“Can"tyoureadthelabels？”hesays，rightsharp。
“Well，“Isays，“Ineverbeenmuchofareaderwhenitcomestodifferentkindofmedicines。“
“Cornsalveisspelledonlyoneway，“sayshe。
“That"sright，“Isays，“andyou"dthinkIorterbeabletopickoutacommon，ordinarythinglikecornsalverightoff，wouldn"tyou？”
“Danny，“hesays，“youdon"tmeantotellmeyoucan"treadanythingatall？”
“Inevertoldyounothingofthekind。“
Hepicksoutalabel。
“Ifyoucanreadsofast，what"sthat？”heasts。
Sheisapinkone。Ithinkstomyself；sheeitheriscornsalveorelsesheain"tcornsalve。Anditain"tnatcheralhewillpickcornsalve，furhewouldthinkIwouldsaythatfirstoff。SoI"mbettingitain"t。Itakesachancetonit。
“That，“saysI，“ismightyeasyreading。ThatisSiwashInjunSagraw。“Ilost。
“It"scornsalve，“hesays。“AndGreatScott！
Theycallthisthetwentiethcentury！”
“Inevercalleditthat，“saysI，sorto"mad-like。
FurIwasfeelingbadDoctorKirbyhadfoundoutIwassuchaignoramus。
“Whereignoranceisbliss，“sayshe，“itisfollytobewise。Butallthesame，I"mgoingtotakeyoureducationinhandandmakeyoudrinkoflife"sPeruviansprings。“Orsomespringlikethatitwas。
Andthedoctor，hedoneit。Looeysaiditwouldn"tbenouselearningtoread。He"ddonealotofreading，hesaid，anditneverhelpedhimnone。
AllheeverreadshowedhimthisfellerHamletwasright，hesaid，whenhewroteShakespeare"sworks，andtheywasn"tmuchuseinanything，withoutyouhadaloto"money。Andtheywasn"tnochancettogetthatwithalltheseheretrustsaroundgobblingupeverythingandstompingthepoormanintothedirt，andtheywaslotsoftimeshewishthewasaInjunsureenough，andnotjestamedicalone，furthenhe"dbeafreemanandthebossesandthetrustsandtherailroadsandtherobbertariffcouldn"ttouchhim。Andthenheshutup，anddidn"tsaynothingfurahullhour，exceptoncethelaughed。
FurDoctorKirby，hesays，winkingatme：
“Looey，here，isanihilist。“
“Ishe，“saysI，what"sthat？”Andthedoctortellsmeabouthowtheyblowupdukesandczarsandthemforeignhigh-mucky-muckswithdynamite。
WhichiswhenLooeylaughed。
Well，wejoggedalongataprettygoodgaitfurseveralhours，andwestayedthatnightataSwede"splace，whichthedoctorpaidhimfureverythinginmedicine，onlyittookalongtimetomakethebar-
gain，furthemSwedesisalwayscarefulnottogetcheated，andhasn"tmanydiseases。Andthenextnightweshowedinalittletown，anddonerightwell，andtookinconsiderablemoney。Westayedtherethreedaysandboughtatentandasheet-ironstoveandsomeskilletsandthingsandsomeprovisions，andasuitofdudsforme。
Well，wewenton，andwekeptgoingon，andtheywasbullytimes。We"deaseupcarefultowardatown，andpickusoutaplaceontheedge，wherethehossescouldgrazealongthesideoftheroad；
andmostginerallybyapieceofwoodsnotfurfromthattown，andnighacrick，ifwecould。Thenwe"dsetupourtent。Afterwehadeverythingfixed，I"dputonmyInjunclothesandLooeyhis"n，andwe"ddrivethroughthemainstorestreetofthetownatapurtygoodlick，mea-holtofthereins，andthedoctoralltoggedoutinhisbestclothes，andLooeydoingaInjundanceinthemidstofthewagon。I"dpullupthehossessuddeninfrontofthepost-officeorthedepotplatformorthehotel，andthepeoplewouldcomecrowdingaround，andthedoctorhe"dmakealittletalkfromthewagon，andtelleverybodytheywouldbeafreeshowthatnightonthatcorner，andfureverybodytocometoit。Andthenwe"ddrivebacktocamp，lickity-
