TWORUNAWAYSFROMLONESOME
ThedaysofthatAprilhadbeendaysofmistandrain。Sometimes，forhours，therewouldcomeamiracleofbluesky，whitecloud，andyellowlight，butalwaysbetweendarkanddarktherainwouldfallandthemistcreepupthemountainsandsteamfromthetops——onlytorolltogetherfromeitherrange，dripbackintothevalleys，andlift，straightway，asmistagain。Sothat，allthewhileNaturewastryingtogivelustierlifetoeverylivingthinginthelowlandBluegrass，allthewhileagauntskeletonwasstalkingdowntheCumberland——tappingwithfleshlessknuckles，nowatsomeunlovelycottageoffadedwhiteandgreen，andnowatalogcabin，starkandgray。PassingthemouthofLonesome，heflashedhisscytheintoitsunlifeingshadowsandwentstalkingon。Highup，atthesourceofthedismallittlestream，thepointoftheshiningbladedartedthriceintotheopendoorofacabinsetdeepintoashaggyflankofBlackMountain，andthreespirits，within，werequicklyloosedfromachingfleshforthelongflightintotheunknown。
Itwasthespiritoftheplaguethatpassed，takingwithitthebreathoftheunluckyandtheunfit：andinthehutonLonesomethreeweredead——agauntmountaineer，agauntdaughter，andagauntson。Later，themother，too，\"jes\'
kindo\'gottired，\"aslittleChadsaid，andsoontoherwornhandsandfeetcamethewell-earnedrest。NobodywasleftthenbutChadandJack，andJackwasadogwithabellytofeedandwentforlessthannothingwitheverybodybuthislittlemasterandthechancemountaineerwhohadsheeptoguard。So，forthefourthtime，Chad，withJackathisheels，trudgeduptothepointofawoodedspurabovethecabin，where，atthefootofagiantpoplarandunderawildernessofshakingJuneleaves，werethreepilesofroughboards，looselycoveringthreehillocksofrain-beatenearth；and，nearthem，anopengrave。
Therewasnoservicesungorspokenoverthedead，forthecircuit-riderwasthenmonthsaway；so，unnoticed，Chadstoodbehindthebigpoplar，watchingtheneighborsgentlyletdownintotheshallowtrenchahome-madecoffin，rudelyhollowedfromthehalfofabee-gumlog，and，unnoticed，slippedawayatthefirstmuffledstrokeofthedirt——doublinghisfistsintohiseyesandstumblingagainstthegnarledbodiesoflaurelandrhododendronuntil，outinaclearsunnyspace，hedroppedonathick，velvetmatofmossandsobbedhimselftosleep。Whenheawoke，Jackwaslickinghisfaceandhesatup，dazedandyawning。Thesunwasdroppingfast，theravineswerefillingwithblueshadows，luminousandmisty，andafardrowsytinklingfromthevalleytoldhimthatcowswerestartinghomeward。Fromhabit，hesprangquicklytohisfeet，but，sharplyconsciousonasudden，droppedslowlybacktothemossagain，whileJack，whohadstarteddownthespur，circledbacktoseewhatthematterwas，andstoodwithupliftedfoot，muchpuzzled。
TherehadbeenaconsultationaboutChadearlythatmorningamongtheneighbors，andoldNathanCherry，wholivedoveronStoneCreek，inthenextcovebutone，saidthathewouldtakechargeoftheboy。Nathandidnotwaitfortheburial，butwentbackhomeforhiswagon，leavingwordthatChadwastostayallnightwithaneighborandmeethimatthedeath-strickencabinanhourbysun。TheoldmanmeanttohaveChadboundtohimforsevenyearsbylaw——theboyhadbeentoldthat——andNathanhateddogsasmuchasChadhatedNathan。Sotheladdidnotlielong。Hedidnotmeantobeboundout，nortohaveJackmistreated，andherosequicklyandJacksprangbeforehimdowntherockypathandtowardthehutthathadbeenahometoboth。Underthepoplar，Jacksniffedcuriouslyatthenew-madegrave，andChadcalledhimawaysosharplythatJack\'staildroopedandhecrepttowardhismaster，asthoughtoaskpardonforafaultofwhichhewasnotconscious。Foronemoment，Chadstoodlooking。Againthestrokeofthefallingearthsmotehisearsandhiseyesfilled；acuriouspaincaughthimbythethroatandhepassedon，whistling——downintotheshadowsbelowtotheopendoorofthecabin。
Itwasdeathlystill。Thehomespunbedclothesandhand-madequiltsofbrilliantcolorshadbeenthrowninaheapononeofthetwobedsofhickorywithes；thekitchenutensils——acraneandafewpotsandpans——hadbeenpiledonthehearth，alongwithstringsofherbsandbeansandredpepper-pods——allreadyforoldNathanwhenheshouldcomeoverforthem，nextmorning，withhiswagon。Notalivingthingwastobeheardorseenthatsuggestedhumanlife，andChadsatdowninthedeepeningloneliness，watchingtheshadowsriseupthegreenwallsthatboundhimin，andwonderingwhatheshoulddo，andwhereheshouldgo，ifhewasnottogotooldNathan；whileJack，whoseemedtoknowthatsomecrisiswascome，settledonhishaunchesalittlewayoff，towait，withperfectfaithandpatience，fortheboytomakeuphismind。
Itwasthefirsttime，perhaps，thatChadhadeverthoughtveryseriouslyabouthimself，orwonderedwhohewas，orwhencehehadcome。Diggingbackintohismemoryasfarashecould，itseemedtohimthatwhathadjusthappenednowhadhappenedtohimoncebefore，andthathehadsimplywanderedaway。Hecouldnotrecollectwherehehadstartedfromfirst，buthecouldrecallmanyoftheplaceswherehehadlived，andwhyhehadleftthem——usuallybecausesomebody，likeoldNathan，hadwantedtohavehimboundout，orhadmisusedJack，orwouldnotletthetwostrayoffintothewoodstogether，whentherewasnothingelsetobedone。Hehadstayedlongestwherehewasnow，becausetheoldmanandhissonandhisgirlhadalltakenagreatfancytoJack，andhadletthetwoguardcattleinthemountainsanddrivesheepand，iftheystayedoutinthewoodsovernight，struckneitherastrokeofhandnortongue。Theoldmotherhadbeenhismotherand，oncemore，Chadleanedhisheadagainstthewornlintelandweptsilently。Sofar，nobodyhadseemedtocareparticularlywhohewas，orwasnot——norhadChad。Mostpeoplewereverykindtohim，lookinguponhimasoneofthewanderingwaifsthatonefindsthroughouttheCumberland，uponwhomthegoodfolksofthemountainsdonotvisitthefather\'ssin。Heknewwhathewasthoughttobe，anditmatteredsolittle，sinceitmadenodiscriminationagainsthim，thathehadaccepteditwithoutquestion。Itdidnotmatternow，exceptasitboreonthequestionastowhereheshouldstarthisfeet。Itwasalongtimeforhimtohavestayedinoneplace，andtherovingmemories，stirredwithinhimnow，tookroot，doubtless，intherestlessspiritthathadledhisunknownancestorintothosemountainwildsaftertheRevolution。
Allthiswhilehehadbeensittingonthelowthreshold，withhiselbowsinthehollowsofhisthighsandhislefthandacrosshismouth。Oncemore，hemeanttobeboundtonoman\'sserviceand，atthefinalthoughtoflosingJack，thelibertylovinglittletrampspatoverhishandwithsharpdecisionandrose。
Justabovehimandacrossthebuckantlersoverthedoor，layalongflint-lockrifle；abullet-pouch，apowder-horn，andasmallraccoon-skinhaversackhungfromoneoftheprongs：andonthemtheboy\'seyesrestedlongingly。OldNathan，heknew，claimedthatthedeadmanhadowedhimmoney；
andhefurtherknewthatoldNathanmeanttotakeallhecouldlayhishandsoninpayment：butheclimbedresolutelyuponachairandtookthethingsdown，arguingthequestion，meanwhile：
\"UncleJimsaidonceheaimedtogivethisrifleguntome。Mebbehewasfoolin\'，butIdontbelieveheowedoleNathansomuch，an\'，anyways，hemutteredgrimly，\"IreckonUncleJimudkindo\'likefermetogitthebetterofthatoledevil——jesaLEETLE，anyways。\"
Therifle，heknew，wasalwaysloaded，therewasnotmuchpowderinthehornandtherewerenotmorethanadozenbulletsinthepouch，buttheywouldlasthimuntilhecouldgetfaraway。Nomorewouldhetake，however，thanwhathethoughthecouldgetalongwith——oneblanketfromthebedand，fromthefireplace，alittlebaconandaponeofcorn-bread\"An\'IKNOWAuntJanewouldn\'t\'a\'keeredabouttheseleetlefixin\'s，ferI
havetohave\'em，an\'IknowI\'veearned\'emanyways。\"
