\"Thatdawgmoughteatadeadsheepbutheneverwouldkillaliveone，andifyoukillhim，by，you\'vegottokillmefust。\"
Nowthereisnomoreunneighborlyorunchristianactforafarmerthantoharborasheep-killingdog。SotheoldSquireandthecircuit-riderhadcomeovertoshowJoelthegrievouserrorofhisselfish，obstinatecourse，and，sofar，oldJoelhadrefusedtobeshown。AllofhissonssturdilyupheldhimandlittleMelissafiercely——theoldmotherandtheschool-masteraloneremainingquietandtakingnopartinthedissension。
\"HavetheygotJack？\"
\"No，Chad，\"saidtheschool-master。\"He\'ssafe——tiedupinthestable。\"Chadstartedout，andnoonefollowedbutMelissa。AjoyousbarkthatwasalmosthumancamefromthestableasChadapproached，forthedogmusthaveknownthesoundofhismaster\'sfootsteps，andwhenChaddrewopenthedoor，Jacksprangthelengthofhistethertomeethimandwasjerkedtohisback。Againandagainhesprang，barking，asthoughbesidehimself，whileChadstoodatthedoor，lookingsorrowfullyathim。
\"Down，Jack！\"hesaidsternly，andJackdroppedobediently，lookingstraightathismasterwithhonesteyesandwhimperinglikeachild。
\"Jack，\"saidChad，\"didyoukillthatsheep？\"Thiswasallstrangeconductforhislittlemaster，andJacklookedwonderinganddazed，buthiseyesneverwaveredorblinked。Chadcouldnotlongstandthosehonesteyes。
\"No，\"hesaid，fiercely——\"no，littledoggie，no——no！\"AndChaddroppedonhiskneesandtookJackinhisarmsandhuggedhimtohisbreast。
CHAPTER13。ONTRIALFORHISLIFE
BydegreesthewholestorywastoldChadthatnight。NowandthentheTurnerswouldaskhimabouthisstayintheBluegrass，buttheboywouldanswerasbrieflyaspossibleandcomebacktoJack。Beforegoingtobed，ChadsaidhewouldbringJackintothehouse：
\"Somebodymightpizenhim，\"heexplained，andwhenhecameback，hestartledthecircleaboutthefire：
\"Whar\'sWhizzer？\"heasked，sharply。\"Who\'sseenWhizzer？\"
ThenitdevelopedthatnoonehadseentheDillondog——sincethedaybeforethesheepwasfounddeadneararavineatthefootofthemountaininabackpasture。LatethatafternoonMelissahadfoundWhizzerinthatverypasturewhenshewasdrivingoldBetsy，thebrindle，homeatmilking-time。Sincethen，nooneoftheTurnershadseentheDillondog。That，however，didnotprovethatWhizzerwasnotathome。Andyet，\"I\'dliketoknowwharWhizzerisnow！\"saidChad，and，after，atoldJoel\'scommand，hehadtiedJacktoabedpost——anoutragethatpuzzledthedogsorely——theboythreshedhisbedforanhour——tryingtothinkoutadefenceforJackandwonderingifWhizzermightnothavebeenconcernedinthedeathofthesheep。
Itishardlypossiblethatwhathappened，nextday，couldhappenanywhereexceptamongsimplepeopleofthehills。Briefly，theoldSquireandthecircuit-riderhadbroughtoldJoeltothepointofsaying，thenightbefore，thathewouldgiveJackuptobekilled，ifhecouldbeprovenguilty。Buttheoldhuntercriedwithanoath：
\"You\'vegottoprovehimguilty。\"AndthereupontheSquiresaidhewouldgiveJackeverychancethathewouldgiveaman——HEWOULDTRYHIM；eachsidecouldbringinwitnesses；oldJoelcouldhavealawyerifhewished，andJack\'scasewouldgobeforeajury。Ifpronouncedinnocent，Jackshouldgofree：ifguilty——thenthedogshouldbehandedovertothesheriff，tobeshotatsundown。Joelagreed。
ItwasastrangeprocessionthatleftthegateoftheTurnercabinnextmorning。OldJoelledtheway，mounted，with\"oleSal，\"hisrifle，acrosshissaddle-bow。BehindhimcameMotherTurnerandMelissaonfootandChadwithhisrifleoverhisleftshoulder，andleadingJackbyastringwithhisrighthand。BehindthemslouchedTallTomwithhisrifleandDolphandRube，eachwithahugeold-fashionedhorse-pistolswingingfromhisrighthip。Laststrodetheschool-master。Thecabinwasleftdeserted——thehospitabledoorheldclosedbyadeer-skinlatchcaughttoawoodenpinoutside。
ItwasastrangehumiliationtoJackthustobeledalongthehighway，likeacriminalgoingtothegallows。TherewasnopoweronearththatcouldhavemovedhimfromChad\'sside，otherthantheboy\'sowncommand——butoldJoelhadswornthathewouldkeepthedogtiedandtheoldhunteralwayskepthisword。Hehadsworn，too，thatJackshouldhaveafairtrial。Therefore，theguns——andtheschool-masterwalkedwithhishandsbehindhimandhiseyesontheground：hefearedtrouble。
Halfamileuptheriverandtoonesideoftheroad，aspaceofsomethirtyfeetsquarehadbeencutintoapatchofrhododendronandfilledwithrudebenchesofslabs——infrontofwhichwasaroughplatformonwhichsatahome-made，cane-bottomedchair。Exceptfortheopeningfromtheroad，thespacewaswalledwithacircleoflivinggreenthroughwhichthesundappledthebencheswithquiveringdisksofyellowlight——and，highabove，greatpoplarsandoaksarchedtheirmightyheads。Itwasanopen-air\"meeting-house\"wherethecircuit-riderpreachedduringhissummercircuitandtherethetrialwastotakeplace。
Alreadyacrowdwasidling，whittling，gossipingintheroad，whentheTurnercavalcadecameinsight——andfortenmilesupanddowntheriverpeoplewerecominginforthetrial\"Mornin\'，gentlemen，\"saidoldJoel，gravely。
\"Mornin\'，\"answeredseveral，amongwhomwastheSquire，whoeyedJoel\'sgunandthegunscominguptheroad。
\"Squirrel-huntin\'？\"heaskedand，astheoldhunterdidnotanswer，headded，sharply：
\"Airyouafeerd，JoelTurner，thatyouain\'ta-goin\'togitjusticefromME？\"
\"Idon\'tkeerwharitcomesfrom，\"saidJoel，grimly——\"butI\'ma-goin\'toHAVEit。\"
Itwasplainthattheoldmannotonlywasmakingnopleaforsympathy，butwasalienatingthelittlehehad：andwhathehadwasverylittleforwhobutaloverofdogscangivefullsympathytohiskind？And，then，Jackwasbelievedtobeguilty。ItwascurioustoseehoweachDillonshrankunconsciouslyastheTurnersgathered——allbutJerry，oneofthegianttwins。
Healwaysstoodhisground——fearingnorman，nordog——nordevil。
Tenminuteslater，theSquiretookhisseatontheplatform，whilethecircuit-ridersquatteddownbesidehim。Thecrowd，menandwomenandchildren，tooktheroughbenches。ToonesidesatandstoodtheDillons，oldTadandlittleTad，Daws，Nance，andothersofthetribe。StraightinfrontoftheSquiregatheredtheTurnersaboutMelissaandChad——andJackasacentre——withJacksquattedonhishanchesforemostofall，facingtheSquirewithgravedignityandlookingatnoneelsesave，occasionally，theoldhunterorhislittlemaster。
Totherightstoodthesheriffwithhisrifle，andontheoutskirtshungtheschool-master。QuicklytheoldSquirechoseajury——givingoldJoeltheopportunitytoobjectashecalledeachman\'sname。OldJoelobjectedtonone，foreverymancalled，heknew，wasmorefriendlytohimthantotheDillons：andoldTadDillonraisednowordofprotest，forheknewhiscasewasclear。Thenbeganthetrial，andanysoulthatwastherewouldhaveshudderedcouldhehaveknownhowthattrialwastodivideneighboragainstneighbor，andmeandeathandbloodshedforhalfacenturyafterthetrialitselfwaslongforgotten。
Thefirstwitness，oldTad——long，lean，stooping，crafty——hadseenthesheeprushingwildlyupthehill-side\"\'boutcracko\'day，\"hesaid，andhadsentDawsuptoseewhatthematterwas。Dawshadshoutedback：
\"ThatdamnedTurnerdoghaskilledoneo\'oursheep。Tharhecomesnow。Killhim！\"AndoldTadhadrushedin-doorsforhisrifleandhadtakenashotatJackasheleapedintotheroadandlopedforhome。Justthenastern，thicklittlevoicerosefrombehindJack：
\"HitwasaGod\'sblessin\'feryouthatyoudidn\'thithim。\"
TheSquireglareddownattheboyandoldJoelsaid，kindly：
\"Hush，Chad。\"
OldDillonhadthengonedowntotheTurnersandaskedthemtokillthedog，butoldJoelhadrefused。
\"WharwasWhizzer？\"Chadasked，sharply。