split。
Purtysooneveryboyintownwouldbeoutthere，kindo"hangingaround，toseewhataInjuncampwaslike。Andthefarmersthatwentintoandoutoftownalwaysstoppedandpassedthetimeofday，andtheInjuncampgotthehulltownallworkedupasausualthing；andthedoctor，hedonewell，furwhennightcomeeveryonewouldbeonhand。Looeyandme，everytimewewentintotown，hadonourInjunsuits，andthedoctor，hewonderedwhyhehadn"tneverthoughtupthatschemebefore。Sometimes，whentheywaslotsofpeopleailinginatown，andtheyhadn"tbeennoshowfurquiteawhile，we"dstayfiveorsixdays，andmakeagoodclean-up。Thedoctor，hesenttoChicagoseveraltimesfuralcoholinbarrels，"causehewassellingitsofasthehadtomakenewSagraw。Andhehadtogetmoreandmorebottles，andahullsatchelfullofnewSagrawlabelsprinted。
Andallthetimethedoctorwaslearningmeedu-
cation。Andshucks！theywasn"tnothingsohardaboutitoncetyou"dgotstartedintoreadingthings。
Ijestnatcherallytooktoprintlikeaducktowater，andinsideofamonthIwasreadingnighevery-
thingthathaseverbeenwrote。HehadlotsofbookswithhimandeverytimeanewsockdologerofawordcomealongandIlearnthowtospellherandwheresheorterfitintomakesenseitkindo"tickledmeallover。Andmany"sthetimeafterward，whenmeandthedoctorhadlosttrackofeachother，andtheywasquiteaspellpeoplegottothinkingIwasatramp，I"vewentintothesehereAndrewCarnegielibrariesindifferenttownsjestasmuchtoseeiftheyhadanythingfittentoreadasfurtokeepwarm。
Well，wewenteasingovertowardtheIndianyline，andwewashavingapurtygoodtime。Theywasn"tnoworktodoyoucouldcallreallyhard，andtheywasplentyofvittles。Afternoonswe"dlazyaroundthecampandswapstoriesandmakemedicineifweneededabatch，andjoshbackandforthwiththepeoplethathungaround，andloafanddozeandsmoke；ormebbydoalittlefishingifwewasnighacrick。
Andnightsaftertheshowwasoveritwasfun，too。Wealwayshadafire，evenifitwasahotnight，furtocookbyinthefirstplace，andfurtokeepmosquitoesoff，andtomakethingsseemmorecheerful。Theyain"tnothingsogoodashangingroundacampfire。Andtheyain"tnothinganybetterthansleepingoutdoors，neither。Yourollupinyourblanketwithyourfeettothefireandyougettowonderingthingsaboutthingsaforeyougotosleep。Thesilentnessjestnatcherallyswampseverythingafterawhile，andthenallthemqueerlittlenoisesyouneverhearinthedaytimecomespoppingandpokingthroughthesilentness，orkindo"scratchingtheirwaythroughitsometimes，andmakesitkindo"feelmoresilentthanever。Andifyouarenighacrick，purtysoonitwillsortofgettotalkingtoyou，onlyyoucan"tmakeoutwhatit"stryingtosay，andyougettowonderingaboutthat，too。Andifyouareinatentanditrainsandthetentdon"tleak，thatrainisakindofanicethingtolistentoitself。Butifyoucanseethestarsyougettowonderingmore"never。Theycomeoutandtheyissomanyofthemandtheyaresofuraway，andyettheyaresokindo"friendly-
