CHAPTERXII
SEED-TIME
ThedayafterBigMack\'sfuneral，RanaldwasbusypolishingLizette\'sglossyskin，beforethestabledoor。Thiswashisfavoriteremedyforgloomythoughts，andRanaldwasfullofgloomythoughtsto-day。Hisfather，thoughgoingaboutthehouse，wasstillweak，andworsethanall，wasfrettinginhisweakness。Hewasoppressedwiththeterriblefearthathewouldneveragainbeabletodoaman\'swork，andRanaldknewfromthedarklookinhisfather\'sfacethatdayandnightthedesireforvengeancewasgnawingathisheart，andRanaldalsoknewsomethingofthebitternessofthisdesirefromthefiercelongingthatlaydeepinhisown。Someday，whenhisfingerswouldbefeelingforLeNoir\'sthroat，hewoulddrinklongandfullythatsweetdraughtofvengeance。Heknew，too，thatitaddedtothebitternessinhisfather\'shearttoknowthat，inthespring\'sworkthateverywarmdaywasbringingnearer，hecouldtakenopart；andthatwaspartlythecauseofRanald\'sgloom。Withtheslow-movingoxen，hecouldhardlyhopetogettheseedinintime，andtheyneededthecropthisyearifevertheydid，forlastyear\'sinterestonthemortgagewasstillunpaidandthenextinstallmentwasnearlydue。
AshewasputtingthefinishingtouchesuponLisette\'ssatinskin，YankeedroveuptotheyardwithhisFoxhorseandbuckboard。Hisboxwasstrappedonbehind，andhisblankets，rolledupinabundle，filledtheseatbesidehim。
\"Mornin\'，\"hecalledtoRanald。\"Purtyfineshine，that，andpurtyfinemare，allround，\"hecontinued，walkingaboutLisetteandnotingadmiringlyherbeautifulproportions。
\"Purtyfinebeast，\"hesaid，inalowtone，runninghishandsdownherlegs。\"Guessyouwouldn\'tcaretopartwiththatmare？\"
\"No，\"saidRanald，shortly；butashespokehisheartsankwithinhim。
\"Oughttofetchafairlygoodfigure，\"continuedYankee，meditatively。\"Le\'ssee。She\'sfromLaRoque\'sLisette，ain\'tshe？Oughttohavesomespeed。\"HeuntiedLisette\'shalter。
\"Takeherdownintheyardyonder，\"hesaidtoRanald。
RanaldthrewthehalteroverLisette\'sneck，sprangonherback，andsentherdownthelaneatagoodsmartpace。Atthebottomofthelanehewheeledher，andridinglowuponherneck，camebacktothebarnlikeawhirlwind。
\"Byjings！\"exclaimedYankee，surprisedoutofhislazydrawl；
\"she\'sgotit，youbetyourlastbrick。Seehere，boy，there\'smoneyintothatanimal。ThoughtIwouldliketohaveherformybuckboard，butIhavegotanonfortunitconsciencethatwon\'tletmedoupanypartner，soIguessIcan\'tmakeanyoffer。\"
RanaldstoodbesideLisette，hisarmthrownoverherbeautifulneck，andhishandfondlinghergentlyabouttheears。\"Iwillnotsellher。\"Hisvoicewaslowandfierce，andallthemoresobecauseheknewthatwasjustwhathewoulddo，andhisheartwassickwiththepainofthethought。
\"Isay，\"saidYankee，suddenly，\"cudn\'tbunkmeinyourloft，cudyou！Can\'tstandthetown。Tooclose。\"
TheconfininglimitationsoftheTwentieth，thatmetropolitancenterofsomedozenbuildings，includingthesawmillandblacksmithshop，weretootryingforYankee\'snervoussystem。
\"Yes，indeed，\"saidRanald，heartily。\"Wewillbeverygladtohaveyou，anditwillbetheverybestthingforfather。\"
\"S\'poseoldFoxcudnibbleroundthebrule，\"continuedYankee，noddinghisheadtowardhissorrelhorse。\"Don\'tthinkIwilldomuchdrivin\'machinebusiness。Ratherslow。\"Yankeespentthesummermonthssellingsewing-machinesandnewpatentchurns。
\"There\'splentyofpasture，\"saidRanald，\"andFoxwillsoonmakefriendswithLisette。Sheisverykind，whatever。\"
\"Ain\'teverhitchedher，haveyou？\"saidYankee。
\"No。\"
\"Well，mighthitchherupsomeday。Guessyouwudn\'thurtthebuckboard。\"
\"Notlikely，\"saidRanald，lookingattheold，ramshackleaffair。
\"Usedtodrivesomemyself，\"saidYankee。ButtothisideaRanalddidnottakekindly。
Yankeestoodforafewmomentslookingdownthelaneandoverthefields，andthen，turningtoRanald，said，\"Guessit\'saboutreadytobeginplowin\'。Gotquitealotofittodo，too，ain\'tyou？\"
\"Yes，\"saidRanald，\"IwasthinkingIwouldbebeginningto-morrow。\"
\"Purtyslowbusinesswiththeoxen。HowwoulditdotohitchupLisetteandoldFoxyonder？\"
ThenRanaldunderstoodthepurposeofYankee\'svisit。
\"Iwouldbeveryglad，\"saidRanald，agreatloadliftingfromhisheart。\"Iwasafraidoftheworkwithonlytheoxen。\"Andthen，afterapause，headded，\"WhatdidyoumeanaboutbuyingLisette？\"
Hewasanxioustohavethatpointsettled。
\"IsaidwhatImeant，\"answeredYankee。\"Ithoughtperhapsyouwouldratherhavethemoneythanthecolt；butItellyouwhat，I
hain\'tgotmoneyenoughtoputintothatbird，anddon\'tyoutalksellingtoanyonetillweseehergaithitchedup。ButIguessalittleoftheplowwon\'thurtforafewweeksorso。\"
NextdayLisetteleftbehindherforeverthefree，happydaysofcolthood。AtfirstRanaldwasunwillingtotrusthertoanyotherhandsthanhisown，butwhenhesawhowskillfullyandgentlyYankeehandledher，soothingherwhileheharnessedandhitchedherup，herecognizedthatshewassaferwithYankeethanwithhimself，andallowedhimtohavethereins。
TheyspentthemorningdrivingupanddownthelanewithLisetteandFoxhitchedtothestone-boat。Thecolthadbeenkindlytreatedfromherearliestdays，andconsequentlyknewnothingoffear。ShesteppeddaintilybesideoldFox，frettingandchafingintheharness，butwithoutthoughtofanyviolentobjection。Intheafternoonthecoltwasputthroughhermorningexperience，withthevariationthatthestone-boatwaspiledupwithafairlyheavyloadofearthandstone。Andaboutnoonthedayfollowing，Lisettewasturningherfurrowwithallthesteadinessofahorsetwiceherage。
Beforetwoweekswereover，Yankee，withthehorses，andRanald，withtheoxen，hadfinishedtheplowing，andinanothertendaysthefieldslaysmoothandblack，withtheseedharrowedsafelyin，waitingfortherain。
Yankee\'svisithadbeenagodsend，notonlytoRanaldwithhiswork，butalsotoMacdonaldDubh。Hewouldtalktothegrim，silentmanbythehour，aftertheday\'sworkwasdone，farintothenight，tillatlengthhemanagedtodrawfromhimthesecretofhismisery。
\"Iwillneverbeamanagain，\"hesaid，bitterly，toYankee。\"Andthereisthefarmalltopayfor。Ihaveputitofftoolongandnowitistoolate，anditisallbecauseofthat——that——brutebeastofaFrenchman。\"
\"Meancuss！\"ejaculatedYankee。
\"AndIamsaying，\"continuedMacdonaldDubh，openinghisheartstillfurther，\"Iamsaying，itwasnofairfight，whatever。I
couldwhiphimwithonehand。ItwaswhenIwaspullingoutBigMack，poorfellow，fromundertheheap，thathetookmeunawares。\"
\"That\'sso，\"assentedYankee。\"Blamedlowdowntrick。\"
\"And，oh，IwillbeprayingGodtogivemestrengthjusttomeethim！Iwillasknomore。But，\"headded，inbitterdespair，\"thereisnouseformetopray。Strengthwillcometomenomore。\"
\"Well，\"saidYankee，brightly，\"needn\'tworryaboutthatvarmint。
Heain\'tworthit，anyhow。\"
\"Aye，heisnotworthit，indeed，andthatisthemanwhohasbroughtmetothis。\"ThatwasthebitterparttoMacdonaldDubh。
Amanhedespisedhadbeatenhim。
\"Nowlookhere，\"saidYankee，\"courseIain\'tmuchgoodatthis，butifyouwilljustquitworryin\'，I\'llundertaketosettlethislittleaccountwithMr。LeNware。\"