\"Youcan\'taxethatquestion，\"saidtheSquire。\"Hit\'ser-er-irrelevant。\"
Dawscamenext。Whenhereachedthefenceuponthehill-sidehecouldseethesheeplyingstillontheground。Ashewasclimbingover，theTurnerdogjumpedthefenceandDawssawbloodonhismuzzle。
\"Howclosewasyoutohim？\"askedtheSquire。
\"\'Bouttwentyfeet，\"saidDaws。
\"Humph！\"saidoldJoel。
\"WharwasWhizzer？\"AgaintheoldSquireglareddownatChad。
\"Don\'tyouaxethatquestionagain，boy。Didn\'tItellyouhitwasirrelevant？\"
\"What\'sirrelevant？\"theboyasked，bluntly。
TheSquirehesitated。\"Why——why，hitain\'tgotnothin\'todowiththecase。\"
\"Hitain\'t？\"shoutedChad。
\"Joel，\"saidtheSquire，testily，\"efyoudon\'tkeepthatboystill，I\'llfinehimfercontempto\'court。\"
Joellaughed，butheputhisheavyhandontheboy\'sshoulder。LittleTadDillonandNanceandtheDillonmotherhadallseenJackrunningdowntheroad。TherewasnodoubtbutthatitwastheTurnerdog。AndwiththisclearcaseagainstpoorJack，theDillonsrested。AndwhatelsecouldtheTurnersdobutestablishJack\'scharacterandputinapleaofmercy——auselessplea，oldJoelknew——forafirstoffence？JackwasthebestdogoldJoelhadeverknown，andtheoldmantoldwonderfultalesofthedog\'sintelligenceandkindnessandhowonenightJackhadguardedastraylambthathadbrokenitsleg——untildaybreak——andhehadbeenledtothedogandthesheepbyJack\'sbarkingforhelp。TheTurnerboysconfirmedthisstory，thoughitwasreceivedwithincredulity。
Howcouldadogthatwouldguardonelonehelplesslamballnightlongtakethelifeofanother？
Therewasnowitnessthathadaughtbutkindwordstosayofthedogoraughtbutwonderthatheshouldhavedonethisthing——evenbacktothecattle-dealerwhohadgivenhimtoChad。Foratthattimethedealersaid——sotestifiedChad，noobjectionbeingraisedtohearsayevidence——thatJackwasthebestdogheeverknew。ThatwasalltheTurnersoranybodycoulddoorsay，andtheoldSquirewasabouttoturnthecaseovertothejurywhenChadrose：
\"Squire，\"hesaidandhisvoicetrembled，\"Jack\'smydog。Ilivedwithhimnightan\'dayfor\'boutthreeyearsan\'Iwanttoaxesomequestions。\"
HeturnedtoDaws：
\"Iwanttoaxeyoueftharwasanybloodaroundthatsheep。\"
\"Tharwasagreatbigpoolo\'blood，\"saidDaws，indignantly。ChadlookedattheSquire。
\"Well，asheep-killin\'dogdon\'tleavenogreatbigpoolo\'blood，Squire，withtheFUSTonehekills！HeSUCKSit！\"Severalmennoddedtheirheads。
\"Squire！ThefusttimeIcomeoverthesemountains，thefustpeopleIseedwastheseDillons——an\'Whizzer。TheysickedWhizzeronJackhyehandJackwhoopedhim。ThenTadtharjumpedmeandIwhoopedhim。\"TheTurnerboyswerenoddingconfirmation。\"Sencethattimethey\'vehatedJackan\'they\'vehatedmeandtheyhatetheTurnerspartlyfertakin\'keero\'me。Nowyousaidsomethin\'Iaxedjustnowwasirrelevant，butItellyou，Squire，Iknowasheep-killin\'dawg，andjes\'asIknowJackAIN\'T，IknowtheDillondawgnaturelyis，andItellyou，iftheDillons\'dawgkilledthatsheepandtheycouldputitonJack——they\'ddoit。They\'ddoit——Squire，an\'Itellyou，you——ortern\'t——tolet——thatsheriff——thar——shootmy——dog——untiltheDillonsanswerswhatIaxed——\"theboy\'spassionatecryrangagainstthegreenwallsandouttheopeningandacrosstheriver——
\"WHAR\'SWHIZZER？\"
TheboystartledthecrowdandtheoldSquirehimself，whoturnedquicklytotheDillons。
\"Well，wharisWhizzer？\"
Nobodyanswered。
\"Heain\'tbeenseen，Squire，sencetheevenin\'aforethenighto\'thekillin\'！\"Chad\'sstatementseemedtobetrue。Notavoicecontradicted。
\"An\'IwanttoknowifDawsseedsignso\'killin\'onJack\'sheadwhenhejumpedthefence，whythemsamesignsdidn\'tshowwhenhegothome。\"
PoorChad！HereoldTadDillonraisedhishand。
\"AxetheTurners，Squire，\"hesaid，andastheschool-masterontheoutskirtsshrank，asthoughhemeanttoleavethecrowd，theoldman\'squickeyecaughtthemovementandheadded：
\"Axetheschool-teacher！\"
EveryeyeturnedwiththeSquire\'stothemaster，whosefacewasstrangelyseriousstraightway。
\"Didyouseeanysignsonthedawgwhenhegothome？\"Thegauntmanhesitatedwithoneswiftglanceattheboy，whoalmostpaledinanswer。
\"Why，\"saidtheschool-master，andagainhehesitated，butoldJoel，inavoicethatwaswithouthope，encouragedhim：
\"Goon！\"
\"Whatwasthey？\"
\"Jackhadbloodonhismuzzle，andalittlestrando\'woolbehindoneear。\"
Therewasnohopeagainstthattestimony。Melissabrokeawayfromhermotherandranouttotheroad——weeping。Chaddroppedwithasobtohisbenchandputhisarmsaroundthedog：thenheroseupandwalkedouttheopeningwhileJackleapedagainsthisleashtofollow。Theschool-masterputouthishandtostophim，buttheboystruckitasidewithoutlookingupandwenton。hecouldnotstaytoseeJackcondemned。Heknewwhattheverdictwouldbe，andintwentyminutesthejurygaveit，withoutleavingtheirseats。
\"Guilty！\"
TheSheriffcameforward。HeknewJackandJackknewhim，andwaggedhistailandwhimperedupathimwhenhetooktheleash。
\"Well，by——，thisisajobIdon\'tlike，an\'I\'mdamnedefI\'magoin\'toshootthisdawgaforeheknowswhatI\'mshootin\'himfer。I\'mgoin\'toshowhimthatsheepfust。Whar\'sthatsheep，Daws？\"
Dawsledthewaydowntheroad，overthefence，acrossthemeadow，andupthehill-sidewherelaytheslainsheep。ChadandMelissasawthemcoming——thewholecrowd——beforetheythemselveswereseen。Foraminutetheboywatchedthem。TheyweregoingtokillJackwheretheDillonssaidhehadkilledthesheep，andtheboyjumpedtohisfeetandranupthehillalittlewayanddisappearedinthebushes，thathemightnothearJack\'sdeath-shot，whileMelissasatwhereshewas，watchingthecrowdcomeon。Dawswasatthefootofthehill，andshesawhimmakeagesturetowardher，andthentheSheriffcameonwithJack——overthefence，pasther，theSheriffsaying，kindly，\"Howdy，Melissa。IshorelyamsorrytahavetokillJack，\"andontothedeadsheep，whichlayfiftyyardsbeyond。IftheSheriffexpectedtodropheadandtailandlookmeanhewasgreatlymistaken。Jackneitherhungbacknorsniffedatthecarcass。Insteadheputoneforefootonitandwiththeotherbentintheair，lookedwithoutshameintotheSheriff\'seyes——asmuchastosay：
\"Yes，thisisawickedandshamefulthing，butwhathaveIgottodowithit？
WhyareyoubringingMEhere？\"
TheSheriffcamebackgreatlypuzzledandshakinghishead。PassingMelissa，hestoppedtolettheunhappylittlegirlgiveJackalastpat，anditwastherethatJacksuddenlycaughtscentofChad\'stracks。WithonemightyboundthedogsnatchedtherawhidestringfromthecarelessSheriff\'shand，andinamoment，withhisnosetotheground，wasspeedinguptowardthewoods。WithastartledyellandafrightfuloaththeSheriffthrewhisrifletohisshoulder，butthelittlegirlsprangupandcaughtthebarrelwithbothhands，shakingitfiercelyupanddownandhieingJackonwithshriekaftershriek。AminutelaterJackhaddisappearedinthebushes，Melissawasrunninglikethewinddownthehilltowardhome，whilethewholecrowdinthemeadowwasrushinguptowardtheSheriff，ledbytheDillons，whowereyellingandswearinglikemadmen。Abovethem，thecrestfallenSheriffwaited。
TheDillonscrowdedangrilyabouthim，gesticulatingandthreatening，whilehetoldhisstory。Butnothingcouldbedone——nothing。TheydidnotknowthatChadwasupinthewoodsortheywouldhavegoneinsearchofhim——knowingthatwhentheyfoundhimtheywouldfindJack——buttolookforJacknowwouldbelikesearchingforaneedleinahay-stack。Therewasnothingtodo，then，buttowaitforJacktocomehome，whichhewouldsurelydo——togettoChad——anditwaswhileoldJoelwaspromisingthatthedogshouldbesurrenderedtotheSheriffthatlittleTadDillongaveanexcitedshriek。