like，too，ifyouhappentobefeelingpurtygood。
Butifyouain"tfeelingpurtygood，jestlaythereandlookatthemstarslongenough；andthenmebbyyou"llseeitdon"tmakenodifferencewhetheryou"refeelinggoodornot，furtheygotawayo"
makingyourprivatetroubleslookmightysmall。
Andyougettowonderingwhythatis，too，furtheyain"thuman；anditdon"tstandtoreasonyouorterpaynoattentiontothem，onewaynortheother。
Theyisjestthere，liketreesandcricksandhills。
ButIhaveoftennoticedthatthethingsthatisjesttherehasgotawayofseemingmorefriendlythanthethingsthathasbeenbuiltandputthere。
Youcanlookatabigironbridgeoragrainelevatororacanalalldaylong，andifyou"refeelingblueitdon"thelpyounone。Itwasjestputthere。Orahaystackisthesameway。Butyougoandlazyaroundinthegrasswhenyou"redownonyourluckandkindo"makeremarkstoacrickorabig，oldwalnuttree，andbeforelongitgetsyoutofeelinglikeitdidn"tmakenodifferencehowyoufelt，anyhow；furyoudon"tamounttonothingbythesideofsomethingthatwasalwaysthere。Yougettothinkinghowthehullworlditselfwasalwayshere，andyousorto"seetheyain"tnothingim-
portantenoughaboutyourselftoworryabout，andpresentlyyouwillgotosleepandforgetit。Thedoctorsaystomeonetimethemstarsain"tanydifferentfromthisworld，andthisisoneofthem。Whichisafoolidea，asanyonecansee。Hehadalotofqueerideaslikethat，DoctorKirbyhad。Buttheyain"tnothinglikesleepingoutofdoorsnightstomakeyouwonderthekindofwonderingsyouneverwillgetanyanswerto。
Well，Inevercaredsomuchfurhousesafterthemdays。Theywasbullytimes，themwas。AndI
waskindofproudofbeingwithashow，too。
Many"sthetimeIhavewentdownthestreetinthatthereInjunsuit，andseenhowtheyoungfellerswouldofgivealltheyownedtobeme。Andeverynowandthenyouwouldhearonesaywhenyouwentpast：
“Huh，Iknowhim！That"soneofthemshowfellers！”
OneafternoonwepitchesourtentrightontheedgeofalittletowncalledAthens。Wewasnighthebankofacrick，andtheywasagrovethere。
Wewascampedjestoutsideofawood-lotfence，andbackinthroughthetreesfromustheywasahousewithahedgefenceallaroundit。Theywasappletreesandallkindofflowerbushesandthingsinsideofthehedge。TheseconddaywewasthereItakesawalkbackthroughthewood-lot，andalongpastthehouse，andtheywasoneofthesehereearlyharvestappletreesspillingapplesthroughagapinthefence。Themisamightysweetandjuicykindofapple，andIpicksoneupandbitesintoit。
“Ithinkyoumighthaveaskedforit，“sayssomeone。
CHAPTERVI
Ilooksup，andthatwashowIgotac-
quaintedwithMartha。Shewaseatingoneherself，settingupinthetreelikeaboy。
Inherlapwasabookshehadbeenreading。Shewasleaningbackintotheforktwolimbsmadesoasnottotumble。
“Well，“Isays，“canIhaveone？”
“You"veeatenitalready，“shesays，“sothereisn"tanyusebeggingforitnow。“
Iseenshewasatease，thatgirl，andIwouldofgiveanythingtoofbeenabletoteaseherrightbackagin。ButIcouldn"tthinkofnothingtosay，soIjeststandstherekindo"dumblike，thinkingwhatadernpurtygirlshewas，andthinkinghowdumbImustlook，andIfeltmyfacegettingred。
