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 I 

 
 THE RED-KEGGERS
 
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 .*!?. OP CALIF. LIBRARY, LOS ABGELES
 
 "SURELY, LETTIE, YOU DON'T WANT TO LIVE ON A FARM ALL 
 YOUR LIFE?"
 
 THE 
 
 RED-KEGGERS 
 
 By 
 
 EUGENE THWING 
 
 Illustrations by 
 W. HERBERT DVNTON 
 
 Ne<w York 
 GROSSET & DUNLAP 
 
 Publishers
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 "Surely, Lettie, you don't want to live on a farm all your 
 
 life ? " (Page 60), FRONTISPIECE 
 
 Facing page 
 
 "You are to have your choice between sitting in that chair 
 
 and a dose of the blue beech," 10 
 
 "What is all this about, and why are these things here? " . 50 
 
 "Swim around a bit an' cool off, or go home an' hang yer- 
 
 self up to dry," 194 
 
 The more Sam raved and swore, the more the spectators 
 
 laughed and jeered, 270 
 
 " Loose your hold there, quick, or you die I " . . . 298 
 
 "I ?.m guilty, judge, guilty!" 404 
 
 "I des love him, I do," 426
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 THE section officially known as Range i, North, and 
 Red-Keg, its focal point, were in the transition period 
 between lumbering and farming. The combined cut- 
 tings of three contracting firms and several individual 
 owners, amounting to some twenty million feet of saw- 
 logs, had been sent down the river from Red-Keg and 
 half a dozen other points extending ten miles along the 
 bank. A hundred or more rivermen had gone down 
 with the great drive to the booms at Saginaw, or farther 
 on, and had made the river towns noisy with their cus- 
 tomary revels. The camps in the woods had been dis- 
 mantled, the swollen river had subsided, and compara- 
 tive quiet now reigned in and around Red-Keg ; but it 
 was not the quiet of idleness. A different form of ac- 
 tivity was gaining ascendency. Instead of the axe and 
 the saw cutting their way through the forest, the plough 
 was cutting its way through the fields. Instead of the 
 crash of the noble pine, the growth of a century laid 
 low in a moment, the tiny seed fell gently into the fur- 
 row. The spirit of destruction and death, which dur- 
 ing the winter had stalked through the forest, now with- 
 drew for a season, and the spirit of creation and life 
 brooded over the fertile earth. 
 
 As the forest receded the farm took its place. Many
 
 2 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 of the lumbermen of the winter became the farmers of 
 the summer. Few of these men went down the river 
 with the drive, and those who did go hastened back as 
 soon as their work was done, leaving their companions, 
 the roving lumber-jacks, to the drunken carouse which 
 the holiday spirit, the sense of a year's work done, the 
 relaxation from the intense strain of labour and danger, 
 and the possession of a considerable " stake " seemed 
 to make necessary, or at least inevitable. Nearly all 
 of the farmers and other able-bodied men throughout 
 the section made their winters profitable by working 
 for one or another of the lumber contractors ; or, own- 
 ing timber land of their own, cut as much as they could 
 with little outlay for additional help or equipment, tra- 
 voyed their own saw-logs to the skidways, and later 
 loaded them on sleighs and toted them to the banking- 
 ground at the river to await the spring freshet. Thus 
 there was for them no " off " season, no period for idle- 
 ness, and no time in which those who cared for success 
 could afford to waste strength and income in the pro- 
 longed debauch of the lumber-jacks. Yet the Red- 
 Keg, the pioneer saloon from which the little town 
 growing up around it involuntarily took its name, did a 
 flourishing business from one year's end to the other. 
 Its greatest revenue, of course, was in the winter and 
 spring, when the lumber-jacks for miles around regarded 
 the bright red keg fastened at the top of a pole in front 
 of Pete's place as the beacon light which guided them 
 to their ever-desired haven. " Pete's Place " was let- 
 tered on this red keg in scrawling characters quite in 
 keeping with the sprawling characters so often found 
 inside the saloon. Two hotels or boarding-houses, a 
 general store, two company stores, and about fifty log- 
 or board-houses, made up the rest of the village.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 3 
 
 Five miles or more down the river was Midland 
 City, the county seat. The state road ran north from 
 Red-Keg some eight or nine miles, and then turned to 
 the west for about the same distance, until it reached 
 the village of Sixteen on the river about twelve miles 
 above Red-Keg. The road and the river thus formed 
 an irregular triangle. In the adjacent county, where 
 the forest gave place, were numerous settlements and 
 farms, locating themselves by the name of the village 
 to which they chanced to be nearest. 
 
 District School No. I, at Midland, was the rallying- 
 place for the youth throughout the section who desired 
 an education, or whose parents desired it for them, 
 and the sturdy boys and girls thought nothing of 
 walking five miles or more to and from school when 
 the roads were good, or of riding the same distance 
 in sleigh, buckboard, or even farm wagon, when snow 
 or rain made walking out of the question. Although 
 the railroad extended to Red-Keg, it was seldom used. 
 Even some of the younger men employed in the 
 lumber-camps, or on the farms, managed to get a few 
 weeks of schooling during the fall and spring. For 
 nearly a month after the wind-up of the logging season 
 and the scattering of the gangs, the school at Midland 
 continued its all-day sessions. Then, with its annual 
 " exercises " and jollification, it closed for the summer, 
 leaving the larger boys and girls free to help, according 
 to their respective abilities, in the work of the farms. 
 
 Closing day at District School No. I was an event in 
 which parents and friends as well as pupils took an 
 active interest. From all parts of the section they 
 drove in to enjoy the festivities. The forenoon was 
 devoted to the regular routine work, the afternoon to 
 speeches, recitations, and singing, the evening to games.
 
 4 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 spelling-bees, and dancing, usually lasting well on to- 
 ward morning. This year Lettie Green, Norine Malo- 
 ney, and Axcy Marthy were to "graduate," and the 
 Red-Keggers were preparing to turn out in force to 
 honour so important an occasion. 
 
 Two consecutive days of rare beauty marked the close 
 of the cold rains and ushered in the season of the earth's 
 awakening. With the warm south wind came the 
 breath of flowers and songs of birds. 
 
 Strangely out of harmony with the joyousness around 
 her, and in which she was expected to join, Lettie Green 
 stood at her window with trouble in her eyes. A tear 
 glistened a moment on her long lashes, and then slipped 
 unheeded down her cheek. 
 
 A door behind her opened, and she turned quickly 
 with a little cry of joy which as quickly died away. 
 Then she flushed red at the thought that her aunt 
 must have seen her disappointment and would know 
 the reason for it. 
 
 "What on earth, Lettie! You've been crying; and 
 to-day, of all things ! What is the matter ? " 
 
 " Oh, nothing, Aunt Lydia." 
 
 "No, of course not. Sam ought to have been 
 here before now if he is going to take you to Mid- 
 land. He went off hunting yesterday, and got too 
 far, I suppose, but the other folks are sure to be 
 along in a few minutes. You'll have to hurry and 
 eat your dinner." 
 
 " He had no right to disappoint me the very first 
 time," thought Lettie, as she followed her aunt down- 
 stairs. 
 
 The hasty meal was scarcely finished when Seward 
 Rathaway drove up in his buckboard. 
 
 " Has Lettie gone ? " he called.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 5 
 
 "No, she's waiting for you," replied Lydia Green, 
 appearing at the door. 
 
 " For me ! Good ! " exclaimed Seward, springing to 
 the ground to assist Lettie into the seat. " Uncle Si 
 and Mother Hawkins, Mr. and Mrs. Maloney, Norine, 
 and Barney are close behind. We'll wait a minute 
 and all go on together. Aren't you coming, Aunt 
 Lydia?" 
 
 " Yes, I'll come down on the train with the Red-Keg 
 folks. Sorry your mother isn't well enough to come. 
 How is she this morning ? " 
 
 " Pretty comfortable, thank you. To tell the truth, 
 Lettie," he added in a low tone as he took his place 
 beside her, " after the way you went driving with Sam 
 last week, and the look on your face when you came 
 back, I imagined there'd be little chance for me to en- 
 joy such a pleasure as this again." 
 
 Lettie's face paled, and then flushed. 
 
 " Nonsense ! " she replied. 
 
 When District School No. I was called to order 
 for the forenoon session, the teacher noticed Jaky 
 Strander, Rodney Bedell, Jim Gyde, and two or three 
 of the other larger boys in their places, early, quiet, 
 and serious, all unusual symptoms with that particu- 
 lar coterie. A flash of expectancy which passed from 
 one to another did not escape the schoolmaster, but he 
 appeared to see nothing out of the ordinary. 
 
 Jaky, or "Babe," Strander, who had earned his 
 nickname by his enormous proportions, and his weight 
 of over two hundred pounds, was a clumsy round-faced 
 fellow, always good-natured, always in mischief, the 
 butt of practical jokers, and one of the chief of them 
 himself. He was an expert log-roller, notwithstanding
 
 6 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 his weight, but very much less at ease within the narrow 
 walls of the district school, and utterly unable to master 
 the multiplication-table, although past twenty years of 
 age. The difference between seven times eight and nine 
 times six was an unfathomable mystery to him, but he 
 could judge almost to a hair's breadth the probable 
 movements of that most erratic of inanimate objects, 
 the saw-log, whether in the water or on the skidway. 
 Ashbel Fair, two years his junior, was his inseparable 
 companion, a slender, bright-eyed boy, with light curls 
 in a tangled mass over his head, witty, a favorite with 
 the girls, punctilious in his attendance at school and 
 his apparent obedience to rules, but ready to join in 
 any lark, and always with the proverbial chip on his 
 shoulder * as a standing invitation to " scraps " for the 
 slightest cause, or for no cause at all. He was never 
 /nissing when a rollway was to be broken or a drive sent 
 jown the river, but he hurried back to school as soon 
 AS the excitement of the work was over, and he usually 
 led his class in spite of time lost. 
 
 Jim Gyde was twenty-two, and had been going to 
 school since he was ten. Thoroughly careless and un- 
 ruly, in the second reader and the primary arithmetic, 
 he was still unable to write his name, and cared for 
 none of these things. He stood six feet two in his 
 stockings, had been the terror of all the teachers since 
 he first came to school, and hesitated at nothing 
 in the form of devilry. He came or stayed away 
 from school as he pleased, and even his father, who 
 was school moderator, had no control over him. A 
 typical woodsman and a champion "scrapper," he 
 
 * " To go about with a chip on one's shoulder to appear in 
 the attitude of a challenger provoking assault or attack, like 
 one who defies another to strike a chip off his shoulder."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 7 
 
 swung his long arms and bony fists with such effect 
 that few cared to come within reach of them when 
 they began to move. Only three persons had any 
 power over him ; they were Axcy Marthy, on whom 
 he lavished his silent affection, Joseph Waters, the 
 new schoolmaster, and Robert Allen, the backwoods 
 parson. 
 
 Rodney Bedell and Bud Frazer were two lawless 
 youths who sought to pattern themselves after Jim 
 Gyde for bullying and after Ashbel Fair for mischief, 
 following with alacrity either lead if it promised fun or 
 fighting l terms which were almost synonymous with 
 these young backwoodsmen. 
 
 Between fifty and sixty boys and girls from ten to 
 twenty-two years of age were in their places waiting 
 for the usual opening exercises. Something seemed to 
 be in the air, and a furtive wink now and then from one 
 or the other of the larger boys confirmed the suspicion 
 which by some mysterious telepathic influence had 
 communicated itself to most of the pupils. The school- 
 master showed no hurry to proceed with his reading of 
 the Bible chapter. He first placed some of the lessons 
 for the day on the blackboard behind the platform. 
 Then he turned to the school and inquired : 
 
 " Jaky, how many are six times nine ? " 
 
 Jaky was taken wholly unawares. He stammered, 
 looked up at the ceiling, from one side to the other, 
 rolled his eyes nervously, plunged his hands deeply into 
 his pockets, and with a desperate effort blurted out : 
 
 " Fifty-six." 
 
 " How many of your lessons have you ready for to- 
 day, Jaky ? " 
 
 Again the unhappy youth squirmed under the search- 
 ing eyes of the schoolmaster. The stillness was op-
 
 8 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 pressive. Such a proceeding before the opening exer- 
 cises and the reading of the roll was portentous of 
 trouble. 
 
 " I've got my joggerf y and 'riffmetic all done," replied 
 Jaky at last, with a vain effort to appear at ease, 
 
 "Very well, Jaky," said the teacher pleasantly, 
 " come up to the platform. I will let you recite now, 
 before you forget them.*' 
 
 Jaky hung his head, looked appealingly toward some 
 of his chums, and, almost stumbling to the floor as he 
 arose awkwardly from his seat, shuffled unwillingly 
 toward the platform, his hands still up to his elbows in 
 his capacious pockets. The others watched curiously 
 every movement of schoolmaster and culprit, 
 
 " Step up here with me," said the teacher in a friendly 
 voice, as Jaky hesitated at the edge of the platform. 
 
 Jaky did as he was bidden. 
 
 " Now turn your face to the school, so," taking the 
 clumsy fellow by the shoulders and turning him around. 
 At the same time he drew his own wooden chair from 
 under his deal table and placed it directly behind Jaky : 
 "Be seated, please," he continued. 
 
 Here Jaky mutinied. 
 
 " It's got pins in it ! " he blurted, now almost beside 
 himself with fear and embarrassment. Trembling from 
 head to foot, he sidled away from the dangerous prox- 
 imity of the chair, and in his excitement fell off the 
 side of the platform and measured his length on the 
 floor. 
 
 "Pins?" exclaimed the schoolmaster in mock sur- 
 prise, as he took up the chair and examined it closely. 
 "Why, sure enough! and very neatly and cleverly 
 done, too," he added pleasantly. 
 
 " See here," he went on, exhibiting the chair to the
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 9 
 
 school, " five gimlet holes bored through the seat irfthe 
 form of a square, with one in the centre. These holes 
 are nicely rilled with wooden plugs, through the centre 
 of which long, stout pins have been thrust, so that the 
 points protrude nearly an inch upward from the seat of 
 the chair. Isn't that a clever idea, boys and girls ? Do 
 you know that in an old city called Nuremberg, on the 
 other side of the world, there is a pretty little contriv- 
 ance called the Iron Maiden, which was constructed 
 many years ago on a somewhat similar principle, only 
 that it is much more elaborate, because the long iron 
 pins were arranged to penetrate every part of the body 
 from head to foot. Evidently a like genius invented 
 this seat. It would be too bad to allow such a clever 
 invention to go untried. Let us see, there are five of 
 the pins. I will allow five of you to try the seat, one 
 for each of the pins. Who shall they be ? " and he 
 glanced quizzically over the school, without resting his 
 eyes on any one in particular. 
 
 Dead silence reigned. Even the innocent pupils were 
 too much frightened to snicker, as they had been known 
 to do when some unfortunate was caught in a scrape. 
 
 " Are there no volunteers ? " asked the schoolmaster 
 after a few moments. " In that case I shall have to 
 issue invitations by name. Jim Gyde, Rodney Bedell, 
 Bud Frazer, Ashbel Fair, and Jaky Strander, kindly 
 step to the platform in the order I have called your 
 names and sit down for a moment in this interesting 
 chair." 
 
 Not one of the boys moved. Black looks and clenched 
 fists, however, spoke eloquently of mutiny. 
 
 The schoolmaster gazed at his pupils a moment longer 
 with his frank, courteous smile ; then in an instant his 
 face changed and became stern and set. His jaw
 
 io THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 squared and his eyes flashed. He stepped quietly to 
 a small closet near his table, unlocked it, and took from 
 it five new blue beeches and laid them in a row upon 
 the table. When he spoke, his voice was very quiet 
 and cold, but the ring in it was unmistakable. 
 
 "Jim Gyde, step forward, sir." 
 
 The young ruffian hung his head, spread his legs 
 under the seat in front of him, and gripped his own 
 seat, but otherwise made no sign or response. For 
 about thirty seconds in the stillness of the schoolroom 
 there was a contest of wills. Then Jim raised his head 
 and met the steely gaze of the schoolmaster's eyes. 
 Slowly he rose and stalked forward until he stood face 
 to face with his master. 
 
 " You are to have your choice between sitting in that 
 chair and a dose of the blue beech," said the school- 
 master, in the same quiet tone. 
 
 Another silence, while the bully measured his forces 
 with those of the schoolmaster. Undoubtedly he had 
 the brawn, and bone, and reach of arm, but there was 
 something in the other which he lacked wholly. He 
 could not understand it. He recognized it with anger 
 and a touch of awe, and he yielded to it, as he had done 
 before. He clenched his teeth. 
 
 "The beech," he muttered. 
 
 One of the five stout switches was made to do its 
 work thoroughly and well, and was then thrown out of 
 the window. 
 
 " Rodney Bedell," called the schoolmaster. 
 
 One by one the other four came forward and took 
 their medicine, never dreaming of resistance after the 
 toughest fighter in the school had been vanquished. 
 All chose the beech, not because it would hurt less, 
 but because they at least knew the taste of it, and more-
 
 YOU ARE TO HAVE YOUR CHOICE BETWEEN SITTING IN THAT CHAIR 
 AND A DOSE OF THE BLUE BEECH."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 11 
 
 over the other punishment would subject them to end- 
 less ridicule. 
 
 When the last of the five conspirators had resumed 
 his place, the schoolmaster rang his bell for order, 
 called the roll, and then read the first fourteen verses 
 of the twelfth chapter of Hebrews in a tone of voice 
 very different from that which he had previously used. 
 He remarked briefly on the value, the dignity even, of 
 chastisement if administered and received in the right 
 spirit. He spoke of the close relation between chas- 
 tisement and love, and assured his pupils that he loved 
 them, and did not wish to humiliate them or break their 
 spirits, but that he wanted to lead them to respect 
 themselves and turn their splendid energies into right 
 directions. After reading the fourteenth verse he 
 paused a moment, and looked kindly at the turbulent 
 fellows before him. 
 
 " That is a hard precept to live by in this region, 
 boys; but remember this: if a man respects himself 
 men will soon learn to respect him, and nothing is a 
 surer preservative of peace than mutual respect. Avoid 
 quarrels if you can, but if one is forced upon you, 
 well, make it so hot for the other fellow that he will 
 want to avoid them thereafter." 
 
 The lessons for the morning then proceeded without 
 interruption, but the pupils recited mechanically and 
 scarcely heard the questions and explanations of the 
 schoolmaster. The one thing that occupied their minds 
 was the startling event of the morning, and it was the 
 one topic discussed when the school was dismissed an 
 hour earlier than usual that the place might be pre- 
 pared for the afternoon exercises. 
 
 " He knew all about it, and had everything fixed," 
 exclaimed one and another. " How in thunder did he 
 frdout?"
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 "TIGHT fit, ain't it," remarked Hezekiah Bloag, as 
 he edged his way to the front and squeezed into a nar- 
 row space on a bench beside Josiah Hawkins. 
 
 " Yes, there must be close to a hundred and fifty 
 here, and it's only intended to seat eighty comfortably. 
 We'll have more room to-night when the youngsters 
 go home," replied Farmer Hawkins. 
 
 The little schoolroom platform was barely wide 
 enough for six chairs in a row at the back. These were 
 occupied by the School Board, consisting of Director, 
 Moderator, and Clerk, the minister of the Midland 
 church, Rev. Augustus Hayward, the itinerant preacher 
 and missionary, Robert Allen, and Joseph Waters, the 
 schoolmaster. 
 
 "This occasion marks an epoch in District School 
 No. i, and in the lives of these here young ladies who 
 go out from its educatin' influence," said the Moderator 
 in his opening speech; "but likewise it gives ye a 
 chance to see the new schoolmaster, who, from all ac- 
 counts, is as different from them who preceded him as 
 the freshet that carried the drive down the Tittabawas- 
 see last month is from a spoonful of dishwater. Ye 
 know my boy Jim ain't ezactly a baby. I don't fool 
 much with him myself. Mr. Waters, here, larrupped 
 him and four of his pals good and plenty this morn- 
 ing before the whole school, usin' up a blue beech on 
 every mother's son of 'em ; and all the time, they say, 
 he was cool and quiet as though hearin' a class in 
 
 13
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 13 
 
 spellin* I wouldn't know where to pick out another 
 man who could do the job. He's the kind of school- 
 master this district needs. More power to his arm, 
 say I. We'll now hear the report of the Clerk for the 
 past year." 
 
