CONTENTS
I。TheBlightintheHillsII。OntheWildDog’sTrailIII。TheAuricularTalentoftheHon。SamuelBuddIV。CloseQuartersV。BacktotheHillsVI。TheGreatDayVII。AtLast——TheTournamentVIII。TheKnightPassesAKNIGHTOFTHECUMBERLAND
I
THEBLIGHTINTHEHILLS
HighnoonofacrispOctoberday，sunshinefloodingtheearthwiththewarmthandlightofoldwineand，goingsingle-fileupthroughthejaggedgapthatthedrippingofwaterhasworndownthroughtheCumberlandMountainsfromcresttovalley-level，agrayhorseandtwobigmules，amanandtwoyounggirls。Onthegrayhorse，Iledthetortuousway。Aftermecamemysmallsister——andafterherandlikeher，mule-
back，rodetheBlight——dressedasshewouldbeforagallopinCentralParkortorideahunterinahorseshow。
Iwastakingthem，accordingtopromise，wherethefeetofotherwomenthanmountaineershadnevertrod——beyondthecrestoftheBigBlack——tothewatersoftheCumberland——thelairofmoonshinerandfeudsman，whereisyetpocketedacivilizationthat，elsewhere，islongagogone。ThishadbeenapetdreamoftheBlight’sforalongtime，andnowthedreamwascomingtrue。TheBlightwasinthehills。
Nobodyeverwenttohermother’shousewithoutaskingtoseeherevenwhenshewasalittlethingwithblackhair，merryfaceandblackeyes。Bothmenandwomen，withchildrenoftheirown，havetoldmethatshewas，perhaps，themostfascinatingchildthateverlived。Therebesomewhoclaimthatshehasneverchanged——andIamamongthem。Shebeganearly，regardlessofage，sexorpreviousconditionofservitude——shecontinuesrecklesslyasshebegan——andnonemakescomplaint。Thuswasitinherownworld——thusitwaswhenshecametomine。OnthewaydownfromtheNorth，theconductor’svoicechangedfromacommandtoarequestwhenheaskedforherticket。Thejacketedlordofthedining-carsawherfromafarandadvancedtoshowhertoaseat——thatshemightrideforward，sitnexttoashadedwindowandbefreefromtheglareofthesunontheotherside。Twoportersmadearushforherbagwhenshegotoffthecar，andtheproprietorofthelittlehotelinthelittletownwherewehadtowaitseveralhoursforthetrainintothemountainsgaveherthebridalchamberforanafternoonnap。Fromthislittletownto``TheGap’’istheworstsixty-mileride，perhaps，intheworld。Shesatinadirtyday-coach；thesmokerolledinatthewindowsanddoors；thecarsshookandswayedandlumberedaroundcurvesanddownandupgorges；therewereaboutherroughmen，cryingchildren，slatternlywomen，tobaccojuice，peanuts，popcornandapplecores，butdainty，sereneandasmerryasever，shesatthroughthatridewitharadiantsmile，herkeenblackeyesnotingeverythingunlovelywithinandthegloryofhill，treeandchasmwithout。
Nextmorningathome，whereweriseearly，noonewasallowedtowakenherandshehadbreakfastinbed——fortheBlight’sgentletyrannywasestablishedonsightandvariednotattheGap。
Whenshewentdownthestreetthatdayeverybodystaredsurreptitiouslyandwithperfectrespect，asherdaintyblackplumedfigurepassed；thepost-officeclerkcouldbarelybringhimselftosaythattherewasnoletterforher。Thesoda-fountainboynearlyfilledherglasswithsyrupbeforehesawthathewasnotstrictlymindinghisownbusiness；theclerk，whenI
boughtchocolateforher，unblushinglyaddedextraweightand，aswewentback，shemetthemboth——Marston，theyoungengineerfromtheNorth，crossingthestreetand，atthesamemoment，adrunkenyoungtoughwithaninfuriatedfacereelinginarunaroundthecorneraheadofusasthoughhewerebeingpursued。
NowwehaveavolunteerpoliceguardsomefortystrongattheGap——andfromhabit，Istartedforhim，buttheBlightcaughtmyarmtight。Theyoungengineerinthreestrideshadreachedthecurb-stoneandallhesternlysaidwas：
``Here！Here！’’
Thedrunkenyouthwheeledandhisrighthandshottowardhishippocket。
Theengineerwasbeltedwithapistol，butwithonelightningmovementandanincrediblylongreach，hisrightfistcaughtthefellow’sjawsothathepitchedbackwardandcollapsedlikeanemptybag。
ThentheengineercaughtsightoftheBlight’sbewilderedface，flushed，grippedhishandsinfrontofhimandsimplystared。Atlasthesawme：
``Oh，’’hesaid，``howdoyoudo？’’