DoctorKirbywouldofthoughtofsomethingtosayrightoff。AndafterIgotbacktocampIwouldthinkofsomethingmyself。ButIcouldn"tthinkofnothingbright，soIsays：
“Well，then，yougivemeanotherone！”
Shegivesthecoreoftheoneshehasbeeneatingatossatme。ButIketchedit，andmadelikeI
wasgoingtothrowitbackatherrealhard。Sheslungupherarm，anddodgedback，andshedroppedherbook。
IthinkstomyselfI"lllearnthatgirltogetsassyandmakemefeellikeadumb-head，evenifsheispurty。SoIdon"tsayaword。Ijestpicksupthatbookandsticksitundermyarmandwalksawayslowwithittowheretheywasastumpalittlewaysoff，notfurfromthecrick，andsetsdownwithmybacktoherandopensit。AndIwastryingallthetimetothinkofsomethingsmarttosaytoher。ButIcouldn"tofdoneitifIwastobeshot。Still，Ithinkstomyself，nogirlcansassmeandnotgetsassedback，neither。
IhearnascramblebehindmewhichIknowedwashergettingoutofthattree。Andinaminuteshewasinfrontofme，mad。
“Givememybook，“shesays。
ButIonlyreadsthenameofthebookoutloud，furtoaggervateher。Ihadonpurtygoodduds，butIkindofwishtIhadonmyInjunrigthen。
YoutakethegirlsthatalwayscomesdowntoseethepassengertraincomeintothedepotinthemcountrytownsandthatInjunrigofmineandLooey"salwaysmade"emturnaroundandlookatusagin。IneverwishtIhadonthemInjundudssohardbeforeinmylife。ButIcouldn"tthinkofnothingbrighttosay，soIjestreadsthenameofthatbookovertomyselfagin，kindo"grinninglikeIgotagoodjokeIain"tgoingtotellanyone。
“Yougivememybook，“shesaysagin，redasoneofthemharvestapples，“orI"lltellMissHamp-
tonyoustoleitandshe"llhaveyouandyourshowarrested。“
Ireadsthenameagin。Itwas“TheLostHeir。“
IseenIhadhergoodandteasednow，soIsays：
“Itmustbeoneoftheseherelovestoriesbythewayyoutakeonoverit。“
“It"snot，“shesays，gettingreadytocry。“Andwhatrighthaveyougotinourwood-lot，anyhow？”
“Well，“Isays，“Iwasjestabouttomoveonandclimboutofitwhenyouholleredtomefromthattree。“
“Ididn"t！”shesays。ButshewasmadbecausesheknowedsheHADspoketomefirst，andshewasawfulsorryshehad。
“IthoughtIhearnyouholler，“Isays，“butIguessitmustofbeenasquirrel。“Isaiditkindo"sarcasticlike，furIwasstillmadwithmyselffurbeingsodumbwhenwefirstseeneachother。
Ihadn"tnoideaitwouldhurtherfeelingsashardasitdid。Butallofasuddenshebeginstowink，andherchintrembled，andsheturnedaroundshort，andstartedtowalkoffslow。Shewasmadwithherselffurbeingketchedinalie，andshewaswonderingwhatIwouldthinkofherfurbeingsoboldastoofspokefirsttoafellershedidn"tknow。
Igotupandfolleredheralittlepiece。AnditcometomealltooncetIhadteasedhertoohard，andIwasdownonmyselffurit。
“Say，“Isays，kindoftaggingalongbesideofher，“here"syouroldbook。“
Butshedidn"tmakenomovetotakeit，andherhandswasoverherface，andshewouldn"tpull"emdowntoevenlookatit。
SoItriedagin。
“Well，“Isays，feelingrealmean，“Iwishtyouwouldn"tcry。Ididn"tgotomakeyoudothat。“
Shedropsherhandsandwhirlsaroundonme，madasawethenrightoff。
“I"mnot！I"mnot！”shesingsout，andstampsherfeet。“I"mnotcrying！”Butjestthenshelosesherholtonherselfandbustsoutandjestnatcherallybellers。“Ihateyou！”shesays，likeshecouldofkilledme。
