\"IreckonIwould；buthowamIgoin\'toschool，now，I\'dliketoknow？I
ain\'tgotnomoneytobuybooks，andtheschool-teachersaidyouhavetopaytogotoschool，uphere。\"
\"Well，we\'llseeaboutthat，\"saidtheMajor，andChadwonderedwhathemeant。
PresentlytheMajorgotupandwenttothesideboardandpouredoutadrinkofwhiskeyand，raisingittohislips，stopped：
\"Willyoujoinme？\"heasked，humorously，thoughitwashardfortheMajortoomitthatformulaevenwithaboy。
\"Idon\'tkeerifIdo，\"saidChad，gravely。TheMajorwasastoundedandamused，andthoughtthattheboywasnotinearnest，buthehandedhimthebottleandChadpouredoutadrinkthatstaggeredhishost，anddrankitdownwithoutwinking。Atthefire，theMajorpulledouthischewingtobacco。This，too，heofferedandChadaccepted，equallingtheMajorintheaccuracywithwhichhereachedthefireplacethereafterwiththejuice，carryingoffhisaccomplishment，too，withperfectandunconsciousgravity。TheMajorwasnightosplittingwithsilentlaughterforafewminutes，andthenhegrewgrave。
\"Doeseverybodydrinkandchewdowninthemountains？\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidChad。\"EverybodymakeshisownlickerwhereIcomefrom。\"
\"Don\'tyouknowit\'sverybadforlittleboystodrinkandchew？\"
\"No，sir。\"
\"Didnobodyevertellyouitwasverybadforlittleboystodrinkandchew？\"
\"No，sir\"——notoncehadChadforgottenthat。
\"Well，itis。\"
Chadthoughtforaminute。\"Willitkeepmefromgittin\'tobeaBIGman？\"
\"Yes。\"
Chadquietlythrewhisquidintothefire。
\"Well，Ibedamned，\"saidtheMajorunderhisbreath。\"Areyougoin\'toquit？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
Meanwhile，theolddriver，whosewifelivedonthenextfarm，wastellingtheservantsoverthereaboutthequeerlittlestrangerwhomhismasterhadpickedupontheroadthatday，andafterChadwasgonetobed，theMajorgotoutsomeoldlettersfromachestandreadthemoveragain。ChadwickBufordwashisgreat-grandfather\'stwinbrother，andnotawordhadbeenheardofhimsincethetwohadpartedthatmorningontheoldWildernessRoad，awaybackintheearliestpioneerdays。So，theMajorthoughtandthoughtsuppose——suppose？\"Andatlasthegotupandwithanupliftedcandle，lookedalongwhileattheportraitofhisgrandfatherthathungonthesouthernwall。
Then，withasuddenhumor，hecarriedthelighttotheroomwheretheboywasinsoundsleep，withhisheadononesturdyarm，hishairlooseonthepillow，andhislipsslightlypartedandshowinghiswhite，eventeeth；helookedattheboyalongtimeandfanciedhecouldseesomeresemblancetotheportraitinthesetofthemouthandthenoseandthebrow，andhewentbacksmilingathisfanciesandthinking——fortheMajorwassensitivetotheclaimofanydropofthebloodinhisownveins——nomatterhowdiluted。Hewasahandsomelittlechap。
\"Howstrange！Howstrange！\"
Andhesmiledwhenhethoughtoftheboy\'slastquestion。
\"Where\'sYO\'mammy？\"
IthadstirredtheMajor。
\"Iamlikeyou，Chad，\"hehadsaid。\"I\'vegotnomammy——nonothin\'，exceptMissLucy，andshedon\'tlivehere。I\'mafraidshewon\'tbeonthisearthlong。Nobodylivesherebutme，Chad。\"
CHAPTER9。MARGARET
TheMajorwasintownandMissLucyhadgonetospendthedaywithaneighbor；
soChadwasleftalone。
\"Lookaroun\'，Chad，andseehowyoulikethings，\"saidtheMajor。\"Goanywhereyouplease。\"
AndChadlookedaround。HewenttothebarntoseehisoldmareandtheMajor\'shorses，andtothekennels，wherethefox-houndsrearedagainstthepalingsandsniffedathimcuriously；hestrolledaboutthequarters，wherethelittlepickaninnieswereplaying，andouttothefields，wheretheservantswereatworkundertheoverseer，JeromeConners，atall，thinmanwithshrewdeyes，asour，sullenface，andprotrudingupperteeth。Oneofthefewsmilesthatevercametothatfacecamenowwhentheoverseersawthelittlemountaineer。ByandbyChadgotoneofthe\"hands\"tolethimtakeholdoftheploughandgooncearoundthefield，andtheboyhandledtheploughlikeaveteran，sothattheotherswatchedhim，andthenegrogrinned，whenhecameback，andsaid\"Yousutinlycanploughferafac\'！\"
Hewaslonesomebynoonandhadalonelydinner，duringwhichhecouldscarcelyrealizethatitwasreallyhe——Chad——Chadsittingupatthetablealoneandbeingrespectfullywaitedonbyakinky-headedlittlenegrogirl——calledThanky-ma\'ambecauseshewasbornonThanksgivingday——andhewonderedwhattheTurnerswouldthinkiftheycouldseehimnow——andtheschool-master。Wherewastheschool-master？Hebegantobesorrythathehadn\'tgonetotowntotrytofindhim。PerhapstheMajorwouldseehim——buthowwouldtheMajorknowtheschool-master？Hewassorryhehadn\'tgone。Afterdinnerhestartedout-doorsagain。Earthandskywereradiantwithlight。
Greatwhitetumblingcloudswerepiledhighallaroundthehorizon——andwhatalonglengthofskyitwasineverydirectiondowninthemountains，hehadtolookstraightup，sometimes，toseetheskyatall。Blackbirdschatteredinthecedarsashewenttotheyardgate。Thefieldoutsidewasfullofsingingmeadow-larks，andcrowswerecawinginthewoodsbeyond。Therehadbeenalightshower，andonthedeadtopofatalltreehesawabuzzardstretchinghiswingsouttothesun。Pasttheedgeofthewoods，ranalittlestreamwithbanksthatweregreentotheverywater\'sedge，andChadfolloweditonthroughthewoods，overawornrail-fence，alongasproutingwheat-field，outintoapastureinwhichsheepandcattleweregrazing，andon，pastalittlehill，where，onthenextlowslope，satagreatwhitehousewithbigwhitepillars，andChadclimbedontopofthestonefence——andsat，looking。Ontheporticostoodatallmaninaslouchhatandaladyinblack。Atthefootofthestepsaboy——aheadtallerthanChadperhaps——wasriggingupafishing-pole。Anegroboywasleadingablackponytowardtheporch，and，tohisdyingday，Chadneverforgotthescenethatfollowed。For，thenextmoment，alittlefigureinalongriding-skirtstoodinthebigdoorwayandthenrandownthesteps，whilealaugh，asjoyousasthewaterrunningathisfeet，floateddowntheslopetohisears。Hesawthenegrostoop，thelittlegirlboundlightlytohersaddle；hesawherblackcurlsshakeinthesunlight，againthemerrylaughtinkledinhisears，andthen，withawhiteplumenoddingfromherblackcap，shegallopedoffanddisappearedamongthetrees；andChadsatlookingafterher——thrilled，mysteriouslythrilled——mysteriouslysaddened，straightway。Wouldheeverseeheragain？
Thetallmanandtheladyinblackwentin-doors，thenegrodisappeared，andtheboyatthefootofthestepskeptonrigginghispole。Severaltimesvoicessoundedunderthehighcreekbankbelowhim，but，quickashisearswere，Chaddidnothearthem。Suddenlytherewasacrythatstartledhim，andsomethingflashedinthesunovertheedgeofthebankandfloppedinthegrass。
\"Snowball！\"animperiousyoungvoicecalledbelowthebank，\"getthatfish！\"
OnthemomentChadwasalertagain——somebodywasfishingdownthere——andhesprangfromhisperchandrantowardthefishjustasawoollyheadandajet-blackfacepeepedoverthebank。