\"Andwhatgoodwouldthatbetome？\"saidMacdonaldDubh。\"Itismyselfthatwantstomeethim。\"ItwasnotsomuchthedestructionofLeNoirthathedesiredasthatheshouldhavethedestroyingofhim。Whilehecherishedthisfeelinginhisheart，itwasnotstrangethattheministerinhisvisitsfoundBlackHughunapproachable，andconcludedthathewasinastateofsettled\"hardnessofheart。\"Hiswifeknewbetter，butevenshedarednotapproachMacdonaldDubhonthatsubject，whichhadnotbeenmentionedbetweenthemsincethemorninghehadopenedhishearttoher。Thedark，haggard，gloomyfacehauntedher。Shelongedtohelphimtopeace。Itwasthisthatsenthertohisbrother，MacdonaldBhain，towhomshetoldasmuchofthestoryasshethoughtwise。
\"IamafraidhewillnevercometopeacewithGoduntilhecomestopeacewiththisman，\"shesaid，sadly，\"anditisabitterloadthatheiscarryingwithhim。\"
\"Iwilltalkwithhim，\"answeredMacdonaldBhain，andattheendoftheweekhetookhiswayacrosstohisbrother\'shome。
Hefoundhimdowninthebrule，wherehespentmostofhisdaystoilinghardwithhisax，inspiteoftheearnestentreatiesofRanald。Hewasbuttingabigtreethatthefirehadlaidprone，buttheaxwasfallingwiththestrokeofaweakman。
Ashefinishedhiscut，hisbrothercalledtohim，\"Thatisnoworkforyou，Hugh；thatisnoworkforamanwhohasbeenforsixweeksinhisbed。\"
\"Itisworkthatmustbedone，however，\"BlackHughanswered，bitterly。
\"Givemetheax，\"saidMacdonaldBhain。Hemountedthetreeashisbrothersteppeddown，andswunghisaxdeepintothewoodwithamightyblow。Thenheremembered，andstopped。Hewouldnotaddtohisbrother\'sbitternessbyanexhibitionofhismighty，unshakenstrength。Hestucktheaxintothelog，andstandingup，lookedoverthebrule。\"Itisafinebitofground，Hugh，andwillraiseagoodcropofpotatoes。\"
\"Aye，\"saidMacdonaldDubh，sadly。\"Ithaslainlikethisforthreeyears，andoughttohavebeenclearedlongago，ifIhadbeendoingmyduty。\"
\"Indeed，itwillburnallthebetterforthat，\"saidhisbrother，cheerfully。\"Andasforthepotatoes，thereisabitofmyclearingthatRanaldmightaswelluse。\"
ButBlackHughshookhishead。\"Ranaldwillusenoman\'sclearingbuthisown，\"hesaid。\"Iamafraidhehasgottoomuchofhisfatherinhimforhisowngood。\"
MacdonaldBhainglancedathisbrother\'sfacewithalookofmingledpityandadmiration。\"Ah，\"hesaid，\"Hugh，it\'saproudmanyouare。Macdonaldshaveplentyofthat，whatever，andwecomebyitgoodenough。Doyourememberathome，whenourfather\"——andhewentoffintoareminiscenceoftheirboyhooddays，talkingingentle，kindly，lovingtones，tilltheshadowbegantoliftfromhisbrother\'sface，andhe，too，begantotalk。Theyspokeoftheirfather，whohadalwaysbeentothemakindofhero；andoftheirmother，whohadlived，andtoiled，andsufferedforherfamilywithuncomplainingpatience。
\"Shewasagoodwoman，\"saidMacdonaldBhain，withanoteoftendernessinhisvoice。\"Anditwasthehardloadshehadtobear，andIwouldtoGodshewerelivingnow，thatImightmakeuptohersomethingofwhatshesufferedforme。\"
\"AndIamthankfultoGod，\"saidhisbrother，bitterly，\"thatsheisnotheretoseemenow，foritwouldbutaddtotheheavyburdenIoftenlaiduponher。\"
\"Youwillnotbesayingthat，\"saidMacdonaldBhain。\"ButIamsayingthattheLordwillbehonoredinyouyet。\"
\"Indeed，thereisnotmuchforme，\"saidhisbrother，gloomily，\"butthesick-bedandsixfeetormoreofthedampearth。\"
\"Hugh，man，\"saidhisbrother，hastily，\"youmustnotbetalkinglikethat。Itisnotthespeechofabraveman。Itisthespeechofamanthatisbeateninhisfight。\"
\"Beaten！\"echoedhisbrother，withakindofcry。\"Youhavesaidtheword。Beatenitis，andbyamanthatisnoequalofmine。
Youknowthat，\"hesaid，appealing，almostanxiously，tohisbrother。\"Youknowthatwell。YouknowthatIambroughttothis\"——hehelduphisgaunt，bonyhands——\"byamanthatisnoequalofmine，andIwillneverbeabletolookhiminthefaceandsayasmuchtohim。ButiftheAlmightywouldsendhimtohell，I
wouldbefollowinghimthere。\"
\"Whisht，Hugh，\"saidMacdonaldBhain，inavoiceofawe。\"Itisaterriblewordyouhavesaid，andmaytheLordforgiveyou。\"
\"Forgiveme！\"echoedhisbrother，inakindoffrenzy。\"Indeed，hewillnotbedoingthat。Didnottheminister\'swifetellmeasmuch？\"
\"No，no，\"saidhisbrother。\"Shewouldnotbesayingthat。\"
\"Indeed，thatisherveryword，\"saidBlackHugh。
\"Shecouldnotsaythat，\"saidhisbrother，\"foritisnottheWordofGod。\"
\"Indeed，\"repliedBlackHugh，likeamanwhohadthoughtitallout，\"shewouldbereadingitoutoftheBooktomethatunlessI
wouldbeforgiving，that——that——\"hepaused，notbeingabletofindaword，butwenton——\"thenIneednothopetobeforgivenmyownself。\"
\"Yes，yes。Thatistrue，\"assentedMacdonaldBhain。\"But，bythegraceofGod，youwillforgive，andyouwillbeforgiven。\"
\"Forgive！\"criedBlackHugh，hisfaceconvulsedwithpassion。
\"Hearme！\"——heraisedhishandtoheaven——\"IfIeverforgive——\"
Buthisbrothercaughthisarmanddrewitdownswiftly，saying：
\"Whisht，man。Don\'ttempttheAlmighty。\"Thenheadded，\"YouwouldnotbeshuttingyourselfoutfromthepresenceoftheLordandfromthepresenceofthosehehastakentohimself？\"
Hisbrotherstoodsilentafewmoments，hishard，darkfacesweptwithastormofemotions。Thenhesaid，brokenly：\"Itisnotforme，Idoubt。\"
Buthisbrothercaughthimbythearmandsaidtohim，\"Hearme，Hugh。Itisforyou。\"
Theywalkedoninsilencetilltheywerenearthehouse。RanaldandYankeeweredrivingtheirteamsintotheyard。
\"Thatisafinelad，\"saidMacdonaldBhain，pointingtoRanald。
\"Aye，\"saidhisbrother；\"itisapityhehasnotabetterchance。
Heisgreatforhisbooks，buthehasnochancewhatever，andhewillbeabowedmanbeforehehasclearedthisfarmandpaidthedebtonit。\"
\"Neveryoufear，\"saidhisbrother。\"Ranaldwilldowell。But，man，whatasizeheis！\"
\"Heisthat，\"saidhisfather，proudly。\"Heisasbigashisfather，andIdoubtsomedayhemaybeasgoodamanashisuncle。\"
\"Godgranthemaybeabetter！\"saidMacdonaldBhain，reverently。
\"Ifhebeasgood，\"saidhisbrother，kindly，\"Iwillbecontent；
butIwillnotbeheretoseeit。\"
\"Whisht，man，\"saidhisbrother，hastily。\"Youarenottospeaksuchthings，norhavetheminyourmind。\"
\"Ah，\"saidMacdonaldDubh，sadly，\"mydayisnotfaroff，andthatIknowrightwell。\"
MacdonaldBhainflunghisarmhastilyroundhisbrother\'sshoulder。
\"Donotspeaklikethat，Hugh，\"hesaid，hisvoicebreakingsuddenly。Andthenhedrewawayhisarmasifashamedofhisemotion，andsaid，withkindlydignity，\"PleaseGod，youwillseemanydaysyet，andseeyourboycometohonoramongmen。\"
ButBlackHughonlyshookhisheadinsilence。
Beforetheycametothedoor，MacdonaldBhainsaid，withseemingindifference，\"Youhavenotbeentochurchsinceyougotup，Hugh。
Youwillbegoingto-morrow，ifitisafineday？\"
\"Itistoolongawalk，Idoubt，\"answeredhisbrother。
\"Thatitis，butYankeewilldriveyouinhisbuckboard，\"saidMacdonaldBhain。
\"Inthebuckboard？\"saidMacdonaldDubh。\"And，indeed，Iwasneverinabuckboardinmylife。\"
\"Itisnottoolatetobeginto-morrow，\"saidhisbrother，\"anditwilldoyougood。\"
\"Idoubtthat，\"saidBlackHugh，gloomily。\"Thechurchwillnotbedoingmemuchgoodanymore。\"
\"Donotsaysuchathing；andYankeewilldriveyouinhisbuckboardto-morrow。\"
Hisbrotherdidnotpromise，butnextdaythecongregationreceivedashockofsurprisetoseeMacdonaldDubhwalkdowntheaisletohisplaceinthechurch。Andthroughallthedaysofthespringandsummerhisplacewasneverempty；andthoughtheshadowneverliftedfromhisface，theminister\'swifefeltcomfortedabouthim，andwaitedforthedayofhisdeliverance。
CHAPTERXIII
THELOGGINGBEE