Thatmademekindofdumbagin。FuritcometomealltooncetIlikedthatgirlawfulwell。AndhereI"dupandmadeherhateme。Iheldthebookouttoheraginandsays：
“Well，I"mmightysorryfurthat，furIdon"tfeelthat-a-wayaboutyoua-tall。Here"syourbook。“
Well，sir，shesnatchesthatbookandshegivesitasling。Ithoughtitwasgoingkersplashintothecrick。Butitdidn"t。Ithitrightintotheforkofalimbthathungdownoverthecrick，anditallspreadoutwhenitlit，andstuckinthatcrotchsomehow。Shecouldn"tofslungitthatwayonpurposeinamillionyears。Webothstandsandlooksatitaminute。
“Oh，oh！”shesays，“whathaveIdone？It"soutofthetownlibraryandI"llhavetopayforit。“
“I"llgetitfuryou，“Isays。Butitwasn"tnoeasyjob。IfIshookthatlimbitwouldtumbleintothecrick。ButIclumbthetreeandeasedoutonthatlimbasfurasIdastto。And，ofcourse，jestasIgotholtofthebook，thatlimbbrokeandIfellintothecrick。ButIhadthebook。
Itwassomesoaked，butIreckoneditcouldstillberead。
Iclumboutandshewasjestsplittingherselflaughingatme。Thewetonherfacewhereshehadcriedwasn"tdriedupyet，andshewaslaughingrightthroughit，kindo"likethesundoestooneofthesehereMayrainstormssometimes，andshewasthepurtiestgirlIeverseen。Gosh！——howI
wasgettingtolikethatgirl！AndshetoldmeI
lookedlikeadrownedrat。
Well，thatwashowMarthaandmewasinter-
duced。Shewasn"tmore"nsixteen，andwhenshefoundoutIwasaorphanshewasglad，furshewasoneherself。WhichMissHamptonthatlivedinthathousehadtookhertoraise。AndwhenI
tellsherhowIbeentravellingaroundthecountryallsummersheclapsherhandsandshesays：
“Oh，youareonaquest！Howromantic！”
Iastsherwhatisaquest。Andshetellsme。
Sheknowedallaboutthem，furMarthawascon-
siderableofareader。Someofthemwaslongerandsomeofthemwasshorter，themquests，butmostly，Marthasays，theywasfuratwelvemonthandaday。Andthenyouarereleasedfromyourvowandoneoftheseherequeensgivesyouawhackovertheshoulderwithaswordandsays：“Arise，SirMarmeluke，Idubyouanight。“Andthenitislegalfuryoutogooutandrescuepeopleandreformthemandspearthemiftheydon"tseethingsyourway，andcomebetweenhusbandandwifewhentheyrow，anddoaheapofgoodintheworld。Well，theywasotherkindofqueststoo，butmostlyyoumarriedsomebody，orwasdubbedanight，orfoundthepartyyouwaslookingfur，intheend。AndMarthahaditallfixedupinherownmindIwasinaquesttofindmyfather。Fur，saysshe，heispurtycertaintobeapowerfulrichmanandmore"nlikelyaearl。
ThewayIwasfound，Marthasays，kindo"
pintstotheideatheywasaearlmixedupinitsomewhere。Shehadreadalotaboutearls，andknewtheirways。Mebbymymotherwasaearl"sdaughter。Earl"sdaughtersistheworstfurleavingyououtinbaskets，goingbywhatMarthasaid。
Itisakindofahabitwiththem，furtheyisawfulproudpeople。Butitwasaluckywaytostartlife，fromallshesaid，thatbasketway。TherewasMoseswasleftoutthatway，andwhenhegroweduphewasmadeakindofapresidentofthehullhumanrace，thesameasRuzevelt，andfiggeredoutthetwelvecommandments。Marthawouldofgiveanythingifshecouldofonlybeenfoundinabasketlikeme，Icouldseethat。Butshewasn"t。Shehadjestbeenleftaorphanwhenherfolksdied。Theywasn"tevennohopesshehadbeenchangedatbirthfuranotherone。ButIseendowninundereverythingMarthakindo"