Thepickaninny\'seyeswerestretchedwidewhenhesawthestrangefigureincoonskincapandmoccasinsrunningdownonhim，hisfacealmostblanchedwithterror，andheloosedhisholdand，withacryoffright，rolledbackoutofsight。Chadlookedoverthebank。Aboyofhisownagewasholdinganotherpole，and，hearingthelittledarkyslidedown，hesaid，sharply：
\"Getthatfish，Itellyou！\"
\"Lookdar，Mars\'Dan，lookdar！\"
Theboylookedaroundandupandstaredwithasmuchwonderashislittlebody-servant，butwithnofear。
\"Howdye！\"saidChad；butthewhiteboystaredonsilently。
\"Fishin\'？\"saidChad。
\"Yes，\"saidDan，shortly——hehadshownenoughcuriosityandheturnedhiseyestohiscork。\"Getthatfish，Snowball，\"hesaidagain。
\"I\'llgithimferye，\"Chadsaid；andhewenttothefishandunhookeditandcamedownthebankwiththeperchinonehandandthepoleintheother。
\"Whar\'syo\'string？\"heasked，handingthepoletothestilltremblinglittledarky。
\"I\'lltakeit，\"saidDan，stickingthebuttofhiscane-poleinthemud。Thefishslippedthroughhiswetfingers，whenChadpassedittohim，droppedonthebank，floppedtotheedgeofthecreek，andthethreeboys，withthesamecry，scrambledforit——Snowballfallingdownonitandclutchingitinbothhisblacklittlepaws。
\"Darnow！\"heshrieked。\"Igothim！\"
\"Givehimtome，\"saidDan。
\"Lemmestringhim，\"saidtheblackboy。
\"Givehimtome，Itellyou！\"And，stringingthefish，Dantooktheotherpoleandturnedhiseyestohiscorks，whilethepickaninnysquattedbehindhimandChadclimbedupandsatonthebanklettinghislegsdangleover。WhenDancaughtafishhewouldflingitwithawhoophighoverthebank。Afterthethirdfish，theladwasmollifiedandgotoverhisill-temper。HeturnedtoChad。
\"Wanttofish？\"
Chadsprangdownthebankquickly。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，andhetooktheotherpoleoutofthebank，putonafreshwrigglingworm，andmovedalittlefartherdownthecreekwheretherewasaneddy。
\"Ketchin\'any？\"saidavoiceabovethebank，andChadlookeduptoseestillanotherlad，tallerbyaheadthaneitherheorDan——evidentlytheboywhomhehadseenriggingapoleupatthebighouseonthehill。
\"Oh，\'bout\'leven，\"saidDan，carelessly。
\"Howdye！\"saidChad。
\"Howdye！\"saidtheotherboy，andhe，too，staredcuriously，butChadhadgotusedtopeoplestaringathim。
\"I\'mgoin\'overthebigrock，\"addedthenewarrival，andhewentdownthecreekandclimbedaroundasteeplittlecliff，andoutonahugerockthathungoverthecreek，wherehedroppedhishook。Hehadnocork，andChadknewthathewastryingtocatchcatfish。Presentlyhejerked，andayellowmudcatrosetothesurface，fightingdesperatelyforhislife，andDanandSnowballyelledcrazily。ThenDanpulledoutaperch。
\"Igotanotherone，\"heshouted。AndChadfishedsilently。Theyweremaking\"amightybigfuss，\"hethought，\"overmightylittlefish。Ifhejusthadaminnowan\'had\'emdowninthemountains，\'IGonnies，he\'dshow\'emwhatfishin\'was！\"Buthebegantohavegoodluckasitwas。Perchafterperchhepulledoutquietly，andhekeptSnowballbusystringingthemuntilhehadfiveonthestring。Theboyontherockwaswatchinghimandsowastheboynearhim——furtively——whileSnowball\'sadmirationwaswoncompletely。andhegrinnedandgurgledhisdelight，untilDanlosthistemperagainandspoketohimsharply。Dandidnotliketobebeatinatanything。Prettysoontherewasalightthunderofhoofsontheturfabovethebank。Ablackponyshotaroundthebankandwaspulledinattheedgeoftheford，andChadwaslookingintothedancingblackeyesofalittlegirlwithablackvelvetcaponherdarkcurlsandawhiteplumewavingfromit。
\"Howdye！\"saidChad，andhisheartleapedcuriously，butthelittlegirldidnotanswer。She，too，staredathimasalltheothershaddoneandstartedtorideintothecreek，butDanstoppedhersharply：
\"Now，Margaret，don\'tyourideintothatwater。You\'llskeerthefish。\"
\"No，youwon\'t，\"saidChad，promptly。\"Fishdon\'tkeernothin\'aboutahoss。\"
Butthelittlegirlstoodstill，andherbrother\'sfaceflushed。Heresentedthestranger\'sinterferenceandhisassumptionofabetterknowledgeoffish。
\"Mindyourownbusiness，\"trembledonhistongue，andthefactthatheheldthewordsbackonlyservedtoincreasehisill-humorandmakeaworseoutbreakpossible。But，ifChaddidnotunderstand，Snowballdid，andhisblackfacegrewsuddenlygraveashesprangmorealertlythaneveratanywordfromhislittlemaster。Meanwhile，allunconscious，Chadfishedon，catchingperchafterperch，buthecouldnotkeephiseyesonhiscorkwhilethelittlegirlwassonear，andmorethanoncehewaswarnedbyasuppressedcryfromthepickaninnywhentopull。Once，whenhewasputtingonaworm，hesawthelittlegirlwatchingtheprocesswithgreatdisgust，andherememberedthatMelissawouldneverbaitherownhook。Allgirlswerealike，he\"reckoned\"tohimself，andwhenhecaughtafishthatwasunusuallybig，hewalkedovertoher。
\"I\'llgivethisuntoyou，\"hesaid，butsheshrankfromit。
\"Go\'way！\"shesaid，andsheturnedherpony。Danwasredinthefacebythistime。Howdidthispieceofpoorwhitetrashdaretoofferafishtohissister。Andthistimethewordscameoutlikethecrackofawhip：
\"S\'poseyoumindyourownbusiness！\"
Chadstartedasthoughhehadbeenstruckandlookedaroundquickly。Hesaidnothing，buthestuckthebuttofhispoleinthemudatonceandclimbeduponthebankagainandsatthere，withhislegshangingover；andhisownfacewasnotpleasanttosee。Thelittlegirlwasridingatawalkuptheroad。
Chadkeptperfectsilence，forherealizedthathehadnotbeenmindinghisownbusiness；stillhedidnotliketobetoldsoandinsuchaway。Bothcorkswereshakingatthesametimenow。
\"Yougotabite，\"saidDan，butChaddidnotmove。
\"Yougotabite，Itellyou，\"hesaid，inalmostthetonehehadusedtoSnowball，butChad，whenthesmallaristocratlookedsharplyaround，droppedhiselbowstohiskneesandhischinintohishand——takingnonotice。Oncehespatdexterouslyintothecreek。Dan\'sowncorkwasgoingunder：
\"Snowball！\"hecried——\"jerk！\"AfishflewoverChad\'shead。Snowballhadrunfortheotherpoleatcommandandjerked，too，butthefishwasgoneandwithitthebait。
\"Youlostthatfish！\"saidtheboy，hotly，butChadsatsilent——still。Ifhewouldonlysaysomething！Danbegantothinkthatthestrangerwasacoward。
Sopresently，toshowwhatagreatlittlemanhewas，hebegantoteaseSnowball，whowasuponthebankunhookingthefish，ofwhichChadhadtakennonotice。
\"What\'syourname？\"
\"Snowball！\"henchman，obediently。
\"Louder！\"
\"S-n-o-w-b-a-l-l-l\"
\"Louder！\"Thelittleblackfellowopenedhismouthwide。
\"S-N-O-W-B-A-L-L！\"heshrieked。
\"LOUDER！\"
AtlastChadspokequietly。
\"Hecan\'thollernolouder。\"
\"Whatdoyouknowaboutit？Louder！\"，andDanstartedmenacinglyafterthelittledarkybutChadsteppedbetween。
\"Don\'thithim！\"
NowDanhadneverstruckSnowballinhislife\'andhewouldassoonhavestruckhisownbrother——buthemustnotbetoldthathecouldn\'t。HisfaceflamedandlittleHotspurthathewas，hedrewhisfistbackandhitChadfullinthechest。Chadleapedbacktoavoidtheblow，tumblingSnowballdownthebank；thetwoclinched，and，whiletheytussled，Chadheardtheotherbrotherclamberingovertherocks，thebeatofhoofscomingtowardhimontheturf，andthelittlegirl\'scry：