\"Lookupthar！\"
AndupthereattheedgeofthewoodwasChadstandingand，athisfeet，Jacksittingonhishaunches，withhistongueoutandlookingasthoughnothinghadhappenedorcouldeverhappentoChadortohim。
\"Comeuphyeh，\"shoutedChad。
\"Youcomedownhyeh，\"shoutedtheSheriff，angrily。SoChadcamedown，withJacktrottingafterhim。Chadhadcutofftherawhidestring，buttheSheriffcaughtJackbythenapeoftheneck。
\"Youwon\'tgitawayfrommeagin，Ireckon。\"
\"Well，Ireckonyouain\'tgoin\'toshoothim，\"saidChad。\"Leggothatdawg。\"
\"Don\'tbeafool，Jim，\"saidoldJoel。\"Thedawgain\'tgoin\'toleavetheboy。\"TheSheriffletgo。
\"Comeonuphyeh，\"saidChad。\"Igotsomethin\'toshowye。\"
TheboyturnedwithsuchcertaintythatwithoutawordSquire，Sheriff，Turners，Dillons，andspectatorsfollowed。Astheyapproachedadeepravinetheboypointedtothegroundwherewereevidencesofsomefiercestruggle——thedirtthrownup，andseveralsmallstonesscatteredaboutwithfadedstainsofbloodonthem。
\"Waithyeh！\"saidtheboy，andhesliddowntheravineandappearedagaindraggingsomethingafterhim。TallTomrandowntohelphimandthetwothrewbeforetheastonishedcrowdthebodyofablackandwhitedog。\"NowIreckonyouknowwharWhizzeris，\"pantedChadvindictivelytotheDillons。
\"Well，whatofit？\"snappedDaws\"Oh，nothin\'，\"saidtheboywithfinesarcasm。\"OnlyWHIZZERkilledthatsheepandJackkilledWhizzer。\"FromeveryDillonthroatcameascornfulgrunt。
\"Oh，Ireckonso，\"saidChad，easily。\"Lookdhar！\"Heliftedthedeaddog\'shead，andpointedatthestrandsofwoolbetweenhisteeth。Heturneditover，showingthedeadlygripinthethroatandclosetothejaws，thathadchokedthelifefromWhizzer——Jack\'sowngrip。
\"Efyouwilljes\'rickollect，Jackhadthatsamegripthetimeafore——whenI
pulledhimoffo\'Whizzer。\"
\"By——，thatisso，\"saidTallTom，andDolphandRubeechoedhimamidadozenvoices，fornotonlyoldJoel，butmanyofhisneighborsknewJack\'smethodoffighting，whichhadmadehimavictorupanddownthelengthofKingdomCome。
Therewaslittledoubtthattheboywasright——thatJackhadcomeonWhizzerkillingthesheep，andhadcaughthimattheedgeoftheravine，wherethetwohadfought，rollingdownandsettlingtheoldfeudbetweentheminthedarknessatthebottom。Andupthereonthehill-side，thejurythatpronouncedJackguiltypronouncedhiminnocent，and，astheTurnersstartedjoyfullydownthehill，thesunthatwastohavesunkonJackstiffindeathsankonJackfriskingbeforethem——home。
AndyetanotherwonderwasinstoreforChad。AstrangehorsewithastrangesaddlewashitchedtotheTurnerfence；besideitwasanoldmarewithaboy\'ssaddle，andasChadcamethroughthegateafamiliarvoicecalledhimcheerilybyname。OntheporchsatMajorBuford。
CHAPTER14。THEMAJORINTHEMOUNTAINS
ThequiveringheatofAugustwasgivingwayandthegoldenpeaceofautumnwasspreadingthroughtheland。Thebreathofmountainwoodsbydaywasascoolasthebreathofvalleysatnight。Inthemountains，boyandgirlwereleavingschoolforworkinthefields，andfromtheCumberlandfoothillstotheOhio，boyandgirlwereleavinghappyholidaysforschool。Alongarough，rockyroadanddownashiningriver，nowsunktodeeppoolswithtricklingrifflesbetween——foradrouthwasontheland——rodeatall，gauntmanonanoldbrownmarethatswitchedwithhertailnowandthenatalong-legged，rough-hairedcoltstumblingawkwardlybehind。Wheretheroadturnedfromtheriverandupthemountain，themandidapeculiarthing，forthere，inthatlonelywilderness，hestopped，dismounted，tiedthereinstoanoverhangingbranchand，leavingmareandcoltbehind，strodeupthemountain，onandon，disappearingoverthetop。Halfanhourlater，asturdyyouthhoveinsight，trudgingalongthesameroadwithhiscapinhishand，alongrifleoveroneshoulderandadogtrottingathisheels。Nowandthentheboywouldlookbackandscoldthedogandthedogwoulddrophismuzzlewithshame，untiltheboystoopedtopathimonthehead，whenhewouldleapfriskingbeforehim，untilanotheraffectionatescoldingwasdue。Theoldmareturnedherheadwhensheheardthemcoming，andnickered。Withoutamoment\'shesitationtheladuntiedher，mountedandrodeupthemountain。Fortwodaysthemanandtheboyhadbeen\"ridingandtying，\"asthiswayoftravelfortwomenandonehorseisstillknowninthehills，andoverthemountain，theyweretocometogetherforthenight。Atthefootofthespurontheotherside，boyanddogcameuponthetallmansprawledatfulllengthacrossamoss-coveredbowlder。Thedogdroppedbehind，buttheman\'squickeyecaughthim：
\"Where\'dthatdogcomefrom，Chad？\"Jackputhisbellytotheearthandcrawledslowlyforward——penitent，butdetermined。
\"Hebrokeloose，Ireckon。Hecometearin\'upbehindme\'boutanhourago，likeahouseafire。Lethimgo。\"CalebHazelfrowned。
\"Itoldyou，Chad，thatwe\'dhavenoplacetokeephim。\"
\"Well，wecansendhimhomeaseasyfromuptharaswecanfromhyeh——lethimgo。\"
\"Allright！\"Chadunderstoodnotawhitbetterthanthedog；forJackleapedtohisfeetandjumpedaroundtheschool-master，tryingtolickhishands，buttheschool-masterwasabsorbedandwouldnoneofhim。There，themountain-pathturnedintoawagon-roadandtheschool-masterpointedwithonefinger。
\"Doyouknowwhatthatis，Chad？\"
\"No，sir。\"Chadsaid\"sir\"totheschool-masternow。
\"Well，that\'s\"——theschool-masterpausedtogivehiswordseffect——\"that\'stheoldWildernessRoad。\"
Ah，didhenotknowtheold，oldWildernessRoad！Theboygrippedhisrifleunconsciously，asthoughtheremightyetbeasavagelyinginambushinsomecovertofrhododendroncloseby。And，astheytrudgedahead，sidebysidenow，foritwasgrowinglate，theschool-mastertoldhim，asoftenbefore，thestoryofthatroadandthepioneerswhohadtrodit——thehunters，adventurers，emigrants，fineladiesandfinegentlemenwhohadstaineditwiththeirblood；andhowthatroadhadbroadenedintothemightywayforagreatcivilizationfromseatosea。Theladcouldseeitall，ashelistened，wishingthathehadlivedinthosestirringdays，neverdreaminginhowlittlewasheofdifferentmouldfromthestout-heartedpioneerswhobeatoutthepathwiththeirmoccasinedfeet；howlittlelessfullofdangerwerehisowndaystobe；howlittledifferenthadbeenhisownlife，andwashisourposenow——howlittledifferentafterallwasthebourntowhichhisownrestlessfeetwerebearinghim。
ChadhadchangedagooddealsincethatnightafterJack\'strial，whenthekind-heartedoldMajorhadturnedupatJoel\'scabintotakehimbacktotheBluegrass。Hewastaller，broaderatshoulder，deeperofchest；hismouthandeyeswereprematurelygravefrommuchbroodingandlookedalittledefiant，asthoughtheboyexpectedhostilityfromtheworldandwaspreparedtomeetit，buttherewasnobitternessinthem，andluminousabouttheladwastheoldatmosphereofbrave，sunnycheerandsimpleself-trustthatwonpeopletohim。
TheMajorandoldJoelhadtalkedlatethatnightafterJack\'strial。TheMajorhadcomedowntofindoutwhoChadwas，ifpossible，andtotakehimbackhome，nomatterwhohemightbe。Theoldhunterlookedlongintothefire。