andheturnedtohisprisoner，butthepantingsergeantandanotherpoliceman——
alsoavolunteer——werealreadyliftinghimtohisfeet。IintroducedtheboyandtheBlightthen，andforthefirsttimeinmylifeIsawtheBlight——shaken。Round-
eyed，shemerelygazedathim。
``Thatwasprettywelldone，’’Isaid。
``Oh，hewasdrunkandIknewhewouldbeslow。’’Nowsomethingcurioushappened。Thedazedprisonerwasonhisfeet，andhiscaptorswerestartingwithhimtothecalaboosewhenheseemedsuddenlytocometohissenses。
``Jeswaitaminute，willye？’’hesaidquietly，andhiscaptors，thinkingperhapsthathewantedtosaysomethingtome，stopped。Themountainyouthturnedastrangelysoberedfaceandfixedhisblueeyesontheengineerasthoughheweresearingeveryfeatureofthatimperturbableyoungmaninhisbrainforever。Itwasnotabadface，buttheavenginghatredinitwasfearful。Thenhe，too，sawtheBlight，hisfacecalmedmagicallyandhe，too，staredather，andturnedawaywithanoathcheckedathislips。Wewenton——theBlightthrilled，forshehadheardmuchofourvolunteerforceattheGapandhadseensomethingalready。PresentlyIlookedback。PrisonerandcaptorswereclimbingthelittlehilltowardthecalabooseandthemountainboyjustthenturnedhisheadandIcouldswearthathiseyessoughtnottheengineer，whomweleftatthecorner，but，liketheengineer，hewaslookingattheBlight。WhereatI
didnotwonder——particularlyastotheengineer。HehadbeeninthemountainsforalongtimeandIknewwhatthisvisionfromhomemeanttohim。Heturnedupatthehousequiteearlythatnight。
``I’mnotondutyuntileleven，’’hesaidhesitantly，``andIthoughtI’d————’’
``Comerightin。’’
IaskedhimafewquestionsaboutbusinessandthenIlefthimandtheBlightalone。WhenIcamebackshehadaGatlinggunofeagerquestionsrangedonhimand——happywithal——hewassquirmingnolittle。Ifollowedhimtothegate。
``AreyoureallygoingoverintothoseGod-forsakenmountains？’’heasked。
``IthoughtIwould。’’
``AndyouaregoingtotakeHER？’’
``Andmysister。’’
``Oh，Ibegyourpardon。’’Hestrodeaway。
``Comingupbythemines？’’hecalledback。
``Perhapswillyoushowusaround？’’
``IguessIwill，’’hesaidemphatically，andhewentontoriskhisneckonaten-
mileridealongamountainroadinthedark。
``ILIKEaman，’’saidtheBlight。``I
likeaMAN。’’
OfcoursetheBlightmustseeeverything，sosheinsistedongoingtothepolicecourtnextmorningforthetrialofthemountainboy。Theboywasinthewitnesschairwhenwegotthere，andtheHon。SamuelBuddwashiscounsel。Hehadvolunteeredtodefendtheprisoner，I
wassoontold，andthenIunderstood。
TheNovemberelectionwasnotfaroffandtheHon。SamuelBuddwascandidateforlegislature。Moreeven，theboy’sfatherwasawarmsupporterofMr。Buddandtheboyhimselfmightperhapsrendergoodserviceinthecausewhenthetimecame——
asindeedhedid。OnoneofthefrontchairssattheyoungengineeranditwasaquestionwhetherheortheprisonersawtheBlight’sblackplumesfirst。Theeyesofbothflashedtowardhersimultaneously，theengineercoloredperceptiblyandthemountainboystoppedshortinspeechandhispallidfaceflushedwithunmistakableshame。Thenhewenton：``Hehadliqueredup，’’hesaid，``andhadgottightaforeheknoweditandhedidn’tmeannoharmandhadneverbeenarrestedaforeinhiswholelife。’’
``Haveyoueverbeendrunkbefore？’’
askedtheprosecutingattorneyseverely。
Theladlookedsurprised。
``Co’seIhave，butIain’tgoin’toagin——leastwisenotinthisheretown。’’Therewasagenerallaughatthisandtheagedmayorrappedloudly。
``Thatwilldo，’’saidtheattorney。
Theladsteppeddown，hitchedhischairslightlysothathisbackwastotheBlight，sankdowninituntilhisheadrestedonthebackofthechairandcrossedhislegs。
TheHon。SamuelBuddaroseandtheBlightlookedathimwithwonder。Hislongyellowhairwaspartedinthemiddleandbrushedwithplaster-likeprecisionbehindtwoenormousears，heworespectacles，gold-rimmedandwithgreatstaringlenses，andhisfacewassmoothandageless。Hecaressedhischinruminatinglyandrolledhislipsuntiltheysettledintoafineresultantofwisdom，patience，tolerationandfirmness。Hismannerwasprofoundandhisvoiceoilyandsoothing。
