Sheisthinkingofthewheatharvestwheretheyisthousandsmakesfureveryfall。Butnoneof\'emfurme。ThattherecountryisfullofthemScandiluvianSwedesandNorwegians，andtheygetsintothefieldbeforedaylightandstaystheresolongthehiredman\'sgottomilkthecowsbymoonlight。
“IbeenacrosttheriverintoI\'way，“Isays，“a-workingatmytrade，andnowI\'mgoingbacktoChicagotoworkatitsomemore。“
“Whatmightyourtradebe？”sheasts，sizingmeupcareful；andIthinksI\'llhandheronetochewonsheain\'tneverhearntellofbefore。
“I\'maagnosticbytrade，“Isays。Ispottedthattherewordinareligiousbookonetime，andthat\'sthefirstchancetIeverhastotryitonanyone。
Youcan\'tnevertellwhatthemreg\'larsockdologersisgoingtodotillyoutriesthem。
“Isee，“saysshe。ButIseenshedidn\'tsee。
AndIdidn\'thelphernone。Shewouldofrutherdiedthantoletonshedidn\'tsee。TheIrishislikethat。Purtysoonshesays：
“Ain\'tthatthedangerouskindo\'work，though！”
“Itis，“Isays。Andsaysnothingfurther。
Shesetsdownandfoldsherarms，likeshewasthinkingofit，watchingmyhandsclosetallthetimeIwaseating，likeshe\'slookingfurscarswheresomethingslippedwhenIdonethatagnosticwork。
Purtysoonshesays：
“MebrotherMichaelwaskiltatitintheoldcountry。Hewasthemostvinturesomeladofthimall！”
“Diditflyupandhithim？”Iastsher。I
waswonderingw\'ethersheismakingfunofmeoramImakingfunofher。ThemIrishislikethat，youcannevertellwhich。
“No，“saysshe，“hefelloffofit。AndI\'mthink-
ingyoudon\'tknowwhatitisyourself。“AndthenextthingIknowI\'measedouto\'thebackdoorandshe\'sgrinningatmescornfulthroughthecrackofit。
SoIwaswalkingslowaroundtowardthefrontofthehousethinkinghowtheIrishwasagreatnation，andwhatshallIdonow，anyhow？AndIsaystomyself：“Danny，youwasafooltoletthatcircuswalkoffandleaveyouasleepinthisheretownwithnothingoveryoubutabarbedwirefencethismorning。FurwhatAREyougoingtodonext？Firstthingyouknow，youWILLbeareg\'lartramp，whichsomefolkscan\'tbemadetoseeyouain\'tnow。“AndjestwhenIwasthinkingthat，afellercomesdownthefrontstepsofthathouseonthejumpandnabsmebythecoatcollar。
“Didyoucomeoutofthishouse？”heasts。
“Idid，“Isays，wonderingwhatnext。
“Backinyougo，then，“hesays，marchingmeforwardtowardthemfrontsteps，“they\'vegotsmallpoxinthere。“
Iliketoofjumpedloosewhenhesaysthat。
“Smallpoxain\'tnoinducementtome，mister，“
Itellshim。Buthetwistedmycoatcollartightanddughisthumbsintomyneck，allthetimehelpingmeonwardwithhiskneefrombehind，andIseentheywasn\'tnousepullingback。I
couldprobableoflickedthatman，butthey\'snosysteminmixingupwiththemwell-dressedmenintownswheretheythinkyouareatramp。Thejudgewillgiveyoutheworstofit。
Herungthedoorbellandthegirlthatopenedthedoorshelookedkindo\'surprisedwhensheseenme，andinwewent。
“TellProfessorBooththatDoctorWilkinswantstoseehimagain，“saysthemana-holto\'
me，notlettingloosenone。Andwesaysnothingfurthertilltheperfessorcomes，whichhedoes，slowandabsent-minded。Whenheseenmehetookoffhisglassesso\'shecouldseemebetter，andhesays：
“Whatisthatyouhavethere，DoctorWilkins？”
“Aguestforyou，“saysDoctorWilkins，grinningalloverhisself。“Ifoundhimleavingyourhouse。
Andyoubeingunderquarantine，andmebeingsecretarytotheboardofhealth，andthecitypest-housebeingcrowdedtoofullalready，I\'llhavetoaskyoutokeephimheretillwegetMissMargeryontoherfeetagain，“hesays。Ortheywaswordstothateffect，asthelawyersastsyou。
“Dearme，“saysPerfesserBooth，kindo\'help-
lesslike。AndhecomesoverclosettomeandlooksmealloverlikeIwasoneofthemamphimissourianlizardsinafreemuseum。Andthenhegoestothefootofthestairsandsingsoutinavoicethatwassobleached-outandflat-chesteditwouldoflookedjestlikehimhimselfifyoucouldofsawit——
“Estelle，“hesingsout，“oh，Estelle！”
Estelle，shecomedownstairslookinglikeshewastheperfessor\'sbigbrother。Ifoundoutlatershewashisoldmaidsister。Shewasn\'tnospringchicken，Estellewasn\'t，andtheywasacontinuousgrinonherface。Ifiggereditmustoffrozethereyearsandyearsago。Theywasakidabouttenorelevenyearsoldcomealongdownwithher，thathadhairdowntoitsshouldersanddidn\'tlooklikeitknowedwhetheritwasagirloraboy。
MissEstelle，shelooksmeoverinawaythatmakesmeshiver，whilethedoctorandtheperfessorjawsaboutwhosefaultitisthesmallpoxsignain\'tbeenhungout。Andwhenshewasdonelisteningshesaystotheperfessor：“Youhadbettergobacktoyourlaboratory。“Andtheperfessorhewentalongout，andthedoctorwithhim。
“Whatareyougoingtodowithhim，AuntEstelle？”thekidastsher。
“WhatwouldYOUsuggest，William，Dear？”astshisaunt。Iain\'tfeelingverycomfortable，andI
wasgettingallreadyjesttonatcherallyboltoutthefrontdoornowthedoctorwasgone。ThenI
thinksitmightn\'tbenobadplacetostayinfuracoupleo\'days，evenriskingthesmallpox。FurIhadriccolectedIcouldn\'tketchitnohow，havingbeenvaccinatedafewmonthsbeforeinTerryHuttbycompulsivemedicaladvice，mebeingfurawhiledoingsomeworkonthecitypavementsthroughamistakeaboutmeinthepolicecourt。
WilliamDearlooksatmelikeitwasthedayofjudgmentandhisjobwastokeepthefattedcalvesseparatefromthegoatsandprodigals，andhesays：
“IfIwereyou，AuntEstelle，thefirstthingwouldbetogethishaircutandhisfacewashedandthengethimsomeclothes。“
“WilliamDearismyfriend，“thinksI。
ShecallsJames，whichwasabutler。James，hebuttlesmeintoabathroomthelikeo\'whichIneverseenafore，andthenhebuttlesmeintoasuito\'somebody\'sclothesandintoaroomatthetopo\'thehousenexttohis\'n，andthenhecomesbackandbuttlesacombandbrushatme。Jameswasthemostmournful-lookingfatmanIeverseen，andhesaysthataccountofmenotbeingrespectableIwillhavemymealsaloneinthekitchenaftertheservantshaseat。
ThefirstthingIknowedIbeeninthathousemore\'naweek。IeatandIsleptandIsmokedandIkindofenjoyednotworryingaboutthingsfurawhile。Theonlyoncomfortablethingaboutbeingtheperfessor\'sguestwasMissEstelle。Soon\'sshefoundoutIwasaagnosticshetookchargeo\'
myintellectualsandwhatwentinto\'em，andshemakesmereadthingsandastsmeabout\'em，andshesayssheisgoingfurtoreformme。Andwhat-
