Induetimeheranswercame。Hecarriedherletterouttoafavouritehauntofhisinasunnycooliewhereanoldcreek—bedwasmarkedbystragglingwillows，andthere，throwinghimselfdownupontheslopinggrass，hereadhermessage。
\"Iknow，dear，howmuchthatlastsentenceofyourscostyou，andmyansweristhatwereyourdutylesstoyou，youwouldbelesstome。
HowcouldIhonourandloveamanwho，forthesakeofagirlorforanysake，wouldturnbackfromhiswork？Besides，youhavetaughtmetoowelltoloveyourgloriousWest，andyoucannotdauntmenowbyanysuchsombrepictureasyoudrewformeinyourlastletter。Nosir。TheWestforme！Andyoushouldbeashamed——andthisIshallmakeyouproperlyrepent——ashamedtoforcemetotheunmaidenlycourseofinsistingupongoingouttoyou，’roundingyouupintoacorral’——thatisthecorrectphrase，isitnot？——andnoosing，no，ropingyouthere。\"
Whenhelookedupfromtheletterthelandscapewasblurredforatime。Butsoonhewonderedatthenewsplendouroftheday，thesweetnessoftheair，themellowmusicofthemeadow—lark。Anewglorywasuponskyandearthandanewraptureinhisheart。
\"Wonderful！\"heexclaimed。\"Dearlittlesoul！Shedoesn’tknow，andyet，evenifshedid，Ibelieveitwouldmakenodifference。\"
Experienceprovedthathehadrightlyestimatedher。Forayearandahalfshehadstoodbyherhusband’sside，makingsunshineforhimthatnocloudscoulddimnorblizzardsblowout。Itwasthisthatthrewintoherhusband’stoneashesaid，\"Mywife，Mr。Macgregor，\"
thetendernessandpride。ItmadeShock’sheartquiver，fortherecametohimthepictureofatallgirlwithwonderfuldarkgreyeyesthatlookedstraightintohiswhileshesaid，\"YouknowIwillnotforget。\"Itwasthisthatmadehimholdthelittlewoman’shandtillshewonderedathim，butwithawoman’sdiviningshereadhisstoryinthedeepblueeyes，alightnowwiththememoryoflove。
\"Thatlightisnotforme，\"shesaidtoherself，andwelcomedhimwithawelcomeofonewhohadbeensorecentlyand，indeed，wasstillalover。
Theintervalbetweensupperandbed—timewasspentineagertalkoverShock’sfield。Aroughmap，showingtrails，streams，sloughs，coolies，andsomeofthelargerrancheslaybeforethemonthetable。
\"ThisisTheFort，\"saidMcIntyre，puttinghisfingeruponadotontheleftsideofthemap。\"Twenty—fivemileswestandsouthisLoonLake，thecentreofyourfield，whereitisbestthatyoushouldlive，ifyoucan;andthenfurtherawayuptowardthePasstheytellmethereisaqueerkindofungodlysettlement——ranchers，freighters，whisky—runners，cattlethieves，miners，almostanythingyoucanname。You’llhavetodosomeexplorationworkthere。\"
\"Prospecting，eh？\"saidShock。
\"Exactly。Prospectingistheword，\"saidMcIntyre。\"TheFortendofyourfieldwon’tbebadinoneway。You’llfindthepeoplequitecivilised。Indeed，TheFortisquitethesocialcentreforthewholedistrict。Afternoonteas，hunts，tennis，card—parties，anddancingpartiesmakelifeonegaywhirlforthem。Mindyou，I’mnotsayingawordagainstthem。Inthiscountryanythingcleaninthewayofsportoughttobeencouraged，butunfortunatelythereisabroad，badstreakrunningthroughthatcrowd，andwhatwithpoker，gambling，badwhisky，andthatsortofthing，theplaceisattimesaperfecthell。\"
\"Whisky？WhataboutthePolice？Ihaveheardthemwellspokenof，\"