\"Don\'tyouDAREtouchmybrother！\"
Bothwentdownsidebysidewiththeirheadjusthangingoverthebank，wherebothcouldseeSnowball\'sblackwoolcomingtothesurfaceinthedeephole，andbothheardhisterrifiedshriekashewentunderagain。Chadwasfirsttohisfeet。
\"Gitarail！\"heshoutedandplungedin，butDanspranginafterhim。Inthreestrokes，forthecurrentwasratherstrong，Chadhadthekinkywoolinhishand，and，inafewstrokesmore，thetwoboyshadSnowballgaspingonthebank。Harry，thetallerbrother，ranforwardtohelpthemcarryhimupthebank，andtheylaidhim，chokingandbawling，onthegrass。Whipinonehandandwiththeskirtofherlongblackriding-habitintheother，thelittlegirlstoodabove，lookingon——whiteandfrightened。ThehullabaloohadreachedthehouseandGeneralDeanwaswalkingswiftlydownthehill，withSnowball\'smammy，toppedbyaredbandannahandkerchief，rushingafterhimandthekitchenservantsfollowing。
\"Whatdoesthismean？\"hesaid，sternly，andChadwasinastrangeaweatonce——hewassotall，andhestoodsostraight，andhiseyewassopiercing。
Fewpeoplecouldlieintothateye。Thelittlegirlspokefirst——usuallyshedoesspeakfirst，aswellaslast。
\"Danand——and——thatboywerefightingandtheypushedSnowballintothecreek。\"
\"Danwasteasin\'Snowball，\"saidHarrythejust。
\"Andthatboymeddled，\"saidDan。
\"Whostruckfirst？\"askedtheGeneral，lookingfromoneboytotheother。DandroppedhiseyessullenlyandChaddidnotanswer。
\"Iwasn\'tgoin\'tohitSnowball，\"saidDan。
\"Ithoughtyouwus，\"saidChad。
\"Whostruckfirst？\"repeatedtheGeneral，lookingatDannow。
\"ThatboymeddledandIhithim。\"
ChadturnedandansweredtheGeneral\'seyessteadily。
\"IreckonIhadnobusinessmeddlin\'！\"
\"Hetriedtogivesisterafish。\"
ThatwasunwiseinDan——Margaret\'schinlifted。
\"Oh，\"shesaid，\"thatwasit，too，wasit？Well——\"
\"Ididn\'tseenoharmgivin\'thelittlegalafish，\"saidChad。\"Littlegal，\"
indeed！Chadlostthegroundhemighthavegained。Margaret\'seyeslookedallatoncelikeherfather\'s。
\"I\'malittleGIRL，thankyou。\"
Chadturnedtoherfathernow，lookinghiminthefacestraightandsteadily。
\"IreckonIhadnobusinessmeddlin\'，butIdidn\'tthinkhitwasfa\'rferhimtohitthenigger；theniggerwaslittler，an\'Ididn\'tthinkhit\'asright。\"
\"Ididn\'tmeantohithim——Iwasonlyplayin\'！\"
\"ButITHOUGHTyouwasgoin\'tohithim，\"saidChad。HelookedattheGeneralagain。\"ButIhadnobusinessmeddlin\'。\"Andhepickeduphisoldcoonskincapfromthegrasstostartaway。
\"Holdon，littleman，\"saidtheGeneral。
\"Dan，haven\'tItoldyounottoteaseSnowball？\"Dandroppedhiseyesagain。
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Youstruckfirst，andthisboysaysheoughtn\'ttohavemeddled，butIthinkhedidjustright。Haveyouanythingtosaytohim？\"Danworkedthetoeofhisleftbootintotheturfforamoment\"No，sir。\"
\"Well，gouptoyourroomandthinkaboutitawhileandseeifyoudon\'towesomebodyanapology。Hurryupnowan\'changeyourclothes。
\"You\'dbettercomeuptothehouseandgetsomedryclothesforyourself，myboy，\"headdedtoChad。\"You\'llcatchcold。\"
\"Muchobleeged，\"saidChad。\"ButIdon\'tketchcold。\"
Heputonhisoldcoonskincap，andthentheGeneralrecognizedhim。
\"Why，aren\'tyouthelittleboywhoboughtahorsefrommeintowntheotherday？\"AndthenChadrecognizedhimasthetallmanwhohadcried\"Lethimhaveher。\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Well，Iknowallaboutyou，\"saidtheGeneral，kindly。\"YouarestayingwithMajorBuford。He\'sagreatfriendandneighborofmine。Nowyoumustcomeupandgetsomeclothes，Harry！\"——ButChad，thoughhehesitated，forheknewnowthatthegentlemanhadpracticallygivenhimthemare，interrupted，sturdily，\"No，sir，Ican\'tgo——notwhilehe\'sa-feelin\'hardatme。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidtheGeneral，gravely。Chadstartedoffonatrotandstoppedsuddenly，\"Iwishyou\'dpleasetellthatlittleGURL\"——Chadpronouncedthewordwithsomedifficulty——\"thatIdidn\'tmeannothin\'callin\'heralittlegal。Ever\'bodycallsgurlsgalswharIcomefrom。\"
\"Allright，\"laughedtheGeneral。ChadtrottedallthewayhomeandthereMissLucymadehimtakeoffhiswetclothesatonce，thoughtheboyhadtogotobedwhiletheyweredrying，forhehadnootherclothes，andwhilehelayinbedtheMajorcameupandlistenedtoChad\'sstoryoftheafternoon，whichChadtoldhimwordforwordjustasithadallhappened。
\"Youdidjustright，Chad，\"saidtheMajor，andhewentdownthestairs，chuckling：
\"Wouldn\'tgoinandgetdryclothesbecauseDanwouldn\'tapologize。Dearme！I
reckonthey\'llhaveitoutwhentheyseeeachotheragain。I\'dliketobeonhand，andI\'dbetmybottomdollaronChad。\"Buttheydidnothaveitout。
Halfanhouraftersuppersomebodyshouted\"Hello！\"atthegate，andtheMajorwentoutandcamebacksmiling。
\"Somebodywantstoseeyou，Chad，\"hesaid。AndChadwentoutandfoundDanthereontheblackponywithSnowballbehindhim。
\"I\'vecomeovertosaythatIhadnobusinesshittin\'youdownatthecreek，and——\"Chadinterruptedhim：
\"That\'sallright，\"hesaid，andDanstoppedandthrustouthishand。Thetwoboysshookhandsgravely。
\"An\'mypapasaysyouareamanan\'hewantsyoutocomeoverandseeusandI
wantyou——andHarryandMargaret。Weallwantyou。\"
\"Allright，\"saidChad。Danturnedhisblackponyandgallopedoff。
\"An\'comesoon！\"heshoutedback。
OutinthequartersMammyAilsie，oldTom\'swife，washavingherownsaythatnight。
\"OleMarseCalBufordpickin\'apieceofwhitetrashoutdegutteran\'notsayin\'wharhecomefroman\'nuttin\'\'bouthim。An\'oldMarsHenrytakin\'himjus\'likehewasquality。MyTomsaydaeboydon\'knowwhoishismammynerhisdaddy。Iain\'gwinetoletmylittlemistisplaywidnosechtrash，Itellyou——\'deedIain\'t！\"Andthistalkwouldreachthedrawing-roombyandby，wheretheGeneralwastellingthefamily，atjustaboutthesamehour，thestoryofthehorsesaleandChad\'spurchaseoftheoldbroodmare。
\"Iknewwherehewasfromrightaway，\"saidHarry\"I\'veseenmountain-peoplewearingcapslikehisupatUncleBrutus\'s，whentheycomedowntogotoRichmond。\"
TheGeneralfrowned。
\"Well，youwon\'tseeanymorepeoplelikehimupthereagain。\"
\"Why，papa？\"
\"Becauseyouaren\'tgoingtoUncleBrutus\'sanymore。\"
\"Why，papa？\"
Themotherputherhandonherhusband\'sknee。
\"Nevermind，son，\"shesaid。
CHAPTER10。THEBLUEGRASS
God\'sCountry！
NohumorinthatphrasetotheBluegrassKentuckian！Thereneverwas——thereisnonenow。Tohim，thelandseemsinalltheNewWorld，tohavebeenthepetshrineoftheGreatMotherherself。Shefashioneditwithlovinghands。Sheshutitinwithamightybarrierofmightymountainstokeepthemobout。Shegaveitthelovingclaspofamightyriver，andspreadbroad，levelprairiesbeyondthatthemobmightglideby，orbetemptedtotheotherside，wheretheearthwaslevelandtherewasnoneedtoclimb；thatshemightsendpriestsfromhershrinetoreclaimWesternwastesorlettheweakortheunloving——ifsuchcouldbe——haveeasyaccesstoanotherland。