everbrando\'disgracethemthereagnosticsreallyisIain\'tfoundouttothisday，havingcomeacrostthewordaccidental。
BiddyMalone，whichwasthekitchenmechanic，shesaystheperfessor\'swife\'sbeenovertohermother\'swhilethissmallpoxhasbeengoingon，andtheyisanurseinthehouselookingafterMissMargery，thelittlekidthat\'ssick。AndBiddy，shesaysifshewasMrs。Boothshe\'dstaythere，too。They\'sbeensometalk，anyhow，aboutMrs。
Boothandamusicianfelleraroundthattheretown。ButBiddy，shelikesMrs。Booth，andevenifitwastrue，whichitain\'tBiddysays，whocouldofblamedher？Furthingsain\'tjoyousaroundthathousethelastyear，sinceMissEstelle\'scometheretolive。Theperfessor，he\'ssofullofscien-
tificshedon\'tknownothingwithnosensetoit，Biddysays。He\'sgotmoremoney\'nyoucanshakeastickat，andhedon\'thavetodonowork，norneverhas，andhisscientificsgetsworseandworseeveryyear。Butwhilescientificsisworryingtothenervesofafambly，andwhilehislabertoryoftenmakesthehousesmelllikeasickdrugstorehascrawledintoitanddiedthere，theywouldn\'tofbeennoseriousrowonbetweentheperfessorandhiswife，notALLthetime，ifithadn\'tofbeenfurMissEstelle。Shehasjestnatcherallymadeherselfbossofthattherehouse，Biddysays，andshe\'sashe-devil。BetweenallthemscientificsandMissEstellethingshasgotwhereMrs。Boothcan\'tstand\'emmuchlonger。
Ididn\'tblamehernonefurgettingsoreonherjob，neither。Youcan\'texpectawomanthat\'spurty，andknowsit，andain\'tnomore\'nthirty-twoorthree，anddon\'tlookit，tobeseriousintrustedinmummiesandpickledsnakesandchemicalperfusions，notALLthetime。MebbywhenMrs。
Boothwouldasthimifhewasgoingtotakehertotheoperythatnighttheperfessorwouldlookupinanabsent-mindedsortofwayandastherdidsheknowthemGermanshadinventedanewgerm？Itwouldn\'tofbeensobadiftheperfessorhadpickedoutjestonebrandofscientificsandstucktothatreg\'lar。Mrs。BoothcouldofgotusetoanyONEkind。Butmebbythisweektheperfessorwouldbetookhardwithornithographyandhe\'dgochasinghumming-birdsalloverthefrontyard，andthenexthe\'dbeputtinggastronomyintoWilliam\'sbreakfastfeed。
Theywasalwaysarowonoverthemkids，whichtheyhadn\'tbeentillMissEstellecome。Mrs。
Booth，shesaidtheycouldkilltheirownselves，iftheywantedto，himandMissEstelle，butshehadmorerightthananyoneelsetosaywhatwentintoWilliam\'sandMargery\'sdigestiveornaments，andshedidn\'twant\'embrungupscientificnohow，butjesthuman。ButMissEstelle\'sgotsosherunsthathullhousenow，andtheperfessortoo，buthedon\'tknowit，Biddysays，andhera-sayingeverynowandthenitwastoobadFrederickcouldn\'tofmarriedanoblewomanwhowouldoftookaseriousintrustinhiswork。Thekidsdon\'thardlydaretokisstheirmainfrontofMissEstellenomore，onaccountofgermsandthings。AndwithMissEstelletakingcareoftheirreligiousorgansandtheirintellectualsandthethingslikethat，andtheperfessorfillingthemuponnewinventedfeeds，I
guesstheyneverwastwokidsgotmoreeducationtothesquareinch，outsideandin。Ithadn\'tworkednoneonMissMargeryyet，herbeingyounger，butWilliamDearhetookithardandserious，anditmadebumpsalloverhishead，andhewaskindo\'paleandspindly。Everytimethatkidcuthisfingerhejestnatcherallybledscientifics。OnedayIsaystoMissEstelle，saysI：
“ItlookstomelikeWilliamDeariskindofpeaked。“Shelooksworriedandshelooksmadfurmelippingin，andthenshesaysmebbyitistrue，butshedon\'tseewhy，becauseheisbeingbrunguplikeheorterbeineverywayandnoex-
pensenortroublespared。
“Well，“saysI，“whatakidaboutthatsizewantstodoistogetoutandrollaroundinthedirtsome，andyellandholler。“
ShesniffslikeIwasn\'tworthtakingnonoticeof。Butitkindo\'soakedin，too。Sheandtheperfessormustoftalkeditover。FurthenextdayIseenherspreadingaoilclothonthehallfloor。AndthenJamescomesabuttlinginwithalotofsandwhattheperfessorhasbakedandmadeallscientificdowninhislabertory。James，hepoursallthatnice，cleandirtontotheoilclothandthenMissEstellesendsfurWilliamDear。
“WilliamDear，“shesays，“wehavedecided，yourpapaandI，thatwhatyouneedismoreromp-
ingaroundandplayingalongwithyourstudies。
Yououghttogetclosertothesoilandtonature，asismorehealthyforayouthofyourage。Soforanhoureachday，betweenyourstudies，youwillrompandplayinthissand。Youmaybegintofrolicnow，WilliamDear，andthenJameswillsweepupthedirtagainforto-morrow\'sfrolic。“
ButWilliamdidn\'tfrolicnone。Hejestlookedatthatdirtinasadkindo\'way，andhesaysveryseriousbutverydecided：
“AuntEstelle，IshallNOTfrolic。“Andtheyhadtoletitgoatthat，furheneverwouldfrolicnone，neither。Andallthatnicecleandirtwasthrowedoutinthebackyardalongwiththeunscientificdirt。
CHAPTERXI
OnenightwhenI\'vebeentheremore\'naweek，andamgettingkindo\'tiredstayinginoneplacesolong，Idon\'twanttogotobedafterIeats，andIgetsa-holtofsomeoftheperfessor\'scigarsandgoesintothelib\'arytoseeifhe\'sgotanythingfittoread。SettingtherethinkingoftheawfulremarkablepeopletheyisinthisworldImustofwenttosleep。Purtysoon，inmysleep，Ihearntwovoices。ThenIwakedupsudden，andstillhearn\'em，lowandquick-
like，intheroomthatopensrightoffofthelib\'arywithacoupleofthemslidingdoorslikeisontoaboxcar。Onevoicewasawoman\'svoice，anditwasn\'tMissEstelle\'s。
“ButIMUSTseethembeforewego，Henry，“
shesays。
Andtheotherwasaman\'svoiceanditwasn\'tnoonearoundourhouse。
“But，myGod，“hesays，“supposeyougetityourself，Jane！”
Isetupstraightthen，furJanewastheperfessor\'swife\'sfirstname。
“YoumeansupposeYOUgetit，“shesays。I
liketoofseenthelookshemustofgivehimtofitinwiththewayshesaysthatYOU。Hedidn\'tsaynothing，themandidn\'t；andthenhervoicesoftensdownsome，andshesays，lowandslow：
“Henry，wouldn\'tyoulovemeifIDIDgetit？
Supposeitmarkedandpittedmeallup？”
“Oh，ofcourse，“hesays，“ofcourseIwould。
NothingcanchangethewayIfeel。YOUknowthat。“Hesaiditquickenough，allright，jestthewaytheydoesinashow，butitsoundedTOOMUCH
likeitdoesonthestagetoofsuitedmeif_I_\'Dbeenher。Iseenfolksoverdothemlittletalksbeforethis。