\"Co\'seIknowhit\'udbebetterferChad，but，Lawd，howwe\'dhatetogivehimup。Still，IreckonI\'llhavetolethimgo，butIcanstandhitbetter，ifyoucangithimtoleaveJackhyeh。\"TheMajorsmiled。DidoldJoelknowwhereNathanCherrylived？Theoldhunterdid。Nathanwasa\"damnedoldskinflintwholivedacrossthemountainonStoneCreek——whostoleotherfolks\'farmsandifheknewanythingaboutChadtheoldhunterwouldsqueezeitoutofhisthroat；andifoldNathan，learningwhereChadnowwas，triedtopesterhimhewouldbreakeveryboneintheskinflint\'sbody。\"SotheMajorandoldJoelrodeovernextdaytoseeNathan，andNathanwithhisshiftingeyestoldthemChad\'sstoryinahigh，crackedvoicethat，recallingChad\'simitationofit，madetheMajorlaugh。Chadwasafoundling，Nathansaid：hismotherwasdeadandhisfatherhadgoneofftotheMexicanWarandnevercomeback：hehadtakenthemotherinhimselfandChadhadbeenborninhisownhouse，whenhelivedfartheruptheriver，andtheboyhadbeguntorunawayassoonashewasoldenoughtotoddle。AndwitheachsentenceNathanwouldcallforconfirmationonasilent，dark-faceddaughterwhosatinside：\"Didn\'the，Betsy？\"or\"Wasn\'the，gal？\"Andthegirlwouldnodsullenly，butsaynothing。Itseemedahopelessmissionexceptthat，onthewayback，theMajorlearnedthattherewereoneortwoBufordslivingdowntheCumberland，andlikeoldJoel，shookhisheadoverNathan\'spharisaicalphilanthropytoahomelessboyandwonderedwhatthemotiveunderitwas——buthewentbackwiththeoldhunterandtriedtogetChadtogohomewithhim。
Theboywasrock-firminhisrefusal。
\"I\'mobleegedtoyou，Major，butIreckonIbetterstayinthemountains。\"
ThatwasallChadwouldsay，andatlasttheMajorgaveupandrodebackoverthemountainanddowntheCumberlandalone，stillonhisquest。Atablacksmith\'sshopfardowntheriverhefoundamanwhohad\"heerdtellofaChadBufordwhohadbeenkilledintheMexicanWarandwhosedaddylived\'boutfifteenmiledowntheriver。\"TheMajorfoundthatBuforddead，butanoldwomantoldhimhisnamewasChad，thathehad\"fitintheWaro\'1812
whenhewasnothin\'butachunkofaboy，andthathisdaddy，whosename，too，wasChad，hadbeenkilledbyInjunssome\'eresaroun\'CumberlandGap。\"BythistimetheMajorwasaskeenasahoundonthescent，and，inacabinatthefootofthesheergraywallthatcrumblesintotheGap，hehadtheamazinglucktofindanoctogenarianwithanuncloudedmemorywhocouldrecollectaqueer-lookingoldmanwhohadbeenkilledbyIndians——\"aolefellerwiththecuriosesthairIeverdidsee，\"addedthepatriarch。HisnamewasColonelBuford，andtheoldmanknewwherehewasburied，forhehimselfwasoldenoughatthetimetohelpburyhim。Greatlyexcited，theMajorhiredmountaineerstodigintothelittlehillthattheoldmanpointedout，onwhichtherewas，however，nosignofagrave，and，atlast，theyuncoveredtheskeletonofanoldgentlemaninawigandperuke！Therewaslittledoubtnowthattheboy，nomatterwhattheblotonhis\'scutcheon，wasofhisownfleshandblood，andtheMajorwastemptedtogobackatonceforhim，butitwasalongway，andhewasillandanxioustogetbackhome。SohetooktheWildernessRoadfortheBluegrass，andwroteoldJoelthefactsandaskedhimtosendChadtohimwheneverhewouldcome。Buttheboywouldnotgo。Therewasnodefinitereasoninhismind。Itwasastubborninstinctmerely——theinstinctofpride，ofstubbornindependence——ofshamethatfesteredinhissoullikeahornet\'ssting。EvenMelissaurgedhim。ShenevertiredofhearingChadtellabouttheBluegrasscountry，andwhensheknewthattheMajorwantedhimtogoback，shefollowedhimoutintheyardthatnightandfoundhimonthefencewhittling。Aredstarwassinkingbehindthemountains。\"Whywon\'tyougobacknomore，Chad？\"shesaid。
\"\'CauseIHAIN\'Tgotnodaddyermammy。\"ThenMelissastartledhim。
\"Well，I\'dgo——an\'Ihain\'tgotnodaddyermammy。\"Chadstoppedhiswhittling。
\"Whut\'dyousay，Lissy？\"heasked，gravely。
Melissawasfrightened——theboylookedsoserious。
\"Crossyo\'heartan\'bodythatyouwon\'tNUVERtellNObody。\"Chadcrossed。
\"Well，mammysaidImustn\'tevertellnobody——butIHAIN\'Tgotnodaddyermammy。Iheerdhera-tellin\'theschool-teacher。\"Andthelittlegirlshookherheadoverherfrightfulcrimeofdisobedience。
\"YouHAIN\'T？\"
\"IHAIN\'T！\"
Melissa，too，wasawaif，andChadlookedatherwithawaveofnewaffectionandpity。
\"Now，whywon\'tyougobackjustbecauseyouhain\'tgotnodaddyan\'mammy？\"
Chadhesitated。TherewasnousemakingMelissaunhappy。
\"Oh，I\'djustrutherstayhyehinthemountains，\"hesaid，carelessly——lyingsuddenlylikethelittlegentlemanthathewas——lyingasheknew，andasMelissasomedaywouldcometoknow。ThenChadlookedatthelittlegirlalongwhile，andinsuchaqueerwaythatMelissaturnedherfaceshylytotheredstar。
\"I\'mgoin\'tostayrighthyeh。Ain\'tyouglad，Lissy？\"
Thelittlegirlturnedhereyesshylybackagain。\"Yes，Chad，\"shesaid。
Hewouldstayinthemountainsandworkhard；andwhenhegrewuphewouldmarryMelissaandtheywouldgoawaywherenobodyknewhimorher：ortheywouldstayrightthereinthemountainswherenobodyblamedhimforwhathewasnorMelissaforwhatshewas；andhewouldstudylawlikeCalebHazel，andgototheLegislature——butMelissa！AndwiththethoughtofMelissainthemountainscamealwaysthethoughtofdaintyMargaretintheBluegrassandthechasmthatlaybetweenthetwo——betweenMargaretandhim，forthatmatter；andwhenMotherTurnercalledMelissafromhimintheorchardnextday，Chadlayonhisbackunderanapple-tree，foralongwhile，thinking；
andthenhewhistledforJackandclimbedthespurabovetheriverwherehecouldlookdownontheshadowedwaterandouttothecloudedheapsofroseandgreenandcrimson，wherethesunwasgoingdownunderonefaintwhitestar。Melissawastheglow-wormthat，whendarknesscame，wouldbeawatch-fireathisfeet——Margaret，thestartowhichhiseyeswereliftednightandday——andsorunstheworld。Helaylongwatchingthatstar。Ithungalmostovertheworldofwhichhehaddreamedsolonganduponwhichhehadturnedhisbackforever。Forever？Perhaps，buthewentbackhomethatnightwithatroubleinhissoulthatwasnottopass，andwhilehesatbythefireheawokefromthesamedreamtofindMelissa\'sbigeyesfixedonhim，andinthemwasavaguetroublethatwasmorethanhisownreflectedbacktohim。
Stilltheboywentbacksturdilytohisoldlife，workinginthefields，busyaboutthehouseandstable，goingtoschool，readingandstudyingwiththeschool-masteratnights，andwanderinginthewoodswithJackandhisrifle。
AndhehungeredforspringtocomeagainwhenheshouldgowiththeTurnerboystotakeanotherraftoflogsdowntherivertothecapital。Springcame，andgoingouttothebackpastureonemorning，Chadfoundalong-legged，ungainlycreaturestumblingawkwardlyabouthisoldmare——acolt！That，too，heowedtheMajor，andhewouldhaveburstwithpridehadheknownthatthecolt\'ssirewasafamousstallionintheBluegrass。Thatspringhedidgodowntheriveragain。HedidnotlettheMajorknowhewascomingand，throughanamelessshyness，hecouldnotbringhimselftogotoseehisoldfriendandkinsman，butinLexington，whileheandtheschool-masterwerestandingonCheapside，theMajorwhirledaroundacornerontheminhiscarriage，and，asontheturnpikeayearbefore，oldTom，thedriver，calledout：
\"Lookdar，MarsCal！\"AndtherestoodChad。
\"Why，blessmysoul！Chad——why，boy！Howyouhavegrown！\"ForChadhadgrown，andhisfacewascuriouslyagedandthoughtful。TheMajorinsistedontakinghimhome，andtheschool-master，too，whowentreluctantly。MissLucywasthere，lookingwhiterandmorefragilethanever，andshegreetedChadwithasweetkindlinessthattookthestingfromhisunjustremembranceofher。AndwhatthatfailuretounderstandhermusthavebeenChadbetterknewwhenhesawtheembarrassedawe，inherpresence，oftheschool-master，forwhomallinthemountainshadsomuchreverence。AtthetablewasThankyma\'amwaiting。