Thenheclosedthedoorsoftlyonthespiritsonthedeadwithin，andcaughttheshort，deerskinlatch-stringtothewoodenpinoutside。WithhisBarlowknife，heswiftlystrippedabarkstringfromapawpawbushnearby，foldedandtiedhisblanket，andwasswingingthelittlepacktohisshoulder，whenthetinkleofacow-bellcamethroughthebushes，closeathand。OldNance，leanandpied，wascominghome；hehadforgottenher，itwasgettinglate，andhewasanxioustoleaveforfearsomeneighbormightcome；buttherewasnoonetomilkand，whenshedrewnearwithalowmoo，hesawthatherudderswerefullanddripping。Itwouldhurthertogounmilked，soChadputhisthingsdownandtookupacedarpigginfromashelfoutsidethecabinanddidthetaskthoroughly——puttingthestrippingsinacupand，sostrongwasthehabitinhim，hurryingwithbothtotherudespring-houseandsettingthemincoolrunningwater。Amomentmoreandhehadhispackandhisrifleononeshoulderandwasclimbingthefenceatthewood-pile。Therehestoppedoncemorewithasuddenthought，andwrenchinglooseashortaxefromthefaceofahickorylog，staggeredundertheweightofhisweaponsupthemountain。Thesunwasyetanhourhighand，onthespur，heleanedhisrifleagainstthebigpoplarandsettoworkwithhisaxeonasaplingcloseby——talkingfranklynowtotheGodwhomadehim：
\"IreckonYouknowit，butI\'ma-goin\'torunawaynow。Ihain\'tgotnodaddyan\'nomammy，an\'Ihain\'tneverhadnoneasIknows——butAuntJanehyeh——she\'sbeenjes\'likeamothertomean\'I\'ma-doin\'ferherjes\'whutI
wishYou\'dhavesomebodydofermymother，efYouknowwharshe\'sa-layin\'。\"
Eightroundstickshecutswiftly——fourlongandfourshort——andwiththesehebuiltalowpen，asisthecustomofthemountaineers，closeaboutthefreshmound，and，borrowingaboardortwofromeachoftheothermounds，coveredthegravefromtherain。Thenhesunktheaxeintothetrunkofthegreatpoplarashighupashecouldreach——sothatitcouldeasilybeseen——andbrushingthesweatfromhisface，hekneltdown：
\"God！\"hesaid，simply，\"Ihain\'tnothin\'butaboy，butIgottoacklikeamannow。I\'ma-goin\'now。Idon\'tbelieveYoukeermuchandseemslikeIbringever\'bodybadluck：an\'I\'ma-goin\'toliveuphyehonthemountainjes\'aslongasIcan。IdontwantyoutothinkI\'ma-complainin\'——ferIain\'t。Onlyhitdoesseemsorto\'curiousthatYou\'dletmebedownhych——withmea-keerintfernobodynow，an\'nobodya-keerin\'ferme。ButThywaysisinscrutable——leastwise，that\'swhutthecircuit-ridersays——an\'Iain\'tgotawordmoretosay——Amen。\"
ChadrosethenandJack，whohadsatperfectlystill，withhisheadcockedtooneside，andhisearsstraightforwardinwonderoverthisstrangeproceeding，sprangintotheair，whenChadpickeduphisgun，and，withajoyfulbark，circledaclumpofbushesandspedback，leapingashighasthelittlefellow\'sheadandtryingtolickhisface——forJackwasarover，too。
Thesunwaslowwhenthetwowaifsturnedtheirbacksuponit，andtheblueshadowsinvalleyandravineweredarkeningfast。Downthespurtheywentswiftly——acrosstheriveranduptheslopeofPineMountain。Astheyclimbed，Chadheardthelastfaintsoundofacow-bellfarbelowhimandhestoppedshort，withalumpinhisthroatthathurt。Soondarknessfell，and，ontheverytop，theboymadeafirewithhisflintandsteel，cookedalittlebacon，warmedhiscorn-pone，munchedthemand，wrappinghisblanketaroundhimandlettingJackcurlintothehollowofhislegsandstomach，turnedhisfacetothekindlystarsandwenttosleep。
CHAPTER2
FIGHTINGTHEIRWAY
Twice，duringthenight，JackrousedhimbytryingtopushhimselffartherundertheblanketandChadrosetorebuildthefire。Thethirdtimehewasawakenedbythesubtleprescienceofdawnandhiseyesopenedonaflamingradianceintheeast。Againfromhabithestartedtospringhurriedlytohisfeetand，againsharplyconscious，helaydownagain。Therewasnowoodtocut，nofiretorekindle，nowatertocarryfromthespring，nocowtomilk，nocorntohoe；therewasnothingtodo——nothing。Morningaftermorning，withaday\'shardtoilataman\'staskbeforehim，whatwouldhenothavegiven，whenoldJimcalledhim，tohavestretchedhisachinglittlelegsdownthefoldsofthethickfeather-bedandslippedbackintothedeliciousrestofsleepanddreams？Nowhewashisownmasterand，withahappysenseoffreedom，hebrushedthedewfromhisfaceand，shiftingthechunkunderhishead，pulledhisoldcapdownalittlemoreononesideandclosedhiseyes。
ButsleepwouldnotcomeandChadhadhisfirstwonderovertheperverseresultofthefullchoicetodo，ornottodo。Atonce，thefirstkeensavoroffreedomgrewlesssweettohisnostrilsand，straightway，hebegantofeelthefirstpressureofthechainofdutiesthatwastobeforgedforhimoutofhisperfectliberty，linkbylink，andhelayvaguelywondering。
Meanwhile，thelakeofdullredbehindthejaggedlinesofroseandcrimsonthatstreakedtheeastbegantoglowandlookangry。Asheenoffieryvaporshotupwardandspreadswiftlyoverthemiracleofmistthathadbeenwroughtinthenight。Anoceanofitand，whiteandthickassnowdust，itfilledvalley，chasm，andravinewithmysteryandsilenceuptothedarkjuttingpointsanddarkwavinglinesofrangeafterrangethatlookedlikebreakers，surgedupbysomestrangenewlawfromanunder-seaoffoam；motionless，itsweptdownthevalleys，pouredswifttorrentsthroughhighgapsinthehillsandonelongnoiselesscataractoveralesserrange——allsilent，allmotionless，likeagreatwhiteseastilledinthefuryofastorm。Morningaftermorning，theboyhadlookeduponjustsuchglory，calmlywatchingthemistpart，likethewaters，fortheland，andthedaybreak，withonephrase，\"Lettherebelight，\"everinhismind——forChadknewhisBible。And，mostoften，insoftsplendor，trailingcloud-mist，andyellowlightleapingfromcresttocrest，andinthesingingofbirdsandtheshiningofleavesanddew——therewaslight。
ButthatmorningtherewasahushinthewoodsthatChadunderstood。Onasudden，alightwindscurriedthroughthetreesandshoweredthemistdropsdown。Thesmokefromhisfireshotthroughthelowundergrowth，withoutrising，andthestartingmistsseemedtoclutchwithlong，whitefingersatthetree-tops，asthoughloathtoleavethesafe，warmearthfortheupperair。Alittlelater，hefeltsomegreatshadowbehindhim，andheturnedhisfacetoseeblackcloudsmarshallingoneitherflankoftheheavensandfittingtheirblackwingstogether，asthoughtheretreatingforcesofthenightweregatheringforalastsweepagainsttheeast。Aswordflashedblindinglyfromthedomehighabovethemand，afterit，cameoneshakingpealthatmighthavebeenthecommandtocharge，forChadsawtheblackhostsstartfiercely。Afaroff，thewindwascoming；thetreesbegantoswayabovehim，andthelevelseaofmistbelowbegantoswell，andthewoodedbreakersseemedtopitchangrily。
Challengingtonguesranquiveringuptheeast，andthelakeofredcoalsunderthembegantoheavefiercelyinanswer。Oneithersidethelightningleapedupwardandforward，strikingstraightandlow，sometimes，asthoughitwererippingupthehorizontoletintotheconflictthehostofdroppingstars。
Thentheartilleryofthethundercrashedinearnestthroughtheshakingheavens，andthemistsbelowpitchedlikesmokebelchedfromgiganticunseencannon。Thecomingsunansweredwithupleapingswordsoffireand，astheblackthunderhostssweptoverhead，Chadsaw，foronemoment，thewholeeastinawrithingstormoffire。Athickdarknessrosefromthefirstcrashofbattleand，withtherushofwindandrain，themightyconflictwentonunseen。
Chadhadseenotherstormsatsunrise，butsomethinghappenednowandhecouldneverrecalltheothersnoreverforgetthis。Allitmeanttohim，youngashewasthen，wasunrolledslowlyastheyearscameon——morethanthefirstgreatrebellionofthepowersofdarknesswhen，inthebeginning，theMastergavethefirstcommandthatthesevendays\'workofHishandshouldfloatthroughspace，smittenwiththewelcomingraysofamillionsuns；morethanthebeginningthusoflight——oflife；moreeventhanthefirstbirthofaspiritinalivingthing：for，longafterward，heknewthatitmeantthedawnofanewconsciousnesstohim——thebirthofanewspiritwithinhim，andtheforeshadowedpainofitsslowmasteryoverhispassion-rackedbodyandheart。