Ilistenssomemore，andthenIseeshowitis。
ThisisthatmusicianfellerBiddyMalone\'sbeentalkingabout。Jane\'sgoingtorunoffwithhimallright，butshe\'sgottokissthekidsfirst。Womenislikethat。Theymayhatethekids\'paallright，butthey\'sdad-burnedfewof\'emdon\'tlikethekids。Ithinkstomyself：“Itmustbelate。
Ibettheywasalreadystarted，orreadytostart，andshemadehimbringherherefirstso\'sshecouldsneakinandseethekids。Shejestsimplycouldn\'tgetby。Butshe\'stakingafoolrisk，too。Furhow\'sshegoingtoseeMargerywiththatnursecomingandgoingandhangingaroundallnight？
AndevenifshetriesjesttoseeWilliamDearit\'satentooneshothe\'llwakeupandshe\'llbeketchedatit。“
AndthenIthinks，supposesheISketchedatit？
Whatofit？Ain\'tawomangotarighttocomeintoherownhousewithherowndoorkey，eveniftheyisaquarantineontoit，andseeherkids？Andifsheisketchedseeingthem，howwouldanyoneknowshewasgoingtorunoff？Andain\'tshegotarighttohaveafriendofhernandherhusband\'sbringheroverfromhermother\'shouse，evenifitisalittlelate？
ThenIseenshewasn\'ttakingnogreatrisksneither，andIthinksmebbyIbettergoandtellthatperfessorwhatisgoingon，furhehastreatedmepurtywhite。AndthenIthinks：“I\'llbegosh-dernedifImeddle。SofurasIcanseethatthereperfessorain\'tgettingfurfromwhat\'scomingtohim，nohow。AndasfurHER，yougottoletsomepeoplefindoutwhattheywantfurtheir-
selves。Anyhow，wheredo_I_comeinat？”
ButIwanttogetalookatherandHenry，anyhow。SoIeasesoffmyshoes，careful-like，andIeasesacrostthefloortothemslidingdoors，andIputsmyeyedowntothelittlecrack。Thetalkisgoingbackwardandforwardbetweenthemtwo，himwantinghertocomeawayquick，andherundecidedwhethertoriskseeingthekids。Andallthetimeshe\'skindo\'hopingmebbyshewillbeketchedifshetriestoseethekids，andshe\'sbeggingofffurmoretimeginerally。
Well，sir，Ididn\'tblamethatmusicianfellernonewhenIseenher。Shewasapeach。
AndIcouldn\'tblamehersomuch，neither，whenIthoughtofMissEstelleandallthemscientificsoftheperfessor\'sstrungoutfuryearsandyearsworldwithoutend。
Yet，whenIseentheman，Isorto\'wishedshewouldn\'t。IseenrightoffthatHenrywouldn\'tdo。Ittakesamanwithalotofgumptiontokeepawomanfeelinggoodandnotsorryfurdoingitwhenhe\'smarriedtoher。Butittakesamanwithtwicetasmuchtomakeherfeelrightwhentheyain\'tmarried。Thisfellerwearsoneofthemlittle，brown，pointedbeardsfurtohidewherehischinain\'t。Andhiseyesistoomuchlikeawoman\'s。Whichisthekindthatgetsthebiggestpieceofpieatthelunchcounterandfergitstothankthegirlascutsitbig。Shewassettinginfrontofatable，twistingherfingerstogether，andhewaswalkingupanddown。Iseenhewasmadandtryingnottoshowit，andIseenhewasscaredofthesmallpoxandtryingnottoshowthat，too。
Andjestaboutthattimesomethinghappenedthatkindo\'joltedme。
Theywasoneofthembigchairsintheroomwheretheywasthathasgotahighbackandspinsaroundonitself。Itwasrightacrostfromme，ontheothersideoftheroom，anditwasfacingthefrontwindow，whichwasabowwindow。Andthattherechairbeginstoturn，slowandeasy。
FirstIthoughtshewasn\'tturning。ThenIseenshewas。ButJaneandHenrydidn\'t。Theywasalltookupwitheachotherinthemiddleoftheroom，withtheirbackstoit。
Henryisa-beggingofJane，andsheturnsalittlemore，thatchairdoes。Willshesqueak，I
wonders？
“Don\'tyoubeafool，Jane，“saystheHenryfeller。
Aroundshecomesthreehullinches，thattherechair，andnaryasqueak。
“Afool？”astsJane，andlaughs。“AndI\'mnotafooltothinkofgoingwithyouatall，then？”
Thatchair，shemovedsixinchesmoreandI
seenthecalfofalegandpartofacrumpled-upcoattail。
“ButIAMgoingwithyou，Henry，“saysJane。
Andshegetsupjestlikesheisgoingtoputherarmsaroundhim。
ButJanedon\'t。Furthatchairswingscleararoundandtheresetstheperfessor。He\'sallhunchedupandcavedinandhe\'srubbinghiseyeslikehe\'sjestwokeuprecent，andhe\'sgotagrinontohisfacethatmakeshimlooklikehissisterEstellelooksallthetime。
“Excuseme，“saystheperfessor。
Theybothswingsaroundandfaceshim。Icanhearmyheartbumping。Janeneversaysaword。
Themanwiththebrownbeardneversaysaword。
Butiftheyfeltlikemetheybothfeltlikelayingrightdownthereandhavingafit。Theylooksathimandhejestsetsthereandgrinsatthem。
ButafterawhileJane，shesays：
“Well，nowyouKNOW！Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？”
Henry，hestartstosaysomethingtoo。But——
“Don\'tstartanything，“saystheperfessortohim。“YOUaren\'tgoingtodoanything。“Ortheywaswordstothateffect。
“ProfessorBooth，“hesays，seeinghehasgottosaysomethingorelseJanewillthinktheworseofhim，“Iam——“
“Keepstill，“saystheperfessor，realquiet。“I\'lltendtoyouinaminuteortwo。YOUdon\'tcountformuch。Thisthingismostlybetweenmeandmywife。“
WhenhetalkssodecidedIthinksmebbythatperfessorhasgotsomethingintohimbesidesscienceafterall。Jane，shelookskindo\'surprisedherself。Butshesaysnothing，except：
“Whatareyougoingtodo，Frederick？”Andshelaughsoneofthemmeankindoflaughs，andlooksatHenrylikeshewantedhimtospunkupalittlemore，andsays：“WhatCANyoudo，Fred-
erick？”
Frederick，hesays，notexcitedabit：
“There\'squiteanumberofthingsICOULDdothatwouldlookbadwhentheygotintothenews-
papers。Butit\'snoneofthem，unlessoneofyouforcesmetoit。“Thenhesays：
“YouDIDwanttoseethechildren，Jane？”
Shenodded。
“Jane，“hesays，“can\'tyouseeI\'mthebetterman？”
Theperfessor，hewaswokeupafterallthemyearsofscientifics，andhedidn\'twanttoseehergo。“Lookathim，“hesays，pointingtothefellerwiththebrownbeard，“he\'sscaredstiffrightnow。“
WhichIwouldofbeenscaredmyselfifI\'da-beenketchedthat-a-waylikeHenrywas，andtheper-
fessor\'svoicesoundinglikeyouwaschoppingiceeverytimehespoke。Iseentheperfessordidn\'twanttohavenobloodonthecarpetwithouthehadtohaveit，butIseenhewasmakinguphismindaboutsomething，too。Jane，shesays：
“YOUabetterman？YOU？Youthinkyou\'vebeenamodelhusbandjustbecauseyou\'veneverbeatenme，don\'tyou？”
“No，“saystheperfessor，“I\'vebeenablamedfoolallright。I\'vebeenaworsefool，maybe，thanifIHADbeatenyou。“ThenheturnstoHenryandhesays：