Aroundthequartersandthestablethepickaninniesandservantsseemedtoremembertheboyinakindlygenuinewaythattouchedhim，andevenJeromeConners，theoverseer，seemedgladtoseehim。TheMajorwasdrawnatoncetothegraveschool-master，andhehadalongtalkwithhimthatnight。Itwasnouse，CalebHazelsaid，tryingtopersuadetheboytolivewiththeMajor——notyet。AndtheMajorwasmorecontentwhenhecametoknowinwhatgoodhandstheboywas，and，downinhisheart，helovedtheladthemoreforhissturdyindependence，andforthepridethatmadehimshrinkfromfacingtheworldwiththeshameofhisbirth；knowingthatChadthoughtofhimperhapsmorethanofhimself。Suchunwillingnesstogiveotherstroubleseemedremarkableinsoyoungalad。NotoncedidtheMajormentiontheDeanstotheboy，andaboutthemChadaskednoquestions——notevenwhenhesawtheircarriagepassingtheMajor\'sgate。WhentheycametoleavetheMajorsaid：
\"Well，Chad，whenthatfillyofyoursisayearold，I\'llbuy\'embothfromyou，ifyou\'llsell\'em，andIreckonyoucancomeupandgotoschoolthen。\"
Chadshookhishead。Sellthatcolt？HewouldassoonhavethoughtofsellingJack。Butthetemptationtookroot，justthesame，thenandthere，andgrewsteadilyuntil，afteranotheryearinthemountains，itgrewtoostrong。For，inthatyear，Chadgrewtolookthefactofhisbirthsteadilyintheface，andinhisheartgrewsteadilyaproudresolutiontomakehiswayintheworlddespiteit。ItwascurioushowMelissacametoknowthestrugglethatwasgoingonwithinhimandhowChadcametoknowthatsheknew——thoughnowordpassedbetweenthem：morecuriousstill，howitcamewithashocktoChadonedaytorealizehowlittlewasthetragedyofhislifeincomparisonwiththetragedyinhers，andtolearnthatthelittlegirlwithswiftvisionhadalreadyreachedthattruthandwithsweetunselfishnesshadreconciledherself。Hewasaboy——hecouldgooutintheworldandconquerit，whileherlifewasasrigidandstraightbeforeherasthoughitranbetweenclosewallsofrockassteepandsheerasthecliffacrosstheriver。Onethingheneverguessed——whatitcostthelittlegirltosupporthimbravelyinhispurpose，andtostandwithsmilingfacewhenthefirstbreathofonesombreautumnstolethroughthehills，andChadandtheschool-masterlefttheTurnerhomefortheBluegrass，thistimetostay。
Shestoodinthedoorwayaftertheyhadwavedgood-byfromtheheadoftheriver——thesmilegoneandherfaceinasuddendarkeclipse。Thewiseoldmotherwentin-doors。Oncethegirlstartedthroughtheyardasthoughshewouldrushafterthemandstoppedatthegate，clinchingithardwithbothhands。Assuddenlyshebecamequiet。
Shewentin-doorstoherworkandworkedquietlyandwithoutaword。Thusshedidalldaywhilehermindandherheartached。WhenshewentafterthecowsbeforesunsetshestoppedatthebarnwhereBeelzebubhadbeentied。Sheliftedhereyestothehay-loftwheresheandChadhadhuntedforhens\'eggsandplayedhide-and-seek。Shepassedthroughtheorchardwheretheyhadworkedandplayedsomanyhappyhours，andontothebackpasturewheretheDillonsheephadbeenkilledandshehadkepttheSherifffromshootingJack。
Andshesawandnotedeverythingwithapiteouspainanddryeyes。Butshegavenosignthatnight，andnotuntilshewasinbeddidshewithcoveredheadgiveway。Thenthebedshookwithhersmotheredsobs。Thisisthesadwaywithwomen。Afterthewayofmen，ChadproudlymarchedtheoldWildernessRoadthatledtoabig，bright，beautifulworldwhereonehadbuttodoanddaretoreachthestars。Themenwhohadtrodthatroadhadmadethatbigworldbeyond，andtheirlifeChadhimselfhadlivedsofar。Only，wheretheyhadlivedhehadbeenborn——inalogcabin。Theirweapons——theaxeandtherifle——hadbeenhis。HehadhadthesamefightwithNatureasthey。Heknewaswellastheywhatlifeinthewoodsin\"ahalf-facedcamp\"was。Theirrudesportsandpastimes，theirlog-rollings，house-raisings，quiltingparties，corn-huskings，featsofstrength，hadbeenhis。Hehadthesamelynxeyes，coolcourage，swiftnessoffoot，readinessofresourcethathadbeentrainedintothem。Hisheartwasasstoutandhislifeassimpleandpure。Hewastakingtheirpathand，inthefarWest，beyondtheBluegrassworldwherehewasgoing，hecould，ifhepleased，takeupthesamelifeattheprecisepointwheretheyhadleftoff。Atsunset，Chadandtheschool-masterstoodonthesummitoftheCumberlandfoothillsandlookedovertherollinglandwithlittlelessofathrill，doubtless，thanthefirsthuntersfeltwhenthelandbeforethemwasasmuchawildernessasthewildsthroughwhichtheyhadmadetheirway。Belowthemafarmhouseshrankhalfoutofsightintoalittlehollow，andtowardittheywentdown。
Theoutsideworldhadmovedswiftlyduringthetwoyearsthattheyhadbeenburiedinthehillsastheylearnedatthefarm-housethatnight。Alreadythenationalstormwasthreatening，theairwaselectricallychargedwithalarms，andalreadyhereandtherethelightninghadflashed。Theundergroundrailwaywasbusywithblackfreight，andJohnBrown，fanatic，wasboldlyliftinghisshaggyhead。OldBrutusDeanwasevenpublishinganabolitionistpaperatLexington，thearistocraticheartoftheState。HewasmakingabolitionspeechesthroughouttheBluegrasswithadaggerthrustinthetablebeforehim——shakinghisblackmaneandroaringdefiancelikealion。ThenewsthrilledChadunaccountably，asdidtheshadowofanydanger，butitthrewtheschool-masterintogloom。Therewasmore。AdarklittlemanbythenameofDouglasandasinewygiantbythenameofLincolnwerethrillingtheWest。
PhillipsandGarrisonwerethunderinginMassachusetts，andfierytonguesintheSouthwereflashingbackscornfulchallengesandthreatsthatwouldimperilanation。Aninvisibleair-lineshotsuddenlybetweentheNorthandtheSouth，destinedtodropsomedayandlieadead-lineontheearth，andoneachsideofittwohordesofbrothers，whothoughtthemselvestwohostilepeoples，wereshrinkingawayfromeachotherwiththehalf-consciouspurposeofmakingreadyforacharge。InnootherStateintheUnionwasthefratricidalcharacterofthecomingwartobesomarkedasinKentucky，innootherStatewasthenationaldramatobesofullyplayedtothebitterend。
Thatnighteven，BrutusDeanwasgoingtospeaknearby，andChadandCalebHazelwenttohearhim。ThefierceabolitionistfirstplacedaBiblebeforehim。
\"Thisisforthosewhobelieveinreligion，\"hesaid；thenacopyoftheConstitution：\"thisforthosewhobelieveinthelawsandinfreedomofspeech。Andthis，\"hethundered，drivingadaggerintothetableandleavingittoquiverthere，\"isfortherest！\"Thenhewentonandnomandaredtointerrupt。
Andonlynextdaycametherushofwindthatheraldsthestorm。JustoutsideofLexingtonChadandtheschool-masterleftthemareandcoltatafarm-houseandwithJackwentintotownonfoot。ItwasSaturdayafternoon，thetownwasfullofpeople，andanexcitedcrowdwaspressingalongMainStreettowardCheapside。Themanandtheboyfollowedeagerly。Cheapsidewasthronged——thickestaroundaframebuildingthatboreanewspapersignonwhichwasthenameofBrutusDean。Amandashedfromahardwarestorewithanaxe，followedbyseveralotherswithheavyhammersintheirhands。Oneswingoftheaxe，thedoorwascrashedopenandthecrowdwentinlikewolves。
Shatteredwindows，sashesandall，flewoutintothestreet，followedbyshowersoftype，chair-legs，table-tops，andthen，piecebypiece，thebatteredcogs，wheels，andformsofaprinting-press。Thecrowdmadelittlenoise。Infifteenminutesthehousewasashellwithgapingwindows，surroundedwithapileofchaoticrubbish，andthemenwhohaddonetheworkquietlydisappeared。Chadlookedattheschool-masterforthefirsttimeneitherofthemhadutteredaword。Theschool-master\'sfacewaswhitewithanger，hishandswereclinched，andhiseyesweresofierceandburningthattheboywasfrightened。
CHAPTER15。TOCOLLEGEINTHEBLUEGRASS
Astheschool-masterhadforetold，therewasnoroomatcollegeforJack。
SeveraltimesMajorBufordtookthedoghomewithhim，butJackwouldnotstay。ThenextmorningthedogwouldturnupatthedoorofthedormitorywhereChadandtheschool-masterslept，andasalastresorttheboyhadtosendJackhome。So，oneSundaymorningChadledJackoutofthetownforseveralmiles，andatthetopofahighhillpointedtowardthemountainsandsternlytoldhimtogohome。AndJack，understandingthattheboywasinearnest，trottedsadlyawaywithaplacardaroundhisneck：