 One by one, the Moderator introduced the speakers 
 of the afternoon. The Director, Ashbel Fair's father, 
 spoke of the importance of a good school education in 
 fitting young men and women for practical work even 
 in the forest or on the farm. The city minister talked 
 learnedly on no subject in particular until his hearers 
 were glad to have him stop. The schoolmaster mod- 
 estly begged to be excused from speaking. 
 
 " My boys and girls have already heard enough from 
 me, and their parents and friends will be content if I 
 stick to my work and let speech-making alone." 
 
 This, coming immediately after two long, prosy ad- 
 dresses, was greeted with hearty applause and some 
 approving laughter. 
 
 Parson Allen could not escape so easily, 
 
 " Ye've been away all winter in the woods with the 
 boys," said the Moderator. "If there's anything ye 
 have to say to us people, now's your chance." 
 
 In a few simple words the stalwart backwoods par- 
 son spoke of some of the lessons taught in the wonder- 
 ful school in which he and scores of rugged men had 
 been pupils during the past winter. 
 
 " Our schoolmaster is stern and exacting, and our 
 hours are longer than yours," he said. " We must keep 
 at our lessons sometimes until after midnight, and start 
 in again at three o'clock in the morning. It depends a 
 good deal on the weather. But it's worth while, if the 
 lessons are well learned. Most of the boys don't know 
 that they are learning them, and I'm afraid they forget
 
 14 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 them when school is out ; but there's big hope for any 
 fellow when he gets his eyes open. 
 
 " In the first grade of our school out yonder in the 
 woods every chap learns four lessons in a wonderfully 
 short time First comes patience. He needs it when 
 the roads are hard to make, when the snow comes too 
 soon and prevents the ground and the swamp from 
 freezing, when the horses break through the ice, when 
 a thaw stops the work before time, when the boss is 
 unreasonable, at every point he must know his lesson 
 of patience by heart. Then there's endurance. When 
 a man must turn out of his bunk at two or three o'clock 
 on a frosty morning and fight against time in the teeth 
 of a biting wind or a driving snow for eighteen hours 
 or more at a stretch ; when he must stand waist deep 
 in the water and floating ice of the river maybe half 
 the time from dawn to dark to gather and send forward 
 the stranded logs in the rear ; when he must do the or- 
 dinary work of two or three men to win the battle with 
 time, in all this he would fail if he had not learned 
 well his lesson of endurance. Persistence is another 
 of the lessons. Often the elements seem to mock the 
 mightiest efforts the men put forth. The labour of days 
 may be undone in a single night by a rain-storm or 
 a heavy snow. The same work must often be done 
 over and over again. Enough happens during a sea- 
 son's logging to discourage any but the most deter- 
 mined . Only by adding persistence to the other lessons 
 does the impossible become possible and a threat- 
 ening failure is turned into success. Bravery also is 
 a lesson that is taught by every day's experience in 
 this great school of the lumbermen. I have seen, you 
 have all seen, a man go down under a mighty wall of logs 
 thirty or forty feet high to break a roll way or a jam,
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 15 
 
 when an instant's mischance might bury his mangled 
 body under millions of feet of logs. Some of the brav- 
 est men in this region are right here in this room and 
 belong also to this school, as well as to the larger one 
 of the woods. Last month, in the jam below Red-Keg, 
 when the tangle of logs resisted the efforts of the crews 
 until they were almost driven to blow it to pieces with 
 giant powder, who went down under the jagged mass 
 and worked like demons until they tore out log after 
 log and set the tangle free, barely escaping with their 
 own lives? You know them. One was Jim Gyde. I 
 thought he was here, but I don't see him. Another 
 was Barney O'Boyle. There's Barney, now, and he 
 needn't blush. Ashbel Fair and Jaky Strander were 
 with them, and four braver boys I never saw. They 
 have learned that lesson well. I hope they will all 
 learn courage of another sort to add to their bravery. 
 
 " There is a higher grade in the school of the woods 
 in which other lessons can be learned, and they are not 
 so readily acquired. My friend Josiah Hawkins, whom 
 I see yonder, has learned them well, and has long 
 shown their effect in his beautiful life. One of these 
 lessons is reverence. In the presence of the mighty 
 forces of nature and the grandeur of the ancient for- 
 ests, one is inspired with reverent awe for the great 
 Maker and Ruler of all. Then the lesson of humility 
 follows as one realizes the smallness and dependence 
 of men. Lessons of self-sacrifice and brotherly kind- 
 ness are learned by men who work together in common 
 danger, exposure, and eager effort. There was not a 
 man in any of the crews with which I worked who 
 would hesitate an instant to leap to the assistance of a 
 comrade in danger, though his own life might pay the 
 forfeit
 
 16 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 "My one wish is that these lessons, learned uncon- 
 sciously in the forest and on the river, may take pos- 
 session of the boys and become the controlling impulses 
 of their lives." 
 
 " Mr. Hawkins," called the Moderator, after Parson 
 Allen sat down, " we would be glad to hear from you 
 again. It's nearly five years since ye were Director of 
 this school, and we've not seen much of ye in that time." 
 
 " Better let the young folks have a chance now. I 
 guess there's been enough speech-making," replied 
 Farmer Hawkins from his seat in the audience. 
 
 The Moderator accordingly announced that the pro- 
 gramme prepared by the school would be proceeded 
 with at once, and he turned over the exercises to the 
 schoolmaster. Axcy Marthy took her seat at the little 
 melodion in the corner and in a moment the pupils and 
 many of the visitors were singing lustily. Recitations, 
 dialogues, and tableaux followed in rapid succession. 
 A fat youngster in short " pants " and with a shrill, pip- 
 ing voice recited : 
 
 " I wish I had a little wife, 
 A little stove and fire, 
 I'd hug her like a lump of gold. 
 And let no one come nigh 'er.* 
 
 A taller youth with aspirations to be a brave lumber- 
 jack made a bold attack upon "Spartacus." Little 
 girls spoke dialogues. Lettie Green, after reciting 
 with fine effect "The Baron's Last Banquet," received 
 her school certificate tightly rolled and tied with a blue 
 ribbon. Similar certificates were given to Norine Ma- 
 loney and Axcy Marthy after their recitations. The 
 latter brought down the house by an original sketch 
 entitled " The Schoolmarm," in which she introduced
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 17 
 
 a clever caricature of the unfortunate dame whose brief 
 career at District School No. I had ended suddenly 
 during the last year, and whose unfinished term Joseph 
 Waters had just completed. The pleadings, the threats, 
 the tears, the nervousness, were reproduced true to life, 
 and the piece ended with the schoolmarm's absurd 
 attempt to drive her unruly brood out of the school- 
 house by flapping her apron at them with both hands, 
 stamping her feet, and crying " Shoo ! shoo ! go home ! 
 shoo!** 
 
 As soon as dusk began to settle, nearly forty of the 
 younger children, most of whom lived in town, were 
 sent home, and a collation which had been prepared in 
 a neighboring house was brought in. All formality 
 and restraint disappeared, and the evening was given 
 over to fun and frolic. After the remains of the colla- 
 tion were cleared away, the chairs and benches were 
 arranged on opposite sides of the room and a spelling- 
 bee was organized, Axcy Marthy being named for leader 
 of one side and Lettie Green of the other. Each chose 
 her forces one by one alternately until the entire com- 
 pany of pupils, visitors, and school officials were ranged 
 on one side or the other, with the schoolmaster in 
 charge of "Sander's Speller." The battle raged for 
 over an hour, enlivened with frequent excited disputes 
 as to alleged partiality on the part of the teacher, or 
 bursts of laughter when the school officials or other 
 prominent personages were spelled down. Finally the 
 contest narrowed down to Lettie Green and the Mid- 
 land minister on one side and Axcy Marthy and Ash- 
 bel Fair, who, with Jaky Strander, had returned in time 
 for the collation, on the other. The preacher was de- 
 clared "out" for what he insisted was "only a slip of 
 the tongue," and Ashbel was so delighted that he failed 
 t
 
 18 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 to watch his own defenses and went down at the very 
 next word. Axcy and Lettie faced each other with 
 flushed faces and shining eyes. They had proved their 
 right to the leadership of their respective sides. It 
 was now a duel to the finish, and more than ever de- 
 manded of the schoolmaster care in selecting the 
 words, so that neither should gain an undue advantage. 
 Several words had been spelled correctly by each of 
 the girls when an interruption occurred. The door 
 was thrust open and Sam Hawkins entered. He 
 nodded to the few nearest him and made his way hur- 
 riedly to where Seward Rathaway was sitting. After 
 a moment's whispering the two young men went out 
 together. The disturbance was very slight, but it came 
 at an unfortunate time for Lettie. At the next word 
 she hesitated, stammered a little, and missed. Axcy 
 spelled it correctly and was declared the winner. Both 
 girls were extremely popular, so that congratulations 
 were almost equally bestowed. 
 
 Livelier games were then called for : Blind Man's 
 Buff; All Going 'Round the Levee; Button, Button; 
 Strap ; Lead ; Whirl the Platter, and forfeit games of 
 various kinds. Sam Hawkins and Seward Rathaway 
 re-entered the schoolroom and were called to join in 
 Blind Man's Buff, for which poor Jaky Strander had 
 been compelled to play the blind man, his enormous 
 size and awkward movements being counted upon to 
 afford amusement and prolong the chase. 
 
 Sam excused himself and sought Lettie Green, whom 
 he drew to one side. 
 
 " Awfully sorry I disappointed you, Lettie, don't you 
 know. Got treed by a she-bear without my gun, and 
 had to watt her highness's pleasure until this morning, 
 when she went off to her young ones. Then I followed
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 19 
 
 her into the swamp. Thought I might get you a nice 
 skin ; but the rascal gave me the slip." 
 
 "I did feel disappointed," replied Lettie, "especial- 
 ly , but of course if you couldn't help it ; you'll stay 
 now, and take me home to-night ? " 
 
 " Really, Lettie, I'm awfully sorry, but Seward and 
 I have got to go now ; something important, don't you 
 know." Then seeing Lettie's look of astonishment 
 and reproach, and a suspicion of tears gathering, he 
 added hurriedly, "Don't be foolish, Lettie, there's a 
 good girl I'll make it all right," and he bent closer 
 and whispered something in her ear. 
 
 The clouds partially disappeared from the girl's face, 
 but she allowed Seward to get the benefit of an accus- 
 ing flash from her eyes as he came toward her. He 
 shifted uneasily, but said, with an effort to appear 
 unembarrassed : 
 
 " You and Aunt Lydia can take the buckboard and 
 drive back together with the folks. Sam and I have 
 urgent business, and can't stay. Good night." 
 
 The two boys hurried off, attracting as little atten- 
 tion as possible to their departure. Lettie thought her 
 evening was spoiled, but under the influence of the 
 gaiety around her, her natural vivacity soon reasserted 
 itself, and she joined in the games as though nothing 
 had happened. The games of forfeit were most popu- 
 lar, and with Axcy Marthy, Ashbel Fair, and Barney 
 O' Boyle as judges, the sentences imposed were sure 
 to be ingenious and mirth-provoking. The dapper lit- 
 tle minister of Midland was condemned to do a log-roll- 
 ing act on an empty barrel provided for the purpose, 
 and his carefully prepared gestures in the pulpit were 
 never half so expressive as the impromptu ones with 
 which he emphasized this performance; nor was his
 
 20 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 congregation ever so appreciative. With perfect good 
 nature the precise little man made himself ridiculous 
 and crowned his efforts with the expected downfall. 
 
 Big, jolly Pete Murray, who had the fastest horses in 
 the district, and who drew the biggest load of logs ever 
 brought into Red-Keg, was ordered by Ashbel Fair to 
 thread a cambric needle in one minute, or kiss Axcy 
 Marthy on the tip of her nose. Failing ignominiously 
 in the first, he went at the second with a gusto, but 
 made a slight mistake. 
 
 " Stop ! that's my mouth ! " screamed Axcy, laughing 
 and blushing. 
 
 " Sure, right well I know it ! " shouted the giant lum- 
 berman in glee. " An' it's a reward, not a forfeit, so 
 it is." 
 
 " No fair ! another forfeit ! Make him pay another ! " 
 exclaimed the players from all parts of the room. 
 
 " Judge " Ashbel agreed, and demanded a story from 
 the grinning Irishman. 
 
 " Good ! a story ! a story ! " clamored the young peo- 
 ple, who knew that Pete Murray was famous for his 
 wonderful stories of the " ould sod," and that he always 
 had a supply on tap. 
 
 Nothing loath, the jovial lumberman at once began a 
 yarn that became taller and taller until it was drowned 
 in the jeers and laughter of his hearers. 
 
 The next victim was " Babe " Strander, who was re- 
 quired to walk on a straight chalk line down the centre 
 of the room, with a penalty of a pin-thrust from a pretty 
 girl for every step which did not touch the line. Nearly 
 every girl in the room had a jab at the poor fellow as 
 the result of his promenade. 
 
 Ashbel Fair, falling, in his turn, under the condem- 
 nation of Judge Axcy Marthy, was ordered to preach
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 21 
 
 a five minutes' sermon to the Midland minister on the 
 sin of frivolity. Ashbel was disconcerted for a moment 
 only; then he showed that the mischievous girl had 
 not reckoned in vain on his wit and readiness for a lark. 
 He escorted the learned young domine with great dig- 
 nity to a seat directly in front of the platform, mounted 
 to a place behind the teacher's table, and in solemn tones 
 delivered an impromptu discourse in which he imitated 
 the minister's own manner and gestures, and raked him 
 over the coals for imaginary offenses, until the audience 
 held their sides with laughter, and the poor minister 
 protested that it was he that was paying the forfeit, and 
 not Ashbel. 
 
 Hezekiah Bloag, one of the wealthiest men, and cer- 
 tainly the stingiest, in the section, being subject to a 
 forfeit, was called upon by the inexorable Axcy, the 
 only one who would have dared to do such a thing, to 
 make out a check on the bank of Midland for twenty- 
 five dollars for the widow of one of his men who was 
 killed in the rollway the month before. A cheer went 
 up as the forfeit was imposed ; but Mr. Bloag refused 
 to be " bled " under such a pretence. 
 
 "For shame! Pay the forfeit! It's little enough 
 for ye to do," urged his neighbors and acquaintances, 
 vociferously. 
 
 Finally the stingy man went to the schoolmaster's 
 table and made out a check in due form for the twenty- 
 five dollars payable to the bereaved widow. A shout 
 of applause greeted the act, and Axcy Marthy was con- 
 gratulated on scoring an unusual victory; but later, 
 when the check was presented at the bank, it was dis- 
 covered that the old skinflint had written Bloog instead 
 of Bloag, and the check was not worth the paper it was 
 written on.
 
 22 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Barney O'Boyle had been enjoying hugely the for- 
 feits imposed on the others, and was laughing boister- 
 ously, when suddenly his own name was called. He 
 stopped short and stared at Axcy in bewilderment. 
 
 " Come, Barney, it's your turn." 
 
 " Faith, I'm a judge, ain't I ? " asked Barney, hoping 
 for immunity. 
 
 " Never mind, you've got to take your share, I'll 
 act as judge," insisted Axcy, her eyes twinkling. 
 
 Accordingly the rollicking young Irishman, tall, 
 lanky, and powerful, took his seat in front of the 
 judge. 
 
 " What does a woman need most to keep house with ? " 
 asked Axcy. 
 
 " Pins," replied Barney with a grin. The rules re- 
 quired that the answer given to the first question should 
 be repeated for every other question, and not another 
 word should be spoken. 
 
 " What would you give the girl you love best for a 
 wedding present ? " 
 
 " Pins," said Barney, at the same time shaking his 
 head vigorously to belie his word. 
 
 "What makes the best cushion for the teacher's 
 chair?" 
 
 " Pins ! " shouted Barney, and the roar of laughter 
 that followed shook the house. Axcy cast a languish- 
 ing glance at the schoolmaster and then, turning to 
 Barney again, asked : 
 
 " What did the boys get who fixed the chair ? " 
 
 " Pins ! " and another roar broke loose. 
 
 " What would you do if you caught another fellow 
 kissing the girl you love ? " 
 
 " Smash his ! Begorry, I mean *pins ' ; but he bet 
 ter not be tryin' it ! "
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 23 
 
 " A forfeit ! a forfeit ! " came the cry in gleeful tones 
 from all over the room. 
 
 Barney was covered with confusion. He had never 
 declared his love to any girl, and his bashfulness made 
 it seem impossible for him to do so, but the eyes of his 
 friends were not blind. He feared now he had com- 
 promised himself. 
 
 "The sentence of the court is that you now sing 
 a serenade to one Norine Maloney," declared Axcy 
 maliciously. 
 
 Barney stared at his tormentor in despair, his face 
 red as a beet. 
 
 " Sure, I can't do it. I'm no singer, an' I don't know 
 no serrinades," he begged. 
 
 " Yes, you can, Barney. You arc one of the best 
 singers in the district, and the court will give you two 
 minutes to think of a serenade. Surely you will not 
 refuse to sing to such a nice young lady," replied Axcy, 
 in her sweetest tones. 
 
 Barney glanced at where Norine sat blushing like a 
 rose. He was seized with a fit of trembling, and looked 
 around in vain for a way of escape. The clock ticked 
 loudly on the wall. Barney scratched his head, and 
 slowly a gleam of fun crept into his rough, honest face. 
 The two minutes were scarcely up when he strode 
 over to Norine, squared his shoulders, knelt on one 
 knee, and began to chant in a solemn voice : 
 
 " Mid scenes of confusion and creature complaints, 
 How sweet to my soul is communion with saints." 
 
 An explosion of laughter and cheers put an end to 
 the serenade, and it was conceded that Barney had 
 turned the tables on his persecutors. 
 
 The games continued for some time longer, and then
 
 24 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 the centre of the room was cleared, Jose, the champion 
 fiddler of the backwoods, with two companions, struck 
 up a lively tune, and in a jiffy the dance was in full 
 swing. 
 
 Not until long after midnight did the jolly party 
 break up. The new moon had set long ago, and only 
 the light of the stars and the lanterns on carriages and 
 wagons enabled the home-goers to find their way. 
 
 "Your room is all ready for you, Robert," said 
 Mother Hawkins to the backwoods preacher. " You'll 
 be with us soon ? " 
 
 "To-morrow, perhaps, or Saturday," replied Allen. 
 
 Lettie whispered to her aunt, and the latter called 
 Barney. 
 
 " I want to talk with Mrs. Maloney," she said. " You 
 don't mind if Lettie and I ride in the family wagon ? 
 You and Norine can have the buckboard and return it 
 to Seward to-morrow." 
 
 If Barney minded, he didn't say so, and Norine was 
 not consulted, but she had reason to fear that her com- 
 panion had lost his tongue on the long ride home. If 
 she had known how much he longed to talk, she might 
 have taken pity on him and helped him a little, but, 
 instead, she repaid his taciturnity with a like silence, 
 until he set her down at her gate. Then she said 
 gently: 
 
 "Good-night, Barney." 
 
 " Good-night," he replied. 
 
 Joseph Waters, the schoolmaster, was boarding for a 
 fortnight with Abe Davis, about a mile from the school- 
 house. The road zigzagged through a piece of swale. 
 Houses were far apart, and on a dark night the road 
 was uninviting. An old lumber shanty, about half-
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 25 
 
 way to the right, was a favorite resort of the boys in 
 which to roast game or fish captured from woods or 
 river, tip the jug, sing songs, or smoke by the fireside. 
 The sturdy schoolmaster felt no fear in passing through 
 this lonely road on his way home, but his experiences 
 with the lawless members of his school had taught him 
 the wisdom of always being on his guard. He had told 
 no one how, going to the school very early on the 
 morning of closing day to make some preparations, he 
 had seen the five boys leaving the place, had quickly 
 discovered their trick, and made his plans for check- 
 mating them. He thought it better to keep them in 
 the dark. He was now debating with himself whether 
 he should accept the School Board's urgent invitation 
 to undertake another term. The work was hard and 
 the pay small, but something in his rugged nature 
 rebelled against the thought of retreat before those 
 young bullies. 
 