saidShock。
\"Andrightlyso。Theyareafinebodyofmenwithexceptions。Butthisinfernalpermitsystemmakesitalmostimpossibletoenforcethelaw，andwheretheInspectorisasoak，youcaneasilyunderstandthatthewholebusinessoflawenforcementisafarce。
AlmostallthePolice，however，inthiscountryarestraightfellows。There’sSergeantCrisp，now——thereisnotmoneyenoughintheTerritoriestobuyhim。Why，hewasofferedsixhundreddollarsnotlongagotobebusyattheotherendofthetownwhenthefreighterscameinonenight。Butnothe。Hewasonduty，withtheresultthatsomehalfdozenkegsofwhiskyfailedtoreachtheirintendeddestination。Butthere’sabadstreakinthecrowd，andthemischiefofitisthattheInspectorandhiswifesetthepaceforalltheyoungfellowsoftheranchesabout。Andwhenwhiskygetsa—
flowingtherearethingsdonethatitisashametospeakof。Buttheywon’tbotheryoumuch。TheybelongmostlytoFatherMike。\"
\"FatherMike，aRomanCatholic？\"
\"No，Anglican。Averydecentfellow。Havenotseenmuchofhim。Hispeopledoubtlessregardmeasabloomingdissenter，dontcherknow。
Butheisnosuchsnob。Hegoesinforalltheirfun——hunts，teas，dances，card—parties，andalltherestofit。\"
\"What，gambling？\"askedShock，aghast。
\"No，no。Iunderstandherakesthemforeandaftfortheirgamblingandthatsortofthing。Buttheydon’tminditmuch。Theyswearbyhim，forheisreallyafinefellow。InsicknessorintroubleFatherMikeisonthespot。Butastoinfluencingtheirlives，I
fearFatherMikeisnogreatforce。\"
\"Whydoyouhaveamissionthereatall？\"enquiredShock。
\"SimplybecausetheSuperintendentconsidersTheFortastrongstrategicpoint，andtherearealotofyoungfellowsandafewfamiliestherewhoarenotofFatherMike’sflockandwhocouldneverbepersuadedtoattendhischurch。Itdoesn’ttakemuchyouknow，tokeepamanfromgoingtochurchinthiscountry，sotheSuperintendent’spolicyistoremoveallpossibleexcusesandbarriersandtomakeiteasyformentogivethemselvesachance。
OurprincipalmanatTheFortisMacfarren，akindoflawyer，land—
agent，registrar，orsomethingofthatsort。Hascattletoo，onaranch。Averycleverfellow，buttheoldstory——whisky。Toobad。
He’sabrotherofRev。Dr。Macfarren。\"
\"What？Dr。MacfarrenofToronto？\"
\"Yes。Andhemightbealmostanythinginthiscountry。I’llgiveyoualettertohim。Hewillshowyouaboutandgiveyouallinformation。\"
\"AndisheintheChurch？\"Shock’sfacewasastudy。McIntyrelaughedlongandloud。
\"Why，mydearfellow，we’regladtogetholdofanykindofhalf—
decentchapthatiswillingtohelpinanyway。Weusehimasusher，manager，choir—master，sexton。Inshort，weputhimanyplacewherehewillstick。\"
Shockdrewalongbreath。Thesituationwasbecomingcomplicatedtohim。
\"AboutLoonLake，\"continuedMcIntyre，\"Ican’ttellyoumuch。ByalloddsthemostinterestingfigurethereistheoldProspector，asheiscalled。Youhaveheardabouthim？\"
Shockbowed。
\"Nooneknowshim，thoughhehasbeenthereformanyyears。Hisdaughter，Iunderstand，hasjustcomeoutfromEnglandtohim。Then，there’sAndyHepburn，whorunsastore，ashrewd，cannylittleScot。
Ihavenodoubthewillhelpyou。Butyou’llknowmoreabouttheplaceinaweekthanIcouldtellyouifItalkedallnight，andthatImustnotdo，foryoumustbetired。\"