Neverwasthereacrisis，bodilyorspiritual，onthebattle-fieldoraloneunderthestars，thatthisstormdidnotcomebacktohim。And，always，throughalldoubt，and，indeed，intheendwhenitcametohimforthelasttimeonhisbedofdeath，theslowandsullendispersionofwindandrainonthemountainthatmorningfar，farbackinhismemory，andthequickcomingoftheSun-king\'svictoriouslightoverthegladhillsandtreesheldouttohimthepromiseofafinalvictorytotheSun-king\'sKingoverthedarknessofalldeathandthefinalcomingtohisownbravespiritofpeaceandrest。
SoChad，withJackdrawnclosetohim，layback，awe-strickenandwithhisfacewetfrommysterioustears。Thecomfortofthechildishself-pitythatcamewitheverythoughtofhimself，wandering，alostspiritalongthemountain-tops，wasgonelikeadreamandreadyinhisheartwasthestrongnewpurposetostrikeintotheworldforhimself。Heeventookitasagoodomen，whenherose，tofindhisfirequenched，thestopperofhispowder-hornout，andthepreciousblackgrainsscatteredhopelesslyonthewetearth。Therewerebarelymorethanthreechargesleft，andsomethinghadtobedoneatonce。First，hemustgetfartherawayfromoldNathan：theneighborsmightsearchforhimandfindhimandtakehimback。
Sohestartedout，briskandshivering，alongtheridgepathwithJackbouncingbeforehim。Anhourlater，hecameuponahollowtree，filledwithdotywoodwhichhecouldtearoutwithhishandsandhebuiltafireandbroiledalittlemorebacon。
Jackgotonlyabitthistimeandbarkedreproachfullyformore；butChadshookhisheadandthedogstartedout，withbotheyesopen，tolookforhisownfood。Thesunwashighenoughnowtomakethedrenchedworldflashlikeanemeraldanditswarmthfeltgood，asChadtrampedthetopmostedgeofPineMountain，wherethebrushwasnotthickandwhere，indeed，heoftenfoundapathrunningashortwayandturningintosomeravine——thetrailofcattleandsheepandthepathwaybetweenonelittlevalleysettlementandanother。Hemusthavemadetenmilesandmorebynoon——forhewasasturdywalkerandastirelessalmostasJack——andtenmilesisalongwayinthemountains，evennow。So，already，Chadwasfarenoughawaytohavenofearofpursuit，evenifoldNathanwantedhimback，whichwasdoubtful。Onthetopofthenextpoint，JacktreedasquirrelandChadtookarestandbroughthimdown，shotthroughtheheadand，thenandthere，skinnedandcookedhimanddividedwithJacksquarely。
\"Jack，\"hesaid，ashereloadedhisgun，\"wecan\'tkeepthisupmuchlonger。I
hain\'tgotmore\'ntwomoreloadso\'powderhere。\"
And，thereupon，Jackleapedsuddenlyintheairand，turningquitearound，lightedwithhisnosepointed，asitwasbeforehesprang。Chadcockedtheoldgunandsteppedforward。Alowhissingwhirroseafewfeettoonesideofthepathand，verycarefully，theboyclimbedafallentrunkandedgedhisway，verycarefully，towardthesound：andthere，byadeadlimbandwithhisuglyheadrearedthreeinchesabovehiscoilofsprings，wasarattlesnake。Thesuddenhateintheboy\'sfacewascurious——itwasinstinctive，primitive，deadly。Hemustshootoff-handnowandhelookeddownthelongbarrel，shadedwithtin，untilthesightcaughtononeofthebeady，unblinkingeyesandpulledthetrigger。Jackleapedwiththesound，inspiteofChad\'syellofwarning，whichwasuseless，fortheballhadgonetrueandthepoisonwassetlooseintheblack，crushedhead。
\"Jack，\"saidChad，\"wejustGOTtogodownnow。\"
Sotheywentonswiftlythroughtheheatoftheearlyafternoon。Itwasverysilentupthere。Nowandthen，abrilliantblue-jaywouldliltfromastuntedoakwiththeflute-likelove-notesofspring；oralonelylittlebrownfellowwouldhopwithalowchirpfromonebushtoanotherasthoughhehadbeenlostupthereforyearsandhadgrownquitehopelessaboutseeinghiskindagain。
Whentherewasagapinthemountains，hecouldhearthequerulous，senselesslove-quarrelofflickersgoingonbelowhim；passingadeepravine，thenoteofthewood-thrush——thatshylyristofthehills——mightrisetohimfromadensecovertofmapleandbeech：or，withastartlingcall，ared-crestedcockofthewoodswouldbeathiswhite-stripedwingsfromspurtospur，asthoughhewerekeepingclosetothelongswellsofanunseensea。Severaltimes，apertflickersquattinglikeaknottoadeadlimborthecrimsonplumeofacockofthewoods，asplainasasplashofbloodonawallofvividgreen，temptedhimtoletloosehislastload，buthewithstoodthem。Alittlelater，hesawafreshbear-tracknearaspringbelowtheheadofaravine；and，laterstill，heheardthefar-awaybarkingofahoundandadeerleapedlightlyintoanopensunnyspotandstoodwithupliftedhoofandpointedears。Thiswastoomuchandtheboy\'sgunfollowedhishearttohisthroat，butthebuckspranglightlyintothebushandvanishednoiselessly。
Thesunhaddroppedmidwaybetweenthezenithandthebluebulksrollingwestwardand，atthenextgap，abroaderpathranthroughitanddownthemountain。This，Chadknew，ledtoasettlementand，withalastlookofchokingfarewelltohisownworld，heturneddown。Atonce，thesenseofpossiblehumancompanionshipwascuriouslypotent：atonce，theboy\'shalf-wildmannerchangedand，thoughalertandstillwatchful，hewhistledcheerilytoJack，threwhisgunoverhisshoulder，andwalkederectandconfident。Hispaceslackened。Carelesslynowhisfeettrampedbedsofsoftexquisitemossandlonelittlesettlementsofforget-me-nots，andhislongriflebarrelbrushedlaurelblossomsdowninashowerbehindhim。Onceeven，hepickeduponeoftheprettybellsandlookedidlyatit，turningitbottomupward。Thewaxencupmighthaveblossomedfromatinywaxenstar。Therewasalittlegreenstarforacalyx；abovethis，alittlewhitestarwithitsprongsoutstretched——tinyarmstoholdupthepink-fleckedchalicefortherainanddew。Therecameatimewhenhethoughtofitasastar-blossom；butnowhisgreedytonguesweptthehoneyfromitandhedroppeditwithoutanotherthoughttotheground。Atthefirstspurdownwhichtheroadturned，hecouldseesmokeinthevalley。Thelaurelbloomsandrhododendronbellshunginthickerclustersandofadeeperpink。Hereandtherewasablossomingwildcucumberandanumbrella-treewithhugerflowersandleaves；and，sometimes，agiantmagnoliawithathickcreamyflowerthattheboycouldnothavespannedwithbothhandsandbig，thinovalleaves，aman\'sstridefromtiptostem。
Soon，hewasbelowthesunlightandinthecoolshadowswherethewaterrannoisilyandtheairhummedwiththewingsofbeesOnthelastspur，hecameuponacowbrowsingonsassafras-bushesrightinthepathandthelastshadowofhislonelinessstraightwaylefthim。Shewasold，mild，andunfearing，andshestarteddowntheroadinfrontofhimasthoughshethoughthehadcometodriveherhome，orasthoughsheknewhewashomelessandwasleadinghimtoshelter。Alittlefartheron，theriverflashedupawelcometohimthroughthetreesandattheedgeofthewater，hermellowbellledhimdownstreamandhefollowed。Inthenexthollow，hestoopedtodrinkfromabranchthatranacrosstheroadand，whenherosetostartagain，hisbarefeetstoppedasthoughrivensuddenlytotheground；for，halfwayupthenextlowslope，wasanotherfigureasmotionlessashis——withabarehead，barefeet，astartledfaceandwideeyes——butmotionlessonlyuntiltheeyesmethis：thentherewasaflashofbrighthairandscarlethomespun，andthelittlefeet，thathadtroddownthecenturiestomeethis，lefttheearthasthoughtheyhadwingsandChadsawthem，inswiftflight，passsilentlyoverthehill。Thenextmoment，Jackcametooneartheoldbrindleand，withasweepofherhornsathimandatossoftailandheelsintheair，she，too，sweptovertheslopeandon，untilthesoundofherbellpassedoutofhearing。Evento-day，inlonelypartsoftheCumberland，thesuddencomingofastrangermayputwomenandchildrentoflight——somethinglikethishadhappenedbeforetoChad——butthesuddendesertionandthesuddensilencedrewhiminaflashbacktothelonelycabinhehadleftandthelonelygravesunderthebigpoplarand，withaquiveringlip，hesatdown。Jack，too，droppedtohishaunchesandsathopeless，butnotforlong。ThechillofnightwascomingonandJackwasgettinghungry。Soherosepresentlyandtrottedaheadandsquattedagain，lookingbackandwaiting。ButstillChadsatirresoluteandinamoment，Jackheardsomethingthatdisturbedhim，forhethrewhisearstowardthetopofthehilland，withagrowl，trottedbacktoChadandsatclosetohim，lookinguptheslope。Chadrosethenwithhisthumbonthelockofhisgunandoverthehillcameatallfigureandashortone，aboutChad\'ssizeandadog，withwhitefeetandwhiteface，thatwasbiggerthanJack：andbehindthem，threemorefigures，oneofwhichwasthetallestofthegroup。AllstoppedwhentheysawChad，whodroppedthebuttofhisgunatoncetotheground。Atoncethestrangedog，withalowsnarl，starteddowntowardthetwolittlestrangerswithhisyellowearspointed，thehairbristlingalonghisback，andhisteethinsight。Jackansweredthechallengewithaneagerwhimper，butdroppedhistail，atChad\'ssharpcommand——forChaddidnotcaretomeettheworldasanenemy，whenhewaslookingforafriend。Thegroupstooddumbwithastonishmentforamomentandthesmallboy\'smouthwaswide-openwithsurprise，butthestrangedogcameonwithhistailrigid，andliftinghisfeethigh。