``MayitpleaseyourHonor——myyoungfriendfranklypleadsguilty。’’Hepausedasthoughthemajestyofthelawcouldasknomore。``Heisayoungmanofnaturallyhighandsomewhat——naturally，too，nodoubt——bibulousspirits。Homoepathically——
ifinversely——theresultwaslogical。
Intheuntrammelledlifeoftheliberty-
breathingmountains，wherethesternspiritoflawandorder，ofwhichyourHonoristheaugustsymbol，doesnotprevailasitdoeshere——thankstoyourHonor’swiseandjustdispensations——theladhas，I
maysay，naturallyacquiredacertainrecklessnessofmood——indulgencewhich，howevereasilycondonedthere，mustherebesternlyrebuked。Atthesametime，heknewnottheconditionshere，hebecameexhilaratedwithoutmalice，prepenseyoreven，Imaysay，consciousness。Hewouldnothavedoneashehas，ifhehadknownwhatheknowsnow，and，knowing，hewillnotrepeattheoffence。Ineedsaynomore。IpleadsimplythatyourHonorwilltemperthejusticethatisonlyyourswiththemercythatisyours——only。’’
HisHonorwasvisiblyaffectedandtocoverit——hismethodsbeinginformal——hesaidwithsharpirrelevancy：
``Whobailedthisyoungfelleroutlastnight？’’Thesergeantspoke：
``Why，Mr。Marstonthar’’——withoutstretchedfingertowardtheyoungengineer。TheBlight’sblackeyesleapedwithexultantappreciationandtheengineerturnedcrimson。HisHonorrolledhisquidaroundinhismouthonce，andpeeredoverhisglasses：
``Ifinethisyoungfellertwodollarsandcosts。’’Theyoungfellowhadturnedslowlyinhischairandhisblueeyesblazedattheengineerwithunappeasablehatred。
IdoubtifhehadheardhisHonor’svoice。
``IwantyetoknowthatI’mobleegedtoyean’Iain’ta-goin’tofergitit；butifI’daknownhitwasyouI’dastayedinjailan’seenyouinhellaforeI’dabeenboundentoye。’’
``Tendollarsfercontemptofcouht。’’
Theboywashotnow。
``Oh，fineandbe——’’TheHon。SamuelBuddhadhimbytheshoulder，theboyswallowedhisvoiceandhisstartingtearsofrage，andafterawhispertohisHonor，theHon。Samuelledhimout。Outside，theengineerlaughedtotheBlight：
``Prettypeppery，isn’the？’’buttheBlightsaidnothing，andlaterwesawtheyouthonagrayhorsecrossingthebridgeandconductedbytheHon。SamuelBudd，whostoppedandwavedhimtowardthemountains。Theboywentonandacrosstheplateau，thegrayGapswallowedhim。
Thatnight，atthepost-office，theHon。
Sampluckedmeasidebythesleeve。
``IknowMarstonisaginmeinthisrace——butI’lldohimagoodturnjustthesame。Youtellhimtowatchoutforthatyoungfellow。He’sallrightwhenhe’ssober，butwhenhe’sdrunk——well，overinKentucky，theycallhimtheWildDog。’’
SeveraldayslaterwestartedoutthroughthatsameGap。TheglumstablemanlookedattheBlight’sgirthsthreetimes，andwithmyowneyesstartingandmyheartinmymouth，Isawherpassbehindhersixteen-hand-highmuleandgivehimafriendlytapontherumpasshewentby。
Thebeastgaveanappreciativeflopofoneearandthatwasall。HadIdonethat，anyfurtherbenefittomeorminewouldbeincorporatedinthetermsofaninsurancepolicy。So，statingthis，IbelieveI
statethelimitandcannowgoontosayatlastthatitwasbecausesheseemedtobelovedbymanandbrutealikethatabigmanofherowntown，whosebody，bigasitwas，wasyettoosmallforhisheartandfromwhosebrainthingswentoffatqueerangles，alwayschristenedherperverselyas——``TheBlight。’’
II
ONTHEWILDDOG’STRAIL
SoupwewentpastBeeRock，Preacher’sCreekandLittleLooney，pastthemineswherehighona``tipple’’stoodtheyoungengineerlookingdownatus，andlookingaftertheBlightaswepassedonintoadimrockyavenuewalledoneachsidewithrhododendrons。Iwavedathimandshookmyhead——wewouldseehimcomingback。Beyondadesertedlog-
cabinweturnedupaspurofthemountain。
Aroundaclumpofbusheswecameonagray-beardedmountaineerholdinghishorsebythebridleandfromacoverthighabovetwomoremenappearedwithWinchesters。TheBlightbreathedforthanawedwhisper：
``Aretheymoonshiners？’’