WhenhefinishedShocksatsilentwithhiseyesuponthemap。Hewasoncemoreconsciousofakindofterroroftheseunknownplacesandpeople。Howcouldhegetatthem？Whatplacewasthereforhimandhismissioninthatwild，recklesslifeoftheirs？Whathadhetobringthem。OnlyaTale？Inthefaceofthatvigorous，strenuouslifeitseemedatthatmomenttoShockalmostridiculousinitsinadequacy。AgainsthimandhisStorywerearraignedthegreathumanpassions——greedofgold，lustofpleasureinitsmostsensuousforms，andthatwildspiritofindependenceofallrestraintbylawofGoodorman。HewasstilllookingatthemapwhenMr。McIntyresaid:
\"Wewilltakethebooks，astheysayinmycountry。\"
\"Ay，andinmine，\"saidShock，comingoutofhisdreamwithastart。
Mrs。McIntyrelaidtheBibleonthetable。HerhusbandopenedtheBookandreadthatgreatPsalmofthewilderness，\"Lord，thouhastbeenourdwellingplace，\"andsoontothelastcryoffrailandfadinghumanityaftertheenduringandimperishable，\"LetthebeautyoftheLordourGodbeuponus;andestablishthoutheworkofourhandsuponus:yea，theworkofourhandsestablishthouit。\"
Ashelistenedtothevividwordsthatcarriedwiththemtheveryscentandsilenceofthehungrywilderness，therefelluponShock’searsthelonghowlandstaccatobarkoftheprairiewolf。ThatlonelyvoiceofthewildWestroundthemstruckShock’sheartwithachilloffear，butfollowingharduponthefearcamethememoryoftheabidingdwellingplaceforalldesertpilgrims，andinplaceofhisterroragreatquietnessfelluponhisspirit。ThegauntspectreofthehungrywildernessvanishedbeforethekindlypresenceofagreatCompanionshipthatmadeeventheunknownWestseemsafeandfamiliarasone’sownhome。ThequickchangeoffeelingfilledShock’shearttooverflowing，sothatwhenMr。McIntyre，closingtheBook，said，\"Youwillleadusinprayer，Mr。Macgregor，\"Shockcouldonlyshakehisheadinvoicelessrefusal。
\"Yougoon，David，\"saidhiswife，whohadbeenwatchingShock’sface。
AsShocklaythatnightuponhisbedofbuffaloskinsinthecorner，listeningtotheweirdsoundsofthenightwithout，heknewthatforthepresentatleastthathauntingterroroftheunknownandthatdisturbingsenseofhisowninsufficiencywouldnottroublehim。
Thatdwellingplace，quietandsecure，oftheMcIntyres’homeinthemidstofthewidewasteaboutwastohimformanyadayasymbolofthatothersafedwellingplaceforallpilgrimsthroughearth’swilderness。
\"Poorchap，\"saidMcIntyretohiswifewhentheyhadretiredforthenight，\"I’mafraidhe’llfindithardwork，especiallyatTheFort。
Heisratherintherough，youknow。\"
\"Hehasbeautifulhonesteyes，\"saidhiswife，\"andIlikehim。\"
\"Doyou？\"
\"Yes，Ido，\"sherepliedemphatically。
\"Then，\"saidherhusband，\"inspiteofallappearanceshe’sallright。\"
VIII
THEOLDPROSPECTOR
LoonLakelayintheafternoonsunlight，shimmeringinitsgloryofprismaticcolours，ononesidereflectingtherocksandthepinesthatlinedtheshoreandthegreatpeaksthatstoodfurtherback，andtheotherlappingthegrassesandreedsthatedgeditswatersandjoinedittotheprairie。Agentlebreezenowandthenbreathedacrossthelake，breakingintomyriadfragmentstheglassysurfacethatlaylikesheetsofpolishedmulti—colouredmetalofgoldandbronzeandsilver，purpleandgreenandblue。