MacdonaldBhain\'svisittohisbrotherwasfruitfulinanotherway。
AftertakingcounselwithYankeeandKirsty，heresolvedthathewouldspeaktohisneighborsandmakea\"bee，\"toattackthebrule。
Heknewbetterthantoconsulteitherhisbrotherorhisnephew，feelingsurethattheirHighlandpridewouldforbidacceptinganysuchfavor，andallthemorebecauseitseemedtobeneeded。Butwithouttheirleavethebeewasarranged，andinthebeginningofthefollowingweekthehouseofMacdonaldDubhwasthrownintoastateofunparalleledconfusion，andKirstywentaboutinastateofdishevelmentthatgavetokenthatthedailystrugglewithdirthadreachedtheacutestage。Fromtoptobottom，insideandoutside，everythingthatcouldbescrubbedwasscrubbed，andthenshesettledaboutherbaking，butwithallcaution，lestsheshouldexciteherbrother\'sorhernephew\'ssuspicion。Itwasagoodthingthatlittlebakingwasrequired，fortheteamsthatbroughtthemenwiththeiraxesandlogging-chainsfortheday\'sworkatthebrulebroughtalsotheirsistersandmotherswithbasketsofprovisions。Aloggingbeewithoutthesistersandmotherswiththeirbasketswouldhardlybeanunmixedblessing。
ThefirstmantoarrivewithhisteamwasPeterMcGregor\'sAngus，andwithhimcamehissisterBella。Hewasshortlyafterwardfollowedbyotherteamsinrapidsuccession——theRosses，theMcKerachers，theCamerons，bothDonandMurdie，theRoryMcCuaigs，theMcRaes，twoorthreefamiliesofthem，theFrasers，andothers——
tillsomefifteenteamsandfortymen，andboys，whothoughtthemselvesquitemen，linedupinfrontofthebrule。
Thebeewasagreataffair，forMacdonaldBhainwasheldinhighregardbythepeople；andbesidesthis，themisfortunethathadbefallenhisbrother，andthecircumstancesunderwhichithadovertakenhim，hadarousedinthecommunityaverydeepsympathyforhim，andpeopleweregladoftheopportunitytomanifestthissympathy。Andmorethanall，aloggingbeewasaneventthatalwayspromisedmoreorlessexcitementandsocialfestivity。
Yankeewas\"boss\"fortheday。ThispositionwouldnaturallyhavefallentoMacdonaldBhain，butathisbrother\'sbee，MacdonaldBhainshrankfromtakingtheleadingplace。
Themenwiththeaxeswentfirst，choppingupthehalf-burnedlogsintolengthssuitablefortheburning-piles，clearingawaythebrushwood，andcuttingthroughthebigrootsofthefire-eatenstumpssothattheymightmoreeasilybepulled。Thenfollowedtheteamswiththeirlogging-chains，haulingthelogstothepiles，jerkingoutanddrawingoffthestumpswhosehugerootsstuckuphighintotheair，anddrawinggreatheapsofbrush-woodtoaidinreducingtheheavylogstoashes。Ateachlog-pilestoodamanwithahand-spiketohelpthedrivertogetthelogintoposition，aworkrequiringstrengthandskill，andaboveall，aknowledgeofthewaysoflogswhichcomesonlybyexperience。ItwasatthisworkthatMacdonaldBhainshone。Withhismightystrengthhecouldholdsteadyoneendofaloguntiltheteamcouldhaultheotherintoitsplace。
Thestump-pullingwasalwaysattendedwithmoreorlessinterestandexcitement。Stumps，aswellaslogs，havetheirways，andittakesalongexperiencetounderstandthewaysofstumps。
Instump-hauling，youngAleckMcGregorwasanexpert。Herarelyfailedtodetecttheweaksideofastump。Heknewhisteam，andwhatwasoffargreaterimportance，histeamknewhim。TheywerepartlyofFrench-Canadianstock，notaslargeasFarquharMcNaughton\'sbig，fatblacks，but\"asfullofspiritasabottleofwhisky，\"asAleckhimselfwouldsay。Theirfirsttentativepullsatthestumpweretakenwithcaution，untiltheirdriverandthemselveshadtakenthefullmeasureofthestrengthoftheenemy。
ButwhenonceAleckhadmadeuphismindthatvictorywaspossible，andhadgiventhemthecallforthefinaleffort，thenhisteamputtheirbodiesandsoulsintothepull，andneverdrewbacktillsomethingcame。Theirdriverwasaccustomedtoboastthatneveryethadtheyfailedtohonorhiscall。
Farquhar\'shandsomeblacks，ontheotherhand，wereneverhandledafterthisfashion。Theywereslowandsureandsteady，liketheirdriver。Theirgreatweightgavethemamightyadvantageinapull，butnever，inallthesolemncourseoftheirexistence，hadtheythrownthemselvesintoanydoubtfultrialofstrength。Inaslow，steadyhaultheyweretobereliedupon；buttheynevercouldbegottojerk，andajerkisanimportantfeatureinstump-haulingtactics。To-day，however，anewexperiencewasawaitingthem。
Farquharwasanoldmanandslow，andYankee，whilehewasunwillingtohurryhim，wasequallyunwillingthathisteamshouldnotdoafullday\'swork。HepersuadedFarquharthathispresencewasnecessaryatoneofthepiles，notwiththehand-spike，butsimplytosuperintendthearrangingofthemassforburning。\"Foritain\'teveryman，Yankeedeclared，\"couldbuildapiletoburn。\"Asforhisteam，YankeepersuadedtheoldmanthatRanaldwasunequaledinhandlinghorses；thatlastwinternodriverinthecampwasuptohim。ReluctantlyFarquharhandedhisteamovertoRanald，andstoodforsometimewatchingtheresultofthenewcombination。
Ranaldwasabornhorseman。Helovedhorsesandunderstoodthem。
Slowlyhemovedtheblacksattheirwork，knowingthathorsesaresensitivetoanewhandandvoice，andthathemustadapthimselftotheirways，ifhewouldbringthematlasttohis。BeforelongFarquharwascontentedtogoofftohispile，satisfiedthathisteamwasingoodhands，andnotsorrytoberelievedofthenecessityofhurryinghispacethroughthelong，hotday，aswouldhavebeennecessaryinordertokeepupwiththeotherdrivers。
Foreachteamastripofthebrulewasmarkedouttoclearaftertheaxes。Thelogs，brush，andstumpshadtoberemovedanddraggedtotheburning-piles。Aleck，withhisactive，invincibleFrench-Canadians，RanaldwithFarquhar\'sbig，sleekblacks，andDonwithhisfather\'steam，workedsidebyside。Acontestwasinevitable，andbeforeanhourhadpassedDonandAleck，whilemakingagreatshowofdeliberation，werestrivingforthefirstplace，withAleckeasilyleading。Likeapieceofmachinery，Aleckandhisteamworkedtogether。Quicklyandneatlybothdriverandhorsesmovedabouttheirworkwithperfectunderstandingofeachother。Withhardlyatouchofthelines，butalmostentirelybywordofcommand，Aleckguidedhisteam。Andwhenhetookupthewhiffletreestoswingthemaroundtoalogorstump，hishorseswheeledatonceintoplace。Itwasbeautifultoseethem，wheeling，backing，hauling，pulling，withoutlossoftimeortemper。
WithDonandhisteamitwasallhardwork。Hishorseswerewillingandquickenough，buttheywereill-trainedandneededconstanttuggingatthelines。InvainDonshoutedandcrackedhiswhip，hurryinghisteamtohispileandbackagain；thehorsesonlygrewmoreandmoreawkward，whiletheyfoamedandfrettedandtiredthemselvesout。
BehindcameRanald，stillhumoringhisslow-goingteamwitheasyhandandquietvoice。Butwhileherefrainedfromhurryinghishorses，hehimselfworkedhard，andbyhisgoodjudgmentandskillwiththechain，andinskiddingthelogsintohispile，inwhichhistrainingintheshantyhadmadehimmorethanamatchforanyoneinthefield，manyminutesweresaved。
Whenthecowbellsoundedfordinner，Aleck\'steamsteppedoffforthebarn，wet，butfreshandfriskyasever，andinperfectheart。
Don\'shorsesappearedfrettedandjaded，whileRanaldbroughtinhisblackswiththeirglossyskinswhitewithfoamwheretheharnesshadchafed，butunfretted，andapparentlyasreadyforworkaswhentheybegan。