Inoddedsagely，``Mostlikely，’’andtheBlightwasthrilled。Theymighthavebeensquirrel-huntersmostinnocent，buttheBlighthadheardmuchtalkofmoonshinestillsandmountainfeudsandthemenwhorunthemandItooktheriskofdenyinghernothing。Upandupwewent，thosetwomulesswayingfromsidetosidewithamotionlittleshortofelephantineand，byandby，theBlightcalledout：
``Yourideaheadanddon’tyouDARE
lookback。’’
AccustomedtoobeyingtheBlight’sorders，Irodeaheadwitheyestothefront。
Presently，ashriekmademeturnsuddenly。
Itwasnothing——mylittlesister’smulehadgonenearasteepcliff——perilouslynear，asitsriderthought，butIsawwhyImustnotlookback；thosetwolittlegirlswereridingastrideonside-saddles，thebootedlittlerightfootofeachdanglingstirrupless——aposturequitedecorousbutludicrous。
``Letusknowifanybodycomes，’’theycried。Amountaineerdescendedintosightaroundaloopofthepathabove。
``Changecars，’’Ishouted。
Theychangedand，passing，weregrave，demure——thentheychangedagain，andthusweclimbed。
Suchagloryaswasbelow，aroundandaboveus；theairlikechampagne；thesunlightrichandpouringlikeafloodonthegoldthatthebeecheshadstrewninthepath，onthegoldthatthepoplarsstillshookhighaboveandshimmeringontheroyalscarletofthemapleandthesombrerussetoftheoak。Fromfarbelowustofaraboveusadeepcurvingravinewasslashedintothemountainsideasbyonestrokeofagiganticscimitar。Thedarknessdeepdownwaslightedupwithcoolgreen，interfusedwithliquidgold。Russetandyellowsplashedthemountainsidesbeyondandhighupthemapleswereinashakingblaze。TheBlight’sswifteyestookallinandwithindrawnbreathshedrankitalldeepdown。
Anhourbysunwewerenearthetop，whichwasbaredoftreesandturnedintorichfarm-landcoveredwithblue-grass。
Alongtheseuplandpastures，dottedwithgrazingcattle，andacrossthemwerodetowardthemountainwildernessesontheotherside，downintowhichazigzagpathwrigglesalongthesteepfrontofBenham’sspur。Attheedgeofthesteepwasacabinandabushy-beardedmountaineer，wholookedlikeabrigand，answeredmyhail。He``mought’’keepusallnight，buthe’d``ruthernot，aswecouldgitaplacetostaydownthespur。’’Couldwegetdownbeforedark？Themountaineerliftedhiseyestowherethesunwasbreakingthehorizonofthewestintostreaksandsplashesofyellowandcrimson。
``Oh，yes，youcangittharaforedark。’’
NowIknewthatthemountaineer’sideaofdistanceisvague——butheknowshowlongittakestogetfromoneplacetoanother。Sowestarteddown——droppingatonceintothickdarkwoods，andaswewentloopingdown，thedeeperwasthegloom。Thatsunhadsuddenlyseveredallconnectionwiththelawsofgravityandsunk，anditwasallthedarkerbecausethestarswerenotout。Thepathwassteepandcoileddownwardlikeawoundedsnake。Inoneplaceatreehadfallenacrossit，andtoreachthenextcoilofthepathbelowwasdangerous。SoIhadthegirlsdismountandIledthegrayhorsedownonhishaunches。Themulesrefusedtofollow，whichwasratherunusual。I
wentbackandfromasafedistanceintherearIbelaboredthemdown。Theycaredneitherforgrayhorsenorcrookedpath，butturnedoftheirowndevilishwillsalongthebushymountainside。AsIranafterthemthegrayhorsestartedcalmlyondownandthosetwogirlsshriekedwithlaughter——theyknewnobetter。Firstonewayandthentheotherdownthemountainwentthosemules，withmeafterthem，throughthickbushes，overlogs，stumpsandbowldersandholes——crossingthepathadozentimes。Whatthatpathwasthereforneveroccurredtothoselong-earedhalfasses，wholefools，andbyandby，whenthegirlstriedtoshoothemdowntheyclamberedaroundandabovethemandstruckthepathbackupthemountain。
Thehorsehadgonedownoneway，themulesuptheother，andtherewasnohealthinanything。Thegirlscouldnotgoup——sotherewasnothingtodobutgodown，which，hardasitwas，waseasierthangoingup。Thepathwasnotvisiblenow。OnceinawhileIwouldstumblefromitandcrashthroughthebushestothenextcoilbelow。FinallyIwentdown，slidingonefootaheadallthetime——knowingthatwhenleavesrustledunderthatfootIwasonthepointofgoingastray。
SometimesIhadtolightamatchtomakesureoftheway，andthustheridiculousdescentwasmadewiththosegirlsinhighspiritsbehind。Indeed，thedarker，rockier，steeperitgot，themoretheyshriekedfrompurejoy——butIwasanythingthanhappy。Itwasdangerous。I