Ayounggirlofaboutsixteenyears，ridingacayusealongthelakeshore，suddenlyreinedinherponyandsatgazinguponthescene。
\"Afterall，\"shesaidaloud，\"itisalovelyspot，andifonlyfathercouldhavestayed，Iwouldn’tmind。\"
Hertonewasoneofdiscontent。Herfacewasnotbeautiful，anditsplainnesswasincreasedbyakindofsullengloomthathadbecomeitshabit。AftergazingacrossthelakeforsomeminutessheturnedherhorseandcanteredtowardalittleclusterofbuildingsofallsizesandshapesthathuddledabouttheendofthelakeandconstitutedLoonLakevillage。Asshedrewnearthelargestofthehouses，whichwasdignifiedbythenameofLoonLakeStoppingPlace，shecameuponagroupofchildrengatheredaboutalittlecrippleofaboutsevenoreightyearsofage，butsopunyandpoorlydevelopedthatheappearedmuchyounger。Thelittleladwassobbingbitterly，shriekingoathsandstrikingsavagelywithhiscrutchatthechildrenthathemmedhimin。Thegirlsprangoffherpony。
\"Oh，shameonyou！\"sheexclaimed，rushingatthem。\"Youbadchildren，toteasepoorPatsyso。Beoffwithyou。Come，Patsy，nevermindthem。Iamgoingtotellyouastory。\"
\"Hewasthrowin’stonesatus，sohewas，\"saidhisbrother，asturdylittlered—headedladofsix。\"AndhehitBatcheeserightontheleg，too。\"
\"Hepu——pu——pulleddownmymountainrighttotheground，\"sobbedPatsy，liftingapale，tear—stainedfacedistortedwithpassion。
\"Nevermind，Patsy，\"shesaidsoothingly，\"I’llhelpyoutobuilditupagain。\"
\"Andtheyalllaughedatme，\"continuedPatsy，stillsobbingstormily。\"AndI’llknocktheirblank，blankheadsoff，soIwill！\"
AndPatsyliftedhiscrutchandshookitattheminimpotentwrath。
\"Hush，hush，Patsy！youmustnotsaythoseawfulwords，\"saidthegirl，layingherhandoverhismouthandliftinghimontoherknee。
\"Yes，Iwill。AndIjustwishGodwouldsendthemtohell—fire！\"
\"Oh，Patsy，hush！\"saidthegirl。\"That’sawful。Never，neversaysuchathingagain。\"
\"Iwill！\"criedPatsy，\"andI’llaskGodto—night，andmothersaidHewouldiftheydidn’tleavemealone。\"
\"But，Patsy，youmustnotsaynorthinkthoseawfulthings。ComenowandI’lltellyouastory。\"
\"Idon’twantastory，\"hesobbed。\"Sing。\"
\"Oh，I’lltellyouastory，Patsy。I’llcomeintothehouseto—nightandsingforyou。\"
\"No，sing，\"saidthelittleladimperiously，andsothegirlbegantosingthethrillinglovestoryofTheFrogandTheMouse，tillnotonlywasPatsy’spalefacewreathedinsmiles，buttheotherchildrenweredrawninanenchantedcircleaboutthesinger。SoentrancedwerethechildrenandsointerestedthesingerthattheyfailedtonoticethedooroftheStoppingPlaceopen。Aslovenlywomanshowedahardfaceanddishevelledhairforamomentatthedoor，andthenstolequietlyaway。Inafewmomentsshereturned，bringingherhusband，ahugemanwithashaggy，blackheadandrepulsiveface。
\"Jistbeaftherlookin’atthatnow，willye，Carroll！\"shesaid。
Asthemanlookedhisfacechangedasthesunbreaksthroughastorm—cloud。
\"Didyeiverseetheloikesavthat？\"shesaidinalowvoice。
\"She’ddrawthebadgersoutavtheirholeswiththimsongsavhers。
Andthimlittledivilshavebeenallthemornin’a—fightin’anda—
scrappin’loikeKilkennycats。\"
\"An’lookatPatsy，\"saidherhusband，withwonderandpityinhiseyes。