\"Youhavespoiledtheshineofyourteam，\"saidAleck，lookingoverRanald\'shorsesashebroughtthemuptothetrough。\"Betterturnthemoutfortheafternoon。Theycan\'tstandmuchmoreofthatpace。\"
Aleckwasevidentlytryingtobegood-natured，buthecouldnothidethesneerinhistone。Theyhadneitherofthemforgottentheincidentatthechurchdoor，andbothfeltthatitwouldnotbecloseduntilmorehadbeensaidaboutit。Butto-day，Ranaldwasintheplaceofhost，anditbehoovedhimtobecourteous，andAleckwasingoodhumorwithhimself，forhisteamhadeasilyledthefield；andbesides，hewasengagedinakindandneighborlyundertaking，andhewastoomuchofamantospoilitbyanyprivategrudge。HewouldhavetowaitforhissettlementwithRanald。
Duringthehourandahalfallowedfordinner，Ranaldtookhishorsestothewell，washedofftheirlegs，removedtheirharness，andledthemtoacoolspotbehindthebarn，andthere，whiletheymunchedtheiroats，hegavethemagoodhardrub-down，sothatwhenhebroughtthemintothefieldagain，histeamlookedasglossyandfeltasfreshasbeforetheybegantheday\'swork。
AsRanaldappearedonthefieldwithhisglossyblacks，Aleckglancedatthehorses，andbegantofeelthat，inthecontestforfirstplace，itwasRanaldhehadtofear，withhiscool，steadyteam，ratherthanDon。NotthatanysuspicioncrossedhismindthatFarquharMcNaughton\'ssleek，slow-goinghorsescouldeverholdtheirownwithhis，buthemadeuphismindthatRanald，atleast，wasworthwatching。
\"Bringupyourgentry，\"hecalledtoRanald，\"ifyouarenottoofineforcommonfolks。Man，thatteamofyours，\"hecontinued，\"shouldneverbeputtoworklikethis。Theirfeetshouldneverbeoffpavement。\"
\"Neveryoumind，\"saidRanald，quietly。\"Iamcomingafteryou，andperhapsbeforenighttheblacksmayshowyoutheirheelsyet。\"
\"There\'slotsofroom，\"saidAleck，scornfully，andtheybothsettoworkwithalltheskillandstrengththatlayinthemselvesandintheirteams。
ForthefirsthourortwoRanaldwascontentedtofollow，lettinghisteamtaketheirway，butsavingeverymomenthecouldbyhisownefforts。Sothat，withoutfrettinghishorsesintheleast，orwithoutmovingthemperceptiblyoutoftheirordinarygait，hefoundhimselfalittlenearertoAleckthanhehadbeenatnoon；
buttheheavyliftingandquickworkbegantotelluponhim。Hishorses，heknew，wouldnotstandverymuchhurrying。Theyweretoofatforanyextraexertioninsuchheat，andsoRanaldwasabouttoresignhimselftodefeat，whenheobservedthatinthewesternskycloudswerecomingup。Atthesametimeacoolbreezebegantoblow，andhetookfreshheart。Ifhecouldhurryhisteamalittlemore，hemightcatchAleckyet；soheheldhisownalittlelonger，preservingthesamesteadypace，untilthecloudsfromthewesthadcoveredallthesky。Thengraduallyhebegantoquickenhishorses\'movementsandtoputthemonheavierloads。Whereveropportunityoffered，insteadofasinglelog，oratmosttwo，hewouldtakethreeorfourforhisload；andinwaysknownonlytohorsemen，hebegantostirupthespiritofhisteam，andtomakethemfeelsomethingofhisownexcitement。
Tosuchgoodpurposedidheplan，andsonoblydidhisteamrespondtohisquietbutpersistentpressure，that，ereAleckwasaware，Ranaldwasuponhisflank；andthentheyeachknewthatuntilthesupper-bellranghewouldhavetousetothebestadvantageeverymomentoftimeandeveryounceofstrengthinhimselfandhisteamifhewastowinfirstplace。
Somehowthereportofthecontestwentoverthefield，tillatlengthitreachedtheearsofFarquhar。Atoncetheoldman，seizedwithanxietyforhisteam，andmovedbythefearofwhatKirstymightsayifthenewseverreachedherears，setoffacrossthebruletoremonstratewithRanald，andifnecessary，rescuehisteamfromperil。
ButDonsawhimcoming，andknowingthateverymomentwasprecious，anddreadinglesttheoldmanwouldsnatchfromRanaldthevictorywhichseemedtobeatleastpossibleforhim，hearrestedFarquharwithacallforassistancewithabiglog，andthenengagedhiminconversationuponthemeritsofhissplendidteam。
\"Andlook，\"criedhe，admiringly，\"howRanaldishandlingthem！
Didyoueverseethelikesofthat？\"
Theoldmanstoodwatchingforafewmoments，doubtfullyenough，whileDoncontinuedpouringforththepraisesofhishorses，andthelatter，ashenoticedFarquhar\'seyesglistenwithpride，venturedtohintthatbeforethedaywasdone\"hewouldmakeAleckMcRaeandhisteamlooksick。Andwithoutahurttotheblacks，too，\"heputin，diplomatically，\"forRanaldisnotthemantohurtateam。\"AndasFarquharstoodandwatchedRanaldathiswork，andnotedwithsurprisehowbrisklyandcleverlytheblacksswungintotheirplaces，anddetectedalsowithhisexperiencedeyethatAleckwasbeginningtoshowsignsofhurry，heenteredintothespiritofthecontest，anddeterminedtoallowhisteamtowinvictoryforthemselvesandtheirdriveriftheycould。
Theaxmenhadfinishedtheir\"stent。\"Itwantedstillanhourofsupper-time，andsurelyifslowly，Ranaldwasmakingtowardfirstplace。Theotherteamswereleftfarbehindwiththeirwork，andthewholefieldbegantocenterattentionuponthetwothatwerenowconfessedlyengagedindesperateconflictatthefront。Onebyonetheaxmendrewtowardtheendofthefield，whereRanaldandAleckwerefightingouttheirfight，allpretenseofdeliberationonthepartofthedrivershavingbythistimebeendropped。Theynolongerwalkedastheyhitchedtheirchainsaboutthelogsorstumps，butsprangwitheagerhastetotheirwork。Onebyonetheotherteamstersabandonedtheirteamsandmovedacrossthefieldtojointhecrowdalreadygatheredaboutthecontestants。AmongthemcameMacdonaldBhain，whohadbeenworkingatthefarthestcornerofthebrule。Assoonashearriveduponthescene，andunderstoodwhatwasgoingon，hecriedtoRanald：\"Thatwilldonow，Ranald；
itwillbetimetoquit。\"
Ranaldwasabouttostop，andindeedhadcheckedhishorses，whenAleck，whosebloodwasup，calledouttauntingly，\"Aye，itwouldbebetterforhimandhishorsestostop。Theyneeditbadenough。\"
ThiswastoomuchforevenFarquhar\'ssluggishblood。\"Letthemgo，Ranald！\"hecried。\"Letthemgo，man！Neveryoufearforthehorses，ifyoutakedownthespunko\'yoncrowingcock。\"
ItwasjustwhatRanaldneededtospurhimon——atauntfromhisfoeandleavefromFarquhartopushhisteam。
Beforeeachlayafallentreecutintolengthsandtwoorthreehalf-burnedstumps。Ranald\'streewasmuchthebigger。Asinglelengthwouldhavebeenanordinaryloadfortheblacks，buttheirdriverfeltthattheirstrengthandspiritwerebothequaltomuchmorethanthis。Hedeterminedtoclearawaythewholetreeatasingleload。AssoonasheheardFarquhar\'svoice，heseizedholdofthewhiffletrees，struckhisteamasharpblowwiththelines——
theirfirstblowthatday——swungthemroundtothetopofthetree，ranthechainthroughitsswivel，hookedanendroundeachofthetoplengths，swungthemintowardthebutt，unhookedhischain，gatheredallthreelengthsintoasingleload，facedhishorsestowardthepile，andshoutedatthem。Theblacks，unusedtothissortoftreatment，wereprancingwithexcitement，andwhenthewordcametheythrewthemselvesintotheircollarswithafiercenessthatnothingcouldcheck，andamidtheadmiringshoutsofthecrowd，torethelogsthroughtheblacksoilandlandedthemsafelyatthepile。Itwastheworkofonlyafewminutestounhitchthechain，haulthelogs，onebyone，intoplace，anddashbackwithhisteamatthegallopforthestumps，whileAleckhadstillanotherloadoflogstodraw。
Ranald\'sfirststumpcameoutwithlittletrouble，andwasborneatfullspeedtothepile。Thesecondstumpgavehimmoredifficulty，andbeforeitwouldyieldhehadtosevertwoorthreeofitsthickestroots。