didn’tknowthecliffsandhighrockswemightskirtandanunluckyguidancemightlandusinthecreek-bedfardown。
Buttheblessedstarscameout，themoonpeeredoverafarthermountainandonthelastspurtherewasthegrayhorsebrowsinginthepath——andthesoundofrunningwaternotfarbelow。Fortunatelyonthegrayhorsewerethesaddle-bagsofthechatteringinfantswhothoughtthewholethingamightylark。Wereachedtherunningwater，struckaflockofgeeseandknew，inconsequence，thathumanitywassomewherenear。Afewturnsofthecreekandabeaconlightshonebelow。
Thepalesofapicketfence，thecheeringoutlinesofalog-cabincameinviewandatapeakedgateIshouted：
``Hello！’’
Youenternomountaineer’syardwithoutthatannouncingcry。Itwasmediaeval，theBlightsaid，positively——twolorndamsels，abenightedknightpartiallystrippedofhisarmorbybushandsharp-edgedrock，agraypalfrey（shedidn’tmentiontheimpatientassesthathadturnedhomeward）
andshewishedIhadahorntowind。Iwanteda``horn’’badlyenough——butitwasnotthekindmenwind。Byandbywegotaresponse：
``Hello！’’wastheanswer，asanopeneddoorletoutintotheyardabroadbandoflight。Couldwestayallnight？Thevoicerepliedthattheownerwouldsee``Pap。’’``Pap’’seemedwilling，andtheboyopenedthegateandintothehousewenttheBlightandthelittlesister。
Shortly，Ifollowed。
There，allinoneroom，lightedbyahugewood-fire，raftersabove，puncheonfloorbeneath——cane-bottomedchairsandtwobedstheonlyfurniture-``pap，’’
barefooted，theoldmotherinthechimney-
cornerwithapipe，stringsofredpepper-
pods，beansandherbshangingaroundandabove，amarrieddaughterwithachildatherbreast，twoorthreechildrenwithyellowhairandbarefeetalllookingwithalltheireyesatthetwovisitorswhohaddroppeduponthemfromanotherworld。
TheBlight’seyeswerebrighterthanusual——thatwastheonlysignshegavethatshewasnotinherowndrawing-
room。Apparentlyshesawnothingstrangeorunusualeven，buttherewasreallynothingthatshedidnotseeorhearandabsorb，asfewothersthantheBlightcan。
Straightway，theoldwomanknockedtheashesoutofherpipe。
``Ireckonyouhain’thadnothin’toeat，’’shesaidanddisappeared。Theoldmanaskedquestions，theyoungmotherrockedherbabyonherknees，thechildrengotlessshyanddrewnearthefireplace，theBlightandthelittlesisterexchangedafurtivesmileandthecontrastoftheextremesinAmericancivilization，asshowninthatlittlecabin，interestedmemightily。
``Yersnack’sready，’’saidtheoldwoman。Theoldmancarriedthechairsintothekitchen，andwhenIfollowedthegirlswereseated。Thechairsweresolowthattheirchinscamebarelyovertheirplates，anddemureandseriousastheyweretheysurelylookedmostcomical。Therewastheusualbaconandcorn-breadandpotatoesandsourmilk，andthetwogirlsstruggledwiththerudefarenobly。
AftersupperIjoinedtheoldmanandtheoldwomanwithapipe——exchangingmytobaccofortheirlonggreenwithmoresatisfactionprobablytomethantothem，forthelonggreenwasgood，andstrongandfragrant。
TheoldwomanaskedtheBlightandthelittlesistermanyquestionsandthey，inturn，showedgreatinterestinthebabyinarms，whereattheeighteen-year-oldmotherblushedandlookedgreatlypleased。
``Yougotmightypurtyblackeyes，’’
saidtheoldwomantotheBlight，andnottoslightthelittlesistersheadded，``An’
yougotmightypurtyteeth。’’
TheBlightshowedhersinaradiantsmileandtheoldwomanturnedbacktoher。
``Oh，you’vegotboth，’’shesaidandsheshookherhead，asthoughshewerethinkingofthedamagetheyhaddone。
Itwasmytimenow——toaskquestions。
Theydidn’thavemanyamusementsonthatcreek，Idiscovered——andnodances。
Sometimestheboyswentcoon-huntingandtherewerecorn-shuckings，house-raisingsandquilting-parties。
``Doesanybodyroundhereplaythebanjo？’’
``Noneo’myboys，’’saidtheoldwoman，``butTomGreen’ssondownthecreek——hefollerspickin’thebanjoaleetle。’’
``Followspickin’’’——theBlightdidnotmissthatphrase。