“Duelsareoutoffashion，aren\'tthey？Andaplainkillinglooksbadinthepapers，doesn\'tit？
Well，youjustwaitforme。“Withwhichhegetsupandtrotsout，andIhearnhimrunningdownstairstohislabertory。
Henry，he\'druthergonow。Hedon\'twanttowait。ButwithJanea-lookingathimhe\'sshamednottowait。It\'shisplacetomakesomekindofastrongactionnowtoshowJaneheisagreatman。
Buthedon\'tdoit。AndJaneistoomuchofathoroughbredtoshowhimsheexpectsit。Andme，I\'mgettingthefidgetsandwonderingtomyself，“Whatisthatthereperfessoruptonow？What-
everitis，itain\'tlikenooneelse。Heislooney，thatperfessoris。Andsheiskindo\'looney，too。
Iwonderiftheyisanyonethatain\'tlooneysome-
times？”Ibeenaroundthecountryagood\'eal，too，andseenandhearnofsomeawfulremarkablethings，andIneverseennoonethatwasn\'tmoreorlesslooneywhentheSEARCHUSTHEFEMMcomesintothecase。WhichisaDagowordIgotout\'nanewspaperanditmeans：“Whowasthedeadgent\'sladyfriend？”Andweallsetandsweatandgotthefidgetswaitingfurthatperfessortocomeback。
WhichhedonewiththatSisterEstellegrinontohisfaceandapillboxinhishand。Theywastwopillsinthebox。Hesays，placidandchilly：
“Yes，sir，duelsareoutoffashion。Thisistheageofscience。Allthesame，theonethatgetsherhasgottofightforher。Ifsheisn\'tworthfightingfor，sheisn\'tworthhaving。Herearetwopills。Imade\'emmyself。Onehasenoughpoisoninittokillaregimentwhenitgetstoworkingwell——whichitdoesfifteenminutesafteritistaken。Theotheronehasgotnothingharmfulinit。Ifyougetthepoisonone，Ikeepher。IfI
getit，youcanhaveher。OnlyIhopeyouwillwaitlongenoughafterI\'mdeadsotherewon\'tbeanyscandalaroundtown。“
Henry，heneversaidaword。Heopenedhismouth，butnothingcomeofit。WhenhedonethatIthoughtIhearnhistonguescrapeaginhischeekontheinsidelikeapieceofsand-paper。
Hewasscared，Henrywas。
“ButYOUknowwhichiswhich，“Janesingsout。
“Thething\'snotfair！”
“ThatisthereasonmydearJaneisgoingtoshufflethesepillsaroundeachotherherself，“saystheperfessor，“andthenpickoutoneforhimandoneforme。YOUdon\'tknowwhichiswhich，Jane。Andasheisthefavourite，heisgoingtogetthefirstchance。IfhegetstheoneIwanthimtoget，hewillhavejustfifteenminutestoliveaftertakingit。Inthatfifteenminuteshewillpleasetowalksofarfrommyhousethathewon\'tdienearitandmakeascandal。Iwon\'thaveascandalwithoutIhaveto。Everythingisgoingtobeniceandquietandrespectable。Theeffectofthepoisonissimilartoheartfailure。Noonecantellthedifferenceonthecorpse。There\'sgoingtobenobloodanywhere。Iwillbefounddeadinmyhouseinthemorningwithheartfailure，orelsehewillbepickedupdeadinthestreet，farenoughawaysoastomakenotalk。“Ortheywaswordstothateffect。
Heisrubbingitinconsiderable，Ithinks，thatperfessoris。IwonderifIbetterjumpinandstopthehullthing。ThenIthinks：“No，it\'sbetweenthemthree。“Besides，Iwanttoseewhichoneisgoingtogetthatthereloadedpill。Ialwaysbeenintrustedingamesofchancetofallkinds，andwhenIseentheperfessorwassuchasport，I\'msorryIbeenmisjudginghimallthistime。
Jane，shelooksatthebox，andshebreatheshardandquick。
“Iwon\'ttouch\'em，“shesays。“Irefusetobeapartytoanymurderofthatkind。“
“Huh？Youdo？”saystheperfessor。“Butthetimewhenyoumighthaverefusedhasgoneby。
Youhavemadeyourselfapartytoitalready。
You\'rereallytheMAINpartytoit。
“Butdoasyoulike，“hegoeson。“I\'mgivinghimmorechancethanIoughttowiththosepills。
Imightshoothim，andIwould，andthenfacethemusic，ifitwasn\'tformixingthechildrenupinthescandal，Jane。Ifyouwanttoseehimgetafairchance，Jane，you\'vegottohandoutthesepills，onetohimandthenonetome。YOUmustkilloneortheotherofus，orelse_I_\'LLkillHIMtheotherway。AndYOUhadbetterpickoneoutforhim，because_I_knowwhichiswhich。Orelselethimpickoneoutforhimself，“hesays。
Henry，hewasn\'tsayingnothing。Ithoughthehadfainted。Buthehadn\'t。Iseenhimlickinghislips。IbetHenry\'smouthwasalldryinside。
Jane，shetooktheboxandshewentroundinfrontofHenryandshelookedathimhard。Shelookedathimlikeshewasthinking：“FurGod\'ssake，spunkupsome，andtakeoneifitDOESkillyou！”Thenshesaysoutloud：“Henry，ifyoudieIwilldie，too！”
AndHenry，hetookone。Hishandshook，buthetookitout\'nthebox。IfshehadoflookedlikethatatmemebbyIwouldoftookonemyself。
FurJane，shewasapeach，shewas。ButIdon\'tknowwhetherIwouldofornot。Whenshemakesthatbragaboutdying，Ilookedattheperfessor。
Whatshesaidneverfazedhim。AndIthinksagin：
“MebbyIbetterjumpinnowandstopthisthing。“
AndthenIthinksagin：“No，itisbetweenthemthreeandProvidence。“Besides，I\'manxioustoseewhoisgoingtogetthatpillwiththescienceinit。IgetstofeelingjestlikeProvidencehisselfwasinthatthereroompickingoutthempillswithhisownhands。AndIwasanxioustoseewhatProvidence\'sideasofrightandwrongwaslike。
SofurasIcouldseetheywasallthreeinthewrong，butifIhadofbeeninthererunningthempillsinProvidence\'splaceIwouldofletthemalloffkindo\'easy。
Henry，heain\'teathispillyet。Heisjestlookingatitandshaking。Theperfessorpullsouthiswatchandlaysitonthetable。
“Itisaquarterpasteleven，“hesays。“Mr。
Murray，areyougoingtomakemeshootyou，afterall？Ididn\'twantascandal，“hesays。
“It\'sforyoutosaywhetheryouwanttoeatthatpillandgetyourevenchance，orwhetheryouwanttogetshot。Theshootingmethodissure，butitcausestalk。Thesepillswon\'t。WHICH？”
Andhepullsarevolver。WhichIsupposehehadgotthattoowhenhewentdownafterthempills。
Henry，helooksatthegun。
Thenhelooksatthepill。
Thenheswallersthepill。
Theperfessorputshisgunbackintohispocket，andthenheputshispillintohismouth。Hedon\'tswallerit。Helooksatthewatch，andhelooksatHenry。
“Sixteenminutespasteleven，“hesays。“AT
EXACTLYTWENTY-NINEMINUTESTOTWELVEMR。MURRAY
WILLBEDEAD。Igottheharmlessone。Icantellbythetaste。“
Andheputthepiecesoutintohishand，toshowthathehaschewedhis\'nup，notbeingwillingtowaitfifteenminutesfuraverdictfromhisdigestiveornaments。Thenheputthempiecesbackintohismouthandchewed\'emupandswallered\'emdownlikehewaseatingcoughdrops。