Inthebeginning，suchwasherclearpurposetotheKentuckian\'seye，shefilleditwithflowersandgrassandtrees，andfishandbirdandwildbeasts。
JustasshemadeEdenforAdamandEve。TheredmenfoughtfortheParadise——foughttillitwasdrenchedwithblood，butnotribe，withoutmortalchallengefromanotherstraightway，couldevercallarooditsown。Boonelovedthelandfromthemomenttheeagleeyeinhisheadsweptitsshakingwildernessfromamountain-top，andeverymanwhofollowedhimlovedthelandnoless。Andwhenthechosencame，theyfoundtheearthreadytoreceivethem——liftedabovethebanefulbreathofriver-bottomandmarshland，drainedbyriversfulloffish，filledwithwoodsfullofgame，andunderlaid——all——withthick，blue，limestonestratathat，likesomedivineagentworkinginthedark，keptcrumbling——evercrumbling——toenrichthesoilandgivebone-buildingvirtuetoeverydropofwaterandeverybladeofgrass。
Forthosechosenpeoplesuch，too，seemedherpurpose——theMotherwenttotheraceuponwhomshehadsmiledabenedictionforathousandyears——theracethatobstaclebutstrengthens，thatthrivesbestunderanalienefforttokill，thathaseverconquereditsconquerors，andthatseemsbentonthetaskofcarryingthebestidealsanyagehaseverknownbacktotheOldWorldfromwhichitsprang。TheGreatMotherknows！Knowsthatherchildrenmustsuffer，iftheystraytoofarfromhergreatteemingbreasts。AndhowshehasfollowedclosewhenthisSaxonrace——heryoungestborn——seemedlikelytostraytoofar——gatheringitssonstoherarmsinvirginlandsthattheymightsuckleagainandkeeptheoldbloodfreshandstrong。Whocouldknowwhatdangerthreateneditwhenshesentherblue-eyedmenandwomentopeoplethewildernessoftheNewWorld？ToclimbtheAlleghenies，spreadthroughthewastesbeyond，andplanttheirkindacrossacontinentfromseatosea。Whoknowswhatdangersthreatennow，when，histaskdone，sheseemstobeopeningtheeasterngatesoftheearthwithagesturethatseemstosay——\"Enter，reclaim，anddwelltherein！\"
OnelittleraceofthatraceintheNewWorld，andoneonly，hasshekeptfleshofherflesh，boneofherbone——tothatraceonlydidshegivenooutsideaid。Sheshutitinwithgrayhillandshiningriver。Sheshutitofffromthemotherstateandthemothernationandleftittofightitsownfightwithsavagenature，savagebeast，andsavageman。Andthusshegavethelittleracestrengthofheartandbodyandbrain，andtaughtittostandtogetherasshetaughteachmanoftheracetostandalone，protecthiswomen，mindhisownbusiness，andmeddlenotatall；tothinkhisownthoughtsanddieforthemifneedbe，thoughhedividedhisownhouseagainstitself；taughtthemantocleavetoonewoman，withthepenaltyofdeathifhestrayedelsewhere；
tokeepher——andevenhimself——indarkignoranceofthesinsagainstHerselfforwhichshehasslainothernations，andinthathappyignorancekeepsthemto-day，evenwhilesheisslayingelsewherestill。
AndNatureholdstheKentuckianscloseevento-day——sucklingatherbreastsandlivingafterhersimplelaws。Whatfurtheruseshemayhaveforthemishidbythedarknessofto-morrow，butbeforetheGreatWarcameshecouldlookuponherworkandsaywithasmilethatitwasgood。ThelandwasagreatseriesofwoodedparkssuchasonemighthavefoundinMerryEngland，exceptthatwormfenceandstonewalltooktheplaceofhedgealongthehighways。Itwasalandofpeaceandofaplentythatwasclosetoeasyluxury——forall。
Poorwhiteswerefew，thebeggarwasunknown，andthroughouttheregiontherewasnoman，woman，orchild，perhaps，whodidnothaveenoughtoeatandtowearandarooftocoverhishead，whetheritwashisownroofornot。Ifslaveryhadtobe——thenthefetterswereforgedlightandhungloosely。And，broadcast，throughthepeople，wastheuprightsturdinessoftheScotch-Irishman，withouthisnarrownessandbigotry；thegraceandchivalryoftheCavalierwithouthisQuixoticsentimentandhisweakness；thejovialgood-natureoftheEnglishsquireandtheleaveningspiritofasimpleyeomanrythatboreitselfwithunconscioustenacitytotraditionsthatseepedfromtheveryearth。Andthewingsoftheeaglehoveredoverall。
Forthatlanditwasthefloweringtimeoftheageandthepeople；andthebudthatwasabouttoopenintotheperfectflowerhaditslivingsymbolinthelittlecreatureracingoverthebluegrassfieldsonablackpony，withablackvelvetcapandawhitenoddingplumeabovehershakingcurls，justasthelittlestrangerwhohadfloateddownintothoseElysianfields——withbetterbloodinhisveinsthanheknew——wasareincarnationperhapsofthespiritoftheoldracethathadlaindormantinthehills。Thelongwayfromlog-cabintoGreekporticohadmarkedtheprogressofthegenerationsbeforeher，and，onthissameway，theboyhadsethissturdyfeet。
CHAPTER11。ATOURNAMENT
OnSunday，theMajorandMissLucytookChadtochurch——acountrychurchbuiltofredbrickandovergrownwithivy——andthesermonwasveryshort，Chadthought，for，downinthemountains，thecircuit-riderwouldpreachforhours——andthedeaconspassedaroundvelvetpouchesforthepeopletodropmoneyin，andtheypassedaroundbread，ofwhichnearlyeverybodytookapinch，andasilvergobletwithwine，fromwhichthesamepeopletookasip——allofwhichChaddidnotunderstand。UsuallytheDeanswenttoLexingtontochurch，fortheywereEpiscopalians，buttheywereallatthecountrychurchthatday，andwiththemwasRichardHunt，whosmiledatChadandwavedhisriding-whip。AfterchurchDancametohimandshookhands。Harrynoddedtohimgravely，themothersmiledkindly，andtheGeneralputhishandontheboy\'shead。Margaretlookedathimfurtively，butpassedhimby。Perhapsshewasstill\"mad\"athim，Chadthought，andhewasmuchworried。MargaretwasnotshylikeMelissa，butherfacewaskind。TheGeneralaskedthemallovertotakedinner，butMissLucydeclined——shehadaskedpeopletotakedinnerwithher。AndChad，withkeendisappointment，sawthemdriveaway。
ItwasalonelydayforhimthatSunday。Hegottiredstayingsolongatthetable，andhedidnotunderstandwhattheguestsweretalkingabout。Theafternoonwaslong，andhewanderedrestlesslyabouttheyardandthequarters。JeromeConners，theoverseer，triedtobefriendlywithhimforthefirsttime，buttheboydidnotliketheoverseerandturnedawayfromhim。Hewalkeddowntothepikegateandsatonit，lookingovertowardtheDeans\'。HewishedthatDanwouldcomeovertoseehimor，betterstill，thathecouldgoovertoseeDanandHarryand——Margaret。ButDandidnotcomeandChadcouldnotasktheMajortolethimgo——hewastooshyaboutit——andChadwasgladwhenbedtimecame。