\"Begone！\"saidChad，sharply，butthedogwouldnotbegone；hestillcameonasthoughbentonafight。
\"Callyo\'dogoff，\"Chadcalledaloud。\"Mydog\'llkillhim。Youbettercallhimoff，\"hecalledagain，insomeconcern，butthetallboyinfrontlaughedscornfully。
\"Let\'sseehim，\"hesaid，andthesmallonelaughed，too。
Chad\'seyesflashed——noboycanstandaninsulttohisdog——andthecurvesofhisopenlipssnappedtogetherinastraightredline。\"Allright，\"hesaid，placidly，and，beingtired，hedroppedbackonastonebythewaysidetoawaitresults。TheverytoneofhisvoicestruckallshacklesofrestraintfromJack，who，withaspringytrot，wentforwardslowly，asthoughheweremakingupadefiniteplanofaction；forJackhadafightingwayofhisown，whichChadknew。
\"Sickhim，Whizzer！\"shoutedthetallboy，andthegroupoffivehurriedeagerlydownthehillandhaltedinahalfcircleaboutJackandChad；sothatitlookedanunevenconflict，indeed，forthetwowaifsfromoverPineMountain。
Thestrangedogwasgameandwastednotime。WithaboundhecaughtJackbythethroat，tossedhimseveralfeetaway，andsprangforhimagain。Jackseemedhelplessagainstsuchstrengthandfury，butChad\'sfacewasasplacidasthoughithadbeenJackwhowasplayingthewinninggame。
Jackhimselfseemedlittledisturbed；hetookhispunishmentwithoutanoutcryofrageorpain。Youwouldhavethoughthehadquietlycometotheconclusionthatallhecouldhopetodowastostandthestrainuntilhisopponenthadwornhimselfout。ButthatwasnotJack\'sgame，andChadknewit。Thetallboywaschuckling，andhisbrotherofChad\'sagewasbentalmostdoublewithdelight。
\"Killmydawg，willhe？\"hecried，shrilly。
\"Oh，Lawdy！\"groanedthetallone。
Jackwasmuchbittenandchewedbythistime，and，whilehispluckandpurposeseemedunchanged，Chadhadrisentohisfeetandwasbeginningtolookanxious。Thethreesilentspectatorsbehindpressedforwardand，forthefirsttime，oneofthese——thetallestofthegroup——spoke：
\"Takeyo\'dawgoff，DawsDillon，\"hesaid，withquietauthority；butDawsshookhishead，andthelittlebrotherlookedindignant。
\"Hesaidhe\'dkillhim，\"saidDaws，tauntingly。
\"Yo\'dawg\'sbiggerandhitain\'tfair，\"saidtheotheragainand，seeingChad\'sworriedlook，hepressedsuddenlyforward；butChadhadbeguntosmile，andwassittingdownonhisstoneagain。Jackhadleapedthistime，withhisfirstgrowlduringthefight，andWhizzergaveasharpcryofsurpriseandpain。Jackhadcaughthimbythethroat，closebehindthejaws，andthebigdogshookandgrowledandshookagain。SometimesJackwasliftedquitefromtheground，butheseemedclampedtohisenemytostay。Indeedheshuthiseyes，finally，andseemedtogoquitetosleep。Thebigdogthreshedmadlyandswungandtwisted，howlingwithincreasingpainandterrorandincreasingweakness，whileJack\'sfacewasaspeacefulasthoughhewereapuppyoncemoreandhangingtohismother\'sneckinsteadofherbreast，asleep。Byandby，Whizzerceasedtoshakeandbegantopant；and，thereupon，Jacktookhisturnatshaking，gentlyatfirst，butwithmaddeningregularityandwithoutatalllooseninghishold。Thebigdogwastooweaktoresistsoonand，whenJackbegantojerksavagely，Whizzerbegantogasp。
\"YoutakeYO\'dawgoff，\"calledDaws，sharply。
Chadnevermoved。
\"Willyousay\'noughforhim？\"heasked，quietly；andthetalloneofthesilentthreelaughed。
\"Callhimoff，Itellye，\"repeatedDaws，savagely；butagainChadnevermoved，andDawsstartedforaclub。Chad\'snewfriendcameforward。
\"Hol\'on，now，hol\'on，\"hesaid，easily。\"Noneo\'that，Ireckon。\"
Dawsstoppedwithanoath。\"Whutyougottodowiththis，TomTurner？\"
\"Youstartedthisfight，\"saidTom。
\"Idon\'tkeerefIdid——takehimoff，\"Dawsanswered，savagely。
\"Willyousay\'noughferhim？\"saidChadagain，andagainTallTomchuckled。
ThelittlebrotherclinchedhisfistsandturnedwhitewithfearforWhizzerandfuryforChad，whileDawslookedatthetallTurner，shookhisheadfromsidetoside，likeabalkingsteer，anddroppedhiseyes。
\"Y-e-s，\"hesaid，sullenly。
\"Sayit，then，\"saidChad，andthistimeTallTomroaredaloud，andevenhistwosilentbrotherslaughed。AgainDaws，withafuriousoath，startedforthedogswithhisclub，butChad\'sallysteppedbetween。
\"Yousay\'nough，DawsDillon，\"hesaid，andDawslookedintothequiethalf-smilingfaceandatthestalwarttwogrinningbehind。
\"Takin\'upaginyo\'neighborsferawood-colt\'airye？\"
\"I\'ma-takin\'upferwhat\'srightandfair。Howdoyouknowhe\'sawood-colt——an\'supposeheis？Yousay\'noughnow，or——\"
AgainDawslookedatthedogs。Jackhadtakenafreshgripandwasshakingsavagelyandsteadily。Whizzer\'stonguewasout——oncehisthroatrattled。
\"Nough！\"growledDaws，angrily，andthewordwashardlyjerkedfromhislipsbeforeChadwasonhisfeetandpryingJack\'sjawsapart。\"Heain\'tmuchhurt，\"hesaid，lookingatthebloodyholdwhichJackhadclampedonhisenemy\'sthroat，\"buthe\'da-killedhimthough，heal\'aysdoes。Tharain\'tnochanceferNOdog，whenJackgitsTHAThold。\"
Thenheraisedhiseyesandlookedintothequiveringfaceoftheownerofthedog——thelittlefellow——who，withthebellowofayearlingbull，sprangathim。AgainChad\'slipstookastraightredlineandbeingononekneewasanadvantage，for，ashesprangup，hegotbothunderholdsandtherewasamightytussle，thespectatorsyellingwithfranticdelight。
\"Triphim，Tad，\"shoutedDaws，fiercely。
\"Sticktohim，littleun，\"shoutedTom，andhisbrothers，stoicalDolphandRube，dancedaboutmadly。Evenwithunderholds，Chad，beingmuchtheshorterofthetwo，hadnoadvantagethathedidnotneed，and，withasharpthud，thetwofiercelittlebodiesstrucktheroadsidebyside，spurtingupacloudofdust。
\"Dawg——fall！\"criedRube，andDolphrushedforwardtopullthecombatantsapart。
\"Hedon\'tfightfair，\"saidChad，panting，andrubbinghisrighteyewhichhisenemyhadtriedto\"gouge\"；\"butlemmeathim——Icanfightthataway，too。\"
TallTomheldthemapart。
\"You\'retoolittle，andhedon\'tfightfair。Ireckonyoubettergoonhome——youtwo——an\'yo\'meandawg，\"hesaidtoDaws；andthetwoDillons——theonesullenandtheothercryingwithrage——movedawaywithWhizzerslinkingclosetothegroundafterthem。Butatthetopofthehillbothturnedwithbanteringyells，derisivewrigglingoftheirfingersattheirnoses，andwithotherrudegestures。And，thereupon，DolphandRubewantedtogoafterthem，butthetallbrotherstoppedthemwithaword。
\"That\'saboutallthey\'refitfer，\"hesaid，contemptuously，andheturnedtoChad。
\"Wharyoufrom，littleman，an\'wharyougoin\'，an\'whatmoughtyo\'namebe？\"
Chadtoldhisname，andwherehewasfrom，andstopped。
\"Wharyougoin\'？\"saidTomagain，withoutawordorlookofcomment。
Chadknewthedisgraceandthesuspicionthathisanswerwaslikelytogenerate，buthelookedhisquestionerinthefacefearlessly。
\"Idon\'tknowwharI\'mgoin\'。\"
Thebigfellowlookedathimkeenly，butkindly。