thoughtmebbyoneofthemnightsmightcomea-prancingalongandwedherinspiteofherself，orshewouldbecarriedoff，orsomething。Shewasaveryromancefulkindofgirl。
WhenIseenshehaditfiggeredoutIwasinaquestfursomehigh-mucky-muckfuradad，I
didn"ttellhernodifferent。Ididn"ttakemuchstockinthemearlsandnightsmyself。SofurasIcouldseetheywasallfurrinersofonekindoranother。Butthatthingofbeingintoaquestkindofinterestedme，too。
“HowwouldIknowhimifIwastorunacrosthim？”Iastsher。
“YouwouldfeelanIntangibleSomething，“shesays，“drawingyoutowardhim。“
Iastsherwhatkindofasomething。Imakeoutfromwhatshesaysitissomelikethesefellersthatcanfindwaterwithapieceofwitchhazelswitch。
Youtakeaswitchofitbetweenyourthumbsandpointitup。Thenyoushutyoureyesandwalkbackwards。Whenyougetoverwherethewateristhewitchhazelsticktwistsaroundandpointstotheground。Youdigthereandyougetagoodwell。Nobodyknowsjestwhythatstickisdrawedtotheground。Itislikeoneoftheselittlewhirly-
gigcompassesisdrawedtothenorth。Itisthesame，Marthasays，ifyouisonaquestfurafatheroramother，onlyyouhavegottobeworthyofthattherequest，shesays。Thefirsttimeyoumeettherightoneyouaredrawedjestlikethewitchhazel。ThatistheIntangibleSomethingworkingonyou，shesays。
Marthahadlearntalotaboutthat。Thebookthathadfellinthecrickwaslikethat。Shelentittome。
Well，thatallsoundedkindofreasonabletome。
Iseenthatwitchhazelworkmyself。OldBlindyWolfe，whoseeyeshadbeendeadfursomanyyearstheyhadturnedplumbwhite，hadthatgift，andpickedoutalltheplacesfurwellsthatwasduginourneighbourhoodathome。AndImakesupmymindIwillwatchoutfurthatfeelingofbeingdrawedwhereverIgoesafterthis。Youcan"ttellwhatwillcomeofthemkindofthings。SopurtysoonMarthahastomilkthecow，andIgoesalongbacktocampthinkingaboutthatquestandaboutwhatapurtygirlsheis，whichwehadsettheretalkingsolongitwasnighsundownandmyclotheshaddriedontome。
WhenIgotovertocampIseentheymustbesomethingwrong。Looeywassettinginthegrassunderthewagonlookingkindofsourandkindofworriedandwatchingthedoctor。Thedoctorwasjestinsidethetent，andhewaslookingqueertoo，andnotcheerful，whichhewasusually。
Thedoctorlooksatmelikehedon"tskeerclyknowme。Whichhedon"t。Hehasoneofthemquietkindofdrunkson。WhichLooeyexplainsisboundtocomeeverysooften。Hedon"tdonothingmean，butjestgetslow-sperritedandwon"ttalktonoone。Thenallofasuddenhewillgodowntownandwalkupanddownthemainstreets，orderly，butlookinghardintopeople"sfaces，mostlywomen"sfaces。Oncet，Looeysays，theywasbigtroubleoverit。Theywasinastoreinagood-sizedtown，andhetookholdofawoman"schin，andtiltedherfaceback，andlookedatherhard，andmostscaredhertodeath，andtheywasnearlybeingariotthere。Andhewasjailedandhadtopayabigfine。SincethenLooeyalwaysfollershimaroundwhenheisthat-a-way。