Henryhasgotsweatbreakingoutalloverhisface，andhetriestomakefurthedoor，buthefallsdownontoasofa。
“Thisismurder，“hesays，weak-like。Andhetriestogetupagain，butthistimehefallstothefloorinadeadfaint。
“It\'sadernshortfifteenminutes，“Ithinkstomyself。“ThatperfessormustofputmorescienceintoHenry\'spillthanhethoughthedidfurittoofknockedhimoutthisquick。Itain\'tskeerclythreeminutes。“
WhenHenryfallsthewomanstaggersandtriestothrowherselfontopofhim。Thecornersofhermouthwasalldraweddown，andhereyeswasturnedup。Butshedon\'tyellnone。Shecan\'t。
Shetries，butshejestgurglesinherthroat。Theperfessorwon\'tletherfallacrostHenry。Heketchesher。“Situp，Jane，“hesays，withthatEstellelookontohisface，“andletushaveatalk。“
Shelooksathimwithnomoresenseinherfacethanapieceofputtyhasgot。Butshecan\'tlookawayfromhim。
AndI\'mkindo\'paralyzed，too。Ifthatfellerlayingonthefloorhadonlyjestkickedoncet，orgrunted，ordonesomething，Icouldofloosenedupandyelled，andIwouldof。IjestNEEDEDtofetchayell。ButHenryain\'tmore\'ndroppeddowntheretillI\'mfeelingjestlikehe\'dALWAYSbeenthere，andI\'dALWAYSbeenstaringintothatroom，andthelastwordanyonespokewassaidhundredsandhundredsofyearsago。
“You\'reamurderer，“saysJaneinawhisper，lookingattheperfessorinthatstare-eyedway。
“You\'reaMURDERER，“shesays，sayingitlikeshewastryingtomakeherselffeelsurehereallywasone。
“Murder！”saystheperfessor。“DidyouthinkIwasgoingtorunanychancesforapuplikehim？
He\'sscared，that\'sall。He\'sjustfaintedthroughfright。He\'sacoward。Thosepillswerebothjustbreadandsugar。He\'llbeallrightinaminuteortwo。I\'vejustbeenshowingyouthatthefellowhasn\'tgotnerveenoughnorbrainsenoughforafinewomanlikeyou，Jane，“hesays。
ThenJanebeginstosobandlaugh，bothtooncet，kindo\'wildlike，hervoicecluckinglikeahendoes，andshesays：
“It\'sworsethen，it\'sworse！It\'sworseformethanifitwereamurder！Somefarcescanbemoretragicthananytragedyeverwas，“shesays。Ortheywaswordstothateffect。
AndifHenryhadofbeenreallydeadshecouldn\'toftookitnoharderthanshebeguntotakeitnowwhenshesawhewasalive，butjestwasn\'tnogood。
ButIseenshewastakingonfurherselfnowmore\'nfurHenry。DoctorKirbyalwaysusetosaywomenismadeunlikemostotheranimalsinmanyways。
Whentheyisfoolishaboutamantheycanstandtohavethatmankilledagood\'ealbetterthantohavehimshowedupridiculousrightinfrontofthem。Theywillstillbecrazyaboutthemanthatisdead，evenifhewascrooked。Buttheydon\'tneverforgivethefellowthatletshimselfbemadeafoolandletsthemlookfoolish，too。AndwhentheperfessorkicksHenryintheribs，andHenrycomestoandsneaksout，Jane，shenevereventurnsherheadandlooksathim。
“Jane，“saystheperfessor，whenshequietsdownsome，“youhavealoto\'thingstoforgiveme。ButdoyousupposeIhavelearnedenoughsothatwecanmakeagoofitifwestartalloveragain？”
ButJanesheneversaidnothing。
“Jane，“hesays，“EstelleisgoingbacktoNewEngland，assoonasMargerygetswell，andshewillstaythereforgood。“
Jane，shebeginstotakealittleintrustthen。
“DidEstelletellyouso？”sheasts。
“No，“saystheperfessor。“Estelledoesn\'tknowityet。I\'mgoingtobreakthenewstoherinthemorning。“
ButJanestillhateshim。She\'smakingherselfhatehimhard。Shewouldn\'tofbeenahumanwomanifshehadletherselfbecoaxedupalltooncet。Purtysoonshesays：“I\'mtired。“Andshewentoutlookingliketheperfessorwasaperfectstranger。Shewasapeace，Janewas。
Aftersheleft，theperfessorsettherequiteaspellandsmoked。Andhewaslookingtiredout，too。
Theywasn\'tnomistakeaboutme。Iwasjestdeadallthroughmylegs。
CHAPTERXII
Iwasdownintheperfessor\'slabertoryoneday，andthatwasaqueerplace。Theywaseverykindofscientificsthathaseverbeendis-
coveredinit。Somewaspickledinbottlesandsomewasstuffedandsomewaspinnedtothewallswiththeirwingsspreadout。Ifyoutookholdofanything，itwaslikelytobeaskullandgiveyoutheshiversorsomeelectriccontraptionandshockyou；andifyoutippedoverajaranditbroke，enoughgermsmightgetloosetoslaughterahulltown。Iwashelpingtheperfessortounpackalotofstuffsomefriendshadsenthim，andInoticedabottlethathadontoit，blowedintheglass：
DANIEL，DUNNEANDCOMPANY
“That\'sfunny，“saysI，outloud。
“Whatis？”aststheperfessor。
IshowedhimthebottleandtoldhimhowIwasnamedafterthecompanythatmade\'em。Hesaystolookaroundme。Theyisallkindsofglass-
wareinthatroom——bottlesandjarsandqueer-
shapedthingswithcrookedtailsandnoses——andnigheverypieceofglasstheperfessorownsismadebythatcompany。
“Why，“saystheperfessor，“theirfactoryisinthisverytown。“
AndnothingwoulddofurmebutImustgoandseethatfactory。Icouldn\'ttillthequarantinewaspriedloosefromourhouse。Butwhenitwas，I
wentdowntownandhunteduptheplaceandlookedherover。
Itwasabigfactory，andIwaskindofproudofthat。Iwasgladshewasn\'tnomeasly，little，old-
fashioned，run-downconcern。Ofcourse，Iwasn\'treallynorelationtoitanditwasn\'tnonetome。
ButIwasnamedfurit，too，anditcomeaboutasneartobeingafamblyasanythingIhadeverhadorwaslikelytofind。SoIwasprouditseemedtobedoingsowell。
IthinksasIlooksatherofthethousandsandthousandsofbottlesthathasbeencomingoutoftherefuryearsandyears，andwillbefuryearsandyearstocome。Andonebottlenotsomuchdifferentfromanotherone。Andallthatwasreallyknowedaboutmewasjestthenameononeoutofallthemmillionsandmillionsofbottles。Itmademefeelkindofqueer，whenIthoughtofthat，asifIdidn\'thavenoseparateplaceintheworldanymorethanoneofthemmillionsofbottles。Ifanyonewillshuthiseyesandsayhisownnameoverandoveraginfurquiteaspell，hewillgetkindofwonderizedandmesmerizeda-doingit——hewillbegintowonderwhothedickensheis，anyhow，andwhatheis，andwhatthedifferencebetweenhimandthenextfelleris。HewillwonderwhyhehappenstobehimselfandthenextfellerHIMSELF。
Hewonderswherehimselfleavesoffandtherestoftheworldbegins。Ibeenthatwaymyself——allwonderized，sothatIfeltjestlikeIwasameltingpieceofthehullcreation，anditwasallshiftinganddriftingandchangingandflowing，andnotsolidanywhere，andIcouldhardlykeepmyselffromflowingintoit。Itmakesapersonfeelawfulqueer，likeseeingaghostwould。ItmakeshimfeellikeHEwasn\'tnosoliderthanaghosthimself。Well，ifyoueverdonethatandgotthatfeeling，youKNOW