\"Youain\'tlyin\'an\'Ireckonyoubettercomewithus。\"Heturnedforthefirsttimetohisbrothersandthetwonodded。
\"Youan\'yo\'dawg，thoughMammydon\'tlikedawgsmuch；butyouairastrangeran\'youain\'tafeerd，an\'youcanfight——youan\'yo\'dawg——an\'IknowDad\'lltakeyebothin。\"
SoChadandJackfollowedthelongstridesofthethreeTurnersoverthehillandtothebendoftheriver，wherewerethreelongcanefishing-poleswiththeirbuttsstuckinthemud——thebrothershadbeenfishing，whentheflyingfigureofthelittlegirltoldthemofthecomingofastrangerintothoselonelywilds。Takingtheseup，theystrodeon——ChadafterthemandJacktrotting，incheerfulconfidence，behind。ItisprobablethatJacknoticed，assoonasChad，theswirlofsmokerisingfromabroadravinethatspreadintobroadfields，skirtedbythegreatsweepoftheriver，forhesniffedtheairsharply，andtrottedsuddenlyahead。ItwasacheeringsightforChad。Twonegroslaveswerecomingfromworkinacorn-fieldcloseby，andJack\'shairrosewhenhesawthem，and，withagrowl，heslunkbehindhismaster。Dazed，Chadlookedatthem。
\"Whut\'vethemfellersgotontheirfaces？\"heasked。Tomlaughed。
\"Hain\'tyounuverseedaniggerafore？\"heasked。
Chadshookhishead。
\"Lotso\'folksfromyo\'sideo\'themountainsnuverhaveseedanigger，\"saidTom。\"Sometimeshitskeers\'em。\"
\"Hitdon\'tskeerme，\"saidChad。
Atthegateofthebarn-yard，inwhichwasalongstablewithadeeplyslopingroof，stoodtheoldbrindlecow，whoturnedtolookatJack，and，asChadfollowedthethreebrothersthroughtheyardgate，hesawaslimscarletfigurevanishswiftlyfromtheporchintothehouse。
Inafewminutes，Chadwasinsidethebiglogcabinandbeforeabiglog-fire，withJackbetweenhiskneesandturninghissofthumaneyeskeenlyfromonetoanotherofthegroupabouthislittlemaster，tellinghowthemountaincholerahadcarriedoffthemanandthewomanwhohadbeenfatherandmothertohim，andtheirchildren；atwhichtheoldmothernoddedherheadingrowingsympathy，forthereweretwofreshmoundsinherowngraveyardonthepointofalowhillnotfaraway；howoldNathanCherry，whomhehated，hadwantedtobindhimout，andhow，ratherthanhaveJackmistreatedandhimselfbeill-used，hehadrunawayalongthemountain-top；howhehadsleptonenightunderalogwithJacktokeephimwarm；howhehadeatensassafrasandbirchbackandhadgottendrinkfromthegreenwater-bulbsofthewildhoneysuckle；
andhow，onthesecondday，beinghungry，andwithoutpowderforhisgun，hehadstarted，whenthesunsank，fortheshadowsofthevalleyatthemouthofKingdomCome。Beforehewasdone，theoldmotherknockedtheashesfromherclaypipeandquietlywentintothekitchen，andJack，forallhisgoodmanners，couldnotrestrainawhineofeagernesswhenheheardthecrackleofbaconinafrying-panandthedelicioussmellofitstruckhisquiveringnostrils。Afterdark，oldJoel，thefatherofthehouse，camein——agiantinsizeandamightyhunter——andheslappedhisbigthighsandroareduntiltheraftersseemedtoshakewhenTallTomtoldhimaboutthedog-fightandtheboy-fightwiththefamilyinthenextcove：foralreadytheclanshipwasformingthatwastoaddthelasthorrortothecominggreatwarandprolongthathorrorfornearlyhalfacenturyafteritsclose。
Byandby，thescarletfigureoflittleMelissacameshylyoutofthedarkshadowsbehindanddrewshylycloserandcloser，untilshewascrouchedinthechimneycornerwithherfaceshadedfromthefirebyonehandandatangleofyellowhair，listeningandwatchinghimwithherbig，solemneyes，quitefearlessly。Alreadythehousewasfullofchildrenanddependents，butnowordpassedbetweenoldJoelandtheoldmother，fornowordwasnecessary。Twowaifswhohadsosufferedandwhocouldsofightcouldhaveahomeunderthatroofiftheypleased，forever。AndChad\'ssturdylittlebodylaydeepinafeather-bed，andthefriendlyshadowsfromabigfireplaceflickeredhardlythriceoverhimbeforehewasasleep。AndJack，forthatnightatleast，wasallowedtocurlupbythecoveredcoals，orstretchouthistiredfeet，ifhepleased，toawarmththatinallthenightsofhislife，perhaps，hehadneverknownbefore。
CHAPTER3。A\"BLABSCHOOL\"ONKINGDOMCOME
Chadwasawakenedbythetouchofacoldnoseathisear，theraspofawarmtongueacrosshisface，andthetugoftwopawsathiscover。Gitdown，Jack！\"
hesaid，andJack，withawhimperofsatisfaction，wentbacktothefirethatwasroaringupthechimney，andadeepvoicelaughedandcalled：
\"IreckonyoubettergitUP，littleman！\"
OldJoelwasseatedatthefirewithhishugelegscrossedandapipeinhismouth。Itwasbeforebusilyastir。Therewasthesoundoftrampinginthefrostyairoutsideandthenoiseofgettingbreakfastreadyinthekitchen。AsChadsprangup，hesawMelissa\'syellowhairdropoutofsightbehindthefootofthebedinthenextcorner，andheturnedhisfacequickly，and，slippingbehindthefootofhisownbedandintohiscoatandtrousers，wassoonatthefirehimself，witholdJoellookinghimoverwithshrewdkindliness。
\"Yo\'dawg\'sgotaheapo\'sense，\"saidtheoldhunter，andChadtoldhimhowoldJackwas，andhowacattle-buyerfromthe\"settlements\"oftheBluegrasshadgivenhimtoChadwhenJackwasbadlyhurtandhisownerthoughthewasgoingtodie。AndhowChadhadnursedhimandhowthetwohadalwaysbeentogethereversince。Throughthedoorofthekitchen，Chadcouldseetheoldmotherwithhercraneandpotsandcooking-pans；outside，hecouldhearthemoooftheoldbrindle，thebleatofhercalf，thenickerofahorse，onelustysheep-call，andthehungrybellowofyoungcattleatthebarn，whereTallTomwasfeedingthestock。PresentlyRubestampedinwithabacklogandDolphcamethroughwithamilk-pail。
\"Icanmilk，\"saidChad，eagerly，andDolphlaughed。
\"Allright，I\'llgiveyeachance，\"hesaid，andoldJoellookedpleased，foritwasplainthatthelittlestrangerwasnotgoingtobeadroneinthehousehold，and，takinghispipefromhismouthbutwithoutturninghishead，hecalledout：
\"Gitupthar，Melissy。\"
Gettingnoanswer，helookedaroundtofindMelissastandingatthefootofthebed。
\"Comeheretothefire，littlegal，nobody\'sagointoeatye。\"
Melissacameforward，twistingherhandsinfrontofher，andstood，rubbingonebarefootovertheotheronthehearth-stones。SheturnedherfacewithablushwhenChadsuddenlylookedather，and，thereafter，thelittlemangazedsteadilyintothefireinordertoembarrasshernomore。
Withthebreakingoflightoverthemountain，breakfastwasoverandtheworkofthedaybegan。Tomwasofftohelpaneighbor\"snake\"logsdownthemountainandintoKingdomCome，wheretheywouldbe\"rafted\"andfloatedondowntherivertothecapital——ifasummertideshouldcome——tobeturnedintofinehousesforthepeopleoftheBluegrass。DolphandRubedisappearedatoldJoel\'sorderto\"gomeetthemsheep。\"Melissahelpedhermotherclearawaythetableandwashthedishes；andChad，outofthetailofhiseye，sawhersurreptitiouslyfeedinggreedyJack，whileoldJoelstillsatbythefire，smokingsilently。Chadsteppedoutside。Theairwaschill，butthemistswererisingandalongbandofrich，warmlightlayoveraslopingspuruptheriver，andwherethismetthebluemorningshadows，thedewwasbeginningtodripandtosparkle。Chadcouldnorstandinactionlong，andhiseyelightedupwhenheheardagreatbleatingatthefootofthespurandtheshoutsofmenandboys。Justthentheoldmothercalledfromtherearofthecabin。
\"Joel，themsheepaircomin\'！\"
ThebigformoftheoldhunterfilledthedoorwayandJackboundedoutbetweenhislegs？whilelittleMelissaappearedwithtwobooks，readyforschool。Downtheroadcametheflockofleanmountain-sheep，DolphandRubedrivingthem。
Behind，slouchedtheDillontribe——DawsandWhizzerandlittleTad；Daws\'sfather，oldTad，long，lean！stooping，crafty：andtwonewonescousinstoDaws——JakeandJerry，thegianttwins。\"JoelTurner，\"saidoldTad，sourly，\"here\'syo\'sheep！\"
JoelhadboughttheDillons\'sheepandmeanttodrivethemtothecounty-seattenmilesdowntheriver。Therehadevidentlybeenadisagreementbetweenthetwowhenthetradewasmade，forJoelpulledoutagraypouchofcoonskin，tookfromitarollofbills，and，withoutcountingthem，heldthemout。
