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