Iownthisdog。HisnameisJack。HeisonhiswaytoKingdomCome。Pleasefeedhim。UncleJoelTurnerwillshootanymanwhosteelshim。CHAD。
ItwasnolittleconsolationtoChadtothinkthatthefaithfulsheep-dogwouldinnosmallmeasurerepaytheTurnersforalltheyhaddoneforhim。
ButJackwastheclosestlinkthatboundhimtothemountains，anddroppingoutofsightbehindthecrestofthehill，ChadcrepttothetopagainandwatchedJackuntilhetrottedoutofsight，andthelinkwasbroken。ThenChadwentslowlyandsorrowfullybacktohisroom。
Itwasthesmallestroominthedormitorythattheschool-masterhadchosenforhimselfandChad，andinitwereonecloset，onetable，onelamp，twochairsandonebed——nomore。Thereweretwowindowsinthelittleroom——onealmostsweptbythebranchesofalocust-treeandoverlookingthebrown-grayslopingcampusandtheroofsandchurch-steeplesofthetown——theotheropeningtotheeastonasweepoffieldandwoodlandoverwhichthesunrosewithadailymessagefromtheunseenmountainsfarbeyondandtowardwhichChadhadsentJacktrottinghome。ItwasaprouddayforChadwhenCalebHazeltookhimto\"matriculate\"——leadinghimfromonetoanotheroftheprofessors，whoawedtheladwiththeirpreternaturaldignity，butitwasasadblowwhenhewastoldthatineverythingbutmathematicshemustgotothepreparatorydepartmentuntilthesecondsessionoftheterm——the\"kitchen，\"asitwascalledbythestudents。Heboreitbravely，though，andtheschool-mastertookhimdowntheshadystreetstothebusythoroughfare，wheretheofficialbook-storewas，andwhereChad，withpureecstasy，caughthisfirstnewbooksunderonearmandtrudgedback，bendinghisheadnowandthentocatchthedelicioussmellofthefreshleavesandprint。Itwaswhilehewasstandingwithhistreasuresunderthebigelmattheturnstile，lookingacrossthecampusatthesundownthattwoboyscamedownthegravelpath。HeknewthembothatonceasDanandHarryDean。Bothlookedathimcuriously，ashethought，buthesawthatneitherknewhimandnoonespoke。
Thesoundofwheelscameupthestreetbehindhimjustthen，andacarriagehaltedattheturnstiletotakethemin。Turning，Chadsawaslendergirlwithdarkhairandeyesandheardhercallbrightlytotheboys。Healmostcaughthisbreathatthesoundofhervoice，buthekeptsturdilyonhisway，andthegirl\'slaughranginhisearsasitrangthefirsttimeheheardit，wasringingwhenhereachedhisroom，ringingwhenhewenttobedthatnight，andlaysleepless，lookingthroughhiswindowatthequietstars。
Forsometime，indeed，noonerecognizedhim，andChadwasglad。OncehemetRichardHuntridingwithMargaret，andthepiercingdarkeyesthattheboyrememberedsowellturnedagaintolookathim。Chadcoloredandbravelymetthemwithhisown，buttherewasnorecognition。AndhesawJohnMorgan——CaptainJohnMorgan——attheheadofthe\"LexingtonRifles，\"whichhehadjustformedfromthebestbloodofthetown，asthoughinlongpreparationforthatcomingwar——sawhimandRichardHunt，aslieutenant，drillingtheminthecampus，andthesightthrilledhimasnothingelse，exceptMargaret，hadeverdone。ManytimeshemettheDeanbrothersontheplaygroundandinthestreets，buttherewasnosignthathewasknownuntilhewascalledtotheblackboardonedayingeometry，theonlycourseinwhichhehadnotbeensenttothe\"kitchen。\"ThenChadsawHarryturnquicklywhentheprofessorcalledhisname。Confusedthoughhewasforamoment，hegavehisdemonstrationinhisquaintspeechwithperfectclearnessandwithoutinterruptionfromtheprofessor，whogavetheboyakeenlookashesaid，quietly：
\"Verygood，sir！\"AndHarrycouldseehisfingerstracinginhisclass-bookthefiguresthatmeantaperfectrecitation。
\"Howareyou，Chad？\"hesaidinthehallwayafterward。
\"Howdye！\"saidChad，shakingtheprofferedhand。
\"Ididn\'tknowyou——you\'vegrownsotall。Didn\'tyouknowme？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thenwhydidn\'tyouspeaktome？\"
\"\'Causeyoudidn\'tknowME。\"
Harrylaughed。\"Well，thatisn\'tfair。Seeyouagain。\"
\"Allright，\"saidChad。
ThatveryafternoonChadmetDaninafootballgame——anold-fashionedgame，inwhichthereweretwentyorthirtyhowlingladsoneachsideandnobodytouchedtheballexceptwithhisfoot——methimsoviolentlythat，claspedineachother\'sarms，theytumbledtotheground。
\"Leggo！\"saidDan。
\"S\'poseyouleggo！\"saidChad。
AsDanstartedaftertheballheturnedtolookatChadandafterthegamehewentuptohim。
\"Why，aren\'tyoutheboywhowasoutatMajorBuford\'sonce？\"
\"Yes。\"Danthrustouthishandandbegantolaugh。SodidChad，andeachknewthattheotherwasthinkingofthetournament。
\"Incollege？\"
\"Math\'matics，\"saidChad。\"I\'minthekitchenfertherest。\"
\"Oh！\"saidDan。\"Whereyouliving？\"Chadpointedtothedormitory，andagainDansaid\"Oh！\"inawaythatmadeChadflush，butadded，quickly：
\"Youbetterplayonoursideto-morrow。\"
Chadlookedathisclothes——foot-ballseemedprettyhardonclothes——\"Idon\'tknow，\"hesaid——\"mebbe。\"
ItwasplainthatneitheroftheboyswasholdinganythingagainstChad，butneitherhadaskedthemountainladtocometoseehim——anomissionthatwasalmostunforgivableaccordingtoChad\'ssocialethics。SoChadproudlywentintohisshellagain，andwhilethethreeboysmetoften，nointimacydeveloped。OftenhesawthemwithMargaret，onthestreet，inacarriageorwalkingwithalaughingcrowdofboysandgirls；ontheporticosofoldhousesorintheyards；and，onenight，Chadsaw，throughthewide-opendoorofacertainoldhouseonthecornerofMillandMarketStreets，apartygoingon；andMargaret，allinwhite，dancing，andhestoodintheshadeofthetreesoppositewithnewpangsshootingthroughhimandwentbacktohisroomindesolateloneliness，butwithanewgriponhisresolutionthathisowndayshouldyetcome。
Steadilytheboyworked，forginghiswayslowlybutsurelytowardtheheadofhisclassinthe\"kitchen，\"andtheschool-masterhelpedhimunwearyingly。
Anditwasagreathelp——mentalandspiritual——tobenearthesternPuritan，wholovedtheboyasabrotherandwaseverreadytoguidehimwithcounselandaidhimwithhisstudies。IntimetheMajorwenttothepresidenttoaskhimaboutChad，andthataugustdignitaryspokeoftheladinawaythatmadetheMajor，onhiswaythroughthecampus，swishthroughthegrasswithhiscaneingreatsatisfaction。Healwaysspokeoftheboynowashisadoptedsonand，wheneveritwaspossible，hecameintotakeChadouthometospendSundaywithhim；but，beingawisemanandlovingChad\'sindependence，helettheboyhavehisownway。Hehadboughtthefilly——andwouldholdher，hesaid，untilChadcouldbuyherback，andhewouldkeeptheoldnagasabroodmareandwoulddivideprofitswithChad——toallofwhichtheboyagreed。
Thequestionofthelad\'sbirthwasignoredbetweenthem，andtheMajorrarelyspoketoChadoftheDeans，whowerelivingintownduringthewinter，norquestionedhimaboutDanorHarryorMargaret。ButChadhadfoundoutwherethelittlegirlwenttochurch，andeverySunday，despiteCalebHazel\'sprotest，hewouldslipintotheEpiscopalchurch，withaqueerfeeling——littleCalvinistofthehillsthathewasthatitwasnotquiterightforhimeventoenterthatchurch；andhewouldwatchthelittlegirlcomeinwithherfamilyand，afterthequeerwayofthese\"furriners，\"kneelfirstinprayer。Andthere，withsoulupliftedbythedimrichlightandthepealoftheorgan，hewouldsitwatchingher；risingwhensherose，watchingthelightfromthewindowsonhershininghairandsweet-spiritedface，watchingherreverentlittleheadbendinobeisancetothenameoftheMaster，thoughhekepthisownheldstraight，fornoPoperylikethatwasforhim。