Twodaysmoreandspringwascomeinearnest。Itwasinthesoftnessoftheair，thetendernessofcloudandsky，andthewarmthofthesunlight。Thegrasswasgreenerandthetreesquiveredhappily。Hensscratchedandcockscrowedmorelustily。Insectlifewasbusier。Astallionnickeredinthebarn，andfromthefieldscamethemooingofcattle。Field-handsgoingtoworkchaffedthemaidsaboutthehouseandquarters。ItstirreddreamymemoriesofhisyouthintheMajor，anditbroughtasadlightintoMissLucy\'sfadedeyes。Wouldsheeverseeanotherspring？ItbroughttendermemoriestoGeneralDean，andoveratWoodlawn，afterheandMrs。Deanhadwatchedthechildrengooffwithhappycriesandlaughtertoschool，itledthembackintothehousehandinhand。AnditsetChad\'sheartaglowashewalkedthroughthedewygrassandamidthesingingofmanybirdstowardthepikegate。He，too，wasonhiswaytoschool——inabravenewsuitofclothes——andnobodysmiledathimnow，exceptadmiringly，fortheMajorhadtakenhimtotowntheprecedingdayandhadgottheboyclothessuchasDanandHarrywore。Chadwasworriedatfirst——hedidnotliketoacceptsomuchfromtheMajor。
\"I\'llpayyouback，\"saidChad。\"I\'llleaveyoumyhosswhenIgo\'way，ifI
don\'t，\"andtheMajorlaughinglysaidthatwasallrightandhemadeChad，too，thinkthatitwasallright。AndsospringtooktheshapeofhopeinChad\'sbreast，thatmorning，andalittlelaterittooktheshapeofMargaret，forhesoonsawtheDeanchildrenaheadofhimintheroadandherantocatchupwiththem。
Alllookedathimwithsurprise——seeinghisbroadwhitecollarwithruffles，histurned-back，ruffledcuffs，andhisbootswithredtops；buttheyweretoopolitetosayanything。StillChadfeltMargarettakingthemallinandhewasproudandconfident。And，whenhereyeswereliftedtothehandsomefacethatrosefromthecollarandthethickyellowhair，hecaughtthemwithhisowninanunconsciouslookoffealty，thatmadethelittlegirlblushandhurryonandnotlookathimagainuntiltheywereinschool，whensheturnedhereyes，asdidalltheotherboysandgirls，toscanthenew\"scholar。\"Chad\'sworkinthemountainscameinwellnow。Theteacher，agray，sad-eyed，thin-facedman，wassurprisedattheboy\'scapacity，forhecouldreadaswellasDan，andinmentalarithmeticevenHarrywasnomatchforhim；andwheninthespellingclasshewentfromthebottomtotheheadinasinglelesson，theteacherlookedasthoughheweregoingtogivetheboyawordofpraiseopenlyandMargaretwasregardinghimwithanewlightinherproudeyes。ThatwasahappydayforChad，butitpassedafterschoolwhen，astheywenthometogether，Margaretlookedathimnomore；elseChadwouldhavegonebytheDeans\'housewhenDanandHarryaskedhimtogoandlookattheirponiesandthenewsheepthattheirfatherhadjustbought；forChadwaspuzzledandawedandshyofthelittlegirlItwasstrange——hehadneverfeltthatwayaboutMelissa。Buthisshynesskepthimawayfromherdayafterdayuntil，onemorning，hesawheraheadofhimgoingtoschoolalone，andhisheartthumpedashequietlyandswiftlyovertookherwithoutcallingtoher；buthestoppedrunningthatshemightnotknowthathehadbeenrunning，andforthefirsttimeshewasshywithhim。HarryandDanwerethreatenedwiththemeasles，shesaid，andwouldsaynomore。Whentheywentthroughthefieldstowardtheschool-house，ChadstalkedaheadashehaddoneinthemountainswithMelissa，and，lookingback，hesawthatMargarethadstopped。Hewaitedforhertocomeup，andshelookedathimforamomentasthoughdispleased。Puzzled，Chadgavebackherlookforamomentandturnedwithoutaword——stillstalkingahead。HelookedbackpresentlyandMargarethadstoppedandwaspouting。
\"Youaren\'tpolite，littleboy。MymammasaysaNICElittleboyalwaysletsalittleGIRLgofirst。\"ButChadstillwalkedahead。Helookedbackpresentlyandshehadstoppedagain——whetherangryorreadytocry，hecouldnotmakeout——sohewaitedforher，andasshecameslowlynearhesteppedgravelyfromthepath，andMargaretwentonlikeaqueen。
Intown，afewdayslater，hesawalittlefellowtakeoffhishatwhenaladypassedhim，anditsetChadtothinking。Herecalledaskingtheschool-masteroncewhatwasmeantwhenthelatterreadaboutaknightdoffinghisplume，andtheschool-masterhadtoldhimthatmen，inthosedays，tookofftheirhatsinthepresenceofladiesjustastheydidintheBluegrassnow；butChadhadforgotten。HeunderstooditallthenandhesurprisedMargaret，nextmorning，bytakingoffhiscapgravelywhenhespoketoher；andthelittleladywasgreatlypleased，forherownbrothersdidnotdothat，atleast，nottoher，thoughshehadheardhermothertellthemthattheymust。Allthismustbechivalry，Chadthought，andwhenHarryandDangotwell，herevivedhisoldideas，butHarrylaughedathimandDandid，too，untilChad，rememberingBeelzebub，suggestedthattheyshouldhaveatournamentwithtworamsthattheGeneralhadtiedupinthestable。Theywouldmakespearsandeachwouldgetonaram。Harrywouldletthemoutintothelotandtheywouldhave\"arealcharge——sureenough。\"ButMargaretreceivedtheplanwithdisdain，untilDan，atChad\'ssuggestion，askedtheGeneraltoreadthemthetournamentscenein\"Ivanhoe，\"whichexcitedthelittleladyagreatdeal；andwhenChadsaidthatshemustbethe\"QueenofLoveandBeauty\"sheblushedprettilyandthought，afterall，thatitwouldbegreatfun。Theywouldmakelancesofash-woodandhelmetsoftinbuckets，andperhapsMargaretwouldmakeredsashesforthem。
Indeed，shewould，andthetournamentwouldtakeplaceonthenextSaturday。
But，onSaturday，oneofthesheepwastakenovertoMajorBuford\'sandtheotherwasturnedlooseintheMajor\'sbackpastureandthegreatdayhadtobepostponed。
Itwasonthenightofthereadingfrom\"Ivanhoe\"thatHarryandDanfoundouthowChadcouldplaythebanjo。PassingoldMammy\'scabinthatnightbeforesupper，thethreeboyshadstoppedtolistentooldTomplay，andafterafewtunes，Chadcouldstanditnolonger。
\"Ifollerpickin\'thebanjeraleetle，\"hesaidshyly，andthereuponhehadtakentherudeinstrumentandmadetheoldnegro\'seyesstretchwithamazement，whileDanrolledinthegrasswithdelight，andeverynegrowhoheardrantowardtheboy。Aftersupper，DanbroughtthebanjointothehouseandmadeChadplayontheporch，tothedelightofthemall。Andthere，too，theservantsgathered，andevenoldMammywasobservedslylyshakingherfoot——sothatMargaretclappedherhandsandlaughedtheoldwomanintogreatconfusion。AfterthatnoSaturdaycamethatChaddidnotspendthenightattheDeans\'，orHarryandDandidnotstayatMajorBuford\'s。AndnotaSaturdaypassedthatthethreeboysdidnotgocoon-huntingwiththedarkies，orfox-huntingwiththeMajorandtheGeneral。ChadneverforgotthatfirststarlitnightwhenhewasawakenedbythenearwindingofahornandheardtheMajorjumpfrombed。Hejumpedtoo，andwhentheMajorreachedthebarn，adarklittlefigurewascloseathisheels。
\"CanIgo，too？\"Chadasked，eagerly。
\"Thinkyoucanstickon？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Allright。Getmybayhorse。Thatoldmareofyoursistooslow。\"
TheMajor\'sbigbayhorse！Chadwasdizzywithpride。
Whentheygallopedoutintothedarkwoods，thereweretheGeneralandHarryandDanandhalfadozenneighbors，sittingsilentlyontheirhorsesandlisteningtothemusicofthehounds。
TheGenerallaughed。
\"Ithoughtyou\'dcome，\"hesaid，andtheMajorlaughedtoo，andcockedhisear。\"OldRock\'sahead，\"hesaid，forheknew，asdideveryonethere，theoldhound\'stongue。
\"He\'sbeenaheadforanhour，\"saidtheGeneralwithquietsatisfaction，\"andIthinkhe\'llstaythere。\"