 "I had the upper hand to-day; but am I strong 
 enough to keep it ? " he pondered. " There is some- 
 thing good and noble in their hearts, if it can only be 
 awakened to life. What grand men they will make if 
 they can be conquered without breaking their spirits. 
 Love is the only force that will do it." 
 
 A slight noise interrupted his thoughts. He was 
 just passing the shanty. Some one in a muffled tone 
 said: 
 
 " Sic 'im, Moscow ; sic 'im ! " 
 
 In an instant, from the deeper shadow of the shanty 
 a great body sprang out and rushed toward the school- 
 master. There was no time for thought. With a sin- 
 gle leap the mighty brute cleared the ditch at the right 
 of the road and gathered himself for another spring, 
 his eyes gleaming through the darkness like coals of
 
 26 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 fire. Joe Waters was an athlete and agile as an In- 
 dian. The instant the savage dog made his second 
 spring the schoolmaster leaped to one side, and the 
 brute, with wide-open jaws, passed him and was car- 
 ried, with the impetus of his own bound, across the 
 narrow roadway and into the ditch filled with water on 
 the other side. His sudden fall and cold plunge sur- 
 prised and dazed him for some seconds. Then, snarl- 
 ing and growling, he turned and laboriously climbed 
 the slippery clay bank, panting with rage. Waters saw 
 his opportunity, and planted a vigorous kick squarely 
 under the jaws of the snarling beast. The dog slipped 
 back, but did not lose his hold on the bank, and now, 
 more infuriated than ever, pressed forward to what he 
 knew was to be a battle to the death. The schoolmas- 
 ter had whipped his revolver from his pocket, and waited 
 only to get a sure aim. Almost before he knew it the 
 brute was on him again. A second kick was not so 
 fortunate. His other foot slipped in the mud, and be- 
 fore he could recover his balance the bloodthirsty beast 
 had sprung for his throat. Unconsciously Waters had 
 raised his left arm as a guard, and the iron jaws, instead 
 of finding his throat, closed upon his wrist with a 
 crunching that sent a wave of fire through his body. 
 Then a flash burst from the revolver, the mass of dog- 
 flesh quivered, the jaws loosened, and without even a 
 groan the heavy body sank at the schoolmaster's feet, 
 shot through the brain from ear to ear. 
 
 Waters struck a match and examined the dog closely. 
 It was a Great Dane, notorious for its ferocity, and al- 
 ways kept chained at home by its owner, Jim Gyde. 
 
 " That settles it," muttered Waters grimly. " I shall 
 stay."
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 SAM HAWKINS never took kindly to work, study, or 
 discipline. For years, as a boy, he had been hand-and- 
 glove with the disturbing element in District School 
 No. i. When he was eighteen, his father, then a lead- 
 ing business man in Midland, and Moderator of the 
 School Board, had sent him to college in an Eastern 
 State, hoping that the training and discipline, the com- 
 panionship of other young men, and the broader out- 
 look on life and its possibilities there furnished might 
 make a man of him. Sam, however, quickly formed a 
 close .friendship with two other wild, careless youths, 
 Walter Hayward and Billy Axford, and developed still 
 further the wrong side of his character. Seward Rath- 
 away had persuaded his father to let him go with Sam 
 to the same college, and the four chums, who soon 
 became inseparable, styled themselves "The Invinci- 
 bles." At the end of a four years' course, Seward, 
 whose father had died the previous year, returned to 
 Red-Keg, while Sam went with Walter Hayward to 
 visit the latter's palatial home in New York. He 
 returned in the fall, a vain, lazy youth, discontented 
 with life as he found it in the backwoods, but without 
 an aim or ambition to make a better way for himself. 
 
 Sam's father, finding that the strain of his business 
 was undermining his health, and realizing, with pain at 
 his heart, that his son could not step into his place, 
 had sold out immediately after sending Sam to college 
 and retired to a farm of two hundred and forty acres
 
 28 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 about three miles north of Red-Keg, in connection with 
 which he owned also a quarter-section of fairly good 
 pine timber. This property offered Sam a good oppor- 
 tunity, but he scorned the work and refused to help on 
 the farm or in the woods. He quickly developed a 
 fondness for hunting, and spent most of his time in that 
 pursuit, as often as not being accompanied by Seward. 
 His good looks and a certain distinction of manner 
 made him for a time popular with the young people ; 
 but his assumption of superiority, and his unconcealed 
 distaste for social intercourse with his neighbors, soon 
 isolated him from nearly all the better element. 
 
 "Can't bear the clumsy frolics of these country 
 gawks. They're an awful bore, don't you know," he 
 remarked to Seward, as they left the schoolhouse on 
 the evening of the closing festivities. 
 
 Upon Lettie Green, however, he conferred the honor 
 of an immediate regard, which for a time seemed genu- 
 ine and deep, and the sprightly, ambitious girl repaid it 
 with a wealth of affection and an unswerving loyalty 
 for which many of the youths in the region had wooed 
 in vain. Her coquetry, hitherto her strong defense, 
 failed her when Sam Hawkins, fresh from the great 
 metropolis, laid claim to her heart. The innate selfish- 
 ness of the man showed itself on the occasion of the 
 school festivities, when he not only deprived Lettie of 
 his own promised escort, but dragged her cousin Sew- 
 ard away also to listen to his great scheme. 
 
 " I tell you I've made the greatest discovery of our 
 lives," he asserted again to Seward, as the two seated 
 themselves in the corner of a tavern well known to 
 Sam. " It will make our fortunes if we work it right, 
 don't you know. We must send for Walt and Billy at 
 once"
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 29 
 
 " For heaven's sake, quit beating about the bush, and 
 let out your story," exclaimed Seward. 
 
 " You must swear not to reveal the secret to a soul. 
 It would make it worthless to us if any one else should 
 know of it." 
 
 " Oh, that's agreed, of course ; go on with your tale." 
 
 " Good ! My yam to Lettie about being treed by a 
 bear was partly true, don't you know; but I had my 
 gun, and a shot only grazed the beast, and she slipped 
 off into the swamp. I was bound to get her if possi- 
 ble, and followed the best way I could. There's a long 
 ridge of rock running out into the swamp about six 
 miles north of Red-Keg, and nearly three from the 
 road. That's where I found myself after chasing the 
 bear for half an hour or more. I came to a place where 
 a point of flat rock dips down into a narrow lagoon. 
 There I was stumped couldn't go any farther, don't 
 you know, and old bruin seemed to have given me the 
 slip. Besides that, I was winded, and glad to sit down 
 for a rest. It must have been a quarter of an hour 
 later when out bobbed the old bear with two cubs on 
 the opposite shore of the lagoon not more than fifty feet 
 farther on. She saw me as soon as I did her and made 
 a dive with the cubs into the water. Of course I let 
 them have both barrels as quick as I could, but when 
 the smoke cleared away not a sign of bear, dead or 
 alive, was to be seen. It's hard to say whether I was 
 more mad or puzzled, don't you know. They got away 
 somewhere, that was sure, and the only direction seemed 
 to be by water. I couldn't let them off so easy as that, 
 even though it was getting late, so I crawled out on a 
 log ten or fifteen feet into the lagoon till I could see 
 that it bent around and widened out into what looked 
 like navigable water. I got the log loose and managed
 
 30 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 to roll another one down beside it and fasten the two 
 together with swamp grass and green branches. This 
 made quite a respectable raft, and, with a long pole, I 
 pushed out into the swamp. By Jove! I was on a 
 regular canal. It twisted and turned to every point 
 of the compass, and often I could hardly get my logs 
 around the bends. Just as I was on the point of giv- 
 ing up and picking my way back, I heard falling water, 
 and, around another turn 
 
 " Well, what in thunder are you stopping for ? " ex- 
 claimed Seward, as Sam paused to make his announce- 
 ment more impressive. 
 
 "An island!" 
 
 "Humph! Is that all?" 
 
 "All, man! A fairyland! A mystic isle, hidden 
 from the world, with a big cave, a regular grotto, and 
 a sweet spring of water ! What more do you want ? 
 Isn't it just the place for the Invincibles, and our our 
 little enterprise, don't you know ? " 
 
 "That's so; it does sound interesting," admitted 
 Seward. 
 
 "Interesting! We must send for Walt and Billy 
 this very night," exclaimed Sam, in a tone which im- 
 plied that he had given the matter all the consideration 
 it needed. 
 
 " What ! before I have even seen the place ? " expos- 
 tulated Seward. 
 
 "Not a day to lose," replied Sam "That's why I 
 bothered to come way down here to-night to see you. 
 Had to spend last night in my new domain, don't you 
 know; it got so late before I finished exploring it. 
 Walt wrote in his last letter that he had about made 
 up his mind to go travelling in Europe again with his 
 folks the first of May, though he thinks it's an awful
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 3I 
 
 bore. He may be gone in a week. There's a train 
 East from here to-night. I must get a letter off to 
 Walt on that. You write to Billy, and both letters 
 can go by to-night's train. Yours will be sent West 
 from Saginaw and will get to Billy about the same time 
 Walt gets his. We'll likely hear from them inside a 
 fortnight." 
 
 Seward agreed, and the following letter was quickly 
 prepared : 
 
 "RED-KEG, Thursday, April 22d, 1868. 
 
 "DEAR WALTER: I have made a grand discovery. 
 I have unearthed a veritable Garden of Eden, and it is 
 situated in the midst of this wicked portion of the earth. 
 It is as secluded as though it were on the planet Mars. 
 We intend to keep it so. Seward has written to Billy, 
 and we both want you to come on here at your earliest 
 convenience. Do you remember how we once longed 
 for just such a secret place where we could carry on 
 our ' experiments ' ? Well, we have at last found it, and 
 it's just an ideal spot. Come prepared for roughing it 
 for the summer. Hastily but sincerely yours, 
 
 "SAM." 
 
 A copy was written for Billy Axf ord and both were 
 taken to the agent at the railroad station, who agreed 
 to see that they were despatched on the night train. 
 
 " I suppose we may as well go back now," suggested 
 Seward. 
 
 " Oh, you don't care for those kindergarten games," 
 replied Sam. " Besides, the less questioning we have 
 to submit to the better for us, don't you know. They 
 don't expect us again to-night." 
 
 " Well, where shall we go ? I don't propose to walk 
 home seven miles this time of night. There is no train 
 till morning."
 
 32 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " Bedell will lend us his buckboard and we can both 
 go to your house, get some sleep, and start early for 
 our new possessions," said Sam. 
 
 Accordingly they hunted up Rodney Bedell's house. 
 He was out, explained his mother, but of course he 
 would be pleased to let Sam and Seward take the buck- 
 board; no, she didn't know where Rodney was; she 
 supposed he was at the school dance. 
 
 Before' the sun was up, the two young men were on 
 their way to the great swamp. Seward's excitement 
 rose as his chum dilated on the beauties, the mystery, 
 and the possibilities of the hidden island. As to its 
 inaccessibility, he had ample evidence before reaching 
 the end of the trip. The swamp covered hundreds of 
 acres in the heart of the forest, and was impassable on 
 foot. A man cared little for life who would attempt to 
 cross it. Sink-holes were numerous, and the surface 
 of the ground was covered with fallen timber criss- 
 crossed and piled up until it presented an impenetrable 
 barrier to progress. Even in the severest winter 
 weather the sink-holes were seldom frozen hard enough 
 to bear the weight of a man. The place had attrac- 
 tions for neither farmer nor hunter, lumberman nor 
 trapper. A few tamarack-trees remained standing here 
 and there, dead, with their bare limbs spreading spec- 
 tre-like over the uninviting scene of desolation. This 
 swamp was apparently as impenetrable and as safe 
 from encroachment as the famous "valley of death " of 
 Southern Arizona. At a certain place a ridge of sand 
 and rock, as Sam had said, ran out from the forest far 
 into thff swamp, forming a narrow cape. At the end it 
 tapered gradually down to a low point of flat rock which 
 dipped into one of the countless lagoons of clear deep 
 water. There was no beach or muddy bank, and noth-
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 33 
 
 ing to distinguish the pool of water, as seen from the 
 rock, from any of the numberless sink-holes of the 
 region. 
 
 Sam had provided himself with rope, hammer, nails, 
 and axe. Reaching the rocky point, they proceeded to 
 reconstruct their raft with three logs, well fastened to- 
 gether, and each man cut a stout pole. As they pushed 
 off, it seemed to Seward that they would surely run 
 plump into the tall, rank grass at what appeared to be 
 the other end of the lagoon ; but in an instant he saw 
 an opening to the left into a second lagoon, which also 
 seemingly ended abruptly. This opened in like manner 
 into a third, and so on. 
 
 " Talk about exploring ! " exclaimed Seward, as they 
 worked their long raft with difficulty around the short 
 bends in the channel ; " no one would imagine there 
 was anything but swamp here, surely." 
 
 "That's the beauty of it," replied Sam; "and we can 
 close the opening from the first lagoon with an artificial 
 hedge of swamp grass rigged up to look like the real 
 thing from a little distance. Then we might be in the 
 heart of Africa so far as any attempts to find us are 
 concerned." 
 
 "We'll need an Indian canoe and paddles," said 
 Seward, after the end of the raft had become entangled 
 two or three times in the grass at the sides of the canal. 
 " That is the only proper way to navigate these waters." 
 
 " Yes, we shall want at least two of them when Walt 
 and Billy come," assented Sam. "There! Don't you 
 hear the waterfall ? " 
 
 Seward listened a moment, and then exclaimed : 
 
 " Right you are ! I suppose we ought to shout * Land ! 
 land ! ' only it seems to be water." 
 
 " You'll see the land quick enough," laughed Sam.
 
 34 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Another turn, two or three hard pushes with the 
 poles, and the two explorers, huddling together as far 
 as possible at the rear of their raft to tip the forward 
 end up, drove the three logs upon a shelving rock 
 similar to the one from which they had embarked, but 
 presenting to the water a concave edge like a horse- 
 shoe, and thus forming an excellent boat-landing. 
 
 " Splendid ! " shouted Seward, as he sprang ashore. 
 " You failed to do it justice, my boy ; it's a paradise ! " 
 
 The beautiful island on which they landed presented 
 a striking contrast to the surrounding dreary desola- 
 tion. It was perhaps ten acres in area, and was nicely 
 timbered, free from underbrush, and provided by nature 
 with a copious spring gushing out of a ledge of rocks. 
 This spring was clear and limpid as crystal, cold, and 
 refreshing, and never-failing. It was the source of a 
 deep, quiet stream that cut its way through the bog 
 with apparently no fall or current. From the island it 
 circled around to the north a short distance, and then 
 branched, one fork continuing in a northerly direction, 
 the other southward to the rock from whence the young 
 men had come. There was no apparent outlet in either 
 direction. The north branch led up to the extreme 
 southern end of the burnt hills, and ended abruptly at 
 the foot of a gigantic willow-tree. Both branches were 
 equally hidden in the tall grass of the. swamp, and both 
 gave access to the island from points several miles 
 apart. 
 
 " Come up and see our grotto," called Sam, leading 
 the way directly over the centre of the island, which 
 was its highest point, and from which they could see 
 the swamp in all directions. In the distance the forest 
 and the hills were visible, but this particular bit of 
 land was not high enough to be distinguishable from
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 35 
 
 the swamp or the forest. Near the northern end of 
 the island was the cave, running into the ledge of rocks 
 from which the waterfall issued on the south. It was 
 a really wonderful cavern, large and roomy, with an 
 opening high enough to enter while standing erect, and 
 broadening within to a diameter of nearly twenty feet 
 and a height of twelve to fifteen. Two or three other 
 smaller chambers connected with the first, and from 
 the farthest a small opening let them out again to the 
 surface of the island. A circulation of air thus kept 
 the interior dry and habitable. 
 
 " With a little digging and clearing and fixing up, we 
 can make those caves as snug and cozy as a castle," de- 
 clared Sam. 
 
 "It can't be beat, that's a fact; but it will take 
 money to fit the place up. How are we going to get 
 it ? " asked Seward. 
 
 " Leave that to Walt and Billy. That's what they 
 are good for," replied Sam with a laugh. Then, as 
 though announcing his guiding principle, he added: 
 " What's the use of sweating when you can let some- 
 body else do it for you ? " 
 
 They were strolling through a clump of pine-trees on 
 their way to the farthest end of the island, when Seward 
 suddenly exclaimed in an excited whisper : 
 
 " Look, Sam ! Get your gun ready ; you're a better 
 shot than I am. There ! " 
 
 Turning in the direction indicated, Sam observed a 
 large wildcat creeping toward them. As he raised his 
 rifle, the beast turned to retreat. A bullet stopped 
 him, and he rolled over with scarcely a struggle. 
 
 "We're not the first inhabitants, at any rate," re- 
 marked Sam. " I'm glad that chap didn't find me last 
 night. We must thrash the island thoroughly before
 
 36 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 establishing an abode here. And now to business. 
 You remember old Pomp and his wife ? " 
 
 " Who took care of the Invincibles' house at college ? 
 Yes." 
 
 " When the boys come we'll send for that old couple, 
 and Pomp can help us prepare our * experiments.' You 
 remember he said he was an old hand at the business 
 before we picked him up. The woman can cook and 
 keep the place in order. Pete will be glad to assist at 
 the business end. Meanwhile, we can improve the ac- 
 commodations of the castle." 
 
 The forenoon quickly passed in thus exploring and 
 planning, and, after eating a luncheon hastily put to- 
 gether in the morning, the two conspirators returned 
 to their raft and pushed off into the lagoon. 
 
 " We must drive in to Midland this afternoon with 
 Rodney's buckboard," said Sam. " You can take yours, 
 too, and we can return together." 
 
 Half-way to Seward's house, they were overtaken on 
 the road by Ros Whitmore, who pulled up his horse 
 and greeted them cordially. 
 
 "We missed ye last night," he exclaimed, "and you 
 missed a mighty good time. What took ye off so sud- 
 den ? " He looked reprovingly at Seward. 
 
 " Something else on hand," replied Sam, shortly, 
 
 " We were called off on urgent business that came up 
 unexpectedly. I was sorry to miss the fun ; but busi- 
 ness before pleasure, you know," explained Seward, in 
 a more conciliatory tone. 
 
 Ros Whitmore was everywhere popular. He made 
 friends by showing himself friendly. Though devoted 
 to his own large family, and working hard to keep those 
 of his fourteen children who were dependent upon him 
 supplied with the necessaries of life, he yet found time
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 37 
 
 and occasion to exert himself for others. He had al- 
 ready done Seward more than one good turn, and the 
 young man did not wish to offend him. 
 
 "Now look here," went on Ros, with animation, 
 " it's just sheer luck that I met ye. I can't get every- 
 where, and there's heaps o' ground to cover. You 
 two can help a sight Hold up, Jenny, we'll be goin' 
 soon. 
 
 " Ye see, it's this way," with a turn of the line around 
 his hand to restrain his impatient horse ; " Parson Allen 
 has been workin' all winter out among us boys and the 
 shantymen in the woods, and never got a cent. Why, 
 bless your heart," as he saw a look of surprise on Sew- 
 ard' s face, "he could have earned his stake with the 
 best of 'em, ef he'd been a mind to, but that dear saint 
 wouldn't let his name go on no time book, 'cause he 
 said he wanted to be free to go and come from one 
 camp to another as he felt called to ; and he worked 
 with the men just to git the chance to be with 'em 
 close, on their own ground, and talk to 'em, and let 'em 
 see he loved 'em, and didn't set himself up above 'em, 
 and to show 'em a man could work hard in the woods 
 night and day 'thout swearin' and drinkin' and fightin'. 
 Lord! he wouldn't take no pay, though he done as 
 much real work as any, and done it clean as a whistle, 
 too. That kind of pay warn't what he was after. He 
 figured that ef he took pay the boys would jest think 
 he was there for what he could earn, and wouldn't pay 
 no great 'tention to him. Anyhow, that's the way your 
 father thinks he figured it," glancing at Sam. 
 
 " What has all this got to do with us ? " asked Sam, 
 impatiently. 
 
 " The pint is jest this. As I said, the Elder ain't got 
 a cent to show for his winter's work. Maybe you two
 
 38 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 don't know that he's been doin' that same thing every 
 winter goin' on six, seven years in this region, and he 
 don't get no regular pay for preachin' and ministerin' 
 from Red-Keg to Sixteen, and all the settlements here- 
 abouts the year 'round." 
 
 " How in the world does he live ? " asked Seward. 
 