\"Yis，yemaysaythat，forit’sthecantankerouslittlecurmudgeonheis，poorlittlemanny。\"
\"Cantankerous！\"echoedherhusband。\"It’sthatblankpainavhis。\"
\"Whistnow，Tim。There’sThimthat’llbehearin’ye，an’it’llbetheworsef’rhiman’f’ryou，beloike。\"
\"DivilafearhaveOiavThim，\"saidherscepticalhusbandscornfully。
\"Aw，now，dobequiet，now，\"saidhiswife，crossingherself。\"Sure，prayin’isjistasaisyascursin’，andnoharrumdone，atall。\"Sheshutthedoor。
\"Aw，it’sthebeautifulsingersheis，\"asthegirlstruckupanewsong。\"Listentothatnow。\"
Full，clear，soft，likethewarblingofthethrushatevening，camethevoicethroughthecloseddoor。Themanandhiswifestoodlisteningwitharaptlookontheirfaces。
\"PhatinHivin’snameisshesingin’，atall？\"saidMrs。Carroll。
\"Whisht！\"saidherhusband，holdinguphishand。\"It’slikeawildburrd，\"headded，afterlisteningafewmoments。
\"Theporething。An’it’sloikeawildburrdsheis，\"saidMrs。
Carrollpityingly。\"Leftalonesosoonafthercomin’tothissthrangecounthry。It’sauselessmanaltogether，isthatouldProspector。\"
Carroll’sfacedarkened。
\"Useless！\"heexclaimedwrathfully，\"he’sablankouldfool，crazyasajackrabbit！An’Oi’manotherblankfooltoputanymoneyinto’im。\"
\"Didyeputmuchin，Tim？\"venturedMrs。Carroll。
\"Toomuchtobethrownaway，anyhow。\"
\"Thin，whydoesyedoit，Tim？\"
\"BlankedifOiknow。It’sthesmooth，slippin’tongueav’im。He’dtalkthetaleaffamonkey，sohewould。\"
Atthismomentaloudcry，followedbyastreamofoathsinashrillchildishvoice，piercedthroughthesinging。
\"Phat’sthatinalltheworrld？\"exclaimedMrs。Carroll。\"Hivinpreserveus，it’slittlePatsy。Tim，ye’ll’avtobespakin’tothatchildfortheswearin’。Listentotheoathsav’im。TheLordforgive’im！\"
Timstrodetothedoor，followedbyhiswife。
\"Phattheblank，blankisthisyellin’about？Phatd’yemaneswearin’loikethat，Patsy？Oi’llknockyerblanklittleheadaffifOicatchyeswearin’agin。\"
\"Idon’tcare，\"stormedlittlePatsy，quiteunafraidofhisfatherwhentheotherchildrenfled。\"It’sthatblank，blankBatcheesean’
Timthere。Theykeepteasin’mean’Mayanallthetime\"
\"Letmecatchyez，yelittledivils！\"shoutedCarrollafterthechildren，whohadgotofftoasafedistance。\"Goon，Marion，an’
singphatyeloike。It’sloikeaburrdyeare，an’Oiloikest’hearye。An’Patsy，too，eh？\"
Hetookthelittlecrippleupinhisarmsverygentlyandheldhimforsomeminutes。
\"You’reabigman，dad，aintye？\"saidPatsy，puttinghispunyarmroundhisfather’shairyneck。\"An’yecanlickthehulltown，can’tye？\"
\"Whowuztellin’yethat，Patsy？\"askedhisfather，withasmile。
\"Iheardyemeselflastweekwhenthebigrowwason。\"
\"Yedid，bedad！ThinOi’mthinkin’yedobehearin’toomuch。\"
\"Butyecan，dad，can’tye？\"persistedtheboy。
\"Well，Oi’llsticktophatOisaid，anyway，Patsyboy，\"repliedhisfather。
\"An’I’llbeabigmanlikeyou，dad，someday，an’lickthehulltown，won’tI？\"askedPatsyeagerly。
Hisfathershudderedandheldhimclosetohisbreast。
\"Iwill，dad，won’tI？\"persistedthelad，thelittlefaceturnedanxiouslytowardhisfather。
\"Whishtnow，laddie。Surean’ye’llbetheclivirmansomeday，\"
saidthebigmanhuskily，whilehiswifeturnedherfacetowardthedoor。