whatImean。Allofasudden，whenIamtryingtotakeinallthemmillionsandmillionsofbottles，itrushedontome，thatfeeling，strong。Thinkingofthembottleshadsomehowbrungiton。Thebignessofthehullcreation，andthesmallnessofme，andthegaitatwhicheverythingwasracingandrushingahead，mademewanttograbholdofsomethingsolidandhangon。
Ireachedoutmyhand，andithitsomethingsolidallright。Itwasafellerwhowaswheelingoutahandtruckloadedwithboxesfromtheshippingdepartment。Ihadbeenstandingbytheshippingdepartmentdoor，andIreachedrightaginhim。
HewantstoknowifIamdrunkorablankedfool。SoaftersometalkofthatkindIborrowsachewoftobaccoofhimandwegetsrightwellacquainted。
Ihelpedhimfinishloadinghiswagonandrodeovertothefreightdepotwithhimandhelpedhimunloadher。LiftingoneofthemboxesdownfromthewagonIgotsuchashockIliketoofdroppedher。
Furshewasmarkedsomanydozen，glass，handlewithcare，andshewasaddressedtoDr。HartleyL。Kirby，Atlanta，Ga。
Imanagedtogetthatboxontotheplatformwith-
outbustingher，andthenIsetsdownontopofherawfulweak。
“What\'sthematter？”aststhefellerIwaswith。
“Nothing，“saysI。
“Youlooksick，“hesays。AndIWASfeelingthat-a-way。
“MebbyIdo，“saysI，“andit\'senoughtoshakeafelleruptofindadeadmancometolifesuddenlikethis。“
“Greatsnakes，no！”sayshe，lookingallaround，“where？”
ButIdidn\'tstoptochewtheragnone。Ilefthimrightthere，withhismouthwideopen，staringaftermelikeIwascrazy。HalfablockawayI
lookedbackandIseenhimdoubleoverandslaphiskneeandlaughloud，likehehadhearnabigjoke，butwhathewaslaughingatIneverknew。
Iwastickled。Tickled？JestsotickledIwasplumbfoolishwithit。Thedoctorwasaliveafterall——Ikeptsayingitoverandovertomyself——hehadn\'tdrowndednorblowedaway。AndIwasgo-
ingtohunthimup。
Ihadalittlemoney。Theperfessorhadpaidittome。Hehadgivemeajobhelpingtakecareofhishossesandthingslikethat，andwantedmetostay，andIhadbeenthinkingmebbyIwouldfurawhile。Butnotnow！
IcalkelatedIcouldgrabaridethatverynightthatwouldputmeintoEvansvillethenextmorning。
IfiggeredifIketchedathroughfreightfromthereonthenextnightImightgetwherehewasalmostasquickasthembottlesdid。
Ididn\'tthinkitwasnousewritingoutmyresignationfurtheperfessor。ButIgotquiteabitofgrubfromBiddyMalonetomakeastarton，furIdidn\'tfiggeronspendingnomoremoneythanI
hadtoongrub。Sheastsmealotofquestions，andIhadtolietoheragooddeal，butIgotthegrub。
AndattenthatnightIwasinanemptybumpingalongsouth，alongwithacross-eyedfellernamedLooneyHoganwhohappenedtobetravellingthesameway。
Ridingontrainswithoutpayingfareain\'talwaystheeasythingitsounds。Itislikeatradethathasgottobelearned。Theyisdifferentwaysofdoingit。Ihavedoneeverywayfrequent，exceptone。
ThatIgiveupaftertryinghertwo，threetimes。
Thatisridingtherodsdownunderneaththecars，withapieceofboardputacrost\'emtolayyourselfon。
IneverwanttogoANYWHERESaginbadenoughtoridetherods。
Becausesometimesyouarrivewhereyouaregoingtopartlysmearedoverthetrucksandinnocondi-
tionfurtobemadewelcometoourcity，asDoctorKirbywouldsay。Sometimesyoudon\'tarrive。
Everyoncetinawhileyoureadalittlepieceinanewspaperaboutamanbeingfoundalongsidethetracks，considerablecutup，orlayingrightacrostthem，mebby。Heisheldinthemorgueawhileandnooneknowswhoheis，andnoneofthetraincrewknowstheyhasrunoveraman，andtheengineersaystheywasn\'tnoneonthetrack。More\'nlikelythatfellerhasbeenridingtherods，alongaboutthemiddleofthetrain。Mebbyhelethimselfgotosleepandjestrolledoff。Mebbyhispieceofboardslippedandhefellwhenthetrainjolted。Ormebbyhejestnatcherallymadeuphismindheratherletlooseandgetsquashedthengetanymorecindersintohiseyes。RidingtheblindbaggageorthebumpersgivesmealltheexcitementIwants，orallthegamblingchanceteither；otherscanhavetherodsfurallofme。AndtheyISsomepeopleack-
shallysaystheylikes\'embest。
Agoodplace，ifitiswintertime，isthefeedrackoveracattlecar，furtheheatandsteamfromallthemsteersintherewillkeepyouwarm。Butdon\'tcrawlinnolumbercarthatisonlyloadedabouthalffull，andshortlengthsandbundlesoflathsandshinglesinher；furtheyislikelytogettoshiftingandbumping。Baledhayispurtygoodsometimes。
Myself，notbeinglikethesebumsthatistooproudtowork，Ihaveoftenhelpedthefiremanshovelcoalandpaidfurmyridethat-a-way。Butanempty，furgineralpurposes，willdoaboutaswellasanything。
ThisfellerLooneyHoganthatwaswithmewasakindofaharmlesscritter，andhedidn\'tknowjestwherehewasgoing，norwhy。Hewasmostlyscaredofthings，andifyouspoketohimquickheshiveredfirstandthengrinnedidioticsoyouwouldn\'tkickhim，andwhenhetalkedhehadasillylittlegiggle。Hehadbeenmadethat-a-wayinareformschoolwheretheytookhimyoungandtriedtoworkthecussednessout\'nhimbybattinghimaround。Theyworkeditout，andpurtynighevery-
thingelsealongwithit，Iguess。LooneyhadhadapardnerwhosenamewasSlim，hesaid；butacoupleofyearsbeforeSlimhadfelloverboardoff\'nabargeuptoDuluthandnevercomeupagin。
LooneyknowedSlimwasdrowndedallright，buthewasalwaystravellingaroundlookingattanksandfreightdepotsandswitchshanties，furSlim\'smarktobefreshcutwithaknifesomewheres，sohewouldknowwheretofollerandketchupwithhimagin。HeknowedhewouldneverfindSlim\'smark，hesaid，buthekepta-looking，andheguessedthatwasthewayhegotthenameofLooney。
LooneyleftmeatEvansville。Hesaidhewasgoingeastfromthere，heguessed。AndIwentalongsouth。ButIwashinderedconsiderable，beingputoffoftrainsthreeorfourtimes，andhav-
ingtograbthesehereslowlocalfreightsbetweentownsallthewaydownthroughKentuckey。Any-
wheressouthoftheOhioRiverandeastoftheMississippiRivertrainmenisgrouchiertothemtheythinksisbumsthannorthofit，anyhow。Andinsomepartsofit，ifarealbumgetspinched，heavenhelp\'im，furnothingelsewon\'t。