 " Jest as it comes to him. He says all is the Lord's, 
 and he is the Lord's, and the Lord will provide ef he 
 sticks to the Lord's business ; and to tell the truth, 
 I ain't never seen him goin' hungry or naked, and 
 wouldn't allow it ef I did, neither would any one else 
 as I know of." 
 
 " Very good ; glad to know the good man is so well 
 off," said Sam sarcastically, as Ros paused an instant. 
 " Just now, we've got business in town, and must leave 
 a discussion of the Parson's self-sacrificing labors and 
 his providential rewards till a more leisure hour, don't 
 you know." 
 
 " Hold on, don't get uneasy," went on Ros, good- 
 naturedly, " I'm comin' 'round to the text in my usial 
 backhanded fashion. The fact is, us boys, meanin' me, 
 and Pete Murray, and Bob Landseer, and Tom Moore, 
 and Barney O'Boyle, and John Maloney, and some 
 others, have talked it over with Farmer Hawkins, and 
 decided to give the Elder a darnation party." 
 
 Seward laughed. "A donation party, you mean," 
 he said. 
 
 " Course I do. It ain't no swearin' matter. I want 
 you to help." 
 
 " Excuse me ; that's a line of work I'm not acquainted 
 with," sneered Sam. The mention of Barney O'Boyle's 
 name as one of the movers in the affair had especially 
 riled him. He had taken an immediate dislike to the 
 outspoken, independent young Irishman, whom he had
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 39 
 
 found occupying, as he thought, a too important place 
 in his father's household. 
 
 "Is there any line of work ?" began Ros Whit- 
 more. Then he laughed. " It's nothin' but to let folks 
 know," he said. " Bein' so scattered, it takes everybody 
 to spread the news. To-day's Friday. The Elder is 
 comin' up to the Hawkins place to-morrow to stay two, 
 three weeks. May hold prayer-meetin' in the ell on 
 Sunday. We lay out to have the darn donation party 
 Tuesday afternoon. We want every man we can git 
 aholt of in time to come, and especially the women, 
 and every mother's son and daughter must bring some 
 donation, don't matter what, 'slong as it has value. So 
 long, boys, glad I met ye," and Ros gave Jenny the 
 rein and was soon out of sight. 
 
 ** Well, I'm not ! " ejaculated Sam, replying to Ros's 
 last remark. " It's a pretty state of affairs to have the 
 house turned into a parsonage and filled with psalm- 
 singers, and a hired laborer strutting about the parlor 
 as master of ceremonies. You won't get me into such 
 a mix-up." He waited a moment. Then he laughed 
 grimly and added : " Our castle on Mystic Isle will be 
 likely to find me a more constant visitor than I thought, 
 don't you know."
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 ** THAT dear woman certainly does have her share of 
 trials, Robert. Little Ben is wasted to a shadow with 
 the rickets ; Ray broke his wrist falling over the stone 
 wall ; Tilly can't seem to get rid of that cough ; Bess 
 got the end of a needle in her thumb ; Tom lost his 
 shoes in the creek and was nearly drowned fishing for 
 them. I don't remember the rest, but it seems to me 
 that all of them are doing something to add to the gen- 
 eral worry. Yet Jule hasn't a word of complaint, and 
 by the way she sings about the house you'd suppose 
 there wasn't a cloud in the sky." 
 
 Mother Hawkins finished laying away her wraps, and 
 sat down in the calico-covered rocking-chair with a sigh 
 of relief. 
 
 " You have been out to The Corners ? " asked Allen. 
 
 "Yes, there were so many things the dear lambs 
 needed, and so few hands to do them, now that Jenny 
 and Lucy are out at service." 
 
 "You are always ministering, Susan. It's the * inas- 
 much ' way," said Allen, smiling. 
 
 " Oh, it's little enough I can do, and I guess it don't 
 count much, except as a means of grace to my own 
 heart," replied Mother Hawkins. " Now with you it's 
 different ; you have come to be a real necessity, and the 
 people are at last beginning to realize it." 
 
 " Every man is necessary to God's plan in some way, 
 Susan; but no man can claim any credit for doing 
 
 40
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 41 
 
 what has been put upon him to do. I need to do the 
 work for my own sake, just as you have said yourself. 
 'For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to 
 glory of, for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is me 
 if I preach not the gospel.' Paul must have remem- 
 bered his great sin, and felt a deeper sense of need 
 when he wrote that. And I can say with David, * My 
 sin is ever before me.' " 
 
 " But remember, Robert, He cast it all behind his 
 back long ago," said Susan, gently. 
 
 " Yes, and He has given peace in place of bitterness ; 
 but He gave also work as a necessary condition to 
 peace." 
 
 Mother Hawkins was silent. 
 
 Presently the minister said, in a low voice that choked 
 as he spoke : 
 
 " I cannot forget Ruth, Susan." 
 
 Mother Hawkins made no reply, but soon a tear, fol- 
 lowed quickly by another, rolled down her cheeks into 
 her lap, 
 
 "Come, Mother, let's get dinner out of the way 
 early," said Farmer Hawkins, bustling in. " I'll talk 
 with Robert a while." Then he added in a whisper 
 as his wife came toward him : " They'll be here along 
 about three o'clock. I just saw Tom Moore. He 
 says there'll be a crowd." 
 
 "You mustn't go out this afternoon, Robert," he 
 said, after Mother Hawkins had left the room. " Some 
 of the neighbors were talking about dropping in for a 
 friendly call. They haven't had much time to visit 
 with you since last fall, and we ought not to let the 
 neighborly spirit die out." 
 
 " Little fear of that, I judge, while there is such hos-
 
 42 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 pitality to be found as this home always affords," replied 
 the minister. 
 
 " I've just got that acre and a quarter lot cleared of 
 stumps," continued Farmer Hawkins, ignoring the bit 
 of flattery. " I paid Ros Whitmore a hundred dollars 
 to do the job, but although he managed it well, so far 
 as I could see, I'm afraid he lost money on it. I've 
 given him another lot at the same price with not more 
 than half the number of stumps, so I guess he can 
 average up all right." 
 
 " Stump-pulling is the worst feature of farming in 
 this region, truly," said the minister. 
 
 " Yes, and you can't dodge it any more than you can 
 dodge the stumps themselves when you try to plough 
 a field which has not been cleared. If they would only 
 decay in a few years, one might wait, but they all have 
 to be grubbed and pulled, one by one. It adds quite 
 an item to the cost of land." 
 
 " But not when you get the original yield of timber," 
 said Allen. "Your neighbor Maloney gets enough 
 from his logs on one acre to pay for pulling stumps 
 from several others, with some to spare." 
 
 "To be sure, and I'm glad for John. If any man 
 deserves to succeed, he does. His eight years' strug- 
 gle with the wilderness is only just beginning to yield 
 him a little comfort. Barring his clump of good pine, 
 his choice of land was not fortunate. Too much sand 
 in some places, too much clay in others. He might 
 have had this quarter as well as not, before I took it 
 into my head to come out here." 
 
 " Does Maloney ever hear from his folks ? " asked 
 the minister. 
 
 " Only now and then from his brother Orrin. John 
 is too proud to make advances, or to accept favors from
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 43 
 
 those who cast him off because he married the girl he 
 loved. He cherishes no resentment, I believe, but he 
 is bent on making his own way." 
 
 " His brother Orrin was always his friend, was he 
 not?" 
 
 " Yes, but not openly. He is still in partnership 
 with his old father in Belfast, and while the latter lives, 
 Orrin wishes to keep peace with him." 
 
 " John made a pretty fair haul of logs this spring. 
 Why don't you cut some of yours, or sell the stump- 
 age ? " suggested the minister, who saw with a lumber- 
 man's practical eye the values in Farmer Hawkins's 
 outlying quarter-section of pine. 
 
 " I suppose it will have to come to that soon," replied 
 Josiah, "although my quarter is hardly first-class lum- 
 ber pine. I have thought of organizing a camp of my 
 own down there, taking out a shingle-mill, and cutting 
 the logs into shingles on the spot. There will be quite 
 a yield, I know. Perhaps I may do it next winter." 
 
 " You can have your pick of the boys, that's certain," 
 said Allen, approvingly, 
 
 " The truth is," went on Josiah, " I have never yet 
 been able to cut trees without a pang. I love them 
 all of them and some of them in particular. You see 
 those noble oaks, and that big beech yonder, and those 
 maple-trees ? " he said, rising and leading the minister 
 out upon the veranda. " Did I never tell you what a 
 struggle I had with my men, when clearing the farm, 
 to make them leave those beautiful trees untouched ? 
 All over the place I tried to preserve for shade and 
 ornament certain trees on which I had fixed my affec- 
 tions ; but the boys would persist in consigning my 
 leafy pets to the axe or the flames. The workmen 
 meant well, no doubt, but indifference, thoughtlessness,
 
 44 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 and habit led them to sacrifice my idols in spite of re- 
 peated warnings. I never could impress upon them 
 the value, still less the beauty, of a good green tree in 
 the right place. One of the strongest reasons I had 
 for buying this particular section, aside from John's 
 earnest wish that I should be his neighbor a feeling, 
 by the way, which I shared was the fact that it con- 
 tained such a variety of trees, many of them growing 
 free in clearings, as if they had stepped out from the 
 crowded forest to stretch their splendid limbs and 
 plume their gorgeous foliage in the broad light of day. 
 It was October, just after Sam went to college, when I 
 took my first trip through this section. Those very 
 trees over yonder were in a blaze of glory. I loved 
 them at first sight. There were hundreds more like 
 them scattered over the farm that was to be. I suc- 
 ceeded in saving less than half of my chosen friends ; 
 but they have been a comfort to me these five years. 
 The first year, when my head was still weary from tea 
 close attention to business, those dear trees whispered 
 peace and rest to me. I have never been reconciled to 
 the warfare against the trees that has gone on around 
 me all this time." 
 
 " Yet in this way is our frontier pushed forward, our 
 great industries developed, our lands cleared for culti- 
 vation, and countless thousands given employment," 
 urged the minister. 
 
 " True ; I know it. The spirit of business seems to 
 prevent the growth of sentiment. The forest must 
 be overcome, must die under the bite of the axe and 
 the gnawing of the saw. It is everywhere a death 
 struggle with the issue never in doubt, and the slaugh- 
 ter becomes more wholesale each year. Yet I know of 
 some men who, like myself, destroy trees while they
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 45 
 
 love them. They spare when it is not necessary to 
 kill. They plant other trees. Their orchards early 
 cover the ground laid bare, and their homes are sur- 
 rounded by trees for shade and beauty. I wish there 
 were more such farmers in this region. Yet I shall 
 cut my pine in due time." 
 
 Robert Allen did not challenge further discussion, 
 and they returned to the house. After a few moments 
 he asked, reminded by Farmer Hawkins's casual men- 
 tion of his son : 
 
 " Where is Sam, now ? I have seen him only once 
 or twice since he returned from college. I should like 
 to know him better." 
 
 A weary look came over the father's face. He did 
 not reply at once, but his friend and minister read the 
 testimony of a heart's sorrow in lines which he had not 
 observed before. 
 
 "I wish you might," said Josiah presently. "He 
 needs some stronger influence than mine to come into 
 his life His college experience did not have the effect 
 I hoped for." 
 
 The minister waited in silence for him to continue. 
 
 " 'A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitter- 
 ness to her who bare him,' " muttered Farmer Hawkins, 
 more to himself than to Allen, and he did not observe 
 the strong emotion which overspread the minister's 
 face. 
 
 "There was another such boy once," the latter whis- 
 pered. 
 
 After a moment Josiah Hawkins raised his head and 
 looked into his friend's face with a sudden intensity of 
 appeal. 
 
 "Robert," he said, "do you suppose if you were to 
 make a special case if you would take it as a particu-
 
 46 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 lar burden on your heart the Lord might let you be 
 the means " 
 
 " Josiaii," interrupted the minister, " I was once hun- 
 gry and you gave me meat, naked and you clothed me. 
 More than that, I was fallen and you lifted me up, an 
 outcast, and you took me in. Do you think there could 
 be any joy so great for me as to be the means in God's 
 hands for returning to you in like kind the bread you 
 cast upon the waters so long ago ? " 
 
 " God help you, Robert ! " breathed Josiah Hawkins, 
 grasping the backwoods minister by both hands, 
 
 But Sam was sowing the wind and was destined to reap 
 the whirlwind before he listened to the still small voice. 
 
 Dinner was eaten in unusual quietness. Sam came 
 in after the meal began, replied shortly to remarks ad- 
 dressed directly to him, and went out before the others 
 finished. Barney, the life and sparkle of every family 
 or social gathering, had not yet returned from his 
 errands with Tom Moore, the big lumberman and vil- 
 lage constable, Barney's particular friend. 
 
 " Have you any new books since last year, Josiah ? " 
 asked the minister, as they arose from the table. 
 
 " A few choice ones," leading the way into the sit- 
 ting-room and unlocking the large glass doors of the 
 bookcase. " These friends are the rivals of my trees ; 
 but often I can enjoy communion with them both at 
 the same time. For example, I never enjoy the com- 
 panionship of this author," caressing a volume of 
 Thoreau, " so well as when close to the trees that he 
 loved as I do." 
 
 " I'll spend an hour or so with these friends of yours, 
 while you are making ready to receive our other friends, 
 your neighbors " said Robert Allen, all unconscious of 
 the purpose of the gathering that afternoon.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 47 
 
 M Parson, ahoy ! " 
 
 The stentorian voice of Barney O'Boyle broke in 
 upon the quietness of the ministex''s reading and caused 
 him to shut his book in a hurry. Going out to the 
 veranda, he found five or six buckboards, farm wagons, 
 and ox-teams drawn up in the road before the house, 
 and filled with a shouting, laughing crowd. There 
 were John and Mary Maloney, and their daughter 
 Norine ; big Pete Murray and his wife Kate, with two 
 buxom girls, Katie and Sally; Bob Landseer, with 
 Hetty his wife "humly as a hedgehog, but ther ain't 
 a bigger heart from Maine to Calif orny," Bob was wont 
 to say affectionately. In front of all were Tom Moore 
 and Barney O'Boyle, like great rollicking brothers. 
 
 " Bein* as we're the committee, we laid out to git 
 here early," explained Tom; "and how be ye, Elder? 
 Jumpin' kangaroo! yer right there," he exclaimed, 
 releasing his own great paw from the parson's iron 
 grasp. 
 
 "Committee?" queried Allen, puzzled "I'll call 
 Mr. Hawkins." 
 
 "Lave Uncle Si wherever he is," said Barney. 
 "These folks are after comin' to see yourself; an* 
 there'll be more of them before there's less. Sure, it's 
 your turn, intirely, to-day. Out with ye, ladies an' 
 gintlemen, an' pay your respicts to the best friend ye 
 have in the county." 
 
 Down came the mothers and daughters from their 
 seats, laden with bundles of all sizes and shapes, and 
 all began to talk at once. 
 
 " We made this at the quiltin' bee last winter, and it 
 has nigh twelve hundred pieces in it, and soft wool 
 linin'," said Hetty Landseer, giving the minister a 
 huge parcel from which at the same time she deftly
 
 48 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 stripped the covering. A gorgeous quilt of many 
 colors was revealed. 
 
 ** I never had sech good luck dry in' apples," broke in 
 Kate Murray, putting down by the parson a big calico 
 bag crammed full of the dried fruit. " Them's from 
 the South orchard, and I find them the best flavor," 
 she explained. 
 
 " Pumpkins," said Sally briefly, as she and Katie, who 
 had lugged a heavy basket between them from the 
 wagon, set their load down in front of the bewildered 
 minister. 
 
 "Dried, of course," added Katie, "but prime for pies 
 and sech." 
 
 " Here's six pairs of woollen socks and some warm 
 mits for driving, that mamma and I made off and on 
 through the winter. I guess they'll fit you all right," 
 said Norine Maloney, putting the parcel in the minis- 
 ter's hands. 
 
 " When you women stop to catch your breath a min- 
 ute, we'll speak our little piece," called out Bob Land- 
 seer. " They's a load o' spalts out here for ye, parson." 
 
 " An' stave-bolts," cried Pete Murray. 
 
 "An' heading-bolts.'* added Tom Moore 
 
 " Sure, this ain't much account ; put it in your pocket 
 an' say no more about it," said Barney, handing the 
 parson a folded paper. 
 
 " You might let this go with it," said John Maloney, 
 thrusting another slip into the preacher's hands. 
 
 Robert looked vaguely at the papers and saw that 
 they were due-bills on the general store in Red-Keg. 
 All this time he had been standing in one place fairly 
 overcome with astonishment and emotion. The rapid 
 fire of gifts and talk had left him no chance to ask 
 questions or speak his thanks.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 49 
 
 " Well, Robert, what's the matter ? You look mixed," 
 exclaimed Fanner Hawkins, coming from the doorway, 
 where, with Mother Hawkins, he had been watching 
 the scene. 
 
 " And no wonder," said Allen, regaining his voice. 
 "What is all this about, and why are these things 
 here ? " 
 
 " You've been giving to us freely the best you have 
 for years. Now your friends want to give you some- 
 thing," answered Hawkins. 
 
 " Here's Jake Vogel an' Grat ! " cried Barney. " You 
 ain't seen Grat since last year, Parson. He's lavin' 
 his dad behind for a tall bye. He's for the woods next 
 fall, so he says." 
 
 Lettie Green with her Aunt Lydia, and Dan Under- 
 hill, Arch Fellows, Joe Reon, and Ned Blakely, with 
 their wives, drove up. New arrivals began coming in 
 a steady stream, each with a donation of some kind. 
 Money was very scarce Trading was done with due- 
 bills and orders often called " white horses " or with 
 supplies, or any articles of market value. Therefore 
 the great store of mink, coon, bear, wolf, wildcat, otter, 
 beaver skins, dried apples, dried sweet corn, dried 
 pumpkins, spalts, stave-bolts, heading-bolts, snow-shoes, 
 woollen socks and mitts, blankets, f.shing-tackle, school, 
 drain, township, and state orders, pension vouchers, 
 due-bills for shoes, groceries, and dry-goods, hand-made 
 quilts, pots of preserves, etc., with which the minister 
 found himself surrounded, all represented so much cash 
 value, and could be sold or traded off to suit his own 
 needs. 
 
 " A Donnybrook Fair, so it is ! " cried Pete Murray, 
 delightedly, as he examined the wonderful display of 
 gifts. 
 
 4
 
 50 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 "But where's Ros Whitmore? " asked Farmer Haw. 
 kins suddenly. 
 
 "Drove to Midland this mornin'," answered Bob 
 Landseer, " to make a little trade an' bring back two 
 storekeepers to bid against this Red-Keg scalper for 
 the Elder's extry stock," and he gave Jake Vogel, the 
 genial storekeeper of Red-Keg, who had brought as 
 generous a donation as any one, a resounding whack 
 across his shoulder. 
 
 "Good fer Ros," laughed Vogel. "But I reckon 
 them Midland fellers won't get much, 'less it's suthin' 
 I don't want. The on'y man I'd be afraid 'ould bid 
 too high is old Bloag. He ain't comin', I hope ? " and 
 Vogel put on a look of great alarm. 
 
 " Did ye ever hear tell how he found only twenty- 
 three eggs one mornin' in the nests, an' driv' to the 
 store with the old hen in a box an' kep' her there to 
 make up the two dozen? An' begorry, she did it," 
 said Pete Murray, as soon as he could be heard amid 
 the laughter that followed Vogel's question. 
 
 " Thet ain't so bad as the time he took the school- 
 master hum from church an' kep' him talkin' in the 
 settin'-room all afternoon 'thout a bite to eat, while 
 one after 'nother o' the fam'ly, includin' the old deacon 
 himself, sneaked out o' the room to git their dinner," 
 related Bob Landseer. 
 
 "To hear him prayin' in meetin', *O Lord, Thou 
 knowest we are as prone to wander an' go astray as the 
 sparks are to fly upward,' ye'd think the old skinflint 
 hed a realizin' sense of his wickedness ; but I hev my 
 doubts on thet pint," said Dan Underbill. 
 
 " Sure, he preys durin' the week as hard as he prays 
 on Sunday, but it ain't the same kind," remarked Pete 
 Murray.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 51 
 
 " Here comes Ros up the road, now," said Farmer 
 Hawkins, " and there are three men with him." 
 