``Whatdoyoufollerferalivin’？’’theoldmanaskedmesuddenly。
``Iwriteforaliving。’’Hethoughtawhile。
``Well，itmustbepurtyfinetohaveagoodhandwrite。’’ThisnearlydissolvedtheBlightandthelittlesister，buttheyheldonheroically。
``Istheremuchfightingaroundhere？’’
Iaskedpresently。
``Notmuch’ceptwhenoneyoungfelleruptherivergetstotearin’upthings。I
heerdashowhewasovertotheGaplastweek——raisin’hell。Hecomesbyhereonhiswayhome。’’TheBlight’seyesopenedwide——apparentlywewereonhistrail。
ItisnotwiseforamemberofthepoliceguardattheGaptoshowtoomuchcuriosityaboutthelawlessonesofthehills，andIaskednoquestions。
``TheycallshimtheWildDogoverhere，’’headded，andthenheyawnedcavernously。
Ilookedaroundwithdiviningeyeforthesleepingarrangementssoontocome，whichsometimesareembarrassingto``furriners’’whoareunabletograspatoncetheprimitiveunconsciousnessofthemountaineersand，inconsequence，acceptapointofviewnaturaltothembecauseenforcedbyarchitecturallimitationsandahospitalitythatturnsnooneseekingshelterfromanydoor。Theywere，however，betterpreparedthanIhadhopedfor。
Theyhadaspareroomontheporchandjustoutsidethedoor，andwhentheoldwomanledthetwogirlstoit，Ifollowedwiththeirsaddle-bags。Theroomwasaboutsevenfeetbysixandwaswindowless。
``You’dbetterleaveyourdooropenalittle，’’Isaid，``oryou’llsmotherinthere。’’
``Well，’’saidtheoldwoman，``hit’sallrighttoleavethedooropen。Nothin’sgoin’terbotherye，butoneo’mysonsisoutacoon-huntin’andhemoughtcomein，notknowin’you’rethar。Butyoujes’
holleran’he’llmoveon。’’Shemeantpreciselywhatshesaidandsawnohumoratallinsuchapossibility——butwhenthedoorclosed，Icouldhearthosegirlsstiflingshrieksoflaughter。
Literally，thatnight，Iwasamemberofthefamily。Ihadabedtomyself（thefollowingnightIwasnotsofortunate）——
inonecorner；behindtheheadofminetheoldwoman，thedaughter-in-lawandthebabyhadanotherintheothercorner，andtheoldmanwiththetwoboysspreadapalletonthefloor。Thatistheinvariableruleofcourtesywiththemountaineer，togivehisbedtothestrangerandtaketothefloorhimself，and，inpassing，letmesaythatnever，inalongexperience，haveIseentheslightestconsciousness——
muchlessimmodesty——inamountaincabininmylife。Thesameattitudeonthepartofthevisitorsistakenforgranted——anyotherindeedholdsmortalpossibilitiesofoffence——sothatifthevisitorhascommonsense，allembarrassmentpassesatonce。
Thedoorwasclosed，thefireblazedonuncovered，thesmotheredtalkandlaughterofthetwogirlsceased，thecoon-huntercamenotandthenightpassedinpeace。
ItmusthavebeenneardaybreakthatI
wasarousedbytheoldmanleavingthecabinandIheardvoicesandthesoundofhorses’feetoutside。Whenhecamebackhewasgrinning。
``Hit’syourmules。’’
``Whofoundthem？’’
``TheWildDoghad’em，’’hesaid。
III
THEAURICULARTALENTOFTHE
HON。SAMUELBUDD
BehinduscametheHon。SamuelBudd。Justwhenthesunwasslittingtheeastwithalongstreakoffire，theHon。Samuelwas，withthejocundday，standingtiptoeinhisstirrupsonthemistymountaintopandpeeringintotheravinedownwhichwehadslidthenightbefore，andhegrumblednolittlewhenhesawthathe，too，mustgetoffhishorseandslidedown。TheHon。Samuelwasambitious，Southern，andalawyer。Withoutsaying，itgoesthathewasalsoapolitician。Hewasnotanativeofthemountains，buthehadcasthisfortunesinthehighlands，andhewastakingthefirststepthathehopedwould，beforemanyyears，landhimintheNationalCapitol。Hereallyknewlittleaboutthemountaineers，evennow，andhehadneverbeenamonghisconstituentsonDevil’sFork，wherehewasboundnow。Thecampaignhadsofarbeenfullofhumorandfulloftrials——nottheleastofwhichsprangfromthefactthatitwassorghumtime。Everybodythroughthemountainswasmakingsorghum，andeverymountainchildwaseatingmolasses。