\"TadDillon，\"hesaid，shortly，\"here\'syo\'money！
TheDillonfathergavepossessionwithagestureandtheDillonfaction，includingWhizzerandthegianttwins，drewasidetogether——thefathermorose；
DawswatchingDolphandRubewithalookofmuchmeanness；littleTadbehindhim，watchingChad，hisfacescrewedupwithhate；andWhizzer，pretendingnottoseeJack，butdartingasurreptitiousglanceathimnowandthen，forthenandtherewasstartingafeudthatwastorunfiercelyon，longafterthewarwasdone。
\"Gitmyhoss，Rube，\"saidoldJoel，andRubeturnedtothestable，whileDolphkeptaneyeonthesheep，whichwerelyingontheroadorstragglingdowntheriver。AsRubeopenedthestable-door，adirtywhiteobjectboundedout，andRube，withaloudcurse，tumbledoverbackwardintothemud，whileafierceoldramdashedwithatriumphantbleatfortheopengate。Beelzebub，astheTurnermotherhadchristenedthemischievousbrute，hadbeenplacedinthewrongstallandBeelzebubwasmakingforfreedom。HegaveanothertriumphantbaaashesweptbetweenDolph\'slegsandthroughthegate，and，withanansweringchorus，thesillysheepsprangtotheirfeetandfollowed。Asheephateswater，butnotmorethanhelovesaleader，andBeelzebubfearednothing。Straightforthewaterofthelowfordtheoldconquerormadeand，inthewakeofhismasterfulsummons，theflockswept，likeaMormonhousehold，afterhim。Thenwasthereacommotionindeed。OldJoelshoutedandswore；
DolphshoutedandsworeandRubeshoutedandswore。OldDillonsmiledgrimly，DawsandlittleTadshoutedwithderisivelaughter，andthebigtwinsgrinned。
Themothercametothedoor，broominhand，and，withafrowningface，watchedthesheepsplashthroughthewaterandintothewoodsacrosstheriver。LittleMelissalookedfrightened。Whizzer，losinghishead，hadrundownafterthesheep，barkingandhasteningtheirflight，untilcalledbackwithamightycursefromoldJoel，whileJacksatonhishauncheslookingatChadandwaitingfororders。
\"Goddlemighty！\"saidJoel，\"howairwegoin\'togitthemsheepback？\"Upanduprosethebleatingandbaaing，forBeelzebub，liketheprinceofdevilsthathewas，seemedbentonmakingallthemischiefpossible。
\"HowAIRwegoin\'togit\'emback？\"
Chadnoddedthen，andJackwithaneageryelpmadefortheriver——Whizzerathisheels。AgainoldJoelyelledfuriously，asdidDolphandRube，andWhizzerstoppedandturnedbackwithadroopingtail，butJackplungedin。HeknewbutonevoicebehindhimandChad\'swasnotinthechorus。
\"Callyo\'dawgback，boy，\"saidJoel，sternly，andChadopenedhislipswithanythingbutacallforJacktocomeback——itwasinsteadafinehighyellofencouragementandoldJoelwasspeechless。
\"Thatdawg\'llkillthemsheep，\"saidDawsDillonaloud。
Joel\'sfacewasredandhiseyesrolled。
\"Callthatdamnedfeistback，Itellye，\"heshoutedatlast。\"Hyeh，Rube，gitmygun，gitmygun！\"
Rubestartedforthehouse，butChadlaughed。Jackhadreachedtheotherbanknow，andwasflashinglikeaballofgraylightthroughtheweedsandupintothewoods；andChadslippeddownthebankandintotheriver，hieinghimonexcitedly。
Joelwasbesidehimselfandhe，too，lumbereddowntotheriver，followedbyDolph，whiletheDillonsroaredfromtheroad。
\"Boy！\"heroared。\"Eh，boy，eh！what\'shisname，Dolph？Callhimback，Dolph，callthelittledevilback。IfIdon\'twearhimoutwithahickory；hollerfer\'em，damn\'em！Heh-o-oo-ee！\"Theoldhunter\'sbellowrangthroughthewoodslikeadinner-horn。Dolphwasshouting，too，butJackandChadseemedtohavegonestone-deaf；andRube，whohadrundownwiththegun，startedwithanoathintotheriverhimself，butJoelhaltedhim。
\"Hol\'on，hol\'on！\"hesaid，listening。\"Bytheeternal，he\'sa-roundin\'\'emup！\"Thesheepwereevidentlymuchscattered，tojudgefromthebleating，buthere，there，andeverywhere，theycouldhearJack\'sbark，whileChadseemedtohavestoppedinthewoodsand，fromoneplace，wasshoutingorderstohisdog。
Plainly，Jackwasnosheep-killerandbyandbyDolphandRubeleftoffshouting，andoldJoel\'sfacebecameplacidandallofthemfromswearinghelplesslyfelltowaitingquietly。Soonthebleatingbecamelessandless，andbegantoconcentrateonthemountain-side。Notfarbelow，theycouldhearChad：
Coo-oo-sheep！Coo-oo-sh\'p-cooshy-cooshy-coo-oo-sheep！\"
Thesheepwereanswering。Theywerecomingdownaravine，andChad\'svoicerangoutabove：
\"Somebodycomeacross，an\'standoneachsideo\'theholler。\"
DolphandRubewadedacrossthen，andsoonthesheepcamecrowdingdownthenarrowravinewithJackbarkingbehindthemandChadshooingthemdown。ButforDolphandRube，Beelzebubwouldhaveledthemupordowntheriver，anditwashardworktogethimintothewateruntilJack，whoseemedtoknowwhatthematterwas，sharplynippedseveralsheepnearhim。Thesesprangviolentlyforward，thewholeflockinfrontpushedforward，too，andBeelzebubwasthrustfromthebank。Nothingelsebeingpossible，theoldramsettledhimselfwithasnortintothewaterandmadefortheothershore。ChadandJackfollowedand，whentheyreachedtheroad，Beelzebubwasagainaprisoner；thesheep，swollenlikesponges，werestragglingdowntheriver，andDillonsandTurnerswerestandingaroundinsilence。Jackshookhimselfanddroppedpantinginthedustathismaster\'sfeet，withoutsomuchasanupwardglanceoraliftofhisheadforapatofpraise。AsoldJoelraisedonefootheavilytohisstirrup，hegrunted，quietly：
\"Well，Ibedamned。\"Andwhenhewascomfortablyinhissaddlehesaidagain，withunction：
\"IDObedamned。I\'lljusttakethatdawgtohelpdrivethemsheepdowntotown。Comeon，boy。\"
Chadstartedjoyfully，buttheoldmothercalledfromthedoor：\"Who\'sa-goin\'
totakethisgaltoschool，I\'dliketoknow？\"
OldJoelpulledinhishorse\'straightenedoneleg，andlookedallaround——firstattheDillons，whohadstartedaway，thenatDolphandRube，whoweremovingdeterminedlyafterthesheepitwasCourtDayintownandtheycouldnotmissCourtDay，andthenatChad，whohalted。
\"Boy，\"hesaid，\"don\'tyouwanttogotoschool——yououghttogotoschool？\"
\"Yes，\"saidChad，obediently，thoughthetriptotown——andChadhadneverbeentoatown——wasasoretemptation。
\"Goon，then，an\'telltheteacherIsentye。Here，Mammy——eh，what\'syo\'
name，boy？Oh，Mammy——Chad，here\'lltakeher。Takegoodkeero\'thatgal，boy，an\'learnyo\'a-b-abslikeamannow。\"
MelissacameshylyforwardfromthedoorandJoelwhistledtoJackandcalledhim，butJackthoughhelikednothingbetterthantodrivesheeplaystill，lookingatChad。
\"Go\'long，Jack，\"saidChad，andJacksprangupandwasoff，thoughhestoppedagainandlookedback，andChadhadtotellhimagaintogoon。Inamomentdog，men，andsheepweremovinginacloudofdustaroundabendintheroadandlittleMelissawasatthegate。
\"Takegoodkeerof\'Lissy，\"saidthemotherfromtheporch，kindly；andChad，curiouslytouchedallatoncebythetrustshownhim，stalkedaheadlikealittlesavage，whileMelissawithherbasketfollowedsilentlybehind。Theboyneverthoughtoftakingthebaskethimselfthatisnotthewayofmenwithwomeninthehillsandnotoncedidhelookaroundorspeakonthewayuptheriverandpasttheblacksmith\'sshopandthegrist-milljustbeyondthemouthofKingdomCome；butwhentheyarrivedatthelogschool-houseitwashisturntobeshyandhehungbacktoletMelissagoinfirst。Within，therewasnofloorbutthebareearth，nowindowbutthecracksbetweenthelogs，andnodesksbuttheflatsidesofslabs，heldupbywobblingpegs。Ononesideweregirlsinlinseyandhomespunsomethin，undersized，underfed，andwithweak，dispiritedeyesandyellowtousledhair；others，round-faced，round-eyed，dark，andsturdy；mostofthemlarge-waistedandround-shouldered——especiallytheolderones——fromworkinthefields；but，nowandthen，onelikeMelissa，thedaughterofavalleyfarmer，erect，agile，spirited，intelligent。Ontheothersideweretheboys，inphysicalcharacteristicsthesameandsuggestingthesamesocialdivisions：atthetopthefarmer——nowandthenaslave-holderandperhapsofgentleblood——whohaddroppedbythewayonthewestwardmarchofcivilizationandhadclearedsomerichriverbottomandaneighboringsummitofthemountains，wherehesenthissheepandcattletograze；whereacreekopenedintothisvalleysomefree-settler，whosegrandfatherhadfoughtatKing\'sMountain——usuallyofScotch-Irishdescent，oftenEnglish，butsometimesGermanorsometimesevenHuguenot——wouldhavehisrudehomeoflogs；