Justthenadarkobjectsweptpastthem，andtheMajorwithalowcryhiedonhisfavoritehound。
\"Notnow，Ireckon，\"hesaid，andtheGenerallaughedagain。
DanandHarrypressedtheirhorsesclosetoChad，andalltalkedinlowvoices。
\"Ain\'titfun？\"whisperedDan。Chadansweredwithashiverofpurejoy。
\"He\'smakingforthecreek，\"saidtheMajor，sharply，andhetouchedspurstohishorse。Howtheyracedthroughthewoods，crackingbrushandwhiskingaroundtrees，andhowtheythunderedovertheturfandclatteredacrosstheroadandon！ForafewmomentstheMajorkeptclosetoChad，watchinghimanxiously，buttheboystucktothebigbaylikeajockey，andheleftDanandHarryontheirponiesfarbehind。Allnighttheyrodeunderthestarlitsky，andtenmilesawaytheycaughtpoorReynard。Chadwasinatthekill，withtheMajorandtheGeneral，andtheGeneralgaveChadthebrushwithhisownhand。
\"Wheredidyoulearntoride，boy？\"
\"Ineverlearned，\"saidChad，simply，whereattheMajorwinkedathisfriendsandpattedChadontheshoulder。
\"I\'vegottoletmyboysridebetterhorses，Isuppose，\"saidtheGeneral；\"I
can\'thaveaboywhodoesnotknowhowtoridebeatingthemthisway。\"
DaywasbreakingwhentheMajorandChadrodeintothestable-yard。Theboy\'sfacewaspale，hisarmsandlegsached，andhewassosleepythathecouldhardlykeephiseyesopen。
\"How\'dyoulikeit，Chad？\"
\"Ineverknowednothinglikeitinmylife，\"saidChad。
\"I\'mgoingtoteachyoutoshoot。\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidChad。
Astheyapproachedthehouse，asquirrelbarkedfromthewoods。
\"Hearthat，Chad？\"saidtheMajor。\"We\'llgethim。\"
Thefollowingmorning，Chadroseearlyandtookhisoldrifleoutintothewoods\'andwhentheMajorcameoutontheporchbeforebreakfasttheboywascomingupthewalkwithsixsquirrelsinhishand。TheMajor\'seyesopenedandhelookedatthesquirrelswhenChaddroppedthemontheporch。Everyoneofthemwasshotthroughthehead。
\"Well，I\'mdamned！Howmanytimesdidyoushoot，Chad？\"
\"Seven。\"
\"What——missedonlyonce？\"
\"Itookaknotferasquirrelonce，\"saidChad。
TheMajorroaredaloud。
\"DidIsayIwasgoingtoteachyoutoshoot，Chad？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
TheMajorchuckledandthatdayhetoldaboutthosesquirrelsandthatknottoeverybodyhesaw。WitheverydaytheMajorgrewfonderandprouderoftheboyandmoreconvincedthaneverthattheladwasofhisownblood。
\"There\'snothingthatIlikethatthatboydon\'ttaketolikeaducktowater。\"AndwhenhesawtheboytakeoffhishattoMargaretandobservedhismannerwiththelittlegirl，hesaidtohimselfthatifChadwasn\'tagentlemanborn，heoughttohavebeen，andtheMajorbelievedthathemustbe。
Everywhere，atschool，attheDeans\'，withthedarkies——witheverybodybutConners，theoverseerhadbecameafavorite，but，astoNapoleon，sotoChad，cameWaterloo——withthelongdeferredtournamentcameWaterlootoChad。
AnditcameafteracertainmiracleonMay-day。TheMajorhadtakenChadtothefestivalwherethedancewasonsawdustinthewoodland——inthebottomofalittlehollow，aroundwhichtheseatsranasinanamphitheatre。ReadytofiddleforthemstoodnoneotherthanJohnMorganhimself，hisgrayeyesdancingandanarchsmileonhishandsomeface；and，takingaplaceamongthedancers，wereRichardHuntand——Margaret。Thepoisedbowfell，amerrytunerangout，andRichardHuntbowedlowtohislittlepartner，who，smilingandblushing，droppedhimthedaintiestofgracefulcourtesies。Thenthemiraclecametopass。RagestraightwayshookChad\'ssoul——shookitasaterriershakesarat——andthelookonhisfaceandinhiseyeswentbackathousandyears。
AndRichardHunt，lookingup，sawthestrangespectacle，understood，anddidnotevensmile。Onthecontrary，hewentatonceafterthedancetospeaktotheboyandgotforhisanswerfierce，white，staringsilenceandaclinchedfist，thatwasalmostreadytostrike。SomethingelsethatwasstrangehappenedthentoChad。Hefeltaveryfirmandaverygentlehandonhisshoulder，hisowneyesdroppedbeforethepiercingdarkeyesandkindlysmileabovehim，and，amomentlater，hewasshylymakinghiswaywithRichardHunttowardMargaret。
ItwasonThursdayofthefollowingweekthatDantoldhimthetworamswereoncemoretiedinhisfather\'sstable。OnSaturday，then，theywouldhavethetournament。TogetMammy\'shelp，Margarethadtotelltheplantoher，andMammystormedagainstthelittlegirltakingpartinanysuchundignifiedproceedings，butimperiousMargaretforcedhertokeepsilentandhelpmakesashesandatentforeachofthetwoknights。Chadwouldbethe\"KnightoftheCumberland\"andDanthe\"KnightoftheBluegrass。\"SnowballwastobeDan\'ssquireandblackRufus，Harry\'sbody-servant，wouldbesquiretoChad。
HarrywasKingJohn，theotherpickaninnieswouldbevarletsandvassals，andoutragedUncleTom，soDantoldhim，would，\"bythebeardofAbraham，\"havetobea\"DogofanUnbeliever。\"MargaretwasundecidedwhethershewouldplayRebecca，orthe\"QueenofLoveandBeauty，\"untilChadtoldhersheoughttobeboth，sobothshedecidedtobe。Soallwasdone——thespearsfashionedofash，thehelmetsbatteredfromtinbuckets，colorsknottedforthespears，andshieldsmadeofsheepskins。OnthestilessatHarryandMargaretinroyalstateunderacanopyofcalico，withindignantMammybehindthem。Ateachendofthestable-lotwasatentofcotton，andbeforeonestoodSnowballandbeforetheotherblackRufus，eachwithhismaster\'sspearandshield。NearHarrystoodSam，thetrumpeter，withafox-horntosoundthecharge，andfourblackvassalsstoodatthestable-doortoleadthechargersforth。
Nearthestilesweretheneighbors\'children，andaroundthebarnwasgatheredeverydarkyontheplace，whilebehindthehedgeandpeepingthroughitweretheMajorandtheGeneral，theonechuckling，theothersmilingindulgently。
Thestable-doorsopened，thefourvassalsdisappearedandcameforth，eachpairleadingaram，onecoveredwithredcalico，theotherwithbluecotton，andeachwithabandannahandkerchiefaroundhisneck。Eachknightsteppedforthfromhistent，ashischargerwasdragged——ba-a-ingandbutting——towardit，and，graspinghisspearandshieldandsettinghishelmetonmorefirmly，gotastridegravely——eachsquireandvassalsolemn，fortheKinghadgivencommandthatnovarletmustshowunseemlymirth。Behindthehedge，theMajorwasholdinghishandstohisside，andtheGeneralwasgettinggrave。Ithadjustoccurredtohimthatthoseramswouldmakeforeachotherliketornadoes，andhesaidso。
\"Ofcoursetheywill，\"chuckledtheMajor。\"Don\'tyousupposetheyknowthat？
That\'swhatthey\'redoingitfor。Blessmysoul！\"
TheKingwavedhishandjustthenandhisblacktrumpetertootedthecharge。
\"Leggo！\"saidChad。
\"Leggo！\"saidDan。