 " An' one o' them is the new schoolmaster ! " shouted 
 Barney. " It's a fine boy he is." 
 
 The coming of the schoolmaster was greeted by all 
 with pleasure. He had shown good mettle, and his 
 neighbors were anxious to know him better. 
 
 " Sorry Jule couldn't come," said Ros. " She's tied 
 up with a sick baby ; but she would have it I must take 
 that shoat of ourn to town an' git the most I could for 
 it. We thought ye could take care of this bit of paper 
 better than to have the pesky young critter runnin' 
 'round." 
 
 As he handed the due-bill to the embarrassed minis- 
 ter, Mother Hawkins whispered to Josiah: "There's 
 real sacrifice. I know they were laying store on that 
 shoat." She thought a moment, then she added anx- 
 iously : " Are you sure Ros will come out well with that 
 new lot of ours, Josiah ? " 
 
 He smiled and whispered : " He'll clear fifty dollars 
 easily." 
 
 The conversation went on merrily in parlor, on ve- 
 randa, and on the greensward in front of the house. 
 The minister went from group to group with words of 
 thanks and friendly inquiry. Among the sturdy farm- 
 ers and lumbermen, he presented no mean figure. 
 Somewhat under the average height, his shoulders were 
 broad and square, his head erect, and his eyes clear 
 and keen but full of a deep tenderness and sympathy 
 that went straight to the heart. Long ago he had been 
 through college, but none of his backwoods flock knew 
 of it, and few knew or remembered what he had been 
 before he came among them uninvited, unassuming, 
 simple, direct, and loving in his practical ministry, with-
 
 52 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 out salary or home that he could call his own. At rare 
 intervals they had seen the flash of a fire within, which 
 let them know that he could make the wildest of them 
 tremble if he chose ; and his self -repression placed no 
 discount on his influence with men unaccustomed to 
 control themselves. 
 
 At an early hour Mother Hawkins announced that 
 she had brewed a cup of tea, and led the way into the 
 big ell of the house where prayer-meetings and some- 
 times preaching services were held when the minister 
 was there, and above which Robert Allen had his own 
 rooms. Two long, broad tables were spread with pies, 
 cakes, baked beans, and other light refreshments. The 
 tea was brought in by a bevy of girls who volunteered 
 for the task, and the assembled Red-Keggers prepared 
 to demonstrate that their appetites were ready on the 
 instant at the call of duty. 
 
 Just then several new arrivals made their appearance. 
 Seward Rathaway and Sam Hawkins came in, Sam 
 taking a seat at once near Lettie G reen, and Seward 
 entering into conversation with the nearest group in 
 such a matter-of-fact manner that their entrance was 
 scarcely noted. The couple who followed them created 
 a sensation. 
 
 "Axcy Marthy! Good for you! How are you? 
 Set right down an' have some tea," greeted her from a 
 dozen or more of her friends. Her companion was 
 welcomed with brief nods and a few exclamations of 
 " How d'y, Jim ! " but the looks of astonishment and 
 the whispers that ran around the tables spoke more 
 eloquently. Axcy was fully conscious of the sensation 
 she had made, and she enjoyed it. More than that, 
 she was a little proud of the power she had over the 
 lawless young giant whom so many others feared.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 53 
 
 " How ever did you get him here ? " whispered Lettie 
 Green as soon as she could get near enough to Axcy. 
 
 " Told him if he wouldn't take me I'd ask Ashbel 
 Fair," replied the roguish girl, with a chuckle. "I 
 guess he didn't imagine Mr. Waters would be here, 
 though," she added, with just a shade of apprehen- 
 sion, as she glanced from the schoolmaster to the 
 corner where her escort had seated himself and was 
 glaring from one to another with a hunted look in his 
 eyes. 
 
 The schoolmaster had spoken to him with a friendly 
 " How are you, Jim ? " but he had pretended not to 
 hear or to see him, and passed to the opposite end of 
 the room, 
 
 Mother Hawkins bustled in with a tray of teacups. 
 
 " I am going to wait on you people who came so far 
 myself," she said, going straight to Jim Gyde first. " I 
 made this myself. You never tasted my tea before ; 
 won't you have some ? " and she thrust the cup into 
 Jim's unwilling hand. " Axcy, this is for you. Now 
 I guess you all are served. No, you haven't any, Mr. 
 Waters. Do try a cup." 
 
 As the schoolmaster turned in his seat to take the 
 teacup, Mother Hawkins noticed for the first time his 
 bandaged wrist. 
 
 "Sprain?" she asked. "I have some splendid lini- 
 ment if you would care to try it." 
 
 " No, it is not a sprain," answered Waters, looking 
 directly at Mother Hawkins, but in a tone much louder 
 than was necessary to reach her ears. " I got a rather 
 bad bruise the other night, but it will be all right in 
 time." 
 
 " Well, don't catch cold in it. Fortunate it's the left 
 one, isn't it? Another cup of tea, Mr. Landseer?
 
 54 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Why, certainly ! " and the good, motherly woman hur- 
 ried away to the kitchen. 
 
 Presently Mr. Waters rose, and, passing from one 
 to another of his acquaintances with a word or a nod, 
 gradually made his way, without attracting attention, 
 to the corner where Jim Gyde sat, as nearly alone as 
 he had been able to contrive. 
 
 " Glad to see you here, Jim," he said. " We are all 
 glad of a chance to show our good will to Mr. Allen." 
 
 Jim Gyde did not speak, but his eyes shifted here 
 and there as if looking for an avenue of escape. 
 
 Waters looked quickly around to make sure that no 
 one was listening. Then he said in a low tone : 
 
 " Sorry I had to kill Moscow the other night. There 
 was no choice ; if I hadn't, he would have killed me." 
 
 " Good riddance ! " muttered Jim under his breath. 
 The schoolmaster's ears were sharp. 
 
 " Perhaps," he said quietly, with intentional misin- 
 terpretation. "He was a dangerous brute to be at 
 large." 
 
 The young man glared, but made no reply. 
 
 " Jim," said Waters, after a moment's silence, " men 
 often do not know their own possibilities. A lot of 
 good raw material goes to waste because a good many 
 men do not discover the gold in themselves, and even 
 imagine it does not exist. Now, I am going to tell you, 
 as a friend should, that I believe you have a rich vein 
 of gold in your make-up. If you will set about to dis- 
 cover it, you may make yourself rich, and others, too." 
 
 Jim Gyde stared at the schoolmaster in sullen aston- 
 ishment, wondering vaguely if he had gone mad from 
 the bite of the dog. 
 
 "I don't know what ye mean," he said it last. 
 
 " Think it over. It will come to you. If not, let me
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 55 
 
 know, and I will explain. But Jim, I expect one day 
 to see you a leader of the men in these parts a leader 
 in nobility of character, as you now are a leader in 
 physical daring and bravery. The pure gold is in you ; 
 I am sure of It. And remember, Jim, I am your friend, 
 and shall be glad to give you a brother's help whenever 
 you will accept it. Here's my hand on it." 
 f> But Jim Gyde was too bewildered to respond, either 
 by hand or by tongue, and with a commonplace re- 
 mark, in a louder tone, calculated to put the young 
 man more at his ease, Waters left him to himself. 
 
 A group of young people had inveigled Pete Murray 
 into telling stories. Suddenly a burst of laughter tes- 
 tified to one of his hits. 
 
 " Oh, we can't hear," called Axcy at the opposite 
 end of the table. " Please speak louder, Mr. Murray." 
 
 " Sure, with pleasure. What was it ye missed ? " 
 
 " Silly ! How can I tell, when I didn't hear it ? " 
 
 " Well, can ye tell this : What is it that falls without 
 breakin' an' breaks without fallin' ? " 
 
 " Ain't you the tease, Pete Murray ! You know I 
 can't guess conundrums," laughed Axcy. 
 
 " Give it up ? " 
 
 " Yes, without trying." 
 
 " Sure, night falls without breakin', an' day breaks 
 without fallin'. Thought everybody knew that," said 
 Pete Murray, mockingly. 
 
 A sudden stillness spread over the room, as the mer- 
 rymakers became aware of angry voices near the door. 
 
 "Certainly, I'll repeat it, if you didn't understand. 
 I object to being dictated to in my own house by an 
 ignorant hired laborer. If that isn't plain enough, I 
 might add that your vulgar efforts to pose as one of 
 the family don't go down with me. I'll thank you to
 
 56 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 go back to the cow-yard where you belong, and stay 
 there." 
 
 Barney O'Boyle stood erect, and stared at Sam Haw- 
 kins as though still failing to grasp the meaning of his 
 insulting words. 
 
 " You're after losin' your wits, man, I'm thinkin '," 
 he said slowly. 
 
 " I'm in more danger of losing my birthright, if your 
 little scheme works," snarled Sam. 
 
 " What do ye mane ? " demanded Barney, pale and 
 quivering. 
 
 " Mean ? Why, I've come to the conclusion that you 
 are trying to wheedle my father into leaving you his 
 property, and that's why " 
 
 Barney sprang at him in a whirlwind of rage. 
 
 " Ye lie, ye whelp ! an' I'll soon " 
 
 " Barney, lad, sit down here ; I want to talk with 
 you." 
 
 A grip like steel drew him away from Sam, and, 
 turning, he found himself looking into the deep, quiet 
 eyes of the minister. Under that steady gaze, the fire 
 in his heart died slowly away, and without a word he 
 sank into the seat beside Robert Allen. 
 
 Farmer Hawkins led his son into another room. 
 
 " Sam," he said, and his voice trembled, " such con- 
 duct disgraces you, and it shames your father and 
 mother before their guests." The bitterness which he 
 strove to repress began to sound in his tone, and he 
 stopped abruptly. 
 
 " Why do you persist in making an enemy of Barney, 
 when he would gladly be your friend ? " he continued, 
 presently. " He has never harmed you, and I am sure 
 he never will if he can help it." 
 
 " I can't bear the lout," growled Sam.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 57 
 
 44 He hasn't had your education, Sam ; but that is not 
 his fault. He has as true a heart as ever beat, and 
 there is not a man or woman who knows him who is 
 not proud to have his friendship." 
 
 " He puts on altogether too much importance for a 
 hired man to suit me. Why can't he stay where he 
 belongs, and not interfere with his betters ? " said Sam 
 crossly. 
 
 " His betters ? " asked Farmer Hawkins. " Who are 
 they ? So far as I am concerned, and I think I speak 
 for my neighbors in there as well, Barney is our social 
 equal. He came here as the friend and companion of 
 John Maloney years ago, and he consented to help me 
 with the farm only because Maloney urged him to do 
 so out of friendship to me. He might now be in busi- 
 ness for himself if he wished. Some day he will, doubt- 
 less, and then I shall lose him." 
 
 44 Not till he gets all he can out of you, I'll bet," 
 sneered Sam. 
 
 " That is nonsense. Barney has given more than he 
 has received. I am surprised you should allow your- 
 self such silly suspicions," said his father, with another 
 involuntary touch of irritation. 
 
 Sam walked to the window, thrust his hands into his 
 pockets, and scowled out at the setting sun. 
 
 " It was stupid, I suppose, to make such a scene in 
 there before everybody," he said after a while. 
 
 " You are not going to leave them to think so ill of 
 you ? " asked his father. 
 
 Another pause followed, while Sam watched the 
 changing colors in the sky with unseeing eyes. Then, 
 with a muttered imprecation, he turned and went to 
 the door of the room where the friends and neigh 
 bors of his father and the minister were gathered
 
 58 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 and looking about until his eyes rested upon Barney, 
 he said : 
 
 " Barney O'Boyle, I take back the stupid things I 
 said a while ago. It was vulgar to make a scene here, 
 don't you know. But more than that I'll not say." 
 
 He walked away without waiting for a reply, but the 
 dark look had not left his face. 
 
 Not until the auction sale was fairly under way did 
 the assembled Red-Keggers regain their jovial spirit. 
 The bidding was lively, Tom Moore, as auctioneer, 
 spurring all hands on to do their best. The three store- 
 keepers were required to pay in cash for all they bought. 
 Some of the articles even brought fancy prices, the 
 purchasers having a mind to boast of owning something 
 that had " belonged to Parson Allen." Counting the 
 due-bills, orders, etc., a total of over seven hundred 
 dollars was realized. Some things selected by the pas- 
 tor for his own use were not sold. Among these arti- 
 cles were a rifle and an outfit of fishing-tackle, things 
 which the busy and serious-minded minister had never 
 heretofore found time to use.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 LETTIE GREEN walked up the road from her home 
 in company with Sam, early the following morning. A 
 red spot glowed on each cheek, and a frightened, ap- 
 pealing look was in her eyes. 
 
 " What shall I do, Sam ? " she moaned. " I never 
 thought you could be so cruel ; oh, what shall I do ? " 
 
 " Now, please, Lettie, don't be so upset over a thing 
 of no importance at all. It will be all right one of 
 these days. I only meant it in fun." 
 
 " Oh, Sam ! how can you say that ? " 
 
 " But it's so. I tell you, you are making it altogether 
 too serious. It will be for a short time at most, don't 
 you know. Can't you take my word for it that I will 
 make it all right as soon as I can possibly see my way 
 clear?" 
 
 "I don't know, Sam; I'm afraid. You have been 
 so different the last few days." 
 
 "Nonsense, Lettie; you only imagine it. Several 
 things have happened lately to bother me, don't you 
 know, and some matters of business. I really couldn't 
 help it last Thursday, as I told you. I was disappointed, 
 as well as you." 
 
 " But you acted so strangely yesterday." 
 
 " Oh, I say, can't you forget that, Lettie ? Barney 
 riled me beyond endurance with his airs and his impu- 
 dence in telling me what to do and what not to do. Be- 
 sides I apologized. What more could you want ? " 
 
 59
 
 60 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 u I didn't mean that, Sam. I meant that you acted 
 as if as if you " 
 
 "As if what?' k 
 
 " As if you didn't care for me." 
 
 " Now that's simply your imagination again, Lettie. 
 Of course I care for you. I'll show you, when I can 
 get money enough of my own to live decently. Why, 
 I didn't want to come in at all yesterday, in spite of 
 Seward's insisting; but I knew you would be there." 
 
 " Couldn't you live well enough with your father and 
 help make the farm pay, Sam ? " 
 
 " Surely, Lettie, you don't want to live on a farm in 
 the backwoods all your life, do you ? The city is ever 
 so much better for a girl of your beauty and intelli- 
 gence." 
 
 " I don't know, Sam. I think I would be contented 
 here with you." 
 
 ** Well, I'm sure I wouldn't. I should want my wife 
 to move in better circles than among these ignorant 
 country louts. Just wait a while, and when my plans 
 succeed you shall have a taste of real life in the city 
 perhaps New York. Think of it! Apartments in a 
 fine house, a servant to do the work, stylish clothes, 
 the theatres, balls, society why, it's the only way to 
 live That's the kind of life I was cut out for, -and you 
 were, too, don't you know ; and that's the life we shall 
 have some day, Lettie." 
 
 The girl's face cleared and her eyes sparkled as Sam 
 drew the glowing picture. As he finished she said, 
 doubtfully: 
 
 '* Are you sure, Sam ? " 
 
 " Of course I am sure. Now I have an appointment 
 with Seward and must hurry on. Remember, and be 
 patient."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 61 
 
 " 111 try," said Lettie; but Sam never noticed, as she 
 turned to retrace her steps, that the sparkle had gone 
 from her eyes and left the wistful expression and a 
 half-suppressed fear in its place 
 
 "Thank goodness that's over with ! " muttered Sam, 
 with a breath of relief. 
 
 His appointment with Seward had been offered on 
 the spur of the moment to cut short an embarrassing 
 conversation ; but he stopped at Seward's house on the 
 way home, as a matter of habit, only to find that he 
 had gone to the village. But Sam was not sorry, in 
 the circumstances, to miss spending the afternoon with 
 Lettie's cousin He preferred the comfortable feeling 
 of self -congratulation with which he regarded his inter- 
 view with Lettie rather than the shame of which he 
 was even now dimly conscious, and which Seward's 
 company might tend to keep alive. Left to himself 
 and the free exercise of his own sophistry, which lulled 
 his conscience without really deceiving him, his com- 
 plaisance and consequent good nature increased, and 
 when, after dinner, Robert Allen, taking advantage of 
 his approachable mood, asked him to try his new rifle, 
 and then challenged him to a day's hunting bout in the 
 woods, Sam agreed almost before he knew what he was 
 doing. Second thought made him regret his promise, 
 and he tried to postpone the trip indefinitely on the 
 ground of a previous engagement with Seward. The 
 minister would not listen to it, and offered to call on 
 Seward at once and get his consent to the alteration of 
 his plans. Then he began to discuss the trip and the 
 subject of hunting with such a lively interest and evi- 
 dent appreciation that Sam found it impossible not 
 to warm up to him. He was surprised at the hearty, 
 jovial, unassuming manner, the easy carriage, and the
 
 62 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 enthusiasm which animated the man whom he had re- 
 garded as wholly given up to serious things, and an 
 enemy of all sport and all sportsmen. He felt himself 
 yielding to the genial influence, and actually started 
 out in the morning with more real pleasure than he had 
 believed could be possible. 
 
 The section of woods agreed upon was along the 
 Sturgeon Creek, to the eastward of the Hawkins farm. 
 Sam had no mind to take the minister anywhere in the 
 vicinity of Mystic Isle, which lay in the heart of the 
 forest and swamp to the northwest. He was less fa- 
 miliar with the Sturgeon district, but preferred a tramp 
 through this comparatively unknown region to the em- 
 barrassment which an effort to avoid the neighbourhood 
 of his hidden island might involve. 
 
 Just before sunrise they were 'on the road. The 
 clear, fragrant air and the rosy glow in the east prom- 
 ised a beautiful day, the last of April. The roads, still 
 soft from the spring rains, were dry enough for com- 
 fortable walking, even if the heavy boots of the men 
 had not made them indifferent to such conditions as 
 mud and water. 
 
 " We'll keep up the road half a mile or so and then 
 turn to the right into the woods till we pass through 
 our section of pine and the huckleberry swamp be- 
 yond," said Sam. " There we'll take a short cut to the 
 Sturgeon by the new trail blazed last winter. We can 
 save at least three miles to the bend of the river, and 
 perhaps stir up something on the way." 
 
 " Isn't that near where Rousheau lives ? " asked Allen. 
 
 "Who?" queried Sam. 
 
 " Jacques Rousheau, an old lumberman ; must be a 
 French-Canadian," replied Allen. 
 
 " Oh, I guess you mean Old Leatherback. Yes, he
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 63 
 
 lives in the bend almost surrounded by the river. I 
 don't know as I ever heard his name; never cared 
 enough to ask. He's nothing but a rough, ignorant 
 lout, such as one sees so many of out here, don't you 
 know." 
 
 The infelicity of this remark to the minister struck 
 Sam as soon as he had uttered it, and he looked around 
 quickly to see if Allen resented it ; but nothing of the 
 kind was apparent in his face. On the contrary, his 
 reply seemed to indicate that he heartily agreed with 
 the sentiment. 
 
 "They are rather deficient in culture/' he said, 
 " and they have never had the advantage of much book- 
 learning. What they do know has come to them in 
 other ways, more direct perhaps. But did you ever 
 notice, Sam, that these people, even the most ignorant 
 of them, really have a great respect and admiration for 
 book knowledge, and are quick to recognize the supe- 
 rior position it gives those who have it ? " 
 
 44 Can't say that I ever did," replied Sam. " In fact, 
 it always struck me just the other way, don't you 
 know." 
 
 " Well, it's true, and the curious thing about it is 
 that the ones who sometimes appear the most indiffer- 
 ent, or who actually scoff at knowledge acquired in 
 schools and colleges, are often the very ones who have 
 the most real regard for it. Their scorn is a mask to 
 hide their own sense of lack. Deep down in their 
 hearts they feel it and wish they had had more 'school- 
 in ' in their younger days. I've heard more than one 
 of them say as much." 
 
 44 1 don't see what good it would do them if they had 
 it," argued Sam ; " they couldn't use it cutting logs and 
 digging fields."
 
 64 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 "Oh, yes, they could," protested Allen. "Even a 
 lumberman or a farmer is worth more if he can add the 
 knowledge acquired from books to that acquired from 
 his own experience. He can always fill a better posi- 
 tion, and his influence is greater if he has the sense and 
 ambition to make use of the knowledge he has acquired." 
 