Always，however，hewouldslipoutbeforetheservicewasquiteoverandneverwaiteventoseehercomeoutofchurch。Hewastooproudforthatand，anyhow，itmadehimlonelytoseethepeoplegreetingoneanotherandchattingandgoingoffhometogetherwhentherewasnotasoultospeaktohim。ItwasjustonesuchSundaythattheycamefacetofaceforthefirsttime。Chadhadgonedownthestreetafterleavingthechurch，hadchangedhismindandwasgoingbacktohisroom。Peoplewerepouringfromthechurch，ashewentby，butChaddidnotevenlookacross。Aclatterrosebehindhimandheturnedtoseeahorseandrockawaycomingatagallopupthestreet，whichwasnarrow。
Thenegrodriver，frightenedthoughhewas，hadsenseenoughtopullhisrunninghorseawayfromthelineofvehiclesinfrontofthechurchsothatthebeaststumbledagainstthecurb-stone，crashedintoatree，anddroppedstrugglinginthegutterbelowanotherlineofvehicleswaitingontheothersideofthestreet。Likelightning，Chadleapedandlandedfulllengthonthehorse\'sheadandwastossedviolentlytoandfro，butheheldonuntiltheanimallaystill。
\"Unhitchthehoss，\"hecalled，sharply。
\"Well，thatwasprettyquickworkforaboy，\"saidavoiceacrossthestreetthatsoundedfamiliar，andChadlookedacrosstoseeGeneralDeanandMargaretwatchinghim。TheboyblushedfuriouslywhenhiseyesmetMargaret\'sandhethoughthesawherstartslightly，butheloweredhiseyesandhurriedaway。
Itwasonlyafewdayslaterthat，goingupfromtowntowardthecampus，heturnedacornerandtherewasMargaretaloneandmovingslowlyaheadofhim。
Hearinghisstepssheturnedherheadtoseewhoitwas，butChadkepthiseyesonthegroundandpassedherwithoutlookingup。Andthushewenton，althoughshewasclosebehindhim，acrossthestreetandtotheturnstile。Ashewaspassingthrough，avoicerosebehindhim：
\"Youaren\'tverypolite，littleboy。\"Heturnedquickly——Margarethadnotgonearoundthecorner：she，too，wascomingthroughthecampusandthereshestood，graveanddemure，thoughhereyesweredancing。
\"MymammasaysaNICElittleboyalwaysletsalittleGIRLgoFIRST。\"
\"Ididn\'tknowyouwascomin\'through。\"
\"Wascomin\'through！\"Margaretmadealittlefaceasthoughtosay——\"Oh，dear。\"
\"IsaidIdidn\'tknowyouwerecomingthroughthisway。\"
Margaretshookherhead。\"No，\"shesaid；\"no，youdidn\'t。\"
\"Well，that\'swhatImeanttosay。\"ChadwashavingahardtimewithhisEnglish。Hehadsnatchedhiscapfromhishead，hadsteppedbackoutsidethestileandwaswaitingtoturnitforher。Margaretpassedthroughandwaitedwherethepathsforked。
\"Areyougoinguptothecollege？\"sheasked。
\"Iwas——butIain\'tnow——ifyou\'llletmewalkapiecewithyou。\"Hewasscarletwithconfusion——atributethatChadrarelypaidhiskind。Hiswayoftalkingwasveryfunny，tobesure，buthadshenotheardherfathersaythat\"thepoorlittlechaphadhadnochanceinlife；\"andHarry，thatsomedayhewouldbethebestinhisclass？
\"Aren\'tyou——Chad？\"
\"Yes——ain\'tyouMargaret——MissMargaret？\"
\"Yes，I\'mMargaret。\"Shewaspleasedwiththehesitanttitleandtheboy\'shaltingreverence。
\"An\'Icalledyoualittlegal。\"Margaret\'slaughtinkledinmerryremembrance。\"An\'youwouldn\'ttakemyfish。\"
\"Ican\'tbeartotouchthem。\"
\"Iknow，\"saidChad，rememberingMelissa。
TheypassedaboywhoknewChad，butnotMargaret。Theladtookoffhishat，butChaddidnotlifthis；thenaboyandagirland，whenonlythetwogirlsspoke，theotherboyliftedhishat，thoughhedidnotspeaktoMargaret。
StillChad\'shatwasuntouchedandwhenMargaretlookedup，Chad\'sfacewasredwithconfusionagain。Butitnevertooktheboylongtolearnand，thereafter，duringthewalkhishatcameoffunfailingly。EveryonelookedatthetwowithsomesurpriseandChadnoticedthatthelittlegirl\'schinwasbeingliftedhigherandhigher。Hisintuitiontoldhimwhatthematterwas，andwhentheyreachedthestileacrossthecampusandChadsawacrowdofMargaret\'sfriendscomingdownthestreet，hehaltedasiftoturnback，butthelittlegirltoldhimimperiouslytocomeon。ItwasastrangeescortforhaughtyMargaret——thecountry-lookingboy，incoarsehomespun——butMargaretspokecheerilytoherfriendsandwenton，lookingupatChadandtalkingtohimasthoughhewerethedearestfriendshehadonearth。
Attheedgeoftownshesuggestedthattheywalkacrossapastureandgobackbyanotherstreet，andnotuntiltheywerepassingthroughthewoodlanddidChadcometohimself。
\"YouknowIdidn\'trickollectwhenyoucalledme\'littleboy。\'\"
\"Indeed！\"
\"Notatfust，Imean，\"stammeredChad。
Margaretgrewmock-haughtyandChadgrewgrave。Hespokeveryslowlyandsteadily。\"IreckonIrickollectever\'thingthathappenedouttharasightbetter\'nyou。Iain\'tforgotnothin\'——anything。\"
Theboy\'ssoberandhalf-sullentonemadeMargaretcatchherbreathwithasuddenvaguealarm。
Unconsciouslyshequickenedherpace，but，already，shewasmistressofanarttowhichshewasbornandshesaid，lightly：
\"Now，that\'sMUCHbetter。\"ApieceofpasteboarddroppedfromChad\'sjacketjustthen，and，takingthelittlegirl\'scuetoswervefromthepointatissue，hepickeditupandhelditoutforMargarettoread。ItwasthefirstcopyoftheplacardwhichhehadtiedaroundJack\'sneckwhenhesenthimhome，anditsetMargarettolaughingandaskingquestions。BeforeheknewitChadwastellingheraboutJackandthemountains；howhehadrunaway；abouttheTurnersandaboutMelissaandcomingdowntheriveronaraft——allhehaddoneandallhemeanttodo。AndfromlookingatChadnowandthen，Margaretfinallykepthereyesfixedonhis——andthustheystoodwhentheyreachedthegate，whilecrowsflewcawingoverthemandtheairgrewchill。
\"AnddidJackgohome？\"
Chadlaughed。
\"No，hedidn\'t。Hecomeback，andIhadtohidefertwodays。Then，becausehecouldn\'tfindmehedidgo，thinkingIhadgonebacktothemountains，too。Hewenttolookferme。\"
\"Well，ifhecomesbackagainI\'llaskmypapatogetthemtoletyoukeepJackatcollege，\"saidMargaret。
Chadshookhishead。
\"ThenI\'llkeephimforyoumyself。\"Theboylookedhisgratitude，butshookhisheadagain。
\"Hewon\'tstay。\"
Margaretaskedfortheplacardagainastheymoveddownthestreet。
\"You\'vegotitspelledwrong，\"shesaid，pointingto\"steel。\"Chadblushed。
\"Ican\'tspellwhenIwrite，\"hesaid。\"Ican\'teventalk——right。\"
\"Butyou\'lllearn，\"shesaid。
\"Willyouhelpme？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"TellmewhenIsaythingswrong？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Where\'mIgoin\'toseeyou？\"
Margaretshookherheadthoughtfully：thenthereasonforherspeakingfirsttoChadcameout。
\"PapaandIsawyouonSunday，andpapasaidyoumustbeverystrongaswellasbrave，andthatyouknewsomethingabouthorses。Harrytolduswhoyouwerewhenpapadescribedyou，andthenIremembered。PapatoldHarrytobringyoutoseeus。Andyoumustcome，\"shesaid，decisively。
Theyhadreachedtheturnstileatthecampusagain。
\"Haveyouhadanymoretournaments？\"askedMargaret。
\"No，\"saidChad，apprehensively。
\"DoyourememberthelastthingIsaidtoyou？\"
\"Irickollectthatbetter\'nanything，\"saidChad。
\"Well，Ididn\'thateyou。I\'msorryIsaidthat，\"shesaidgently。Chadlookedveryserious。
\"That\'sallright，\"hesaid。\"Iseed——IsawyouonSunday，too。\"
\"Didyouknowme？\"
\"IreckonIdid。Andthatwasn\'tthefusttime。\"Margaret\'seyeswereopeningwithsurprise。
\"Ibeengoin\'tochurchever\'Sundayfernothin\'elsebutjusttoseeyou。\"
Againhistonegavehervaguealarm，butsheasked：
\"Whydidn\'tyouspeaktome？\"
Theywerenearingtheturnstileacrossthecampusnow，andChaddidnotanswer。
\"Whydidn\'tyouspeaktome？\"