AndSnowballandRufusletgo，andeachramranafewpacesandstoppedwithhisheadclosetotheground，whileeachknightbrandishedhisspearanddugwithhisspurredheels。Onechargergaveaba-a！Theotherheard，raisedhishead，sawhisenemy，andba-a-edanansweringchallenge。Thentheystartedforeachotherwitharushthatbroughtasuddenfearsomesilence，quicklyfollowedbyababelofexcitedcries，inwhichMammy\'swasloudestandmostindignant。Dan，nearlyunseated，haddroppedhislancetocatchholdofhischarger\'swool，andChadhadgallantlyloweredthepointofhis，becausehisantagonistwasunarmed。Butthetemperoframsandnotofknightswasinthatfightnowandtheycametogetherwithashockthatbangedthetwoknightsintoeachotherandhurledbothviolentlytotheground。GeneralDeanandtheMajorrananxiouslyfromthehedge。Severalnegromenrushedfortherams，whowerechargingandbuttinglikedemons。Harrytumbledfromthecanopyinamostunkinglyfashion。MargaretcriedandMammywrungherhands。Chadrosedizzily，butDanlaystill。Chad\'selbowhadstruckhiminthetempleandknockedhimunconscious。
TheservantswerethrownintoanuproarwhenDanwascarriedbackintothehouse。Harrywaswhiteandalmostintears。
\"Ididit，father，Ididit，\"hesaid，atthefootofthesteps。
\"No，\"saidChad，sturdily，\"Idoneitmyself。\"
Margaretheardandranfromthehallwayanddownthesteps，brushingawayhertearswithbothhands。
\"Yes，youdid——youDID，\"shecried。\"Ihateyou。\"
\"Why，Margaret，\"saidGeneralDan。
Chadstartledandstung，turnedwithoutawordand，unnoticedbytherest，madehiswayslowlyacrossthefields。
CHAPTER12。BACKTOKINGDOMCOME
Itwasthetournamentthat，atlast，loosedMammy\'stongue。ShewassavageinherdenunciationofChadtoMrs。Dean——sosavageandinsuchplainlanguagethathermistresscheckedhersharply，butnotbeforeMargarethadheard，thoughthelittlegirl，withanawedface，slippedquietlyoutoftheroomintotheyard，whileHarrystoodinthedoorway，troubledandsilent。
\"Don\'tletmehearyouspeakthatwayagainMammy，\"saidMrs。Dean，sosternlythattheoldwomansweptoutoftheroominhighdudgeonAndyetshetoldherhusbandofMammy\'scharge；
\"IamrathersurprisedatMajorBuford。\"
\"Perhapshedoesn\'tknow，\"saidtheGeneral。\"Perhapsitisn\'ttrue。\"
\"Nobodyknowsanythingabouttheboy。\"
\"Well，Icannothavemychildrenassociatingwithawaif。\"
\"Heseemslikeaniceboy。\"
\"Heusesextraordinarylanguage。Icannothavehimteachingmychildrenmischief。WhyIbelieveMargaretisreallyfondofhim。IknowHarryandDanare。\"TheGenerallookedthoughtful。
\"IwillspeaktoMajorBufordabouthim，\"hesaid，andhedid——nolittletothatgentleman\'sconfusion——thoughhedefendedChadstaunchly——andthetwofriendspartedwithsomeheat。
Thereafter，theworldchangedforChad，forifthereanyolderandtruerstorythanthatEvilhaswings，whileGoodgoesaploddingway？Chadfeltthechange，inthenegroes，inthesneeringoverseer，andcouldnotunderstand。
TherumorreachedMissLucy\'searsandsheandtheMajorhadaspiriteddiscussionthatratherstaggeredChad\'skind-heartedcompanion。Itreachedtheschool，andablack-hairedyoungster，namedGeorgieForbes，whohadlongbeenoneofMargaret\'sabjectslaves，andwhohatedChad，broughtouttheterriblechargeinthepresenceofadozenschool-childrenatnoon-recessoneday。Ithadbeennoinsultinthemountains，butChad，dazedthoughhewas，knewitwasmeantforaninsult，andhishardfistshotoutpromptly，landinginhisenemy\'schinandbringinghimbawlingtotheearth。Othersgaveoutthecrythen，andtheboyfoughtrightandleftlikeademon。Danstoodsullenlynear，takingnopart，andHarry，whilehestoppedtheunequalfight，turnedawayfromChadcoldly，callingMargaret，whohadrunuptowardthem，awayatthesametime，andChad\'sthreefriendsturnedfromhimthenandthere，whiletheboy，forgettingallelse，stoodwatchingthemwithdumbwonderandpain。Theschool-bellclanged，butChadstoodstill——withhisheartwellneighbreakingInafewminutesthelastpupilhaddisappearedthroughtheschool-roomdoor，andChadstoodunderagreatelm——alone。Butonlyamoment，forheturnedquicklyaway，thetearsstartingtohiseyes，walkedrapidlythroughthewoods，climbedthewormfencebeyond，anddropped，sobbing，inthethickbluegrass。
Anhourlaterhewaswalkingswiftlythroughthefieldstowardtheoldbrickhousethathadshelteredhim。Hewasveryquietatsupperthatnight，andafterMissLucyhadgonetobedandheandtheMajorwereseatedbeforethefire，hewassoquietthattheMajorlookedathimanxiously。
\"What\'sthematterChad？Areyousick？\"
\"Nothin\'——no，sir。\"
ButtheMajorwasuneasy，andwhenherosetogotobed，hewentoverandputhishandontheboy\'shead。
\"Chad，\"hesaid，\"ifyouhearofpeoplesayingmeanthingsaboutyou，youmustn\'tpayanyattentiontothem。\"
\"No，sir。\"
\"You\'reagoodboy，andIwantyoutoliveherewithme。Good-night，Chad，\"headded，affectionately。Chadnearlybrokedown，buthesteadiedhimself。
\"Good-by，Major，\"hesaid，brokenly。\"I\'mobleegedtoyou。\"
\"Good-by？\"repeatedtheMajor。\"Why？\"
\"Good-night，Imean，\"stammeredChad。
TheMajorstoodinsidehisowndoor，listeningtotheboy\'sslowstepsupthesecondflight。\"I\'mgettin\'tolovethatboy，\"hesaid，wonderingly——\"An\'I\'mdamnedifpeoplewhotalkabouthimdon\'thavemetoreckonwith\"——andtheMajorshookhisheadfromsidetoside。Severaltimeshethoughthecouldheartheboymovingaroundintheroomabovehim，andwhilehewaswonderingwhytheladdidnotgotobed，hefellasleep。
Chadwasmovingaround。First，bythelightofacandle，helaboriouslydugoutashortlettertotheMajor——scaldingitwithtears。Thenhetookoffhisclothesandgothisoldmountain-suitoutofthecloset——moccasinsandall——andputthemon。Verycarefullyhefoldedtheprettyclotheshehadtakenoff——justasMissLucyhadtaughthim——andlaidthemonthebed。Thenhepickeduphisoldrifleinonehandandhisoldcoonskincapintheother，blewoutthecandle，slippednoiselesslydownthestairsinhismoccasinedfeet，outtheunbolteddoorandintothestarlitnight。Fromthepikefenceheturnedoncetolookbacktothedark，silenthouseamidthedarktrees。Thenhesprangdownandstartedthroughthefields——hisfacesettowardthemountains。
ItsohappenedthatmischanceledGeneralDeantogoovertoseeMajorBufordaboutChadnextmorning。TheMajorlistenedpatiently——ortriedineffectivelytolisten——andwhentheGeneralwasthrough，heburstoutwithavehemencethatshockedandamazedhisoldfriend。
\"Damnthoseniggers！\"hecried，inatonethatseemedtoincludetheGeneralinhiscondemnation，\"thatboyisthebestboyIeverknew。Ibelieveheismyownblood，helooksalittlelikethatpicturethere\"——pointingtotheoldportrait——\"andifheiswhatIbelieveheis，by——，sir，hegetsthisfarmandallIhave。Doyouunderstandthat？\"
\"Ibelievehetoldyouwhathewas。\"
\"Hedid——butIdon\'tbelieveheknows，and，anyhow，whateverheis，heshallhaveahomeunderthisroofaslongashelives。\"
TheGeneralrosesuddenly——stiffly。
\"Hemustneverdarkenmydooragain。\"
\"Verywell。\"TheMajormadeagesturewhichplainlysaid，\"Inthatevent，youaredarkeningminetoolong，\"andtheGeneralrose，slowlydescendedthestepsoftheportico，andturned：
\"Doyoureallymean，thatyouaregoingtoletalittlebratthatyoupickedupintheroadonlyyesterdaystandbetweenyouandme？\"