 Sam wondered if the last remark was aimed at him. 
 He had the uncomfortable feeling of being hit, and cast 
 about for a different topic of conversation, but Allen 
 showed no desire to relinquish the subject. 
 
 " Not only that," he continued, " but these people are 
 always willing to follow such a man if they can respect 
 his manliness as well as his education. There's a man 
 down near Midland who has more money than any three 
 of his neighbours put together, but you would never 
 know it by his appearance or behaviour. He never 
 seems to spend any of his money if he can help it, either 
 for his own good or any one else's. Those who don't 
 know him would imagine him to be as poor as Job's 
 turkey." 
 
 "I suppose you mean old Bloag. He's a fool, 
 stingy as he is rich," said Sam, not understanding at 
 once the turn in Allen's remarks, but glad to have them 
 directed at any one except himself. 
 
 " Just so," went on the minister; "it's natural to feel 
 that way about any man who has something valuable 
 but refuses to use it for himself or others. It doesn't 
 make much difference whether that something is money 
 or a college education." 
 
 " Here's where we strike into the woods," exclaimed 
 Sam, hastily turning to the right from the road at a 
 point where an old and partly overgrown lumber path 
 pierced the forest. The rising sun was beginning to 
 send horizontal rays across the tops of the trees, but
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 65 
 
 barely enough light filtered through to the path to en- 
 able the two men to pick their way. For some time 
 they went on in silence, too much occupied in following 
 the path to give attention to conversation. Sam wel- 
 comed the interruption. Until he could get the minis- 
 ter's mind filled with the sport on which they were 
 bent, he preferred to hear from him as little as possi- 
 ble. His own ideas did not come very freely, and it 
 seemed that the more he tried to think of something 
 to say which would not suggest any moral application, 
 the more difficult it became to speak at all. Yet he 
 was by no means sure that the minister had intended 
 anything personal. Probably he was too ready to put 
 on a coat which seemed just about his size. After a 
 while he remarked : 
 
 " This isn't much of a thoroughfare, but it's better 
 than we'll get in the new trail over by the Sturgeon." 
 
 " Oh, this is not so bad," replied Allen. " I suppose 
 there will be no path at all through the Sturgeon 
 woods." 
 
 " Not where we go only a blazed trail ; but we'll 
 have more light then." 
 
 "This path leads through your father's pine, I be- 
 lieve you said," remarked Allen. 
 
 " Yes, we shall come to it in about half an hour, and 
 beyond that is the huckleberry swamp." 
 
 " Your father said the other day that he might cut 
 his pine next fall for shingles. What a splendid chance 
 that will give you to learn the lumber business and get 
 acquainted with the men." 
 
 " Humph ! that would be delightful, no doubt, but I 
 haven't any special hankering to be a lumber jack my- 
 self or to mix in with them, either, so the splendid 
 chance hardly appeals to me, don't you know."
 
 66 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Sam had allowed more of a sneer to creep into his 
 voice than he realized, but the minister took no notice 
 of it and continued in the same hearty manner : 
 
 " You see, it will be your father's camp, and doubt- 
 less you can have more or less charge of it if you like. 
 That will put you at once in a position of authority, 
 and may be a stepping-stone to something bigger later 
 on if you make the most of it." 
 
 "The chances are he'll make that that Irishman 
 boss," said Sam, bitterly. 
 
 " Probably he will if you refuse to take it," answered 
 Allen, quietly ; " but if I know Farmer Hawkins, he 
 would much rather see his own son lay claim to the 
 position ; and believe me, Barney wouldn't for an in- 
 stant dispute your right." 
 
 Sam made no reply. He was compelled to admit to 
 himself the truth of what the minister had said, but the 
 admission brought him no satisfaction, and the impulse 
 to act on the suggestion that he should claim his right- 
 ful share in his father's enterprise, though it did come 
 to him for a moment, was quickly subdued by other 
 thoughts. He gave his attention to the woods about 
 him. The light was increasing steadily, and it was pos- 
 sible, soon, to see everything in detail within the com- 
 paratively narrow limits of vision. The larger pine 
 trees in this section had been cut some years before, and 
 in their place had grown up among the smaller pines a 
 forest of hemlock, poplar, birch, and balsam, and a tan- 
 gle of brush and vines. 
 
 Denizens of the forest were astir in great numbers. 
 The cheerful notes of robin, thrush, catbird, and chick- 
 adee, and the coarser tones of bluejay and crow 
 blended in a woodland chorus which struck a respon- 
 sive chord in Allen's breast. Familiar as he was with
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 67 
 
 these voices of the wildwood, his sympathetic nature 
 was always attuned to them and ready to thrill with the 
 rhythm of their song. To the birds, to the squirrels 
 in the beech-trees, to the timid jack-rabbits who scur- 
 ried away in the underbrush at the approach of the two 
 men, to the gentle doe, who, sniffing them from afar, 
 vanished almost before she was seen, Allen felt his 
 heart cry out: "Be not afraid! I am your friend, 
 though you see me armed with the weapon of an en- 
 emy. It is not you that I hunt." 
 
 Sam heeded neither the songs nor the singers. The 
 question suggested to him by the sight of every living 
 thing was whether or not it was available as game. 
 Birds, squirrels, rabbits, doe were not regarded as game, 
 so he ignored them. He kept in the lead when he 
 could to avoid unpleasant conversation. As the fore- 
 noon wore on very little was said by either except the 
 commonplace remarks provoked by immediate circum- 
 stances. Just after passing through the great huckle- 
 berry swamp and striking into the new trail through 
 the Sturgeon forest, the minister thought he saw a 
 bear. A movement among the branches of a tall young 
 pine caught his eye, and looking sharply he saw a dark 
 figure through the thick foliage. 
 
 " There he is, Sam ; look ! " he exclaimed in a loud 
 whisper, pointing upward. 
 
 " What ? Where ? " asked Sam. 
 
 " A bear ! Don't you see him, there, on that branch ? " 
 
 Both men stared into the tree, but could not at first 
 make out clearly the figure which undoubtedly was 
 crouching on one of the smaller branches. Suddenly 
 a change of position disturbed the foliage and revealed 
 the quarry. 
 
 " A porcupine ! " exclaimed Sam in disgust.
 
 68 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " Sure enough," replied Allen ; " not much of a find, 
 after all." , 
 
 "No, but we may as well bring him down. The 
 pesky things are no good, and they ruin every dog 
 that tackles them. You take a shot at him, par- 
 son." 
 
 "All right," agreed Allen, and taking deliberate aim 
 at the porcupine, he fired. As he lowered his rifle he 
 looked to see the animal fall from his lofty perch. On 
 the contrary, however, he humped up his spines for an 
 instant and then settled back with a firmer hold on the 
 limb. 
 
 "Better try it again," said Sam with a smile. " He 
 doesn't seem to mind the noise." 
 
 "Well, I'll try to give him something more than 
 noise this time," replied the parson, laughing good- 
 naturedly at Sam's sarcasm. 
 
 With a still more careful aim Allen fired his other 
 barrel ; but the porcupine paid no -more attention to it 
 than he did to the breeze which gently swayed the tops 
 of the trees. 
 
 " Guess I'll have to let you have him," said Allen, 
 taking a seat on the trunk of a fallen tree and proceed- 
 ing to reload his rifle. " I used to be a pretty good 
 shot," he added, "but for the last twenty years I 
 haven't practised much." 
 
 " Yes, it's a peculiar mark, and wants an experienced 
 marksman, don't you know. I'll settle him," said Sam, 
 as he sighted his Enfield. 
 
 Once, twice, three times he blazed away, but the 
 porcupine sat unmoved upon his pine bough, from which 
 he had gnawed a long strip of the tender sweet bark, 
 a favorite repast with this animal. To the rain of shot 
 he seemed utterly indifferent.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 69 
 
 "That plagued beast must be bewitched or else I 
 am," cried Sam, giving way to his vexation. "I'll 
 bring him down if it takes all day." 
 
 Again he aimed with unusual care and pulled the 
 trigger, but with no better result. 
 
 " Let us give up the porcupine and go on in search 
 of better game," suggested Allen. "This chap is in- 
 vulnerable, apparently, and he isn't worth so much 
 powder and shot." 
 
 "I'll be hanged if I go till that porcupine comes 
 down," replied Sam, his face red with mortification that 
 he should make such a poor showing at his first trial 
 before the minister. 
 
 Three times more he banged away in vain. The 
 animal once or twice bristled up and then seemed to 
 cling tighter than ever to the slender limb which bent 
 beneath his weight. The minister at last, seeing the 
 useless rage into which Sam was working himself, in- 
 terfered and asked for another trial, promising to bring 
 the victim down with two shots. Sam stepped aside 
 with a poor grace. 
 
 " I'll bet you fifty " he began, and then, remem- 
 bering who his companion was, he stopped. 
 
 " I don't bet ; but I'll show you a trick that I've seen 
 worked before on these fellows." 
 
 Up came the parson's rifle to his shoulder, where it 
 rested firm as on a rock. 
 
 " You'll never hit him, aiming that way. He's more 
 to your right," Sam was remarking, when both barrels 
 of Allen's rifle spoke in quick succession. At the same 
 instant there was a crack, and down came the porcu- 
 pine, bringing his branch with him. 
 
 " 'When the bough breaks the cradle will fall ; 
 And down will come baby, cradle and 11/ "
 
 70 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 sang the minister, as he stood his rifle against a tree 
 and began looking for a club. His bullets had so sev- 
 ered the limb that it would hold no longer. 
 
 Sam forgot his vexation in his frank admiration for 
 the parson's marksmanship, and he manfully congratu- 
 lated him on his skill. 
 
 " You could have done it just as well, my boy, if you 
 had thought of it," said Allen. " But I think I've been 
 told that the spines or quills of the porcupine form an 
 armor that sheds bullets as easily as a duck's back does 
 raindrops. Very likely you hit the rascal with every 
 shot." 
 
 " That's so, perhaps I did. I'd rather believe in the 
 armor than think I missed so many shots," replied 
 Sam, completely won by the minister's ready tact and 
 generous praise. As they pushed on through the 
 woods, he found himself on a more friendly and inti- 
 mate footing with the parson, and he listened with sur- 
 prise to Allen's stories of adventures, his descriptions 
 of places and things, and his many scraps of useful in- 
 formation, drawn from his long experience and close 
 observation in the forests, on the streams, and with the 
 pioneers of the section. 
 
 At noon they sat on the banks of the Sturgeon to 
 rest and eat their luncheon. No big game had been 
 found. Both hunters were tired with their long fore- 
 noon tramp in and out of the woods, through the swamps 
 of black ash and huckleberries, and along the shores of 
 the river ; but patience is one of the first requirements 
 in the outfit of the hunter. They were not discouraged. 
 Something worth while would turn up during the after- 
 noon, or they would turn it up. 
 
 For an hour or two after finishing their lunch they 
 explored a thick jungle of tanglewood skirting one of
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 71 
 
 the numerous lagoons near the Sturgeon. Here they 
 confidently expected to find a quarry, and here, indeed, 
 they discovered unmistakable signs of bear. Follow- 
 ing the tracks they came to the edge of the swale and 
 waited quietly for some minutes with eyes and ears 
 alert for the slightest movement. Presently Sam 
 pointed excitedly to a spot about forty yards distant 
 where the tall grass was being disturbed by some un- 
 seen cause. Neither man spoke, but eyes and ges- 
 tures were eloquent, as without a sound they prepared 
 for whatever might come. It was impossible to tell 
 whether the supposed bear was alone or not, whether 
 a coward or a fighter. If a coward, he might slip away 
 before they could get a shot at him. A fight would be 
 preferable to a flight any day. 
 
 A moment later the hunted animal sniffed the ene- 
 my. Raising himself upon a fallen log he peered above 
 the swamp grass, espied the hunters, and with a grunt 
 of disapproval dropped down and disappeared before 
 either of the two sportsmen could aim a gun or pull a 
 trigger. 
 
 " Well ! That bear is taking no chances," exclaimed 
 Allen, as for an instant they watched the rapid retreat 
 of bruin and noted the direction by the waving grass. 
 
 "Come on, we mustn't let him escape!" cried 
 Sam. " He's the biggest one I've seen yet. There's 
 no use trying to follow him direct. He's making across 
 the swale and isn't likely to stop until he gets to the 
 other side, anyhow. Our game is to catch him in the 
 huckleberry marsh beyond. We'll have to head him 
 off. You go to the north and I'll go to the south, and 
 we'll meet on the other side of the swale. If you run 
 across him, take him just behind the shoulder or in the 
 snout, don't you know, and he's yours."
 
 72 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Sam rattled off his instructions in breathless haste 
 and hurried off. 
 
 " Right you are, my boy ! " called the parson after 
 him, as he himself turned in the opposite direction. 
 
 The circuitous trip through the tanglewood was not 
 so easily or speedily accomplished as the comparatively 
 short distance would indicate at a glance. Fully half 
 an hour passed before Allen found himself in the big 
 huckleberry marsh where the going was not so difficult. 
 The ground was covered with gray moss and occa- 
 sional rocks, and the high-growing huckleberry, or blue- 
 berry, bushes were scattered over many acres in thick 
 clumps, higher often than a man's head. 
 
 Allen looked in vain for any sign of Sam or the bear. 
 It was impossible to see more than a few yards in any 
 direction, and he proceeded cautiously toward the 
 point where Sam should have entered the marsh. He 
 hesitated to call out, fearing to warn the bear of his 
 proximity. Presently a movement among the bushes 
 about twenty feet directly ahead of him attracted his 
 attention, and he stood still to listen. 
 
 " There is his lordship, now," he mused. " If he will 
 only show himself, or grunt out a statement of his ex- 
 act position, I will present him to Sam as a trophy of 
 our first hunting trip." 
 
 With his gun at his shoulder he waited, but the bear 
 did not appear. Instead, he heard a low but distinct 
 noise like a string of metallic beads rubbed together. 
 
 " A rattler ! Mr. Bear has stirred up a nasty cus- 
 tomer; but he saved me from running against it, so he 
 has my gratitude." 
 
 Allen began to make a detour as noiselessly as pos- 
 sible, to get within sight of the bear which he supposed 
 was on the farther side of a large bush. He had gone
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 73 
 
 about half the short distance when the same low, 
 threatening sound reached his ears again. It sent a 
 disagreeable chill over his body. Twice before in his 
 life he had come in contact with the deadly massasauga, 
 or swamp rattlesnake, and he knew enough of its fear- 
 ful power and venom to dread it most heartily. He 
 hesitated whether to go on or to hasten away from the 
 spot ; but in a moment, reflecting that the snake would 
 hardly leave its present position while in a fighting 
 mood until it had sprung upon the enemy which had 
 disturbed it, he pushed on more quickly in his circuit 
 to the farther side of the bush. A few steps brought 
 him in full view of a sight a3 startling as it was unex- 
 pected. Coiled in the midst of a thick clump of bushes, 
 which had been rudely pressed apart, was the massa- 
 sauga. His ugly, bulldog-shaped head was thrust up 
 about a foot from the centre of the coil, and was mov- 
 ing back and forth with a dizzy sideways motion. His 
 wide mouth was stretched open, and the long, forked 
 tongue flickered to and fro, as though with an eager 
 relish for its victim. Just behind the head, but pro- 
 truding only about half as high from the centre of the 
 coil was the horny tail with its string of rattles. No 
 bear was in sight, but standing directly in front of the 
 deadly snake, and scarcely arm's length away from it, 
 was Sam Hawkins. He seemed rooted to the spot and 
 powerless to move. Surprise, terror, repugnance, and 
 a strange look of fascination struggled together in his 
 face. His hands were raised as if to ward off a blow, 
 but he made no effort to escape or to defend himself. 
 Meanwhile the rattlesnake showed every sign of intense 
 rage. His head swelled, and then flattened and darted 
 hither and thither, the beady eyes gleaming wickedly. 
 His tail buzzed round and round, giving forth at inter-
 
 74 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 vals the sharp metallic rattle which is always recognized 
 as the warning before an attack. Those who have 
 heard the sound say it can never be forgotten. 
 
 The minister took in the scene in an instant. Sam 
 was in deadly peril. It was universally believed that 
 the massasauga gave three warning rattles before 
 striking. Allen had heard two, but he could not be 
 sure whether he had heard the first. There was not a 
 second to lose. Instinctively he clubbed his rifle, and, 
 springing forward, dealt a crushing blow at the rattle- 
 snake. The butt of his rifle struck a hidden rock and 
 broke into splinters, and the barrel flew out of his hand. 
 The rattlesnake was only stunned for a moment, and 
 almost before Allen could recover from the shock of 
 his own blow, the snake began to show fight. With- 
 out a thought of risk, quick as a flash, Allen jumped at 
 him and planted his left foot about eight or ten inches 
 below the ugly head. The rattlesnake squirmed and 
 twisted in the soft ground in frantic efforts to escape. 
 Then he struck his fangs against the minister's tough 
 horsehide boots, which fortunately were proof against 
 his attacks. A cold sweat broke out on Allen's body 
 as he realized his position. To hold the writhing snake 
 seemed impossible. To allow him to escape was almost 
 certain death, so loath is the massasauga to abandon a 
 foe until he has bitten him to his heart's content. The 
 barrel of his rifle lay just out of reach. Sam stood 
 near by in a daze, and seemingly unable to help himself 
 or the minister. Allen paid no more attention to him 
 than if he were not there. His whole thought was 
 bent upon getting his rifle barrel without releasing the 
 snake. Glancing quickly around, the branches of the 
 huckleberry bush brushed his face. Eagerly he grasped 
 a long slender branch and broke it off. Making a loop
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 75 
 
 he reached it out toward his rifle barrel and just suc- 
 ceeded in hooking the branch over the end and slipping 
 it along to the middle. A quick jerk, and the steel 
 weapon was in his hands. In a moment he had beaten 
 the life out of his venomous foe. The rattlesnake was 
 about an inch and a half in thickness and about four 
 feet long, sinewy and strong. He had eleven rattles 
 and a button, showing him to be thirteen years old. 
 Allen had fought him in silence, and when he saw the 
 dreaded reptile lying at last dead and mangled at his 
 feet, he turned away and sat down wearily upon the 
 rock which had wrecked his new rifle. Even his strong 
 frame could not withstand, for the moment, the feeling 
 of weakness and reaction which followed a battle with 
 the deadliest inhabitant of that wilderness. 
 
 Sam came to himself with a gasp and a deep sigh. 
 He sprang to the minister and grasped him by the 
 shoulder. 
 
 " You saved my life ! You saved my life ! " he ex- 
 claimed, nervously. " Did he bite you ? Are you hurt ? 
 I couldn't have moved to save my soul, though I knew 
 he was going to strike. I never met one of those devils 
 before, and I hope to God I never shall again. I've 
 heard they can hold a man in a spell so that he can't 
 move hand or foot. I never believed it ; now I know 
 it's true. I felt it the minute I saw him, and I knew 
 what he was, though I never saw one before. You 
 saved my life, Mr. Allen ; and you risked your own to 
 doit." 
 
 Sam was more overcome by the incident than the 
 minister, and spoke quickly and excitedly, without a 
 trace of his usual affectation. As the minister listened, 
 he recovered his own calm self-possession and hastened 
 to divert the young man's mind from the horror of his
 
 76 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 recent plight. Picking up the splintered butt of his 
 rifle he looked at it with a rueful smile and held it out 
 to Sam. 
 
 " Guess I'll have to give up hunting," he said with a 
 laugh ; " I don't seem to know how to handle a gun after 
 all. This pretty new toy had a short career." 
 
 " But a glorious one, by Jove ! " broke in Sam. " It 
 came to its end in saving my worthless life, and I'll 
 make it good just as soon as I can." 
 
 "Thank God ! " exclaimed Allen. 
 
 ''Why, of course; why shouldn't I?" asked Sam, 
 surprised at the minister's fervency. 
 
 " There is no reason why you shouldn't, and every 
 reason in the world why you should. I earnestly hope 
 you will do it." 
 
 " I'll borrow the money to-morrow, and get you one 
 just like it if Jake has another in his store. If not, I'll 
 go to Midland," said Sam, slightly nettled that the 
 minister should press the matter so hard. 
 