Chadstoppedsuddenly，andMargaretlookedquicklyathim，andsawthathisfacewasscarlet。Thelittlegirlstartedandherownfaceflamed。Therewasonethingshehadforgotten，andevennowshecouldnotrecallwhatitwas——onlythatitwassomethingterribleshemustnotknow——oldMammy\'swordswhenDanwascarriedinsenselessafterthetournament。Frightenedandhelpless，sheshranktowardtheturnstile，butChaddidnotwait。Withhiscapinhishand，heturnedabruptly，withoutasound，andstrodeaway。
CHAPTER16。AGAINTHEBARSINISTER
Andyet，thenexttimeChadsawMargaret，shespoketohimshylybutcordially，andwhenhedidnotcomenearher，shestoppedhimonthestreetonedayandremindedhimofhispromisetocomeandseethem。AndChadknewthetruthatonce——thatshehadneveraskedherfatherabouthim，buthadnotwantedtoknowwhatshehadbeentoldshemustnotknow，andhadproperlytakenitforgrantedthatherfatherwouldnotaskChadtohishouse，iftherewereagoodreasonwhyheshouldnotcome。ButChaddidnotgoeventotheChristmaspartythatMargaretgaveintown，thoughtheMajorurgedhim。HespentChristmaswiththeMajor，andhedidgotoacountryparty，wheretheMajorwasdelightedwiththeboy\'sgraceandagilitydancingthequadrille，andwheretheladoccasionednolittleamusementwithhisimprovisationsinthewayofcuttingpigeon\'swingsandshuffling，whichhehadlearnedinthemountains。SotheMajormadehimacceptaloanandbuyasuitforsocialpurposesafterChristmas，andhadhimgotoMadamBlake\'sdancingschool，andpromisetogotothenextpartytowhichhewasasked。AndthatChaddid——tothebiggrayhouseonthecorner，throughwhosewidespreaddoorshislongingeyeshadwatchedMargaretandherfriendsflittinglikebutterfliesmonthsbefore。
Itintoxicatedtheboy——thelights，music，flowers，thelittlegirlsinwhite——andMargaret。Forthefirsttimehemetherfriends，NellieHunt，sistertoRichard；ElizabethMorgan，cousintoJohnMorgan；andMissJennieOverstreet，who，youngasshewas，wrotepoems——butChadhadeyesonlyforMargaret。Itwaswhilehewasdancingaquadrillewithher，thathenoticedatall，paleyouthwithblackhair，glaringathim，andherecognizedGeorgieForbes，achampionofMargaret，andtheoldenemywhohadcausedhisfirsttroubleinhisnewhome。Chadlaughedwithfearlessgladness，andMargarettossedherhead。ItwasGeorgienowwhoblackenedandspreadtheblotonChad\'sgoodname，anditwasGeorgietowhomChad——fastlearningthewaysofgentlemen——promptlysentapompouschallenge，thatthedifficultymightbesettled\"inanywaythegentlemansawfit。\"Georgieinsultinglydeclinedtofightwithonewhowasnothisequal，andChadboxedhisjawsinthepresenceofacrowd，flooredhimwithoneblow，andcontemptuouslytwistedhisnose。
Thereafteropencommentceased。Chadwasmakinghimselfknown。Hewastheswiftestrunneronthefootballfield；hehadthequickestbraininmathematics；hewaselectedtothePericleanSociety，andastonishedhisfellow-memberswithafierydenunciationofthemenwhobanishedNapoleontoSt。Helena——sofierywasit，indeed，thathisopponentsthemselvesbegantowonderhowthatcrimehadevercometopass。Hewouldfightatthedropofahat，andhealwayswon；andby-and-bytheboybegantotakeafiercejoyinbattlinghiswayupwardagainstablockthatwouldhavecrushedaweakersoul。
ItwasonlywithMargaretthatthatsoulwasinawe。Hebegantoloveherwithapurereverencethathecouldneverknowatanotherage。EverySaturdaynight，whenduskfell，hewasmountingthestepsofherhouse。EverySundaymorninghewaswaitingtotakeherhomefromchurch。Everyafternoonhelookedforher，hopingtocatchsightofheronthestreets，anditwasonlywhenDanandHarrygotindignant，andafterMargarethadmadeapassionatedefenceofChadinthepresenceofthefamily，thattheGeneralandMrs。Deantookthematterinhand。Itwasachildishthing，ofcourse；agirlishwhim。Itwasrightthattheyshouldbekindtotheboy——forMajorBuford\'ssake，ifnotforhisown；buttheycouldnothaveeventhepretenceofmorethanafriendlyintimacybetweenthetwo，andsoMargaretwastoldthetruth。Immediately，whenChadnextsawher，herhonesteyessadlytoldhimthatsheknewthetruth，andChadgaveupthen。Thereafterhedisappearedfromsportsandfromhiskindeveryway，exceptintheclassroomandinthedebatinghall。Sullenlyhestucktohisbooks。Fromfiveo\'clockinthemorninguntilteno\'clockatnight，hewasatthemsteadily，inhisroom，oratrecitationexceptforanhour\'swalkwiththeschool-masterandthethreehalf-hoursthathismealskepthimaway。HegrewsopaleandthinthattheMajorandCalebHazelweregreatlyworried，butprotestfrombothwasuseless。Beforetheendofthetermhehadmountedintocollegeineverystudy，andwasholdinghisown。Attheendheknewhispower——knewwhatheCOULDdo，andhisfacewasset，forhisfuture，dauntless。Whenvacationcame，hewentatoncetotheMajor\'sfarm，butnottobeidle。InaweekortwohewastakingsomeofthereinsintohisownhandsasavaluableassistanttotheMajor。Heknewagoodhorse，couldguesstheweightofasteerwithsurprisingaccuracy，andwasapastmasterinknowledgeofsheep。Byinstincthewascannyatatrade——whatmountaineerisnot？——andheastonishedtheMajorwiththeshrewddealshemade。Authorityseemedtocomenaturallytohim，andtheMajorsworethathecouldgetmoreworkoutofthe\"hands\"thantheoverseerhimself，whosullenlyresentedChad\'sinterference，butdarednotopenhislips。NotoncedidhegototheDeans\'，andneitherHarrynorDancamenearhim。TherewaslittleintercoursebetweentheMajorandtheGeneral，aswell；for，whiletheMajorcouldnot，underthecircumstances，blametheGeneral，inconsistently，hecouldnotquiteforgivehim，andthelineofpolitecoolnessbetweentheneighborswasneveroverstepped。AttheendofJuly，ChadwenttothemountainstoseetheTurnersandJackandMelissa。Heworehisroughestclothes，putonnoairs，and，toalleyes，saveMelissa\'s，hewasthesameoldChad。Butfemininesubtletyknowsnosocialorgeographicallines，andwhileMelissaknewwhathadhappenedaswellasChad，sheneverlethimseethatsheknew。ApparentlyshewasgivingopenencouragementtoDaveHilton，atawnyyouthfromdowntheriver，whowashanging，dog-like，aboutthehouse，andfoolishChadbegantolethimselfdreamofMargaretwithalightheart。OnthethirddaybeforehewastogobacktotheBluegrass，aboycamefromoverBlackMountainwithamessagefromoldNathanCherry。OldNathanhadjoinedthechurch，hadfallenill，and，fearinghewasgoingtodie，wantedtoseeChad。Chadwentoverwithcuriouspremonitionsthatwerenotinvain，andhecamebackwithastrangestorythathetoldonlytooldJoel，underpromisethathewouldnevermakeitknowntoMelissa。ThenhestartedfortheBluegrass，goingoverPineMountainanddownthroughCumberlandGap。Hewouldcomebackeveryyearofhislife，hetoldMelissaandtheTurners，butChadknewhewasbiddingalastfarewelltothelifehehadknowninthemountains。AtMelissa\'swishandoldJoel\'s，heleftJackbehind，thoughhesorelywantedtotakethedogwithhim。Itwaslittleenoughforhimtodoinreturnfortheirkindness，andhecouldseethatMelissa\'saffectionforJackwasevengreaterthanhisown：andhowincomparablylonelierthanhislifewasthelifethatshemustlead！ThistimeMelissadidnotrushtotheyardgatewhenhewasgone。Shesankslowlywhereshestoodtothestepsoftheporch，andthereshesatstone-still。OldJoelpassedheronthewaytothebarn。Severaltimestheoldmotherwalkedtothedoorbehindher，andeachtimestartingtospeak，stoppedandturnedback，butthegirlneithersawnorheardthem。Jacktrottedby，whimpering。Hesatdowninfrontofher，lookingupatherunseeingeyes，anditwasonlywhenhecrepttoherandputhisheadinherlap，thatsheputherarmsaroundhimandbentherownheaddown；butnotearscame。