Togethertheteamsswungroundtotheirlaststump。Theexcitementinthecrowdwasintense。Aleck\'steamwasmovingswiftlyandwiththesteadinessofclockwork。Theblackswerefranticwithexcitementandhardtocontrol。Ranald\'slaststumpwasapineofmediumsize，whoserootswerepartlyburnedaway。Itlookedlikeaneasyvictim。Aleck\'swasanugly-lookinglittleelm。
Ranaldthoughthewouldtryhisfirstpullwithouttheuseoftheax。Quicklyhebackeduphisteamtothestump，passedthechainroundarootonthefarside，drewthebighookfarupthechain，hitcheditsoastogivetheshortestpossibledraught，threwthechainoverthetopofthestumptogiveitpurchase，pickeduphislines，andcalledtohisteam。Witharushtheblackswentatit。
Thechainslippedupontheroot，tightened，bitintothewood，andthentheblacksflungback。Ranaldswungthemroundthepointandtriedthemagain，butstillthestumprefusedtobudge。
AllthistimehecouldhearAleckchoppingfuriouslyathiselm-
roots，andheknewthatunlesshehadhisstumpoutbeforehisrivalhadhischainhitchedforthepullthevictorywaslost。
Foramomentortwohehesitated，lookingroundfortheax。
\"Trythemagain，Ranald，\"criedFarquhar。\"Hawthemabit。\"
OncemoreRanaldpickedupthelines，swunghishorsesroundtotheleft，heldthemsteadyamomentortwo，andthenwithayellsentthemattheirpull。Magnificentlytheblacksresponded，furiouslytearingupthegroundwiththeirfeet。Amomentortwotheyhungstrainingontheirchain，refusingtocomeback，whenslowlythestumpbegantomove。
\"Youhavegotit，\"criedFarquhar。\"Geethemapointortwo。\"
ButalreadyRanaldhadseenthatthiswasnecessary，andoncemorebackedhisteamtoreadjustthechainwhichhadslippedoffthetop。Ashefastenedthehookheheardasharp\"Back！\"behindhim，andheknewthatthenextmomentAleck\'steamwouldbeawaywiththeirload。Withayellhesprangathislines，lashedtheblacksovertheback，andcalledtothemoncemore。Againhisteamresponded，andwithamightyheave，thestumpcameslowlyout，carryingwithitwhatlookedlikehalfatonofearth。Butevenasitheaved，heheardAleck\'scallandtheansweringcrash，andbeforehecouldgethisteama-going，theFrench-Canadianswereofffortheirpileatagallop，withthelinesflyingintheairbehindthem。Amomentlaterhefollowed，theblackshaulingtheirstumpatarun。
TogetherheandAleckreachedthepile。Itonlyremainednowtounhookthechain。Invainhetuggedandhauled。Thechainwasburieddeepbeneaththestumpandrefusedtomove，andbeforehecouldswinghisteamaboutandturnthestumpover，heheardAleck\'sshoutofvictory。
Butashedroppedhischainandwasleisurelybackinghishorses，heheardoldFarquharcry，\"Hurry，man！Hurry，forthelifeofyou！\"
Withoutwaitingtoinquirethereason，Ranaldwheeledhisteam，gavethestumpahalfturn，releasedhischain，anddroveofffromthepile，tofindAleckstillbusyhookinghischaintohiswhiffletree。
AleckhadhadthesamedifficultyinfreeinghischainasRanald，butinsteadoftryingtodetachitfromthestump，hehadunhookedtheotherend，andthen，withamightybackwardjerk，hadsnatcheditfromthestump。Butbeforehecouldattachittohisplaceonthewhiffletreeagain，Ranaldstoodreadyforwork。
\"Awin，lad！Awin！\"criedoldFarquhar，moreexcitedthanhehadbeenforyears。
\"Itisnowin，\"saidAleck，hotly。
\"No，no，lads，\"saidMacdonaldBhain，beforeFarquharcouldreply。
\"Itisasevenamatchascouldwellbe。Itisfineteamsyoubothhavegot，andyouhavehandledthemwell。\"
Butallthesame，Ranald\'sfriendswerewildlyenthusiasticoverwhattheycalledhisvictory，andDoncouldhardlykeephishandsoffhim，forveryjoy。
Aleck，ontheotherhand，whileclaimingthevictorybecausehisteamwasatthepilefirst，wasnotsosureofitbutthathewasreadytofightwithanyoneventuringtodisputehisclaim。Butthemenalllaughedathimandhisrage，untilhefounditwisertobegood-humoredaboutit。
\"Yonladwillbemakingasgoodamanasyourself，\"saidFarquhar，enthusiastically，toMacdonaldBhain，asRanalddrovehisteamtothestable。
\"Aye，andabetter，prayGod，\"saidMacdonaldBhain，fervently，lookingafterRanaldwithlovingeyes。Therewasnochildinhishome，andhisbrother\'ssonwasashisown。
MeanwhileDonhadhurriedon，leavinghisteamwithMurdiethathemightsingRanald\'spraisesto\"thegirls，\"withwhomRanaldwashighlypopular，althoughheavoidedthem，orperhapsbecausehedidso，thewaysofwomenbeingpastunderstanding。
ToMrs。MurrayandMaimie，whowiththeministerandHughie，hadcomeovertothesupper，hewentfirstwithhistale。Graphicallyhedepictedthestrugglefromitsbeginningtothelastdramaticrushtothepile，dilatinguponRanald\'sskillandpluck，anduponthewonderfulandhithertounknownvirtuesofFarquhar\'sshinyblacks。
\"Yououghttoseethem！\"criedDon。\"Youbettheynevermovedintheirlivesthewaytheydidtoday。Tiedhim！\"hecontinued。
\"Tiedhim！Beathim，Isay，butMacdonaldBhainsays\'Tiedhim\'——
AleckMcRae，whothinkshimselfsomightysmartwithhisteam。\"
DonforgotinhisexcitementthattheMcRaesandtheirfriendswerethereinnumbers。
\"Soheis，\"criedAnnieRoss，oneofAleck\'sadmirers。\"ThereisnotamanintheIndianLandsthatcanbeatAleckandhisteam。\"
\"Well，\"exultedDon，\"aboycameprettynearitto-day。\"
ButAnnieonlystuckoutherlipathimintheinimitablefemalemanner，andranofftoaddtothemischiefthatDonhadalreadymadebetweenRanaldandhisrival。
Butnowtheday\'sworkwasover，andthehourfortheday\'seventhadcome，forsupperwasthegreateventtowhichallthingsmovedatbees。Thelongtablesstoodunderthemapletrees，spreadwiththerichest，rarest，deadliestdaintiesknowntothehousewivesandmaidensofthecountryside。Aboutthetablesstoodingroupsthewhite-apronedgirls，tuckedandfrilled，curledandribbonedintoalldegreesofbewitchingloveliness。Themenhurriedawaywiththeirteams，andthengavethemselvestotheseriousdutyofgettingreadyforsupper，usingmanypailsofwaterintheireffortstoremovetheblackfromtheburntwoodofthebrule。
Atlengththewomenlostallpatiencewiththem，andsentAnnieRoss，withtwoorthreecompanions，tocallthemtosupper。Witharmsintertwined，andwithmuchchatteringandgiggling，thegirlsmadetheirwaytothegroupofmen，someofwhomwereengagedinputtingthefinishingtouchestotheirtoilet。
\"Supperisready，\"criedAnnie，\"andlongpastready。Youneednotbetryingtofixyourselvesupsofine。Youarejustasbadasanygirls。Oh！\"Herspeechendedinashriek，whichwasechoedbytheothers，forAleckMcRaerushedatthem，stretchingouthisblackhandstowardthem。Buttheyweretooquickforhim，andfledforprotectiontothesafeprecinctsofthetables。
Atlength，whenthelastofthemenhadmadethemselves，astheythought，presentable，theybegantomaketheirapproachtothetables，slowlyandshylyforthemostpart，eachwaitingfortheother。AleckMcRae，however，knewlittleofshyness，butwalkedpastthedifferentgroupsofgirls，throwingoneitherhandasmile，awink，oraword，ashemightfindsuitable。
Suddenlyhecameuponthegroupwheretheminister\'swifeandherniecewerestanding。Here，forthemoment，hiseaseforsookhim，butMrs。Murraycametomeethimwithoutstretchedhand。
\"Soyoustillretainyourlaurels？\"shesaid，withafranksmile。
\"Ihearitwasagreatbattle。\"
Aleckshookhandswithherratherawkwardly。Hewasnotontheeasiesttermswiththeministerandhiswife。Hebelongeddistinctlytothecarelessset，andratherenjoyedthedistinction。