underhim，andinwretchedcabinsattheheadofthecreekoronthewashedspurofthemountainabove，orinsome\"deadenin\"\'stillhigherupandsweptbymistsandlow-trailingclouds，thepoorwhitetrash——worthlessdescendantsoftheservileandsometimescriminalclasswhomighthavetracedtheiroriginbacktotheslumsofLondonhand-to-mouthtenantsofthevalley-aristocrat，hewersofwoodforhiminthelowlandsanduplandguardiansofhiscattleandsheep。Andfinally，walkingupanddowntheearthfloor——sternandsmoothoffaceandofapreternaturaldignityhardlytobefoundelsewhere——themountainschool-master。
Itwasa\"blabschool，\"asthemountaineerscharacterizeaschoolinwhichthepupilsstudyaloud，andthedroningchorusasshrillaslocustcriesceasedsuddenlywhenChadcamein，andeveryeyewasturnedonhimwithasexlessgazeofcuriositythatmadehisfacereddenandhisheartthrob。Butheforgotthemwhentheschool-masterpiercedhimwitheyesthatseemedtoshootfromunderhisheavybrowslikeastronglightfromdeepdarkness。Chadmetthem，nordidhischindroop，andCalebHazelsawthattheboy\'sfacewasfrankandhonest，andthathiseyewasfearlessandkind，and，withoutquestion，hemotionedtoaseat——withonewaveofhishandsettingChadonthecornerofaslabandthestudiousdronetovibratingagain。Whentheboyventuredtoglancearound，hesawDawsDilloninonecorner，makingafaceathim，andlittleTadscowlingfrombehindabook：andontheotherside，amongthegirls，hesawanotherhostileface——nextlittleMelissawhichhadthepointedchinandthenarroweyesofthe\"Dillonbreed，\"asoldJoelcalledthefamily，whosefarmwasatthemouthofKingdomComeandwhoseboundarytouchedhisown。Whenthefirstmorningrecesscame\"littlerecess，\"asitwascalled——themasterkeptChadinandaskedhimhisname；ifhehadeverbeentoschool，andwhetherheknewhisABC\'s；andheshowednosurprisewhenChad，withoutshame，toldhimno。SothemastergotMelissa\'sspelling-bookandpointedoutthefirstsevenlettersofthealphabet，andmadeChadrepeatthemthreetimes——watchingtheboy\'searnest，wrinklingbrowcloselyandwithgrowinginterest。Whenschool\"tookup\"again，Chadwastoldtosaythemaloudinconcertwiththeothers——whichhedid，untilhecouldrepeatthemwithoutlookingathisbook，andthemastersawhimthussayingthemwhilehiseyesrovedaroundtheroom，andhenoddedtohimselfwithsatisfaction——forhewasaccustomedtovisiblecommunionwithhimself，inschoolandout。Atnoon——\"bigrecess\"MelissagaveChadsomecorn-breadandbacon，andtheboysgatheredaroundhim，whilethegirlslookedathimcuriously，merelybecausehewasastranger，andsomeofthem——especiallytheDillongirl——whispered，andChadblushedandwasuncomfortable，foroncetheDillongirllaughedunkindly。Theboyshadnogames，buttheyjumpedandthrew\"rocks\"withgreataccuracyatalittlebirch-tree，andDawsandTadalwaysspatontheirstonesandpointedwithheforefingerofthelefthandfirstatwhattheyweregoingtothrowat，whileChadsattoonesideandtooknopart，thoughhelongedtoshowthemwhathecoulddo。Byandbytheyfelltowrestling，andfinallyTadbanteredhimforatrial。Chadhesitated，andhislateenemymisunderstood。
\"I\'llgiveyebothunderholtsagin，\"hesaid，loftily，\"you\'reafeerd！\"
Thiswastoomuch，andChadsprangtohisfeetandgrappled，disdainingtheprofferedadvantage，andgothurledtotheground，hisheadstrikingtheearthviolently，andmakinghimsodizzythatthebravesmilewithwhichhetookhisfalllookedrathersicklyandpathetic。
\"Yes，an\'Whizzercanwhoopyo\'dawg，too，\"saidTad，andChadsawthathewasgoingtohavetroublewiththoseDillons，forDawswinkedattheotherboys，andtheDillongirllaughedagainscornfully——atwhichChadsawMelissa\'seyesflashandherhandsclinchas，quiteunconsciously，shemovedtowardhimtotakehispart；andallatoncehewasgladthathehadnobodyelsetochampionhim。
\"Youwouldn\'daretechhimifoneofmybrotherswashere，\"shesaid，indignantly，\"an\'dontyoudaretechhimagain，TadDillon。Anyou——shesaid，witheringly，\"you——\"sherepeatedandstoppedhelplessforthewantofwordsbuthereyesspokewiththefierceauthorityoftheTurnerclan，anditsdominantpowerforhalfacentury，andNancyDillonshrank，thoughsheturnedandmadeaspitefulface，whenMelissawalkedtowardtheschool-housealone。
ThatafternoonwasthelongestofChad\'slife——itseemedasthoughitwouldnevercometoanend；forChadhadneversatsostillforsolong。Histhroatgotdryrepeatingthedrearyroundoflettersoverandoverandhisheadachedandhefidgetedinhischairwhiletheslowhourspassedandthesunwentdownbehindthemountainandlefttheschool-houseinrapidlycoolingshadow。Hisheartleapedwhenthelastclasswasheardandthesignalwasgiventhatmeantfreedomforthelittleprisoners；butMelissasatpoutinginherseat——shehadmissedherlessonandmustbekeptinforawhile。SoChad，too，kepthisseatandthemasterheardhimsayhisletters，withoutthebook，andnoddedhisheadasthoughtosaytohimselfthatsuchquicknesswasexactlywhathehadlookedfor。BythetimeChadhadlearneddowntotheletter0，Melissawasready，forshewasquick，too，anditwasherangerthatmadehermiss——andthetwostartedhome，Chadstalkingaheadoncemore。Tosavehim，hecouldnotsayawordofthanks，buthowhewishedthatabearorawild-catwouldspringintotheroad！Hewouldfightitwithteethandnakedhandstoshowherhowhefeltandtosaveherfromharm。
ThesunlightstilllaywarmandyellowfarunderthecrestofPineMountain，andtheyhadnotgonefarwhenCalebHazelovertookthemandwithlongstridesforgedahead。Theschool-master\"boardedaround\"anditwashisweekwiththeTurners，andChadwasglad，forhealreadylovedthetall，gaunt，awkwardmanwhoaskedhimquestionafterquestionsokindly——lovedhimasmuchashereveredandfearedhim——andtheboy\'sartless，sturdyanswersinturnpleasedCalebHazel。AndwhenChadtoldwhohadgivenhimJack，themasterbegantotalkaboutthefaraway，curiouscountryofwhichthecattle-dealerhadtoldChadsomuch：wherethelandwaslevelandtherewerenomountainsatall；
whereononefarmmightbemoresheep，cattle，andslavesthanChadhadseeninallhislife；wherethepeoplelivedinbighousesofstoneandbrick——whatbrickwasChadcouldnotimagine——androdealonghard，whiteroadsinshinycoveredwagons，withtwo\"niggers\"onahighseatinfrontandonelittle\"nigger\"behindtoopengates，andwereproudandveryhigh-heeledindeed；
wherethereweretownsthathadmorepeoplethanawholecountyinthemountains，withrockroadsrunningthroughthemineverydirectionandnarrowrockpathsalongtheseroads——likerowsofhearth-stones——forthepeopletowalkon——thelandofthebluegrass——the\"settlemintsofoldKaintuck。\"
Andtherewerechurcheseverywhereastallastreesandschool-housesa-plenty；andbigschools，calledcolleges，towhichtheboyswentwhentheywerethroughwiththelittleschools。Themasterhadgonetooneofthesecollegesforayear，andhewastryingtomakeenoughmoneytogoagain。AndChadmustgosomeday，too；therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldn\'t，sinceanyboycoulddoanythinghepleasedifheonlymadeuphismindandworkedhardandnevergaveup。Themasterwasanorphan，too，hesaidwithaslowsmile；