TheMajorsoftened。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaid，whiskingasheetofpaperfromhiscoat-pocket。WhiletheGeneralreadChad\'sscrawl，theMajorwatchedhisface。
\"He\'sgone，by。Ahintwasenoughforhim。Ifheisn\'tthesonofagentleman，thenI\'mnot，noryou。\"
\"Cal，\"saidtheGeneral，holdingouthishand，\"we\'lltalkthisoveragain。\"
Thebeesbuzzedaroundthehoneysucklesthatclamberedovertheporch。Acrowflewoverhead。Thesoundofacryingchildcamearoundthecornerofthehousefromthequarters，andtheGeneral\'sfootstepsdiedonthegravel-walk，buttheMajorheardthemnot。MechanicallyhewatchedtheGeneralmounthisblackhorseandcantertowardthepikegate。Theoverseercalledtohimfromthestable，buttheMajordroppedhiseyestothescrawlinhishand，andwhenMissLucycameouthesilentlyhandedittoher。
\"Ireckonyouknowwhatfolksisa-sayin\'aboutme。Itol\'youmyself。ButI
didn\'tknowhitwusanyharm，andanywayshitain\'tmyfault，Ireckon，an\'I
don\'tseehowfolkscanblameme。ButIdon\'wantnobodywhodon\'wantme。An\'
I\'mleavin\'\'causeIdon\'twanttobotheryou。Ineverbringnothingbuttroublenohowan\'I\'mgoin\'backtothemountains。TellMissLucygood-by。Shewasmightygoodtome，butIknowshedidn\'tlikeme。Ileftthehossforyou。
Ifyoudon\'thavenouseferthesaddle，Iwishyou\'dgivehittoHarry，\'causehetukupfermeatschoolwhenIwasfightin\'，thoughhewouldn\'tspeaktomenomore。I\'mmightysorrytoleaveyou。I\'mobleegedtoyoucauseyouwussogoodtomean\'I\'mgoin\'toseeyouaginsomeday，ifIcan。
Good-by。\"
\"Leftthatdamnedoldmaretopayforhisclothesandhisboardandhisschooling，\"mutteredtheMajor。\"Bythegods\"——herosesuddenlyandstrodeaway——\"Ibegyourpardon，Lucy。\"
AtearwasrunningdowneachofMissLucy\'sfadedcheeks。
DawnthatmorningfoundChadspringingfromabedinahaystack——tenmilesfromLexington。Byduskthatday，hewasontheedgeoftheBluegrassandthatnighthestayedatafarm-house，goinginboldly，forhehadlearnednowthatthewayfarerwasaswelcomeinaBluegrassfarm-houseasinalog-cabininthemountains。Higherandhighergrewthegreenswellingslopes，until，climbingoneaboutnoonnextday，hesawthebluefoothillsoftheCumberlandthroughtheclearair——andhestoppedandlookedlong，breathinghardfrompureecstasy。Theplain-dwellerneverknowsthefiercehomehungerthatthemountain-bornhaveforhills。
Besides，beyondthosebluesummitsweretheTurnersandtheschool-masterandJack，waitingforhim，andheforgothungerandwearinessashetrodoneagerlytowardthem。Thatnight，hestayedinamountain-cabin，andwhilethecontrastofthedarkroom，thecrowdingchildren，theslovenlydress，andthecoarsefoodwasstrangelydisagreeable，alongwiththestrangenewshockcamethethrillthatallthismeanthillsandhome。Itwasaboutthreeo\'clockofthefourthdaythat，trampinguptheKentuckyRiver，hecameuponalong，evenstretchofsmoothwater，fromtheupperendofwhichtwoblackbowlderswerethrustoutofthestream，andwithakeenerthrillherealizedthathewasnearinghome。Herecalledseeingthoserocksastheraftsweptdowntheriver，andtheoldSquirehadsaidthattheywerenamedafteroxen——\"BillyandBuck。\"
Oppositetherockshemetamountaineer。
\"HowferisittoUncleJoelTurner\'s？\"
\"Aleetletheriseo\'sixmiles，Ireckon。\"
Theboywasfaintwithweariness，andthosesixmilesseemedadozen。Ideaofdistanceisvagueamongthemountaineers，andtwohoursofwearytravelfollowed，yetnothingthatherecognizedwasinsight。Onceabendoftheriverlookedfamiliar，butwhenhenearedit，theroadturnedsteeplyfromtheriverandoverahighbluff，andtheboystartedupwithagroan。Hemeanttoreachthesummitbeforehestoppedtorest，butinsheerpain，hedroppedadozenpacesfromthetopandlaywithhistongue，likeadog\'s，betweenhislips。
Thetopwaswarm，butachillwasrisingfromthefast-darkeningshadowsbelowhim。Therimofthesunwasabouttobrushthegreentipofamountainacrosstheriver，andtheboyroseinaminute，draggedhimselfontothepointwhere，roundingabigrock，hedroppedagainwithathumpingheartandareelingbrain。Thereitwas——oldJoel\'scabinintheprettyvalleybelow——oldJoel\'scabin——home！Smokewasrisingfromthechimney，andthatfarawayitseemedthatChadcouldsmellfryingbacon。Therewastheoldbarnandhecouldmakeoutoneoftheboysfeedingstockandanotherchoppingwood——wasthattheschool-master？TherewasthehugeformofoldJoelatthefencetalkingwithaneighbor。Hewasgesticulatingasthoughangry，andtheoldmothercametothedoorastheneighbormovedawaywithashufflinggaitthattheboyknewbelongedtotheDillonbreed。WherewasJack？Jack！Chadsprangtohisfeetandwentdownthehillonarun。Heclimbedtheorchardfence，breakingthetoprailinhiseagerness，andashenearedthehouse，hegaveashrillyell。
Ascarletfigureflashedlikeaflameoutofthedoor，withanansweringcry，andtheTurnersfollowed：
\"Why，boy，\"roaredoldJoel。\"Mammy，hit\'sChad！\"
Dolphdroppedanarmfuloffeed。Themanwiththeaxeleftitstuckinalog，andeachmanshouted：
\"Chad！\"
Themountaineersareanundemonstrativerace，butMotherTurnertooktheboyinherarmsandtherestcrowdedaround，slappinghimonthebackandallaskingquestionsatonceDolphandRubeandTom。Yes，andtherewastheschool-master——everyfacewasalmosttenderwithlovefortheboy。ButwherewasJack？
\"Where\'s——where\'sJack？\"saidChad。
OldJoelchangedface——lookingangry；therestweregrave。Onlytheoldmotherspoke：
\"Jack\'sallright。\"
\"Oh，\"saidChad，buthelookedanxious。
Melissainsideheard。HehadnotaskedforHER，andwiththesuddenchokingofanamelessfearshesprangoutthedoortobecaughtbytheschool-master，whohadgonearoundthecornertolookforher。
\"Lemmego，\"shesaid，fiercely，breakinghisholdanddartingaway，butstopping，whenshesawChadinthedoorway，lookingatherwithashysmile。
\"Howdye，Melissa！\"
Thegirlstaredathimmildlyandmadenoanswer，andawaveofshameandconfusionsweptovertheboyashisthoughtsflashedbacktoalittlegirlinablackcapandonablackpony，andhestoodreddeningandhelpless。Therewasahallooatthegate。ItwasoldSquireMiddletonandthecircuit-rider，andoldJoelwenttowardthemwithadarkeningface。
\"Why，hello，Chad，\"theSquiresaid。\"Youbackagain？\"
HeturnedtoJoel。
\"Lookhyeh，Joel。Tharhain\'tnouseo\'yourbuckin\'aginyo\'neighborsandharborin\'asheep-killin\'dog。\"Chadstartedandlookedfromonefacetoanother——slowlybutsurelymakingoutthetruth。
\"Youneverseedthedawgaforelastspring。Youdon\'tknowthathehain\'tasheep-killer。\"
\"It\'salie——alie，\"Chadcried，hotly，buttheschool-masterstoppedhim。
\"Hush，Chad，\"hesaid，andhetooktheboyinsideandtoldhimJackwasintrouble。ADillonsheephadbeenfounddeadonahill-side。DawsDillonhadcomeuponJackleapingoutofthepasture，andJackhadcomehomewithhismuzzlebloody。Evenwiththisoverwhelmingevidence，oldJoelstanchlyrefusedtobelievethedogwasguiltyandorderedoldmanDillonofftheplace。A
neighborhadcomeover，thenanother，andanother，untiloldJoelgotlividwithrage。