\"Oh，itwasnotmuch，\"hesaid；\"theteamswerewellmatched。\"
\"Oh，Ishouldliketohavebeenthere。Youshouldhavetoldusbeforehand。\"
\"Oh，itwasmorethanIexpectedmyself，\"hesaid。\"Ididn\'tthinkitwasinFarquhar\'steam。\"
HecouldnotbringhimselftogiveanycredittoRanald，andthoughMrs。Murraysawthis，sherefusedtonoticeit。ShewasnonethelessanxioustowinAleck\'sconfidence，becauseshewasRanald\'sfriend。
\"Doyouknowmyniece？\"shesaid，turningtoMaimie。
AlecklookedintoMaimie\'sfacewithsuchopenadmirationthatshefelttheblushcomeupinhercheeks。
\"Indeed，sheisworthknowing，butIdon\'tthinkshewillcaretotakesuchahandasthat，\"hesaid，stretchingoutahandstillgrimyinspiteofmuchwashing。ButMaimiehadlearnedsomethingsincecomingtoheraunt，andshenolongerjudgedmenbythefitoftheirclothes，orthecoloroftheirskin，orthelengthoftheirhair；andindeed，asshelookedatAleck，withhisclose-
buttonedsmock，andoverallswiththelegstuckedneatlyintothetopsofhisboots，shethoughthewasthetrimmestfigureshehadseensincecomingtothecountry。ShetookAleck\'shandandshookitwarmly，thefulladmirationinhishandsomeblackeyessettingherbloodtinglingwiththatloveofconquestthatliesineverywoman\'sheart。Sosheflungoutherflagofwar，andsmiledbackathimhersweetest。
\"Youhaveafineteam，Ihear，\"shesaid，asherauntmovedawaytogreetsomeoftheothermen，whowereevidentlywaitingtogetawordwithher。
\"ThatIhave，youbetterbelieve，\"repliedAleck，proudly。
\"ItwasverycleverofRanaldtocomesonearbeatingyou，wasn\'tit？\"shesaid，innocently。\"Hemustbeasplendiddriver。\"
\"Hedrivesprettywell，\"admittedAleck。\"Hedidnothingelsealllastwinterintheshanties。\"
\"Heissoyoung，too，\"wentonMaimie。\"Justaboy，isn\'the？\"
Aleckwasnotsurehowtotakethis。\"Hedoesnotthinkso，\"heanswered，shortly。\"Hethinksheisnoendofaman，buthewillhavetolearnsomethingbeforeheismucholder。\"
\"Buthecandrive，yousay，\"continuedMaimie，wickedlykeepingherfingeronthesorespot。
\"Oh，pshaw！\"repliedAleck，boldly。\"Youthinkalotofhim，don\'tyou？AndIguessyouareapair。\"
Maimietossedherheadatthis。\"Weareverygoodfriends，ofcourse，\"shesaid，lightly。\"Heisaveryniceboy，andweareallfondofhim；butheisjustaboy；heisHughie\'sgreatfriend。\"
\"Aboy，ishe？\"laughedAleck。\"Thatmaybe，butheisveryfondofyou，whatever，andindeed，Idon\'twonderatthat。Anybodywouldbe，\"headded，boldly。
\"Youdon\'tknowabitaboutit，\"saidMaimie，withcheeksglowing。
\"Aboutwhat？\"
\"AboutRanaldand——and——whatyousaid。\"
\"WhatIsaid？Aboutbeingfondofyou？Indeed，Iknowallaboutthat。Theboysareallbrokeup，nottospeakofmyself。\"
ThiswasgoingalittletoofastforMaimie。Sheknewnothing，asyet，ofthefreedomofcountrybanter。Shewasnewtothewarfare，butshewasnotgoingtolowerherflagorretreat。Shechangedthesubject。\"Yourteammusthavebeenverytired。\"
\"Tired！\"exclaimedAleck，\"notabit。Theywillgohomelikebirds。Comealongwithme，andyouwillsee。\"
Maimiegasped。\"I——\"shehesitated，glancedpastAleck，blushed，andstammered。
AleckturnedaboutquicklyandsawRanaldstaringatMaimie。\"Oh，\"
hesaid，banteringly，\"Isee。Youwouldnotbeallowed。\"
\"Allowed！\"echoedMaimie。\"Andwhynot，pray？Whowillhinderme？\"
ButAleckonlyshruggedhisshouldersandlookedatRanald，whopassedontohisplaceatthetable，blackasathunder-cloud。
Maimiewasindignantathim。Whatrighthadhetostareandlooksosavage？Shewouldjustshowhim。SosheturnedoncemoretoAleck，andwithagaylaugh，cried，\"SomedayIwillacceptyourinvitation，sojustmakeready。\"
\"Anyday，oreveryday，andthemoredaysthebetter，\"criedAleck，ashesatdownatthetable，whereallhadnowtakentheirplaces。
Thesupperwasagreatsuccess。Withmuchlaughterandchaffing，thegirlsflittedfromplacetoplace，pouringcupsofteaandpassingthevariousdishes，urgingthementoeat，till，asDonsaid，theywere\"fulltotheneck。\"
Whenallhadfinished，Mr。Murray，whosatattheheadofthetable，roseinhisplaceandsaid：\"Gentlemen，beforewerisefromthistable，whichhasbeenspreadsobountifullyforus，IwishtoreturnthanksonbehalfofMr。Macdonaldtotheneighborsandfriendswhohavegatheredto-daytoassistinthiswork。Mr。
Macdonaldaskedmetosaythatheisallthemoresurprisedatthiskindness，inthathefeelshimselftobesounworthyofit。I
promisedtospeakthiswordforhim，butIdonotagreewiththesentiment。Mr。Macdonaldisamanwhomwealllove，andinwhosemisfortunewedeeplysympathize，andIonlyhopethatthisProvidencemaybegreatlyblessedtohim，andthatwewillallcometoknowhimbetter，andtoseeGod\'shandinhismisfortune。\"
Theministerthen，aftersomefurtherremarksexpressiveofthegoodwilloftheneighborsforMr。Macdonald，andinappreciationofthekindspiritthatpromptedthebee，returnedthanks，andthesupperwasover。
Asthemenwereleavingthetable，AleckwatchedhisopportunityandcalledtoMaimie，whenhewassureRanaldcouldhear，\"Well，whenwillyoubereadyforthatdrive？\"
AndMaimie，whowasmoreindignantatRanaldthaneverbecausehehadignoredallheradvancesatsupper，andhadreceivedhercongratulationsuponhisvictorywithnothingmorethanagrunt，answeredAleckbrightly。\"Oh，anydaythatyouhappentoremember。\"
\"Remember！\"criedAleck；\"thenthatwillbeeverydayuntilourridecomesoff。\"
Afewminuteslater，asRanaldwashitchingupFarquhar\'steam，Aleckpassedby，andingreatgoodhumorwithhimself，chaffinglycalledouttoRanaldinthepresenceofanumberofthemen，\"That\'safinegirlyou\'vegot，Ranald。Butyoubetterkeepyoureyeonher。\"
Ranaldmadenoreply。Hewasfastlosingcommandofhimself。
\"Prettyskittishtohandle，isn\'tshe？\"continuedAleck。
\"Whaty\'retalkin\'\'bout？ThatLisettemare？\"saidYankee，walkingroundtoRanald\'sside。\"Purtyslickbeast，that。Guessthereain\'tanythin\'inthiscountrywillmakehertakedust。\"
TheninalowvoicehesaidtoRanald，hurriedly，\"Don\'tyoumindhim；don\'tyoumindhim。Youcan\'ttouchhimto-day，onyourownplace。Letmehandlehim。\"
\"No，\"saidAleck。\"WeweretalkingaboutanothercoltofRanald\'s。\"
\"What\'sthat？\"saidYankee，pretendingnottohear。\"Yes，youbet，\"hecontinued。\"Ranaldcanhandleherallright。Heknowssomethingabouthorses，asIguessyouhavefoundout，perhaps，bythistime。Neversawanythingsopurty。Didn\'tknowyourteamhadgotthatmoveinthem，Mr。McNaughton，\"YankeewentontoFarquhar，whohadjustcomeup。
\"Indeed，theyarenonetheworseofit，\"saidFarquhar，rubbinghishandsoverthesleeksidesofhishorses。
\"Worse！\"criedYankee。\"They\'reworthahundreddollarsmorefromthisdayon。\"
\"Idon\'tknowthat。Thehundreddollarsoughttogouponthedriver，\"saidFarquhar，puttinghishandkindlyuponRanald\'sshoulder。
ButthisRanaldwarmlyrepudiated。\"Theyareagreatteam，\"hesaidtoFarquhar。\"Andtheycoulddobetterthantheydidto-dayiftheywerebetterhandled。\'
\"Indeed，itwouldbedifficulttogetthat，\"saidFarquhar，\"for，inmyopinion，thereisnotamaninthecountrythatcouldhandlethemaswell。\"
ThiswastoomuchforAleck，who，havingbythistimegothishorseshitched，mountedhiswagonseatandcameroundtothedooratagallop。
\"Savedyouthattime，myboy，\"saidYankeetoRanald。\"Youwouldhavemadeafoolofyourselfinabouttwominutesmore，Iguess。\"
ButRanaldwasstilltoowrathfultobegratefulforYankee\'shelp。