\"ButtheysaidI’dniverlickanybody，\"persistedPatsy。\"An’that’sablanklie，isn’tit，dad？\"
Theman’sfacegrewblackwithwrath。Hepouredoutfierceoaths。
\"Letmecatchthim。Oi’llbreaktheirbacks，theblank，blanklittlecowards！Niveryeheedthim。Ye’llbeabetthermanthinanyavthim，Patsyavick，an’thatyewill。An’they’llallbestandin’
bare—headedaforeyesomeday。ButPatsy，darlin’，Oiwantyetogiveuptheswearin’andlistentoMarionyonder，who’llbeafthertellin’yegoodthingsan’cliverthings。\"
\"But，dad，\"persistedthelittleboy，\"won’tIbe？
\"Hushnow，Patsy，\"saidhisfatherhurriedly。\"Don’tyewanttogoontheponywithMarion？Comeonnow，an’Oi’llputyeup。\"
\"Oh，goody，goody！\"shoutedlittlePatsy，hispale，beautifulfaceaglowwithdelight。
\"Poorlittlemanny！\"groanedCarrolltohiswife，lookingafterthepairastheyrodeoffupthetrail。\"It’snotmanyye’llbeafterlickin’，exceptwithyertongue。\"
\"But，begorra，\"saidhiswife，\"that’sthelickin’thathurts，aftherall。An’it’sharrdtellin’what’llbecomin’tillthelad。\"
Herhusbandturnedwithoutmorewordsandwentintothehouse。
MeantimeMarionandPatsywereenjoyingtheircanter。
\"TakemeuptotheJumpingRock，\"saidtheboy，andtheytookthetrailthatwoundupthewestsideofthelake。
\"Therenow，Patsy，\"saidMarion，whentheyhadarrivedatasmoothshelfofrockthatrosesheeroutofthebluewaterofthelake，\"I’llputyoubythebigsprucethere，andyoucanseealloverthelakeandeverywhere。\"
Sheslippedoffthepony，carefullyliftedtheboydownandsethimleaningagainstabigsprucepinethatgrewseeminglyupoutofthebarerockandleanedfaroutoverthewater。Thiswastheswimmingplacefortheboysandmenofthevillage;andanidealplaceitwas，forofftherockoroutoftheoverhanginglimbstheswimmerscoulddivewithoutfearintotheclear，deepwaterbelow。
\"Therenow，Patsy，\"saidthegirlaftershehadpicketedherpony，\"shallItellyouastory？\"
\"No。Sing，Mayan，Ilikeyoutosing。\"
Butjustasthegirlwasabouttobeginhecried，\"Who’sthatcomin’，Mayan？\"pointingdownthetrail。
Thekeeneyesoftheladhaddescriedahorsemanfarawaywherethelongsloperosetothehorizen。
\"Idon’tknow，\"answeredthegirl。\"Whoisit，Patsy？Acowboy？\"
\"No，\"saidPatsy，afterwaitingforafewminutes，\"Ithinkit’sPerault。\"
\"No，Patsy，thatcan’tbe。YouknowPeraultwentoutwithfatherlastweek。\"
\"Yes，itis，\"insistedPatsy。\"That’sfather’spony。That’sRat—
tail，Iknow。\"
Thegirlstoodupandgazedanxiouslyattheapproachingrider。
\"Surelyitcan’tbePerault，\"shesaidtoherself。\"Whatcanhavehappened？\"
Sheunhitchedherhorse，rolledupherpicketrope，andstoodwaitingwithdisturbedface。Astheriderdrewnearshecalled，\"Perault！Ho，Perault！\"
\"Hola！\"exclaimedPerault，awizened，tough—lookinglittleFrenchman，pullinguphisponywithajerk\"Bojou，Mam’selle，\"headded，takingoffhishat。
Perault’smannerisreassuring，indeedquitegay。
\"Whatisit，Perault？Whyareyoucomeback？Whereisfather？\"Thegirl’slipswerewhite。
\"Coming，\"saidPeraultnonchalantly，pointingupthetrail。\"Westrakdebadluck，Mam’selle，sowestartheemagain。\"
\"Tellme，Perault，\"saidthegirl，turningherpiercingblackeyesonhisface，\"tellmetruly，isfatherhurt？\"