 " I wasn't referring to the rifle, Sam. I don't care 
 for another one," replied the minister, quietly. 
 
 "No? What then?" asked Sam, more than ever 
 puzzled. 
 
 " I'm glad to have disposed of my rifle in the way I 
 did, Sam. Perhaps it can be counted as a part of the 
 investment," replied Allen, enigmatically. 
 
 " What investment ? What do you mean ? " persisted 
 Sam. 
 
 Allen glanced at the sun, and then looked at his 
 watch. 
 
 " It's growing late," he said. " If we want to get 
 home by dark we must go on at once. Come, we've 
 had hunting enough for one day; let's have a nice 
 friendly chat on the way home."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 77 
 
 He linked his arm affectionately through Sam's, as 
 they turned toward the western forest, and for some 
 moments the two walked on in silence, having found 
 tfte corduroy road which ran through the swamp. 
 
 " That trifle of killing the snake, even if I was fortu- 
 nate enough to save you from being bitten, doesn't 
 measure how much I think of you, Sam," said Allen, 
 presently. "I wish I could do more than that. I 
 know you don't like to have me preach to you ; but 
 we're here all alone together with no inquisitive ears to 
 hear what passes in confidence, and there are some 
 things I want to say, just as an elder brother who loves 
 you and longs to do something for you. Won't you let 
 me, Sam?" 
 
 The moment which the young man had dreaded since 
 the trip was first planned had arrived. He was pain- 
 fully ill at ease ; yet the feeling of resentment which he 
 had expected, and which, indeed, he had depended upon 
 to inspire a suitable retort to any such advances, was 
 strangely lacking. A sense of his own unworthiness 
 crept into his heart and made any resentment hard 
 to rouse. With the self-abasement came a feeling 
 of the minister's strength and manliness, and his un- 
 assuming goodness. Even some slight thrill from 
 his great, loving, eager heart seemed to find a sen- 
 sitive chord in Sam's breast, and as he thought of 
 the unhesitating bravery with which the minister 
 had risked his life for him just now, all his opposi- 
 tion melted away, and he stammered, with a choke in 
 his throat : 
 
 " Why why of course, you can say what you like 
 I mean it's very kind of you to take so much inter- 
 est in me. I don't know why you should." 
 
 " I do take an interest in you, Sam, more than you
 
 78 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 can think; because I care for you, and for another 
 reason, that you may know some day." 
 
 He drew Sam's arm tighter in his own, and continued 
 in a tone of friendly intimacy, softened by the deep 
 earnestness and solicitude which he could not repress. 
 
 " I spoke of the broken rifle as a part or the invest- 
 ment. It could be only a very small part, of course. 
 Did you ever think of the $1,200 spent for your four 
 years' college course as an investment ? " 
 
 " No I never thought of it just that way," admitted 
 Sam. 
 
 "But it was, nevertheless. The business man in- 
 vests his money in his store, the speculator invests in a 
 gold mine, the trustee invests in government bonds. 
 They all expect to get the money back for themselves, 
 or some one else, with interest ; and they always do, if 
 if what, Sam ? " 
 
 " Why if the security was good, I suppose," said 
 Sam, flushing uncomfortably. 
 
 " Exactly ; if the security was good. A father in- 
 vests $1,200 in his boy to give him a college course. 
 More than that, he invests untold prayers, and self- 
 denial, and tears, and heart-yearnings that cannot be 
 uttered. Will the investment pay ? Was the security 
 good ? Or was it was it like the shares in a gold 
 mine which I bought one time, many years ago, in the 
 hope of getting rich without working ? The certificates 
 were elegantly printed and emblazoned with big gold 
 seals, but they weren't worth a cent. The security 
 was worthless." 
 
 The minister was silent for several moments, and 
 Sam did not venture any reply. The picture startled 
 him. He seemed to see himself in a mirror, but look- 
 ing as he had never looked before. He caught his
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 79 
 
 breath, and asked himself again and again, "Am I 
 worthless ? Am I really worthless ? " It was a relief 
 to hear the minister's voice again ; but the words star- 
 tled him afresh. They answered his latest thoughts. 
 Had he spoken them aloud ? 
 
 " Sam, no man is worthless. That's the grandeur of 
 being a man. There's something in man that's won- 
 derful and mysterious. It is awful, when you come to 
 think of it ; yet it is splendid and inspiring. A man 
 may not realize that it is there. It may never work its 
 wonders through him, because he smothers it ; but it 
 is there, always there, through boyhood, through young 
 manhood, through old age. It is ready and waiting, 
 waiting, waiting to thrill him through and through and 
 make him perform mighty deeds and stand as a king in 
 the earth. That wonderful thing is in you this very 
 moment, Sam ! " 
 
 The minister's earnest words had come with more 
 and more intensity of feeling as he went from sentence 
 to sentence, and the last one was spoken almost in a 
 whisper, as he clutched Sam's arm in an eager grasp. 
 The young man was trembling with a fear that he 
 could not understand. He felt the mystery and the 
 throb of earnestness in the minister's strange words, 
 but he could not guess their meaning. At last, unable 
 to endure the silence, he asked, hesitatingly : 
 
 "What is it?" 
 
 "The breath of God," said Allen. 
 
 Sam shivered. After a moment's pause the minister 
 quoted in a low tone, but with thrilling emphasis : 
 
 "'And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the 
 ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life ; 
 and man became a living soul' A living soul, Sam, 
 living by the breath of God in your nostrils. Isn't it a
 
 8o THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 wonderful thought awful, but glorious? And why 
 did God breathe His own breath into man ? He had a 
 purpose. Listen: 'And God said, Let us make man 
 in our image, after our likeness ; and let them have do- 
 minion over all the earth . . . and subdue it! You 
 see, God never intended man to grovel, or be content 
 with little things or a narrow life. He set him on his 
 feet and told him to be a king. And so he can be ; and 
 soyou can be, Sam." 
 
 " How ? " asked Sam, as the minister seemed to be 
 waiting for him to speak. 
 
 " First of all, and most important of all, by making 
 war upon your worst enemy and conquering him, by 
 crushing out his opposing forces and weaknesses, by 
 re-creating in him a new being, by giving his good 
 qualities a chance to grow, by ruling over him wisely, 
 firmly, unyieldingly. When you have done that you 
 will be a king, ready for wider conquests." 
 
 " My worst enemy ? " 
 
 " Yourself ! You must either conquer or surrender. 
 One means kingship ; the other is slavery. Why, Sam, 
 man ! " cried the minister, stopping suddenly in the road 
 and facing the young man, his eyes blazing with enthu- 
 siasm, " you are not cut out for a slave. You have it 
 in you to rule. Be what you have it in you to be. 
 Grapple with yourself and win. It will give you a con- 
 fidence in your own power, and an outlook into the 
 future that will surprise you. These backwoods are 
 just the place for a rough-and-tumble fight to the finish 
 with the worst enemy, and probably the only enemy, 
 you have. You think there is nothing here for a col- 
 lege man to do and be proud of ? Don't be fooled ; 
 that's one of the lies your enemy tells you. Through 
 his eyes, the opportunities here don't look attractive.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 81 
 
 Get away from him, and you won't be so anxious to get 
 away from here. Then you can dominate circum- 
 stances, and not let them dominate you. The world 
 owes you a living, but it won't pay the debt of its own 
 accord. You've got to get out and collect it. And let 
 me tell you, if you are not spry, that debtor will palm 
 off on you a poorer living than belongs to you. It de- 
 pends on you to collect the full amount." 
 
 The two men were approaching the forest, and as the 
 open road grew shorter the minister's enthusiasm in- 
 creased, and he spoke rapidly, realizing that conversa- 
 tion would not be so easy after entering the narrow, 
 irregular path through the woods. 
 
 " Look here, Sam," he continued, "any man can walk 
 on a smooth road. It takes more grit and determina- 
 tion to push on over a tangle of logs and brushwood. 
 Just so, it will show the man in you if you make an 
 honorable place for yourself right here among these 
 backwoodsmen. They will see it quickly enough, too. 
 Who knows but they may want to send you to repre- 
 sent them in the outside world some day ? The only 
 safe rule here, or anywhere, is not to be satisfied with 
 anything short of the best you can do, and the most 
 honorable position you can occupy. That's the way 
 men move on. Hold your head high among these 
 rough, true-hearted men, Sam not to look down on 
 them, but to compel them to look up to you. I'm so 
 anxious for you, my boy. It almost seems as if the in- 
 vestment had been my own. I want you to be such a 
 man in your most secret life that when you look at 
 yourself in the glass you can say, 'Sam Hawkins, I'm 
 proud to know you.' Then you can depend upon it 
 that others also will be proud to know you. Dear me, 
 here we are at the woods again. I've preached quite a
 
 82 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 bit for a hunter ; but Sam, my boy, think of what I 
 have said, and whenever you remember it, remember 
 that I said it because I love you. I hope you will come 
 to me for help whenever you need it." 
 
 Sam muttered an almost inaudible " thank you " and 
 went on in silence. Allen made no further trespass on 
 his thoughts, hoping and praying that something of his 
 hurried talk would find lodgement; and, indeed, Sam 
 was more impressed than he had ever been. A strug- 
 gle was already begun which made him glow with hope 
 and purpose, or tremble as he felt the strong hold of 
 his evil life upon him. Could he break away from it 
 and be a man such as the minister had pictured ? Why 
 not ? It would be hard work ; but the minister had 
 seemed so sure, and he must know something about 
 men. It would be a relief to get rid of the heavy feel- 
 ing of discontent which came, no doubt, from doing 
 what other people condemned, and avoiding what they 
 regarded as duty. Probably they were right. In fact, 
 of course they were. He was no fool. It was all well 
 enough to pretend to his folks, and to Sevvard, and the 
 rest, that he had a perfect right to do as he was doing; 
 but in his heart of hearts, where no one but himself 
 could see, he knew that it was all a lie. " Where no 
 one but himself could see ? " Another shiver ran over 
 him as he repeated the words and realized their awful 
 error. Surely, it would be worth any amount of strug- 
 gle to set himself right in the eyes of the two who 
 could read his heart. How fine it would be to feel that 
 he was really master, that he could fill a high place, 
 that he could compel others to look up to him even 
 these ignorant louts, as he had called them. Were 
 they not better than he, after all ? The young man's 
 heart was sadly torn with the contending thoughts and
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 83 
 
 questionings which had taken possession during the 
 past hour. He was almost persuaded. Perhaps he 
 would talk with the minister to-morrow of his own 
 accord. 
 
 The homeward trip was accomplished without adven- 
 ture or further conversation. As they approached the 
 house, Sam saw Seward coming toward him and wav- 
 ing a paper in his hand. After a hurried greeting to 
 the minister, Seward dragged his friend out of hearing 
 and exclaimed excitedly : 
 
 " They're coming, Sam, both of them ! Here are the 
 letters." 
 
 " Who ? " asked Sam in bewilderment. 
 
 "Walt and Billy!" 
 
 That night Sam could not sleep. The conflict raged 
 fiercely. A new element had been introduced by the 
 two letters, which, although expected, had come at such 
 a critical moment. He would like to take up the new 
 life which the minister had made so attractive, but he 
 was already committed to the three " Invincibles " and 
 their scheme for Mystic Isle. It was too late to back 
 out. This was the end of all his feeble bouts with his 
 evil genius, and at last he accepted it as the inevitable. 
 But what about the minister ? He was more than ever 
 afraid of him now. And he had saved his life ! More 
 than that, he had twice told Sam that he loved him ; 
 and Sam believed it. What should he do ? He could 
 think of nothing but the coward's refuge. He must 
 keep out of his sight, or at least avoid being alone with 
 him for a single instant. Yet he wished but no, it 
 was too late too late.
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 ALL that summer Sam kept his resolve not to see 
 the minister. During Allen's absence from the farm 
 when visiting and preaching at other villages and set- 
 tlements throughout the section, Sam came home as 
 usual ; but when the minister returned from his trips 
 and made his home with Farmer Hawkins, Sam re- 
 mained away on one pretext or another, spending his 
 time in the forest, on his " Mystic Isle," or with Walt 
 and Billy at the home of Seward Rathaway. The four 
 " Invincibles " were together most of the time, " camp- 
 ing, fishing, shooting," as they claimed when questioned 
 concerning their occupation, but always "too busy" 
 when called upon to take part in any of the affairs 
 which interested their neighbors. 
 
 Toward Lettie Green, Sam's attitude was one of 
 friendliness, patronizing tolerance, or impatience. It 
 varied as her behavior to him varied. He desired quiet 
 complaisance on her part with the existing state of 
 affairs. Some demonstration of affection he permitted, 
 as his due. Too much irritated him, and anything like 
 reproaches or pleadings angered him. By degrees the 
 proud but infatuated girl, stung by his indifference, 
 suppressed her own feelings, and cast about for some 
 means to occupy her mind and give her a stronger sense 
 of independence. 
 
 There had long been need for a school in Red-Keg 
 for the smaller children who were unable to make the 
 long trip to Midland. More than once Lettie had 
 
 84
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 85 
 
 heard the subject mentioned, always coupled with the 
 regret that no one with the necessary courage and 
 qualifications could be found to attempt the uninviting 
 task. The conviction grew upon her through those 
 summer weeks that this was her opportunity. Her 
 father, Andrew Green, was at home so little that she 
 hardly thought of consulting him. Boss for a firm of 
 lumbermen, he was engaged in the forest some ten 
 miles up the river during the winter, and in the spring 
 he went to Saginaw on business and remained away a 
 large part of the summer. He never found time to be 
 on intimate terms with his daughter. Her aunt would 
 hardly prove sympathetic, Lettie feared. She sought 
 the advice of Mother Hawkins. 
 
 " My dear child," said she, "you could not find a no- 
 bler work if you think it would not be too much for 
 you. The dear lambs are growing up like so many 
 young pine-trees tall, and straight, and strong and 
 with just as little brains. Only I'm afraid you will not 
 find them quite so steady." 
 
 "They're more like wildcats, I guess," said Lettie. 
 
 "Yes, they will need taming before they can be 
 taught anything; but if you are not afraid, dear we 
 will stand by you." 
 
 Lettie' s next visit was to her friend Norine Maloney, 
 to whom she confided her plan. There she found sym- 
 pathy and admiration for her pluck. 
 
 " But, oh, Lettie, do you think you can stand it ? It 
 wouldn't be so bad if you were only going to have 
 the little girls, but there'll be a crowd of boys, and 
 some of them are dreadful," said Norine doubtfully, 
 as the probabilities of the case began to dawn upon 
 her. 
 
 "I know, Norine; I've thought it all over; it will be
 
 86 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 hard; but I must do something. Working around at 
 home doesn't take up my mind enough." 
 
 Norine noticed a plaintive tone that was new in her 
 friend's voice and wondered at it, but she only said, 
 encouragingly : 
 
 " If anybody can do it, you can, Lettie. Have you 
 told any one else ? " 
 
 " Only you and Mother Hawkins ; but I want you 
 to come with me to see Mr. Waters. He'll know just 
 what I ought to do." 
 
 And so one bright morning the two girls drove down 
 the river road to the home of the Midland schoolmas- 
 ter. About half-way between Red-Keg and Midland 
 was the farm of Hal Marthy, and Norine suggested 
 that they turn in for a few minutes to pass the time of 
 day with their friend Axcy. As they approached the 
 house Lettie exclaimed : 
 
 "Why, there's Mr. Waters now, and talking to 
 Axcy!" 
 
 She pointed to where the two stood, near the gate, 
 engaged so earnestly in conversation that they did not 
 observe the newcomers until the buckboard came to a 
 stop near them. 
 
 " My, how you startled me ! " cried Axcy, flushing a 
 little at sight of her friends. " What brings you down 
 here?" 
 
 " We were on our way to see Mr. Waters, and we 
 just stopped in to see you first. Now we find you both 
 at once," replied Lettie. "And it seems you have the 
 first claim to him this morning," she added, a little 
 maliciously. 
 
 " Mr. Waters came to see me on business, but it can 
 wait just as well as not," said Axcy, fully recovered 
 from her momentary embarrassment.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 87 
 
 "Business ? " said Lettie, with just a perceptible lift- 
 ing of her eyebrows. " Oh, well, that's what we came 
 for, too; but don't let us interrupt. Rock can rest in 
 the shade a while, and I'm going to get a drink. Come 
 on, Norine," and the two girls, springing lightly to the 
 ground, started toward the well. 
 
 " Let me help you," said the schoolmaster, hastening 
 after them and grasping the windlass. 
 
 " Why not tell Axcy, too ? " whispered Norine. " It 
 can't hurt ; she's a dear." 
 
 "I don't know," replied Lettie, doubtfully; then, 
 holding the brimming dipper poised in her hand she 
 said, looking first at Axcy and then at the school- 
 master : 
 
 " Mr. Waters, I want to start a school at Red-Keg 
 for the small children, and I came to talk with you 
 about it." 
 
 " How funny ! " cried Axcy, looking at Mr. Waters 
 knowingly. 
 
 " Why is it funny ? " asked Lettie, piqued that a mat- 
 ter so serious to her should be regarded as a joke. 
 
 "Only as a coincidence," said the schoolmaster; 
 then, glancing at Axcy and receiving a nod of permis- 
 sion, he continued: 
 
 " Just now I was asking Axcy to help me in teach- 
 ing the younger children in my school so that I may 
 have more time for the older scholars, and she was on 
 the point of consenting I hope when you drove up." 
 
 "But I didn't consent," said Axcy laughing, "and I 
 won't consent, unless Mr. Waters promises to help you 
 all you want him to," she added, putting her arm affec- 
 tionately around Lettie. 
 
 "Agreed!" exclaimed Mr. Waters, delightedly. 
 " Why, District School No. i is getting to be a full-
 
 88 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 fledged normal school. Two-thirds of its graduates be- 
 come teachers in their first year. Tell me what you 
 want me to do, and I shall be very glad to help you, 
 Miss Lettie." 
 
 Lettie explained that she hoped he would speak to 
 the members of the School Board and find out whether 
 or not her school would have to come under their juris- 
 diction, and if so, what arrangements could be made for 
 a schoolroom, her salary, and other preliminary mat- 
 ters. If the district School Board had no control, some 
 arrangements would have to be made with the people 
 of Red-Keg themselves. 
 
 Mr. Waters agreed to make all the necessary inqui- 
 ries, and encouraged Lettie to go ahead and interest 
 the parents in her undertaking. He promised to help 
 in every way possible. 
 
 " I wonder what Jim Gyde will say to Axcy helping 
 Mr. Waters in the District School. He's awfully jeal- 
 ous," observed Norine, as the two girls drove home- 
 ward. 
 
 "Do you think Mr. Waters is do you think he 
 might care for her ? " asked Lettie. 
 
 " I don't know, you can't tell. He's big, and strong, 
 and handsome, and a gentleman," answered Norine, 
 absently. Both girls seemed to be thinking of some- 
 thing else more than the subject of their conversation. 
 
 As the weeks passed and everything contributed to 
 the advancement of Lettie's enterprise, her own cour- 
 age waned. The more certain of accomplishment her 
 purpose appeared, and the more hearty the approval 
 and co-operation of her friends and the people at large, 
 the more doubtful she became of her ability to grapple 
 with the task. It grew more forbidding as it came 
 nearer, and she began to look for obstacles, which,
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 89 
 
 however, did not turn up. So many children were 
 promised as candidates that she was compelled to rule 
 out strictly all who were able to go to the Midland 
 school. It was only an experiment, she said, and she 
 could not undertake too much at first. 
 
 With many misgivings, therefore, she set out for the 
 village one morning in September. A vacant log-house, 
 formerly belonging to a well-to-do lumber contractor, 
 had been cleaned and fitted up for the school. It stood 
 scarcely a mile from her house. Many of her friends 
 had offered to accompany her and help her during the 
 first day, but she feared such a reenforcement would 
 be regarded by her pupils as an evidence of her own 
 timidity or lack of sufficiency, and so she declared her 
 purpose of starting alone. 
 