\"Iwillbeevenwithhimsomeday，\"hesaid，betweenhisteeth。
\"Iguessyouwillhavetolearntwoorthreethingsfirst，\"saidYankee，slowly。
\"Whatthings？\"
\"Well，howtouseyourhead，firstplace，andthenhowtouseyourhands。Heistooheavyforyou。Hewouldcrumpleyouupinacoupleofminutes。\"
\"Lethim，then，\"saidRanald，recklessly。
\"Ratheronpleasant。BetterwaitawhiletillyoulearnwhatItoldyou。\"
\"Yankee，\"saidRanald，afterapause，\"willyoushowme？\"
\"Why，sartinsure，\"saidYankee，cheerfully。\"Youhavegottolickhimsomeday，orhewon\'tbehappy；andbyjings！itwillbeworthseein\'，too。\"
BythistimeFarquharhadcomebackfromsayinggoodbytoMacdonaldDubhandMr。andMrs。Murray，whowereremainingtillthelast。
\"Youwillbeamanyet，\"saidFarquhar，shakingRanald\'shand。
\"Youhavegotthepatienceandtheendurance。\"TheseweregreatvirtuesinFarquhar\'sopinion。
\"Notmuchpatience，Iamafraid，\"saidRanald。\"ButIamgladyoutrustedmewithyourteam。\"
\"Andanydayyouwantthemyoucanhavethem，\"saidFarquhar，hisrecklessmoodleadinghimtoforgetKirstyforthemoment。
\"Thankyou，sir，\"saidRanald，wonderingwhatKirstywouldlooklikeshouldheeverventuretoclaimFarquhar\'soffer。
Onebyonetheteamsdroveawaywiththeirloads，tillonlytheministerandhispartywereleft。AwayunderthetreesMr。Murraywasstanding，earnestlytalkingtoMacdonaldDubh。Hehadfoundtheopportunityhehadlongwaitedforandwasmakingthemostofit。Mrs。MurraywasbusywithKirsty，andMaimieandHughiecametowardthestablewhereYankeeandRanaldwerestillstanding。AssoonasRanaldsawthemapproachinghesaidtoYankee，abruptly，\"Iamgoingtogettheminister\'shorse，\"anddisappearedintothestable。Nordidhecomeforthagaintillheheardhisfathercallingtohim：\"Whatiskeepingyou，Ranald？Theministeriswaitingforhishorse。\"
\"Soyouwonagreatvictory，Ranald，Ihear，\"saidtheminister，asRanaldbroughtBlacktothedoor。
\"Itwasatie，\"saidRanald。
\"Oh，Ranald！\"criedHughie，\"youbeathim。Everybodysaysso。YouhadyourchainhitchedupandeverythingbeforeAleck。\"
\"Ihearitwasagreatexhibition，notonlyofskill，butofenduranceandpatience，Ranald，\"saidtheminister。\"Andthesearenoblevirtues。Itisagreatthingtobeabletoendure。\"
ButRanaldmadenoreply，busyinghimselfwithBlack\'sbridle。
Mrs。Murraynoticedhisgloomandguesseditscause。
\"WewillseeyouattheBibleclass，Ranald，\"shesaid，kindly，butstillRanaldremainedsilent。
\"Canyounotspeak，man？\"saidhisfather。\"Doyounotheartheminister\'swifetalkingtoyou？\"
\"Yes，\"saidRanald，\"Iwillbethere。\"
\"Wewillbegladtoseeyou，\"saidMrs。Murray，offeringhimherhand。\"AndyoumightcomeinwithHughieforafewminutesafterward，\"shecontinued，kindly，forshenotedthemiseryinhisface。
\"Andwewillbegladtoseeyou，too，Mr。Macdonald，ifitwouldnotbetoomuchforyou，andifyoudonotscornawoman\'steaching。\"
\"Indeed，Iwouldbeproud，\"saidMacdonaldDubh，courteously，\"asfarasthatisconcerned，forIheartherearebettermenthanmeattending。\"
\"IamsureMrs。Murraywillbegladtoseeyou，Mr。Macdonald，\"
saidtheminister。
\"Iwillbethinkingofit，\"saidMacdonaldDubh，cautiously。\"Andyouarebothverykind，whatever，\"hesaid，losingforatimehishabitualgloom。
\"Well，then，Iwilllookforyouboth，\"saidMrs。Murray，astheywereabouttodriveoff，\"sodonotdisappointme。\"
\"Goodby，Ranald，\"saidMaimie，offeringRanaldherhand。
\"Goodby，\"saidRanald，holdingherhandforamomentandlookinghardintohereyes，\"andIhopeyouwillenjoyyourride，whatever。\"
ThenMaimieunderstoodRanald\'ssavagemanner，andasshethoughtitovershesmiledtoherself。Shewastakingherfirstsipsofthatcup，towoman\'slipsthesweetest，andshefounditnotunpleasant。Shehadsucceededinmakingonemanhappyandanothermiserable。Butitwaswhenshesaidtoherself，\"PoorRanald！\"
thatshesmiledmostsweetly。
CHAPTERXIV
SHEWILLNOTFORGET
IfMrs。MurraywasnotsurprisedtoseeMacdonaldDubhandYankeewalkinonSabbatheveningandsitdowninthebackseat，herclasswere。Indeedtheappearanceofthesetwomenattheclasswasconsideredaneventsoextraordinaryastogiveadecidedshocktothosewhoregularlyattended，andtheirpresencelenttothemeetinganunusualinterest，andanundertoneofexcitement。ToseeMacdonaldDubh，whoseattendanceattheregularSabbathserviceswassomethingunusual，presentatareligiousmeetingwhichnoonewouldconsideritadutytoattend，wasenoughinitselftoexcitesurprise，butwhenYankeecameinandsatbesidehim，thesurprisewasconsiderablyintensified。ForYankeewasconsideredtobequiteoutsidethepale，andindeed，inaway，incapableofreligiousimpression。NooneexpectedYankeetobereligious。HewasnotaPresbyterian，knewnothingoftheShorterCatechism，nottospeakoftheConfessionofFaith，andconsequentlywaswoefullyignorantoftheelementsofChristianknowledgethatweredeemednecessarytoanytruereligiousexperience。
ItwasrumoredthatuponYankee\'sfirstappearanceinthecountry，somefewyearsbefore，hehad，inanunguardedmoment，acknowledgedthathispeoplehadbelongedtotheMethodists，andthathehimself\"leanedtoward\"thatpeculiarsect。Suchaconfessionwasinitselfenoughtostamphim，intheeyesofthecommunity，asonewhosereligioushistorymustalwaysbeattendedwithmoreorlessuncertainty。FewofthemhadeverseenaMethodistintheflesh。
ThereweresaidtobesomeatMooseCreekMooscrick，asitwascalled，buttheywereknownonlybyreport。Theyoungerandmoreuntraveledportionofthecommunitythoughtofthemwithacertainamountofaweandfear。
Itwasnowonder，then，thatYankee\'sappearanceinBibleclassproducedasensation。Itwasaneveningofsensations，fornotonlywereMacdonaldDubhandYankeepresent，butAleckMcRaehaddrivenupaloadofpeoplefrombelowtheSixteenth。Ranaldregardedhispresencewithconsiderablecontempt。
\"ItisnotmuchhecaresfortheBibleclass，whatever，\"heconfidedtoDon，whowassittingbesidehim。
ButmoreremarkableanddisturbingtoRanaldthanthepresenceofAleckMcRae，wasthatofayoungmansittingbetweenHughieandMaimieintheminister\'spew。Hewasevidentlyfromthecity。Onecouldseethatfromhisfineclothesandhiswhiteshirtandcollar。Ranaldlookedathimwithdeepeningcontempt。\"Pride\"waswrittenalloverhim。Notonlydidhewearfineclothes，andawhiteshirtandcollar，butheworethemwithoutanysignofawkwardnessorapologyinhismanner，andindeedasifheenjoyedthem。Butthecrowningproofofhis\"pride，\"Donnotedwithunutterablescorn。
\"Lookathim，\"hesaid，\"splitshisheadinthemiddle。\"
Ranaldfoundhimselfwonderinghowtheyoungfopwouldlooksittinginapoolofmuddywater。Howinsufferabletheyoungfellow\'smannerswere！HesatquiteclosetoMaimie，nowandthenwhisperingtoher，evidentlyquiteignorantofhowtobehaveinchurch。AndMaimie，whooughttoknowbetter，wasactingmostdisgracefullyaswell，whisperingbackandsmilingrightintohisface。Ranaldwasthoroughlyashamedofher。Hecouldnotdenythattheyoungfellowwashandsome，hatefullyso，buthewasevidentlystuckfullofconceit，andashelethiseyeswanderoverthecongregationassembled，withaboldandcriticalstare，makingremarkstoMaimieinanundertonewhichcouldbeheardoverthechurch，Ranaldfelthisfingerstwitching。TheyoungmanwasolderthanRanald，butRanaldwouldhavegivenagooddealforanopportunityto\"takehimwithonehand。\"
