第4章
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。“