Now，astheworldknows，thestraightestwaytotheheartofthehonestvoteristhroughthewomenoftheland，andthestraightestwaytotheheartofthewomenisthroughthechildrenoftheland；andonemethodofwinningboth，withruralpoliticians，istokissthebabieswideandfar。Soaseachinfant，atsorghumtime，hasacircleofgreen-brownstickinessabouthischubbylips，andastheHon。Samwasaverseto``longsweetenin’’’eveninhiscoffee，thisparticularpoliticaldevicejustnowwasnosmalltrialtotheHon。SamuelBudd。ButinthelanguageofoneofhisfirmestsupportersUncleTommieHendricks：
``TheHon。Samdonehisduty，andhedoneitdamnwell。’’
TheissueatstakewasthesiteofthenewCourt-House——twolocalitiesclaimingtherightundisputed，becausetheyweretheonlytwoplacesinthecountywheretherewasenoughlevellandfortheCourt-
Housetostandon。Letnomanthinkthisatrivialissue。TherehadbeenasimilaroneoverontheVirginiasideonce，andtheopposingfactionsagreedtodecidethequestionbytheancientwagerofbattle，fistandskull——twohundredmenoneachside——andthewomenofthecountywithdifficultypreventedthefight。Justnow，Mr。Buddwasonhiswayto``ThePocket’’——thevotingplaceofonefaction——wherehehadneverbeen，wherethehostilityagainsthimwasmostbitter，and，thatday，heknewhewas``upagainst’’
Waterloo，thecrossingoftheRubicon，holdingthepassatThermopylae，oranyotherhistoricalcrisisinthehistoryofman。IwassaddlingthemuleswhenthecacklingofgeeseinthecreekannouncedthecomingoftheHon。SamuelBudd，comingwithhischinonhisbreast-deepinthought。Stillhiseyesbeamedcheerily，heliftedhisslouchedhatgallantlytotheBlightandthelittlesister，andhewouldwaitforustojogalongwithhim。Itoldhimofourtroubles，meanwhile。TheWildDoghadrestoredourmulesandtheHon。Sambeamed：
``He’sawonder——whereishe？’’
``Heneverwaited——evenforthanks。’’
AgaintheHon。Sambeamed：
``Ah！justlikehim。He’sgoneaheadtohelpme。’’
``Well，howdidhehappentobehere？’’
Iasked。
``He’severywhere，’’saidtheHon。Sam。
``Howdidheknowthemuleswereours？’’
``Easy。Thatboyknowseverything。’’
``Well，whydidhebringthembackandthenleavesomysteriously？’’
TheHon。SamsilentlypointedafingeratthelaughingBlightahead，andIlookedincredulous。
``Justthesame，that’sanotherreasonI
toldyoutowarnMarston。He’salreadygotitinhisheadthatMarstonishisrival。’’
``Pshaw！’’Isaid——foritwastooridiculous。
``Allright，’’saidtheHon。Samplacidly。
``Thenwhydoesn’thewanttoseeher？’’
``Howdoyouknowheain’twatchin’
hernow，forallweknow？Markme，’’
headded，``youwon’tseehimatthespeakin’，butI’llbetfruitcakeagingingerbreadhe’llbesomewherearound。’’
Sowewenton，thetwogirlsleadingthewayandtheHon。Samnowtellinghispoliticaltroublestome。Halfamiledowntheroad，asolitaryhorsemanstoodwaiting，andMr。Buddgavealowwhistle。
``Oneo’myrivals，’’hesaid，fromthecornerofhismouth。
``Mornin’，’’saidthehorseman；``lemmeseeyouaminute。’’
Hemadeamovementtodrawaside，buttheHon。Samuelmadeacounter-
gestureofdissent。
``Thisgentlemanisafriendofmine，’’
hesaidfirmly，butwithgreatcourtesy，``andhecanhearwhatyouhavetosaytome。’’
Themountaineerrubbedonehugehandoverhisstubblychin，threwoneofhislonglegsoverthepommelofhissaddle，anddangledaheavycowhideshoetoandfro。
``Wouldyoumindtellin’mewhutpayamemberoftheHouseofLegislatur’gitsaday？’’
TheHon。Samlookedsurprised。
``Ithinkabouttwodollarsandahalf。’’
``An’hismeals？’’
``No！’’laughedMr。Budd。
``Well，look-eehere，stranger。I’maporemanan’I’vegotamortgageonmyfarm。Thatmoneydon’tmeannothin’toyou——butifyou’lldrawoutnowan’I
win，I’lltellyewhutI’lldo。’’Hepausedasthoughtomakesurethatthesacrificewaspossible。``I’lljustgiveyehalfofthattwodollarsandahalfaday，asshoreasyou’rea-settin’onthathoss，andyouwon’thav’tohitadurnlicktoearnit。’’
Ihadnotthehearttosmile——nordidtheHon。Samuel——soartlessandsimplewasthemanandsopathetichisappeal。
``Yousee——you’lldividemyvote，an’
efwebothrun，oleJoshBarton’llgititshore。Efyougitouto’theway，Icanlickhimeasy。’’
Mr。Budd’sanswerwaskind，instructive，anduplifted。