Onenight，betweentwelveandoneo\'clock，IwasputoffofafreighttrainfurthesecondtimeinaplaceinthenorthernpartofTennessee，rightneartheKentuckeyline。Isetdowninalumberyardneartherailroadtrack，andwhenshestartedupaginIgrabbedontotheironladderandswungmy-
selfaboard。Butthebrakemanwaswatchingfurme，andclumbdowntheladderandstampedonmyfingers。SoIdroppedoff，withonefingercon-
siderablemashed，andsetdowninthatlumberyardwonderingwhatnext。
Itwasadarknight，andsofurasIcouldseetheywasn\'tmuchmovinginthattown。Onlyafewplaceswaslitup。Onewaswayacrostthetownsquarefromme，anditwasthetelephoneexchange，withamanoperatorreadingabookinthere。Theotherwasthetelegraphroominthedepotaboutahundredyardsfromme，andtheywasonlytwofellersinit，bothsmoking。Themainbusinesspartofthetownwasbuiltuparoundthesquare，likelotsofold-fashionedtownsis，andtheywasjestenoughbrightnessfromfour，fiveelectriclightstoshowtheshapeofthesquareandbereflectedfromthewindowsoftheclosed-upstores。
Iknowedtheywaslikelyawatchmansomewheresabout，too。IguessedIwouldn\'twanderaroundnoneandrunnochancesofgettingtookupbyhim。
SoIwasgettingreadytolaydownontopofalevelpileofboardsandgotosleepwhenIhearnacuriouskindofnoiseawayoff，likeitmustbeattheedgeoftown。
Itsoundedlikequiteabunchofcattlemightshufflingalongadustyroad。Thenightwassoquietyoucouldhearthingsplainfromalongwaysoff。Itgrowedalittlelouderandalittlenearer。
Andthenitstruckaplankbridgesomewheres，andcomeacrostitwithaclatter。ThenIknoweditwasn\'tcattle。Cowsandsteersdon\'tmakethatcanteringkindofnoiseasarule；theytrot。Itwashossescrossingthatbridge。Andtheywasquitealotof\'em。
Astheystruckthedirtroadagin，Ihearnashot。
Andthenanotherandanother。Thenadozenalltooncet，andawayoffthroughthenightawomanscreamed。
IseenthemaninthetelephoneplaceflingdownhisbookandgrabapistolfromIdon\'tknowwhere。
Hesteppedoutintothestreetandfiredthreeshotsintotheairasfastashecouldpullthetrigger。Andashedonesotheywasalightflashedoutinabuild-
ingwaydowntherailroadtrack，andshotscomeansweringfromthere。Men\'svoicesbegantoyellout；theywasthenoiseofpeoplerunningalongplanksidewalks，andwindowsopeninginthedark。
Thenwitharushthegallopingnoisecomenearer，comecloset；racedbytheplacewhereIwashiding，andnighahundredmenwithgunssweptrightintothemiddleofthatsquareandpulledtheirhossesup。
CHAPTERXIII
Iseenthefellerfromthetelephoneexchangerundownthestreetalittlewaysasthefirstrushhitthesquare，andfirehispistoltwice。Thenheturnedandmadefuranalleyway，butasheturnedtheylethimhaveit。Hethroweduphisarmsandmadeonelongstagger，rightacrostthebaroflightthatstreamedoutofthewindows，andhefellintotheshadder，outofsight，jestlikeascorchedmothdropsdeadintothedark-
nessfromatorch。
Outofthemiddleofthatbunchofriderscomeabigvoice，yellingnumbers，insteadofmen\'snames。
Thendifferentcrowdslitoutinalldirections——
someonfoot，whileothersheldtheirhosses——furtheyseemedtohaveaplanlaidahead。
Andthenthingsbegantohappen。Theyhap-
penedsoquickandwithsuchawhirlitwasallunrealtome——shotsandshouts，andwindowsbreakingastheyblazedawayatthestorefrontsallaroundthesquare——andordersandcuss-wordsringingoutbetweenthenoiseofshooting——andthoseelectriclightsshiningonthemastheytossedandtrampled，andshowingupmaskedfaceshereandthere——andpoundinghoofs，andhossesscream-
likehumanswithexcitement——andspurtsofflamesquirtedsuddenoutoftheringofdarknessroundabouttheopenplace——andabull-dogshutupinastoresomewhereshowlinghimselfhoarse——
andwhitepuffsofpowdersmokelikeghoststhatwenta-driftingbythelights——itwasallunrealtome，asifIhadafeverandwasdreamingit。
Thatsquarewaslikeagreatbigstageinfrontofme，andIlaidinthedarknessonmylumberpileandwatchedthingslikeashow——notmuchscaredbecauseitWASsodernedunreal。
Fromwaydownalongtherailroadtracktheycomeasortofbluntedroar，likeblastingbigstumpsout——andthenanotherandanother。Purtysoon，downthatway，aslimflamelickedupthesideofabigbuildingthere，andcrookeditstongueoverthetop。Thenasecondbigbuildingrightbesideitketchedafire，andtheybothshowedupintheirownlight，bigandangryandhandsome，andthelightshowedupthemeninfrontof\'em，too——
guarding\'em，Iguess，furfearthetownwouldgetitsnerveandmakeafighttoput\'emout。Theybeguntolightthewholetownupaslightasday，andpaintaredpatchontothesky，thatmustofbeennoticedfurmilesaround。Itwasamightypurtysighttosee\'emburn。Thesmokewasrollinghigh，too，andthesparksflyingandotherthingsindangerofketching，andafterwhilealickofsmokecomedriftingupmyway。Ismelther。
Itwastobaccoburninginthemwarehouses。
Butthattownhadsomefightinher，inspiteofbeingtookunexpectedthat-a-way。Itwasn\'tnocowardtown。Thelightfromtheburningbuildingsmadealltheshaddersaroundaboutseemallthedarker。Andeveryonceinawhile，afterthesurpriseofthefirstrush，theywouldcomethinlittlestreaksoffireoutofthedarknesssomewheres，andthesoundofshots。Andthenagangofriderswouldgallopinthatdirectionshootingupallcrea-
tion。Butbythetimethewarehouseswasalllitupsothatyoucouldseetheywasnohopeofputtingthemouttheshootingfromthedarknesshadjestaboutstopped。
Itlookedlikethembigtobaccowarehouseswasthemainobjectoftheraid。Furwhentheywasburningpastallchancetofsaving，withwallsandfloorsa-tumblingandcrashingdownandsendingupgreatgoutsoffreshflameastheyfell，theleadersingsoutanorder，andallthatisnotontheirhossesjumpson，andtheyridesawayfromtheblaze。
Theycomeacrossthesquare——notgallopingnow，buttakingiteasy，laughingandtalkingandcussingandjokingeachother——andpassedrightbymylumberpileaginanddownthestreettheyhadcome。YoubetIlaidlowonthemboardswhiletheywasgoingby，andflattenedmyselfouttillIfeltlikeashingle。
AsIhearntheirhoof-soundsgettingfartheroff，Iliftsupmyheadagin。Buttheywasn\'tallgone，either。Threethatmustofbeenuptosomepertic\'lerdeviltryoftheirowncomegallopingacrostthesquaretoketchupwiththemainbunch。