Well，thatnightDoctorKirbyistoofurgonefurustohaveourshow。Hejestsetsandstaresandstaresatthefire，andhiseyeslooksliketheyisanotherfireinsideofhishead，andheishurtingoutsideandin。Looeyandmewatcheshimfromtheshaddersfuralongtimebeforeweturnsin，andthelastthingIseenbeforeIwenttosleepwashimsettingtherewithhisfaceinhishands，staring，andhislipsmovingnowandthenlikehewastalkingtohimself。
Thenextdayheisasleepallmorning。Butthatdayhedon"tdrinkanymore，andLooeysaysmebbyitain"tgoingtobeoneofthereg"larpifflicatedkind。IseenMarthaaginthatday，too——twicetIhastalkswithher。Itoldheraboutthedoctor。
“Isheintoaquest，doyouthink？”Iastsher。
Shesaysshethinksitisremorsefursomecrimehehasdone。ButIcouldn"tfiggerDoctorKirbywouldofdonenone。SothatnightaftertheshowIsaystohim，innocent-like：
“DoctorKirby，whatisaquest？”Helooksatmekindofqueer。
“Wherefore，“sayshe，“thissuddenthirstforenlightenment？”
“Ijestrunacrostthewordaccidental-like，“I
toldhim。
Helooksatmeawfulhard，hiseyesjestnatcherallydiggingintome。IfeltlikeheknowedIhadsetouttopumphim。IwishtIhadn"ttriedit。Thenhetellsmeaquestisahunt。AndI"mgladthat"soverwith。Butitain"t。Furpurtysoonhesays：
“Danny，didyoueverhearofLadyClaraVeredeVere？”
“No，“Isays，“whoisshe？”
“AladyfriendofLordTennyson"s，“hesays，“whosemannerswereabovereproach。“
“Well，“Isays，“shesoundskindoflikeamedi-
cinetome。“
“LadyClara，“hesays，“andalltheotherVeredeVeres，werepeoplewithmannersweshouldtrytoimitate。IfLadyClarahadbeenherelastnightwhenIwastalkingtomyself，Danny，hermannerswouldn"thaveletherlistentowhatI
wastalkingabout。“
“Ididn"tlisten！”Isays。FurIseenwhathewasdrivingatnowwiththemVeredeVeres。HethoughtIhadasthimwhataquestwasbecausehewasonone。Iwascertainofthat，now。Hewasn"tquitesurewhathehadbeentalkingabout，andhewantedtoseehowmuchIhadhearn。I
thinkstomyselfitmustbeaawfulfunnykindofhuntheison，ifheonlyhuntswhenheisinthatfix。ButIactedrealinnocentandlikemyfeelingswashurt，andhebelievedme。Purtysoonhesays，cheerfullike：
“Therewasagirltalkingtoyouto-day，Danny。“
“Mebbytheywas，“Isays，“andmebbytheywasn"t。“ButIfeltmyfacegettingredallthesame，andwasmadbecauseitdid。Hegrinnedkindofaggervatingatmeandsayssomepoetryatmeaboutinthespringayoungman"sfrenzylikelyturnstothoughtsoflove。
“Well，“Isays，kindofsheepish-like，“thisissummer-time，andpurtynighautumn。“ThenI
seenI"djestasgoodasownedupIlikedMartha，andwaskindofmadatmyselffurthat。ButI
toldhimsomemoreabouther，too。SomehowIjestcouldn"thelpit。Helaughsatmeandgoesonintothetent。
Ilaidthereandlookedatthefirefurquiteaspell，outsidethetent。Iwasthinking，ifallthemtaleswasn"tjestdernfoolishness，howIwishtI
wouldreallyfindadadthatwasahigh-mucky-
muckandcouldcomebackinanautomobileandtakeheraway。Ilaidtherefuralong，longtime；
itmustofbeenfuracoupleofhours。Isupposedthedoctorhadwenttosleep。
ButallofasuddenIlooksup，andheisinthedoorofthetentstaringatme。Iseenhehadbeeninthereatithardagin，andthinking，quiet-like，allthistime。Hestoodthereinthedoorwayofthetent，withthefirelightontohisfaceandhisredbeard，andhisarmsstretchedout，holdingtothecanvasandlookingatmestrangeandwild。