``Myfriend，’’saidhe，``I’msorry，butIcannotpossiblyaccedetoyourrequestforthefollowingreasons：First，itwouldnotbefairtomyconstituents；secondly，itwouldhardlybeseemingtobarterthenoblegiftofthepeopletowhichwebothaspire；thirdly，youmightlosewithmeoutoftheway；andfourthly，I’mgoingtowinwhetheryouareinthewayornot。’’
ThehorsemanslowlycollapsedwhiletheHon。Samuelwastalking，andnowhethrewthelegback，kickedforhisstirruptwice，spatonce，andturnedhishorse’shead。
``Ireckonyouwill，stranger，’’hesaidsadly，``withthatgifto’gabo’yourn。’’
Heturnedwithoutanotherwordornodofgood-byandstartedbackupthecreekwhencehehadcome。
``Onegone，’’saidtheHon。SamuelBuddgrimly，``andIswearI’mrightsorryforhim。’’AndsowasI。
Anhourlaterwestrucktheriver，andanotherhourupstreambroughtustowherethecontestoftongueswastocomeabout。
NosylvandellinArcadycouldhavebeenlovelierthanthespot。Abovetheroad，abigspringpouredaclearlittlestreamovershiningpebblesintotheriver；
aboveitthebusheshungthickwithautumnleaves，andabovethemstoodyellowbeecheslikepillarsofpalefire。Onbothsidesoftheroadsatandsquattedthehonestvoters，sour-looking，disgruntled——adistinctlyhostilecrowd。TheBlightandmylittlesisterdrewgreatandcuriousattentionastheysatonabowlderabovethespringwhileIwentwiththeHon。SamuelBuddundertheguidanceofUncleTommieHendricks，whointroducedhimrightandleft。TheHon。Samuelwascheery，buthewasplainlynervous。Thereweretwolankyyouthswhosenames，oddlyenough，wereBudd。Astheygavehimtheirhugepawsinlifelessfashion，theHon。Samuelslappedoneontheshoulder，withthetruedemocracyofthepolitician，andsaidjocosely：
``Well，weBuddsmaynotbewhatyoucallgreatpeople，but，thankGod，noneofushaveeverbeeninthepenitentiary，’’
andhelaughedloudly，thinkingthathehadscoredagreatandjollypoint。ThetwoyoungmenlookedexceedinglygraveandUncleTommiepanic-stricken。HepluckedtheHon。Sambythesleeveandledhimaside：
``Ireckonyoumadealeetlemistakethar。Themtwofellers’daddydiedinthepenitentiarylastspring。’’TheHon。Samwhistledmournfully，buthelookedgameenoughwhenhisopponentrosetospeak——UncleJoshBarton，whohadshort，thick，uprighthair，littlesharpeyes，andaraspingvoice。UncleJoshwastednotime：
``Feller-citizens，’’heshouted，``thismanisalawyer——he’sacorporationlawyer’’；thefearfulname——pronounced``lie-yer’’——rangthroughthecrowdlikeatrumpet，andlikelightningtheHon。Samwasonhisfeet。
``Themanwhosaysthatisaliar，’’hesaidcalmly，``andIdemandyourauthorityforthestatement。Ifyouwon’tgiveit——Ishallholdyoupersonallyresponsible，sir。’’
Itwasastrikehome，andundertheflashingeyesthatstaredunwaveringly，throughthebiggoggles，UncleJoshhaltedandstammeredandadmittedthathemighthavebeenmisinformed。
``ThenIadviseyoutobemorecareful，’’
cautionedtheHon。Samuelsharply。
``Feller-citizens，’’saidUncleJosh，``ifheain’tacorporationlawyer——whoisthisman？Wheredidhecomefrom？Ihavebeenbornandraisedamongyou。Youallknowme——doyouknowhim？Whut’shea-doin’now？He’safine-hairedfurriner，an’he’scomedownhyehfromthesettlemintstotellyethatyouhain’tgotnomaninyo’owndeestrictthat’sfittin’torepresentyeinthelegislatur’。Lookathim——
lookathim！He’sgotFOUReyes！Lookathishair——hit’sPARTEDINTHEMIDDLE！’’
Therewasastormoflaughter——UncleJoshhadmadegood——andiftheHon。
Samuelcouldstraightwayhaveturnedbald-headedandsightless，hewouldhavebeenahappyman。Helookedsickwithhopelessness，butUncleTommieHendricks，hismentor，wasvigorouslywhisperingsomethinginhisear，andgraduallyhisfacecleared。Indeed，theHon。Samuelwassmilinglyconfidentwhenherose。
Likehisrival，hestoodintheopenroad，andthesunbeatdownonhispartedyellowhair，sothattheeyesofallcouldsee，andthelaughterwasstillrunninground。
``WhoisyourUncleJosh？’’heaskedwiththreateningmildness。``IknowIwasnotbornhere，but，myfriends，Icouldn’thelpthat。AndjustassoonasIcouldgetawayfromwhereIwasborn，Icamehereand，’’hepausedwithlipspartedandlongfingeroutstretched，``and——I——came——because——IWANTED——tocome——andNOT
becauseIHADTO。’’