hehadbeenanorphanforalongwhile，andindeedthelonelystruggleofhisownboyhoodwaswhatwashelpingtodrawhimtoChad。Thiscollege，hesaid，wasahugebrownhouseasbigasacliffthatthemasterpointedout，that，grayandsolemn，toweredhighabovetheriver；andwitharockporchbiggerthanagreatbowlderthathungjustunderthecliff，withtwentylong，longstonestepstoclimbbeforeonecametothebigdoublefrontdoor\"Howdoyougitthar？\"ChadaskedsobreathlesslythatMelissalookedquicklyupwithasuddenforebodingthatshemightloseherlittleplayfellowsomeday。Themasterhadwalked，andittookhimaweek。Agoodhorsecouldmakethetripinfourdays，andtheriver-menfloatedlogsdowntherivertothecapitalineightortendays，accordingtothe\"tide。\"\"Whendidtheygo？Inthespring，whenthe\'tides\'came。TheTurnerswentdown，didn\'tthey，Melissa？\"AndMelissasaidthatherbrotherTomhadmadeonetrip，andthatDolphandRubewere\"might\'nighcrazy\"togothatcomingspring；and，thereupon，amightyresolutionfilledChad\'shearttothebrimandsteadiedhiseyes，buthedidnotopenhislipsthen。
DuskwassettlingwhentheTurnercabincameinsight。Noneofthemen-folkshadcomehomeyet，andthemotherwasworried；therewaswoodtocutandthecowstomilk，andChad\'sfriend，oldBetseythebrindle，hadstrayedoffagain；butshewasgladtoseeCalebHazel，who，withoutaword，wentouttothewood-pile，tookoffhiscoat，andswungtheaxewithmightyarms，whileChadcarriedinthewoodandpileditinthekitchenandthenthetwowentaftertheoldbrindletogether。
Whentheygotbacktherewasagreattumultatthecabin。Tomhadbroughtsomefriendsfromoverthemountain，andhadtoldtheneighborsashecamealongthattherewasgoingtobeapartyathishousethatnight。
SotherewasagreatbustleaboutthebarnwhereRubewasgettingthestockfedandthemilkingdone；andaroundthekitchen，whereDolphwascuttingmorewoodandpilingitupatthedoor。Inside，themotherwashurryingupsupperwithSintha，anolderdaughter，whohadjustcomehomefromavisit，andMelissahelpingher，whileoldJoelsatbythefireinthesleeping-roomandsmoked，withJacklyingonthehearth，oranywherehepleased，forJack，withhisgentleways，waswinningthehouseholdonebyone。HesprangupwhenheheardChad\'svoice，andflewathim，jumpingupandpawinghimaffectionatelyandlickinghisfacewhileChadhuggedhimandtalkedtohimasthoughhewerehumanandabrother；neverbeforehadthetwobeenseparatedforaday。So，whilethemasterhelpedRubeatthebarnandChadhelpedDolphatthewood-pile，Jackhungabouthismaster——tiredandhungryashewasandmuchashewantedtobebythefireorwaitinginthekitchenforaslybitfromMelissa，whomheknewatonceasthebestofhisnewfriends。
Aftersupper，Dolphgotouthisbanjoandplayed\"ShadyGrove，\"and\"BlindCoonDog，\"and\"SugarHill，\"and\"Gamblin\'Man，\"whileChad\'seyesglistenedandhisfeetshuffledunderhischair。AndwhenDolphputtherudethingdownonthebedandwentintothekitchen，Chadedgedtowarditand，whileoldJoelwasbraggingaboutJacktotheschool-master，hetookholdofitwithtremblingfingersandtouchedthestringstimidly。Thenhelookedaroundcautiously：nobodywaspayinganyattentiontohimandhetookitupintohislapandbegantopick，eversosoftly。NobodysawhimbutMelissa，whoslippedquietlytothebackoftheroomanddrewnearhim。SoftlyandswiftlyChad\'sfingersworkedandMelissacouldscarcelyhearthesoundofthebanjounderherfather\'sloudvoice，butshecouldmakeoutthathewasplayingatunethatstillvibratesunceasinglyfromthePennsylvaniabordertothepine-coveredhillsofGeorgia——\"SourwoodMountain。\"Melissaheldherbreathwhileshelistened——Dolphcouldnotplaylikethat——andbyandbysheslippedquietlytoherfatherandpulledhissleeveandpointedtoChad。OldJoelstoppedtalking，butChadnevernoticed；hisheadwasbentovertheneckofthebanjo，hisbodywasswayingrhythmically，hischubbyfingersweregoinglikelightning，andhiseyeswereclosed——theboywasfairlylosttotheworld。Thetunecameoutinthesuddensilence，clean-cutandswinging；
Heh-o-dee-um-dee-eedle-dahdee-deetrangthestringsandoldJoel\'seyesdanced。
\"Singit，boy！\"heroared，\"singit！\"AndChadsprangfromthebed，onfirewithconfusionandtwistinghisfingershelplessly。HelookedalmostfrightenedwhenDolphranbackintotheroomandcried：
\"Whowasthata-pickin\'thatbanjer？\"
ItwasnotoftenthatDolphshowedsuchexcitement，buthehadgoodcause，and，whenhesawChadstanding，shamefacedandbashful，inthemiddleofthefloor，andMelissajoyouslypointingherfingerathim，hecaughtupthebanjofromthebedandputitintotheboy\'shands。\"Here，youjustplaythattuneagin！\"
Chadshrankback，halfdistressedandhalfhappy，andonlyahailoutsidefromthefirstofthecomingguestssavedhimfromutterconfusion。Oncestarted，theycameswiftly，andinhalfanhourallwerethere。EachgotaheartywelcomefromoldJoel，who，withawinkandalaughandanodtotheoldmother，gaveaheartysqueezetosomebuxomgirl，whilethefireroaredaheartierwelcomestill。Thenwasthereadanceindeed——nosoftswishoflaceandmuslin，buttheactiveswingoflinseyandsimplehomespun；noFrenchfiddler\'sbowsandscrapings，nointricatelancers，nolanguidwaltz；butneatshufflingforwardandback，witheverynoteofthemusicbeat；floor-thumping\"cuttingsofthepigeon\'swing，\"andjollyjigs，twobytwo，andagreat\"swingingofcorners，\"and\"cagingthebird，\"and\"fustladytotherightCHEATan\'swing\"；noflirtingfrombehindfansandunderstairwaysandlittlenooks，buthonest，opencourtship——strongarmsabouthealthywaists，andakisstakennowandthen，witheverybodytoseeandnobodytocarewhosaw。Ifachairwaslacking，apairofbrawnykneesmadeonechairservefortwo，butnever，ifyouplease，fortwomen。Rude，rough，semi-barbarous，ifyouwill，butsimple，natural，honest，sane，earthy——andoftheearthwhencespringstheoakandintime，maybe，theflowerofcivilization。
Atthefirstpauseinthedance，oldJoelcalledloudlyforChad。Theboytriedtoslipoutofthedoor，butDolphseizedhimandpulledhimtoachairinthecornerandputthebanjoinhishands。Everybodylookedonwithcuriosityatfirst，andforalittlewhileChadsuffered；butwhenthedanceturnedattentionfromhim，heforgothimselfagainandmadetheoldthinghumwithalltherousingtunesthathadeversweptitsstring。Whenhestoppedatlast，towipetheperspirationfromhisface，henoticedforthefirsttimetheschool-master，whowasyetdividedbetweenthechurchandthelaw，standingatthedoor，silent，grave，disapproving。Andhewasnotaloneinhiscondemnation；inmanyacabinupanddowntheriver，sterntalkwasgoingonagainsttheungodly\'carryingson，\'undertheTurnerroof，and，farfromacceptingthemasproofsofabetterbirthandbroadersocialideas，theseCalvinistsofthehillssetthemerry-makersdownasthespecialpreyofthedevil，andthedanceandthebanjoasslyplotsofthesametodrawtheirsoulstohell。
Chadfeltthemaster\'slook，andhedidnotbeginplayingagain，butputthebanjodownbyhischairandthedancecametoanend。OncemoreChadsawthemasterlook，thistimeatSintha，whowasleaningagainstthewallwithasturdyyouthinafringedhunting-shirtbendingoverher——hiselbowagainstalogdirectlyoverhershoulder，Sinthasawthelook，too，andsheansweredwithalittletossofherhead，butwhenCalebHazelturnedtogooutthedoor，Chadsawthatthegirl\'seyesfollowedhim。Alittlelater，Chadwentouttoo，andfoundthemasteratthecornerofthefenceandlookingatalowredstarwhoserich，peacefullightcamethroughagapinthehills。Chadshylydrewnearhim，hopinginsomewaytogetakindlyword，butthemasterwassoabsorbedthathedidnotseeorheartheboyandChad，awedbythestern，solemnface，withdrewand，withoutawordtoanybody，climbedintotheloftandwenttobed。Hecouldheareverystrokeonthefloorbelow，everycalloftheprompter，andtherudelaughterandbanter，buthegavelittleheedtoitall。ForhelaythinkingofCalebHazelandlisteningagaintothestoriesheandthecattle-dealerhadtoldhimaboutthewonderfulsettlements。
\"God\'sCountry，\"thedealeralwayscalledit，andsuchitmustbe，ifwhatheandthemastersaidwastrue。Byandbythesteadybeatoffeetunderhim，theswiftnotesofthebanjo\'thecallsoftheprompterandthelaughterfused，becameinarticulate，distant——ceased。AndChad，ashewaswonttodo，journeyedonto\"God\'sCountry\"inhisdreams。