AtthispointRanald\'sreflectionswereinterruptedbyMrs。Murrayrisingtoopentheclass。
\"WillsomeonesuggestaPsalm？\"sheasked，hercheek，usuallypale，showingaslightcolor。Itwasalwaysanordealforhertofaceherclass，eversincethemenhadbeenallowedtocome，andthefirstmomentswerefulloftrialtoher。Onlyherconscienceandherfinecouragekeptherfromturningbackfromthis，herpathofduty。
Atonce，fromtwoorthreecameresponsestoherinvitation，andaPsalmwaschosen。
ThesingingwasadistinctfeatureoftheBibleclass。Therewasnothinglikeit，notonlyintheotherservicesofthecongregation，butinanycongregationinthewholecounty。TheyoungpeoplethatformedthatBibleclasshavelongsincegrownintooldmenandwomen，buttheechoesofthatsingingstillreverberatethroughthechambersoftheirheartswhentheystanduptosingcertaintunesorcertainPsalms。Onceaweek，throughthelongwinter，theyusedtomeetandsingtoJohn\"Aleck\'s\"soundingbeatfortwoorthreehours。Theylearnedtosing，notonlytheoldpsalmtunesbutpsalmtunesneverheardinthecongregationbefore，asalsohymnsandanthems。Theanthemsandhymnswere，ofcourse，neverusedinpublicworship。TheywerereservedforthesacredconcertwhichJohn\"Aleck\"gaveonceayear。ItwasintheBibleclassthatheandhisfellowenthusiastsfoundopportunitytosingtheirnewPsalmtunes，withnowandthenahymn。WhenJohn\"Aleck，\"ahandsome，broad-shouldered，six-footer，stoodupandbithistuning-forktocatchthepitch，thepeoplestraightenedupintheirseatsandpreparedtofollowhislead。Andafterhisgreatresonantvoicehadrolledoutthefirstfewnotesofthetune，theycaughthimupwithavigorandenthusiasmthatcarriedhimalong，andinspiredhimtohismightiestefforts。Wonderfulsingingitwas，fulltoned，rhythmicalandwellbalanced。
Withcharacteristiccourage，theminister\'swifehadchosenPaul\'sEpistletotheRomansforthesubjectofstudy，andto-nightthelessonwastheredoubtableninthchapter，thatarsenalforCalvinisticchampions。Firsttheverseswererepeatedbytheclassinconcert，andthemembersviedwitheachotherinmakingthisaperfectexercise，thentheteachingofthechapterwassetforthinsimple，lucidspeech。Thelasthalfhourwasdevotedtothediscussionofquestions，raisedeitherbytheteacherorbyanymemberoftheclass。To-nighttheclasswasslowinaskingquestions。TheywerefacetofacewiththetremendousPaulineDoctrineofSovereignty。ItwassignificantthatbyMacdonaldDubh，hisbrother，andtheotherolderandmoreexperiencedmembersoftheclass，thedoctrinewasregardedasabsolutelyinevitableandwasacceptedwithoutquestion，whilebyYankeeandRanaldandalltheyoungermembersoftheclass，itwasrejectedwithfierceresentment。Theoldermenhadbeentaughtbytheexperienceoflongandbitteryears，thatabovealltheirstrength，howevermighty，apower，resistlessandofteninscrutable，determinedtheirlives。Theyoungermen，theirheartsbeatingwithconsciouspowerandfreedom，resentedthiscontrol，oracceptingit，refusedtoassumetheresponsibilityfortheoutcomeoftheirlives。Itwastheold，oldstrife，theinsolublemystery；andtheminister\'swife，farfrommakinglightofit，alloweditsfullweighttopressinuponthemembersofherclass，andwiselyleftthequestionastheapostleleavesit，withastatementofthetwogreattruthsofSovereigntyandFreeWillwithoutattemptingtheimpossibletaskofharmonizingtheseintoaperfectsystem。Afterahalf-hourofdiscussion，shebroughtthelessontoaclosewithaveryshortandverysimplepresentationofthepracticalbearingofthegreatdoctrine。Andwhilethemysteryremainedunsolved，thelimpidclearnessofherthought，thehumbleattitudeofmind，thesympathywithdoubt，andaboveall，thesweetandtenderpathosthatfilledhervoice，senttheclassawayhumbled，subdued，comforted，andwillingtowaitthedayofclearerlight。NotthattheyweredonewithPharaohandhisuntowardfate；thatoccupiedthemformanyaday。
Theclasswasclosedwithprayerandsinging。Asakindoftreat，thelastsingingwasahymnandtheystooduptosingit。ItwasPerronet\'sgreathymnsungtooldCoronation，andwhentheycametotherefrain，\"CrownhimLordofall，\"theveryraftersofthelittlechurchrangwiththemightyvolumeofsound。TheBibleclassalwaysclosedwithagreatoutburstofsinging，andasarule，Ranaldwentouttinglingandthrillingthroughandthrough。
Buttonight，sodeeplywasheexercisedwiththeunhappydoomoftheunfortunatekingofEgypt，fromwhich，apparently，therewasnoescape，fixedasitwasbytheDivinedecree，andoppressedwiththefeelingthatthesamedecreewoulddeterminethecourseofhislife，hemissedhisusualthrill。Hewaswalkingoffbyhimselfinaperplexedanddowncastmood，avoidingeveryone，evenDon，andwasnearlypasttheminister\'sgatewhenHughie，excitedandbreathless，caughtuptohimandexclaimed：\"Oh，Ranald，wasnotthatsplendid？Man，IliketohearJohn\'Aleck\'sing\'Crownhim\'
thatway。AndIsay，\"hecontinued，\"motherwantsyoutocomein。\"
ThenallatonceRanaldrememberedtheyoungmanwhohadbehavedsodisgracefullyinchurch。
\"No，\"hesaid，firmly，\"Imustbehurryinghome。Thecowswillbetomilkyet。\"
\"Oh，pshaw！youmustcome，\"pleadedHughie。\"Wewillhavesomesinging。Iwantyoutosingbass。PerhapsJohn\'Aleck\'willcomein。\"Thiswassheerguessing，butitwasgoodbait。Buttheyoungmanwith\"hisheadsplitinthemiddle\"wouldbethere，andperhapsMaimiewouldbe\"goingon，\"withhimasshedidintheBibleclass。
\"YouwilltellyourmotherIcouldnotcome，\"hesaid。\"Yankeeandfatherarebothout，andtherewillbenooneathome。\"
\"Well，Ithinkyouareprettymean，\"saidHughie，grievouslydisappointed。\"Iwantedyoutocomein，andmotherwantedCousinHarrytoseeyou。\"
\"CousinHarry？\"
\"Yes；Maimie\'sbrothercamelastnight，youknow，andMaimieisgoingbackwithhimintwoweeks。\"
\"Maimie\'sbrother。Well，well，isthatthenice-lookingfellowthatsatbyyou？\"
\"Huh-huh，heisawfulnice，andmotherwanted——\"
\"Indeedhelooksit，Iamsure，\"Ranaldsaid，withsuddenenthusiasm；\"Iwouldjustliketoknowhim。IfIthoughtYankeewould——\"
\"Oh，pshaw！OfcourseYankeewillmilkthecows，\"exclaimedHughie。\"Comeon，comeonin。AndRanaldwenttomeetoneofthegreatnightsofhislife。
\"HereisRanald！\"calledHughieatthetopofhisvoice，asheenteredtheroomwherethefamilyweregathered。
\"Youdon\'tsayso，Hughie？\"answeredhiscousin，comingforward。
\"Yououghttomakethatfactknown。Weallwanttohearit。\"
Ranaldlikedhimfromthefirst。Hewasnotabit\"proud\"inspiteofhisfineclothesandhisheadbeing\"splitinthemiddle。\"
\"You\'rethechap，\"hesaid，stretchingouthishandtoRanald，\"thatsnatchedMaimiefromthefire。Mightycleverthingtodo。
Wehaveheardalotaboutyouatourhouse。Why，everyweek——\"
\"Letsomeoneelsetalk，Harry，\"interruptedMaimie，withcheeksflaming。\"Wearegoingtohavesomesingingnow。Hereisauntie。
Mayn\'tweusethepiano？\"
\"Why，yes，Isupposeso，\"saidMrs。Murray。\"Iwasgladtoseeyourfatherthereto-night，\"shesaidtoRanald。
\"AndYankee，mother。\"
\"Hush，Hughie；youmustcallpeoplebytheirrightnames。Nowletushavesomesinging。IhearRanaldissingingbassthesedays。\"
\"Andbullygoodbass，too，\"criedHughie。\"John\'Aleck\'saysthatit\'sthefinestbassinthewholesingingschool。\"
\"Well，Hughie，\"saidhismother，quietly，\"Idon\'tthinkitisnecessarytoshoutevensuchpleasantinformationasthat。Nowgotoyoursinging，andIshalllisten。\"