\"Oui，forsure，\"saidPeraultwithanexaggerationofcarelessnesswhichdidnotescapethekeeneyesfastenedonhisface，\"datoleboss，youknow，heblam—fool。Hees’fraidnoting。HeestryforsweemdeBlackDogondecrossingbelow。DeBlackDogheesfulloverheesbank，an’boil，boil，lakonekettle。Deolebosshesay’Perault，wemakdepassage，eh？’’No，’Isay，’wetrynodercrossing。’’Howfar？’hesay。’Two——treemile’’Guesstryheemhere，’hesay，an’nomatterhowIsayheembeblam—foolfortry，datolebossheeslafsmall，leelelafan’makdestart。Well，datponyheesgoingnicean’slowtroodewateroverdebank，butwenhestrukdatfaswater，poof！wheez！datponyheesupsethessef，bygar！Heestrowheesfeetoutondewater。Bymbeheescomeallrightforameenit。Dendatfoolponyheesmissdecrossing。Heesgodreefdowndestreamwheredehighbankheesimposseeb。MonDieu！Dasmakmescare。Ido’nowhatIdo。Istan’an’yelllakonebeegfoolme。Upcomebeegfelleronbuckboardonnoderside。Beegblam—fooljus’lakboss。Not’fraidnoting。Heestrowropecrosssaddle。Deolebossheeswin’
heemroun’dehorn。Poof！dasupsetdatponyoncemore。Heestrowheesfeetuponwater，catcholebossonheadan’arm，knockheemrightofftoblazes。’Goodbye，’Isay，’Inotseeheemmore。’Beegfellerheesloosedatrope，rondownondebankhitchingropeonwillowtreean’roun’heesownshoulderan’jumponreeverwaydownonbendan’waitforoleboss。Forme？Imakdisponycrossver’
queek。Notknowhow，an’passondenoderside。Iseebeegfeller，heeshol’deolebossonheescoatcollarwitbeesteef，bygar！an’
sweemlakottar。Sap—r—r—e！NotlongbeforeIpullondatropean’
getbotonshore。Beegfellerheesallright。Deolebossheesliewhite，whiteandstill。Icryonmyeyebad。’Gogetsometingfordreenk，’saybeegfeller，’queek。’Sac—r—re！beegfoolmessef！Bah！
Goodfornoting！Ifin’brandy，an’leeletam，tree—fourminute，deolebossbeessitupallright。LeBonDieuheesdogoodturndattime，forsure。Sendbeegfelleralongallright。\"
ThegirlstoodlisteningtoPerault’sdramatictale，herfacegrowingwhite。
\"Isfathernothurtatall，then？\"sheasked。
\"Non。Heestougholeman，datboss，\"saidPerault。Thenheaddedlightly，\"Oh！heesbrokesomesmallbone——whatyoucall？——ondecollar，dere。Datnoting’tall。\"
\"Oh，Perault！\"exclaimedthegirl。\"You’renottellingmethetruth。
You’rekeepingbacksomething。Myfatherishurt。\"
\"Non，forsure，\"saidPerault，puttinghishandoverhisheart。
\"Heesbrokedatboneondecollar。Datnoting’tall。Henotridever’well，soheescomeonbeegfeller’sbuckboard。Dat’sfinebeegfeller！MonDieu！heesnot’fraidnoting！Beegblam—fooljus’lakboss。\"NohighercommendationwaspossiblefromPerault。
\"Butwhyisfathercomingbackthen？\"askedthegirlanxiously。
\"Maisoui！Bah！DatleelefoolponygothisselfdronondeBlackDog，an’allheesstuff，sodeolebosshemus’comebackformoreponyan’morestuff。\"
\"Whenwilltheybehere，Perault？\"askedthegirlquietly。
\"Ver’soon。One——twohour。But，\"saidPeraultwithsomehesitation，\"deolebossbettergoonbedleelespell，mebbe。\"
ThenthegirlknewthatPeraulthadnottoldhertheworst，turningimpatientlyfromhim，sheliftedlittlePatsyontothesaddleand，disdainingPerault’sofferedhelp，sprangonherselfandsetofftowardthevillageaboutamileawayatfullgallop。