Thenhemovedhishandupanddownatme，andhesays：
“Ifshe"sfoolenoughtoloveyou，treatherwell——
treatherwell。Forifyoudon"t，youcanneverrunawayfromthehellyou"llcarryinyourownheart。“
Andhekindofdoubledupandpitchedforwardwhenhesaidthat，andifIhadn"tketchedhimhewouldoffellrightacrostthefire。Hewasplumbpifflicated。
CHAPTERVII
Marthawouldn"toftookanythingfurbeingaroundMissHampton，shesaid。
MissHamptonwaskindofquietandsweetandpalelooking，andnobodyeverthoughtoftalkingloudorraisinganyfusswhenshewasaround。Shehadenoughmoneyofherowntorunherselfon，andshekep"toherselfagooddeal。
Shehadcometothattownfromnooneknowedwhere，yearsago，andboughtthatplace。Furallofherbeingsogentleandeasyandtalkingwithoneofthemsoft，drawlykindofvoices，Marthasays，noonehadeverdaredtoastheraboutherself，thoughtheywasalotofwomeninthattownthatwaswishfulto。
ButMarthasaidsheknowedwhatMissHamp-
ton"ssecretwas，andshehadn"ttoldnoone，neither。
Whichshetoldme，andallthepromisingIdoneaboutnottellingwouldofmadethecoldchillsrunupyourback，itwassosolemn。MissHamptonhadbeenjiltedyearsago，Marthasaid，andthenameofthejilterwasDavidArmstrong。Well，hemustofbeenalowdownsortofman。Marthasaidifthingswasonlyfixedinthiscountryliketheyoughttobe，shewouldofsentanighttofindthatDavidArmstrong。Andthatwouldofendedupinamortalcombat，andthenightwouldhavecleavedhim。
“Yes，“saysI，“andthenyouwouldofmarriedthattherenight，Isuppose。“
Shesaysshewouldof。
“Well，“saysI，“mebbyyouwouldofandmebbyyouwouldn"tof。IfhecleavedDavidArmstrong，thatnightwouldlikelybearrestedfurit。“
Marthasaysifhewasshewouldwaitoutsidehisdungeonkeepfuryearsandyears，tillshewasaoldwomanwithgrayinherhair，andeverydaytheywouldgivelingeringlooksateachotherthroughthewindowbars。Andtheywouldbehappythat-
a-way。Andshewouldgetherawhitedoveandtrainitsoitwouldflyuptothatwindowandtakeinnotestohim，andhewouldsendnotesbackthat-a-
way，andtheywouldbothbeawfulsadandro-
mancefulandcontenteddoingthat-a-wayfureverandever。
Well，Inevertooknostockinthemmournfulwaysofbeinghappy。Icouldn"tofrizuptobeinganightfurMartha。Sheexpectedtoomuchofone。
Ithoughtitoverfuralittlespellwithoutsayinganything，andItriedtomakemyselfbelieveIwouldoflikedallthatdovebusiness。Butitwasn"tnousepertending。IknowedIwouldgettiredofit。
“Martha，“Isays，“mebbytheseherenightsisallright，andmebbytheyain"t。Ineverseenone，andIdon"tknow。And，mindyou，Iain"tsayingawordagintheirwayofacting。Ican"tsayhowIwouldofbeenmyself，ifIhadbeenbrunguplikethem。Butitlookstome，fromsomeofthethingsyou"vesaidabout"em，theymusthaveadernfoolstreakin"emsomewheres。“
Iwaskindofjealousofthemnights，Iguess，orIwouldn"tofrun"emdownthat-a-waybehindtheirbacks。ButthewayshewasalwaystakingonoverthemwascalkelatedtomakemeseeI
wasn"tknee-hightoaduckinMartha"smindwhenoneofthemnightspoppedintoherhead。