Twowasquiteabitaheadofthethirdone，andheyelledtothemtowait。Buttheyonlylaughedandrodeharder。
Andthenfursomefoolreasonthatlastfellerpulleduphishossandstopped。Hestoppedintheroadrightinfrontofme，andwheeledhishossacrosttheroadandstoodupinhisstirrupsandtookalonglookatthatblaze。You\'d\'a\'saidhehaddoneitallhimselfandwasmightyproudofit，thewayheraisedhisheadandlookedbackatthattown。HewassonearthatIhearnhimdrawinaslow，deepbreath。Hestoodstillfurmostaminutelikethat，blackagintheredsky，andthenheturnedhishoss\'sheadandjabbedhimwithhisstirrupedge。
Jestasthehossstartedtheycomeashotfromsomewheresbehindme。Is\'posetheywassomeonehidinthelumberpiles，wherethestreetcrossedtherailway，besidesmyself。Thehossjumpedforwardattheshot，andthefellerswayedsidewaysanddroppedhisgunandlosthisstirrupsandcomedownheavyontheground。Hishossgallopedoff。
Iheardthenoiseofsomeonerunningoffthroughthedark，andstumblingaginthelumber。Itwasthefellerwhohadfiredtheshotrunningaway。
Isupposehethoughttherestofthemriderswouldcomeback，whentheyheardthatshot，andhunthimdown。
Ithoughttheymightmyself。ButIlaidthere，andjestwaited。Iftheycome，Ididn\'twanttobefoundrunning。Buttheydidn\'tcome。Thetwolastoneshadcaughtupwiththemaingang，Iguess，furpurtysoonIhearnthemallcrossingthatplankbridgeagin，andknowedtheywasgone。
AtfirstIguessedthefelleronthegroundmustbedead。Buthewasn\'t，furpurtysoonIhearnhimgroan。Hehadmebbybeenstunnedbyhisfall，andwascomingtoenoughtofeelhispain。
Ididn\'tfeellikeheorterbeleftthere。SoI
clumbdownandwentovertohim。Hewaslyingononesideallkindofhuddledup。Therehadbeenamaskonhisface，liketherestofthem，withsomehairontothebottomofittolooklikeabeard。
Butnowithadslippeddowntillithungloosearoundhisneckbythestring。Theywasenoughlighttoseehewasn\'tnothingbutayoungfeller。HeraisedhimselfslowasIcomenearhim，leaningononearmandtryingtosetup。Theotherarmhunglooseandhelpless。Halfsettingupthat-a-
wayhemadeafeelathisbeltwithhisgoodhand，asIcomenear。Butthatgoodarmwashisprop，andwhenhetookitoffthegroundhefellback。
Hishandcomeawayemptyfromhisbelt。
Thebigsix-shooterhehadbeenfeelingfurwasn\'tinitsholster，anyhow。Ithadfelloutwhenhetumbled。Ipickeditupintheroadjestafewfeetfromhisshot-gun，andstoodtherewithitinmyhand，lookingdownathim。
“Well，“hesays，inadrawlykindofvoice，slowandfeeble，butlookingatmesteadyandtryingtoraisehimselfagin，“yo\'canfinishyo\'
littlejobnow——yo\'shotmefromthedarkness，andnowyo\'donegotmypistol。Ireckonyo\'
bettershootAGIN。“
“Idon\'twanttorubitinnone，“Isays，“withyoudownandout，butfromwhatIseenaroundthistownto-nightIguessyouandyourownganggotnoGREATobjectionstoshootingfromthedarkyourselves。“
“Whydon\'tyo\'shootthen？”hesays。“ItmostsuttinlyisYO\'turnnow。“Andheneverbattedaneye。
“Bo，“Isays，“yougotnerve。ILIKEyou，Bo。
Ididn\'tshootyou，andIain\'tgoingto。Thefellerthatdidhaswent。I\'mgoingtogetyououtofthis。Whereyouhurt？”
“Hip，“hesays，“butthatain\'tmuch。Thethingthatbothersmeisthisarm。It\'sdonebusted。I
fellonit。“
IdrughimoutoftheroadandbackofthelumberpileIhadbeenlayingon，andhurthimconsiderablea-doingit。
“Now，“Isays，“whatcanIdofuryou？”
“Ireckonyo\'betterleaveme，“hesays，“withoutyo\'wanttogetyo\'selfmixedupinallthis。“
“IfIdo，“Isays，“youmaybleedtodeathhere：
oranywayyouwouldgetfoundinthemorningandberunin。“
“Yo\'mightygoodtome，“sayshe，“consideringyo\'arenokintothisherepartofthecountryatall。Ireckonbyyo\'talkyo\'areoneofthemdamnYankees，ain\'tyo\'？”
InIllinoiseaYankeeissomeonefromtheEast，butdownSouthheisanybodyfromnorthoftheOhio，andthoughthattherewarwasfoughtfortyyearsagosomeofthemfellersdowntheredon\'tknowdamnandYankeeistwowordsyet。Butshucks！——theydon\'tmeannoharmbyit！SoItellshimIamadamnYankeeandastshimaginifIcandoanythingfurhim。
“Yes，“hesays，“yo\'cantellafriendofmineBudDavishashappenedtoanaccident，andgethimoverherequickwithhiswagontototemehome。“
IwastogodowntherailroadtrackpastthemburningwarehousestillIcometothethirdstreet，andthenturntomyleft。“Thethirdhousefromthetrackhasgotanironpicketfenceinfrontofit，“saysBud，“andit\'stheonlyhouseinthatpartoftownwhichhas。BeauregardPeopleslivesthere。Heiskintome。“
“Yes，“Isays，“andBeauregardisjestaslikelyasnotgoingtotakeashotoutofthefrontwindowatme，furluck，aforeIcantellhimwhatIwant。
Itseemstobeakindofhabitintheseherepartsto-night——I\'mgettinghomesickfurIllinoise。ButI\'lltakeachancet。“
“Hewon\'tshoot，“saysBud，“ifyo\'goaboutitright。Beauregardain\'tgoingtobeasleepwithallthisgoingonintownto-night。Yo\'rattleontheirongateandhe\'llhollertoknowwhatyo\'allwant。“
“Ifhedon\'tshootfirst，“Isays。
“Whenhehollers，yo\'crybackathimyo\'havefoundhisOLDDEADHOSSintheroad。Itwon\'thurttohollerthatloud，andthatwillmakehimletyouwithintalkingdistance。“
“HisoldDEADHOSS？”
“Yo\'don\'tneedtoknowwhatthatis。HE
will。“AndthenBudtoldmeenoughofthesignsandwordstosay，andthingstodo，tokeepBeaure-
gardfromshooting——hesaidhereckonedhehadtrustedmesomuchhemightaswellgothehullhog。Beauregard，hesays，belongstothemriderstoo；theyhavefriendsinallthetownsthatwatchesthelayofthelandfurthem，hesays。
Imadealonghalf-circlearoundthemburningbuildings，keepinginthedark，furpeoplewascomingoutinbunches，nowthatitwasalloverwith，watchingthemfiresburning，andtalkingexcited，andsayingtheridersshouldbefollered——
onlynotfollering。
IfoundthehouseBudmeant，andtheywasalightinthesecond-storywindow。Irattledonthegate。Adogbarkedsomewheresnear，butIhearnhischainjangleandknowedhewasfast，andI
rattledonthegateagin。
Thelightmovedawayfromthewindow。Thenanotherfrontwindowopenedquiet，andavoicesays：
“Doctor，isthatyo\'backagin？”
“No，“Isays，“Iain\'tadoctor。“
“Staywhereyouare，then。_I_GOTYOUCOVERED。“
“Iamstaying，“Isays，“don\'tshoot。“
“Whoareyo\'？”
“Afeller，“Isays，kindofsensinghisgunthroughthedarknessasIspoke，“whohasfoundyourOLDDEADHOSSintheroad。“