 A boisterous crov06T of girls and boys, some with 
 their parents, was awaiting hi r at the schoolhouse, and 
 set up a clamor of welcome. Her heart sank at sight 
 of them, but with a bright smile and a cheery "good 
 morning, children," she pushed her way past them into 
 the schoolroom, took off her hat, and without waiting 
 to consider the novelty of the situation, rang the bell 
 on her table to call the children together. About forty 
 boys and girls, ranging from six to fifteen years of age, 
 crowded around her. They were a noisy, dirty, un- 
 tamed, untaught herd. Some had shoes and hats, 
 most had neither Less than a third of them were 
 dressed with any regard to appearances; but Lettie 
 thought nothing of this. She was looking at the bigger 
 boys and girls, and wondering if she had not made it 
 clear that they were not to be admitted. 
 
 "This school wiir be for the younger children only, 
 at least this year," she announced. "All boys and 
 girle who are over twelve will have to leave the room."
 
 90 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Disappointment showed itself on several faces, and 
 a chorus of protests came from the older children ; but 
 Lettie was determined. 
 
 " I cannot go on until you do as I ask you to. You 
 ought to go to Midland to school. I did when no 
 bigger than you. Perhaps next year but, no, I can't 
 make any promises. You must go out now, that's 
 certain." 
 
 Grumblingly, about ten of the larger children shuffled 
 out. They were not so anxious to attend school as 
 they were to gratify their curiosity as to the new 
 school-teacher. 
 
 " Now I will take your names for the school roll. 
 First " 
 
 "Mine first!" 
 
 "No, mine!" 
 
 " Git back ! I goes down first." 
 
 " I'm bigger'n you ! " 
 
 The pushing and pulling and shouting threatened 
 to result in a fight immediately. One little girl began 
 to cry because a rough boy had stepped on her toes. 
 
 Lettie rang the bell desperately, and exclaimed in a 
 voice which she tried to make stern and commanding : 
 
 " Boys, be quiet at once. I shall begin the roll with 
 the littlest girl, and end with the biggest boy. Now 
 Betty, dear, I guess you are the littlest, so here it 
 is Betty Underbill first on the list. Now, Julia 
 Fellows, Dotty Johnson, Mamie Murray, Lu Blakely," 
 and so on. 
 
 "Matt Reon," she said suddenly, looking suspi- 
 ciously at the tall boy who had first insisted on having 
 his name head the roll, " you are fourteen if you're a 
 day. Why did you stay when the others went out ? " 
 
 " I dunno, Miss ; me mother said, bein* they was a
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 91 
 
 school here, I had ter come. I ain't fourteen 's I 
 knows of." 
 
 " Very well, I will put your name down for the pres- 
 ent, but you must behave, or I can't let you stay." 
 
 "Yes'm." 
 
 The Whitmore household was represented by Ray, 
 Tilly, Hank, Tom, Carrie, and Ros, Jr. Jake Vogel sent 
 John, Ida, and Tene. From Red-Keg homes came also 
 Andrew and Arch Barrow; Alice, Bessie, and Pete 
 Doane ; Ike, Mary, Christy, and Viola Bowe, and others. 
 
 "Teacher!" 
 
 The grimy hand of little nine-year-old Dotty John- 
 son appeared above her frowzy head. 
 
 " What is it, Dotty ? " asked Lettie pleasantly. 
 
 " My maw says as how you must give me four les- 
 sons a day." 
 
 " We'll see," said Lettie, continuing with her roll of 
 pupils. 
 
 The ignorance of some, the precocity of others, and 
 the general lack of home discipline and restraint made 
 Lettie' s task a hard one. 
 
 Matt Reon was the proud owner of a cent and kept 
 flipping it in the air to arouse the envy of the less fortu- 
 nate boys. 
 
 " Put that in your pocket, Matt," commanded Lettie. 
 
 " Yes'm," said Matt, giving the cent a final flip for 
 luck ; but the luck was against him, and the cent fell 
 to the floor. Instantly the other boys scrambled for 
 it, pulling, pushing, and hitting. The teacher's voice 
 was drowned in the frightful din. As a last resort, she 
 rang her bell sharply. There was a momentary lull in 
 the noise, and Matt succeeded in snatching his cent 
 from the smaller boy who had found it. 
 
 "Boys, take your seats this minute 1 Matt Reon,
 
 92 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 put that cent here on my table until after school. 
 Such behavior is disgraceful. I won't allow it ! " ex- 
 claimed Lettie, almost distracted. When at last she 
 was ready for her first class, the sun had almost reached 
 its meridian. She took from the drawer of her table a 
 carefully prepared order of exercises, looked it over a 
 moment, and then glanced at the little clock on her 
 desk. " It's nearly noon, now," she said, " so I will ex- 
 cuse the younger children from their lessons while I 
 try the older ones in spelling, and find out what classes 
 to make. Tom, you may go over and sit with your 
 sister Tilly and take care of her. Ike, you are too big 
 a boy to be bothering Kitty White like that. Come 
 up and sit on this seat near my desk." 
 
 About half of the pupils were selected for the spell- 
 ing class and arranged around the wall. 
 
 " John Vogel, you take the head of the class ; Hank 
 Whitmore next; then Kitty White," and so on until 
 the class was complete." 
 
 " Teacher ! " bawled Dotty Johnson again in defiant 
 tones, raising her hand as high as she could reach and 
 snapping her fingers impatiently. 
 
 "Well, Dotty?" 
 
 " Ben't I goin' ter git a lesson ? My maw " 
 
 "Keep quiet, Dotty, till I get through with this 
 class. Now, John, you may spell 'bear.' " 
 
 " B-a-i-r, bair," said John. 
 
 " Next, Hank, you spell 'bear.' " 
 
 " Don't know how," frankly admitted Hank. 
 
 " Well, Kitty, you may try." 
 
 " What kind of bear ? " asked Kitty timidly. 
 
 " Bear, an animal." 
 
 " Oh, teacher, I know now ! " exclaimed John, a gleam 
 of intelligence in his eyes.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 93 
 
 "All right, John, you may have another try," said 
 Lettie. 
 
 B a " 
 
 " Teacher ! My maw says " again broke in the ob- 
 streperous Dotty. 
 
 " Dotty, if you say another word before this class is 
 through, I shall have to punish you. Now, John, try 
 again." 
 
 " B-a-r-r." 
 
 "Teacher!" both of Dotty's hands were up now, 
 and her voice indicated outright rebellion. " My maw 
 says " 
 
 Lettie, her patience sorely tried, started toward the 
 frowzy little recalcitrant. Before she could reach her, 
 however, the midget was dodging around the back of 
 the room. Back and forth she darted, with Lettie after 
 her, until, reaching the door, she ran out, her hair 
 streaming in the wind and her chubby feet making 
 tracks for home. The whole school was in an up- 
 roar, and most of the pupils rushed out to see the 
 fun. 
 
 " Run, Dotty, the teacher's after ye ! " yelled a mis- 
 chievous imp. 
 
 " Come back an' sass her some more," called another. 
 " She dassn't hurt ye ! " 
 
 Nothing more could be done that forenoon. Lettie 
 was tired and unstrung, and made no attempt to follow 
 the little vixen farther. She sat down at her desk and 
 gave way to tears, as the only thing left to do. 
 
 "Teacher, I'm so sorrow." 
 
 Demure little Tilly Whitmore, the only one who 
 had not left the room in the stampede, put her hand 
 caressingly on her teacher's arm. 
 
 " Don't try, teacher," she said with a sob in her own
 
 94 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 voice. Then, impulsively she threw her arms tightly 
 around the discouraged teacher and sought to comfort 
 her. 
 
 " Dear little Tilly ! If they were all as kind as you 
 are I would have no trouble ; " and holding the sweet 
 little sympathizer closely to her, she kissed her ten- 
 derly, while the tears flowed unrestrained. 
 
 By the time the noon hour had passed Lettie felt 
 her courage returning, and as the children came tum- 
 bling in from their romp in response to her bell, she 
 nerved herself for the afternoon's work. The primer 
 class was called to the recitation seats, and the smiling 
 little faces helped her. She began to feel something 
 of her opportunity for moulding these young lives. In 
 recognition of the compact of sympathy formed during 
 the noon recess, little Tilly Whitmore was placed at 
 the head of the class, and she held her green-covered 
 primer proudly as she spelled out the lesson and exhib- 
 ited her knowledge of the alphabet and the words 
 taught her by her mother at home. 
 
 " T-h-e, the, c-a-t, cat, the cat, i-s, is, the cat is, o-n, 
 on, the cat is on, t-h-e, the, the cat is on the, m-a-t, 
 mat, the cat is on the mat." 
 
 She looked up, expecting a word of approval. 
 
 " Say that agin, an' I'll punch yer head ! " shouted 
 Arch Barrow. 
 
 Tilly looked frightened; but the threat was not 
 aimed at her, for Arch followed it up quickly with a 
 blow at his seat companion, without waiting for him to 
 "say it agin." A rough-and-tumble fight began at 
 once, and again the school was in an uproar. 
 
 Lettie realized that she must show more strength 
 and authority than she had done in the morning, or she 
 would quickly lose control of her school. She caught
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 95 
 
 her breath with a little gasp, and without a word stepped 
 forward and seized each belligerent by the ear and 
 dragged both boys toward her desk. Ignoring their 
 howls and protests of " I won't do it no more, teacher," 
 she stood the offenders with their faces to the wall. 
 After an hour of such durance they very meekly begged 
 to be forgiven, and returned to their seats. 
 
 The primer class had finished, and the first-reader 
 class was in a line before Lettie, when the door opened, 
 and in walked Dotty Johnson, as defiant as in the 
 early morning. She went coolly up to the teacher 
 and handed her a dirty, crumpled note, meanwhile keep- 
 ing an eye on the door. 
 
 " Mis greane i want to tel yu thet mi darter Dotty 
 must hev fore lesuns eech da an yu atend to it an not 
 driv her hoam eny moar onles yu want to git liked i 
 wunt taik nun ov yer impertens nether bewair. Mrs. 
 jhonson." 
 
 Lettie took the note without a word, her face show- 
 ing at first a pink flush. As she read, a paleness and 
 rigidity took its place, and when she looked up, the pu- 
 pils saw an expression of austerity and determination 
 that surprised and quieted them. 
 
 "Dotty," she said, "do you wish to belong to this 
 school?" 
 
 " My maw says" began Dotty retreating. 
 
 " I don't care what your ma says. I want to know 
 if you are coming to this school, and intend to obey 
 your teacher ? " 
 
 " My maw " 
 
 Lettie was too quick for the little rebel this time, 
 and caught her in both arms. The child screamed, and 
 kicked, and attempted to bite, but her teacher held her
 
 96 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 fast until she became quiet ; then without a word she 
 drew her slowly up to the desk. As she did this the 
 door was pushed ajar, and the ugly, mannish features of 
 Dotty's mother appeared. There was a threatening 
 scowl there. Evidently she had come with Dotty to 
 see that she did not receive the promised punishment. 
 Lettie, fortunately, did not see the scowling face, but 
 she still held the note in her hand. There was no dis- 
 order in the school now. All were quiet and expectant. 
 Dotty was hanging her head. Her lips pouted, but she 
 looked somewhat subdued and frightened. Lettie 
 looked at her silently for a moment. When she spoke, 
 her voice was very gentle. 
 
 " Dotty, don't you want to be a nice little girl, so 
 people will love you, so I can love you, too, and so you 
 can be a help to me ? " 
 
 Without waiting for a reply, she twined her arms 
 around the child and kissed her forehead. This was 
 too much, and the little girl began to cry hysterically. 
 A look of astonishment spread over the ugly face at 
 the door. In another moment, like a frightened deer, 
 the woman was running away from the presence of the 
 girl who, as she afterward declared, must be a saint. 
 
 Firmness and gentleness had won the day, and Lettie 
 had established herself in the hearts of her pupils and 
 gained their respect, the first requisite to cheerful obe- 
 dience. The rest of the session passed busily and 
 pleasantly. Just as school was dismissed, Ros Whit- 
 more drove up in his farm wagon to fetch his little 
 flock. After a few hearty words of congratulation and 
 compliment on the completion of her first day as the 
 prettiest schoolmarmm the county, he smilingly handed 
 her a note which Mrs. Johnson had just given him and 
 begged him to deliver. It was profuse in apologies.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 97 
 
 Lettie read it with flushed face and tear-dimmed eyes. 
 Dotty and Tilly, her little tormentor and her little com- 
 forter, each received a good-night kiss. Folding the 
 two notes together she tucked them safely into her 
 reticule as tokens of her first school trial and triumph, 
 and hastened away to find Norine.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 As soon as it became known that Farmer Hawkins 
 intended to get together a crew of his own to cut the 
 pine on his quarter-section, so many of his friends vol- 
 unteered to join him that he determined to engage no 
 strangers at all, but to organize the camp with his 
 neighbors and acquaintances only. He resolved, in his 
 own mind, also, that the winter's work should not be 
 all drudgery, but should be made pleasant by good-fel- 
 lowship and occasional social relaxation, and by as much 
 physical comfort as was compatible with the proper 
 conduct of a lumber camp. 
 
 The quarter-section of pine lay to the westward of 
 the farm, between it and Sturgeon Creek, to which 
 stream the logs, if intended for the booms, would have 
 to be hauled and then sent down to the Tittabawassee. 
 Farmer Hawkins, however, had decided to cut the logs 
 into shingles on the spot and, after their weight had 
 been reduced by drying, haul them direct to the rail- 
 way at Red-Keg. Accordingly he rented a portable 
 shingle mill at Saginaw, brought it up the river in sec- 
 tions, and erected it in the midst of his timber. Near 
 the mill he built a large " shanty " for the crew. It 
 consisted of two separate buildings standing some fif- 
 teen feet apart. For the walls, instead of logs, he used 
 pine-boards set on end. The roofs were of shingles. 
 The space between the buildings was roofed over, but 
 left open at the ends. One building was to be used for 
 the camp kitchen, and contained, besides the cooking- 
 
 98
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 99 
 
 range, shelves, and supplies, two large board-tables, 
 with benches, at which the meals would be served. The 
 other building was the men's camp, with a double tier 
 of bunks on each side, and in front of them a long bench, 
 called the "deacon seat." In the centre was a round 
 stove for heating. A short distance from the shanty 
 were the stables and shop built of logs with board roofs. 
 
 " Sure, the byes will be snug and asy here. It's a 
 sight better nor Green an' Binker's camp on the Big 
 Salt last winter," said Barney approvingly, as he in- 
 spected the completed quarters. 
 
 While Farmer Hawkins was nominally boss, he had 
 placed upon Barney the actual duties of foreman, recog- 
 nizing his more intimate knowledge of the work and 
 his fitness for aggressive leadership of the men in the 
 ways to which they were accustomed. 
 
 A fine, jovial crew of about twenty men was gath- 
 ered, including several like Ros Whitmore, Pete Mur- 
 ray, and Bob Landseer, who had farms or timber of 
 their own, and who postponed their operations for the 
 season in order to join the Hawkins camp. At Pete 
 Murray's suggestion, Jim Gyde, Ashbel Fair, and 
 " Babe " Strander had been asked to join, because of 
 their strength and skill in handling the logs, and their 
 natural enthusiasm for the work of the lumber woods. 
 Jim Gyde, however, for some unexplained reason, 
 seemed reluctant to accept. Rodney Bedell and Bud 
 Frazer came because the others did. Lon Hawley, an 
 expert shingle-sawyer, whom Barney had met in one of 
 the mills at which he himself had worked in previous 
 winters, was brought from Saginaw, a fact which showed 
 that Barney was free from jealousy and rather liked 
 good wholesome rivalry that made the blood tingle. 
 Moreover, he knew his own powers, and did not fear
 
 ioo THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 that he would be bested by any shingle-sawyer in the 
 country. Young Grat Vogel, keen for his first winter 
 in the woods as a real lumber-jack, was engaged by 
 Farmer Hawkins for his father's sake, and for his own. 
 Joe Reon, Ned Blakely, Dan Underbill, and Arch Fel- 
 lows were there. "Old Leatherback," a veteran 
 swamper, had begged for a job, and had brought his 
 friend " Red " Lampheer, an uncouth shantyman, from 
 the Sandytown settlement. The reputation of the last 
 two was not very savory, but with the "wild " element 
 so distinctly in the minority, no trouble was feared. 
 As a matter of course, Barney had persuaded his friend, 
 big Tom Moore, to come with him. No company 
 would be complete in Barney's opinion without Tom. 
 Sam Hawkins and Seward Rathaway had been asked 
 to form part of the crew, but Sam vetoed the proposi- 
 tion, saying that he did not know the trade of the lum- 
 ber-jack and had no desire to learn. Speaking for 
 Seward, he declared that together they had other plans 
 for the winter. Walt and Billy had returned to their 
 homes, it is true, late in the fall, promising to come 
 again in the spring and stay through the following win- 
 ter " for the hunting," but Sam and Seward still claimed 
 to have interests which demanded their attention, 
 though what these interests were no one seemed to 
 know. 
 
 The crew took possession of the camp in September 
 and began at once making small roads leading away in 
 every direction through the timber, but all focussing 
 at the mill. Through these roads the logs would be 
 hauled, or travoyed, to the long skidways at the side of 
 the mill where was located the drag-saw. From these 
 skidways, instead of being loaded upon heavy sleighs, 
 as would be the case if the logs were to be hauled to
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS I0 i 
 
 the river, they were rolled upon the " carriage " which 
 ran under the drag-saw. Here they were cut into 
 proper shingle length of sixteen or eighteen inches. 
 These short sections of logs were called bolts. 
 
 The first fall of snow in November found the roads 
 finished, the ground frozen hard, and Hawkins's camp 
 ready for an aggressive attack upon the forest. 
 
 " Be up wid ye, byes ! She's here ! " cried Barney, 
 as he burst into the men's camp at four o'clock one 
 morning and stamped the snow from his legs. " Now, 
 be the powers o' smoke, we'll be makin* her hum ! " 
 
 In an instant the camp was alive with noise and ac- 
 tion. Voiceful yawns, grunts, snarls at the cold, crisp 
 oaths, the kicking on of frozen boots, the swashing of 
 water, the slamming to and fro of the door, and then 
 the welcome call from the kitchen, " Brekfus ready ! " 
 
 Pell-mell for the other part of the shanty rushed the 
 crew, stumbling through a huge drift of snow which 
 lay between. 
 
 " Gee ! she's snowin' yet, fit ter bury the lot of us ! " 
 grumbled Babe Strander, wallowing up to his hips in 
 the fluffy mass. 
 
 " Colder 'n seventeen devils ! " exclaimed Grat Vogel, 
 as the sharp wind howled through the clearing, driving 
 a cloud of fine white flakes within. 
 
 "Yer right there, bub," observed Ros Whitmore 
 with a laugh. "Devils is usially hot, 'cordin' ter my 
 knowledge." 
 
 Into the cook's den they tumbled, chaffing, scolding, 
 laughing. The two long clothless tables were fairly 
 splendid in the light of the lamps, with rows of bright 
 new tin plates, each guarded on the right flank by a 
 deep basin, or dipper, filled with a steaming fluid that 
 appeared as if it might have been dipped from the
 
 102 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Black Sea. Piles of bread, white and brown ; pyramids 
 of potatoes, " biled with their clothes on," and sending 
 up their quota of fragrant steam ; great yellow hunks 
 of butter ; fried pork, swimming in its own fat ; black 
 molasses ; various table utensils of the strictly useful 
 rather than ornamental class, and last but not least, at 
 each end, beans in the original packages, that is to say, 
 in the kettles in which they were baked. 
 
 " Pitch in, boys ! " cried Reon, the cook. " They's 
 chuck a plenty for all, sech as 'tis, an' it's good 'nuf fer 
 anybody whut they is of it." 
 
 With this statement all hands agreed, and " fell to " 
 with the beautiful and primitive simplicity and eager- 
 ness which mark the banqueting of half-famished 
 wolves. No grace was said. The minister was not 
 there. These men had their share of his ministrations 
 during the summer. He felt called to other camps 
 where, as at no other time, he would have opportunity 
 to get hold of the roving lumber-jacks. Once or twice 
 during the winter he would visit Hawkins's camp out 
 of regard to his friends there employed. Even Farmer 
 Hawkins could not get down from the farm every day. 
 Breakfast thus proceeded without any polite ceremony. 
 It does not take a very long time for twenty stalwart 
 and hearty men to consume a handsome quantity of 
 " chuck." Meal-time never fails of a welcome. Farmer 
 Hawkins had provided a liberal supply of good things, 
 and his neighbors and helpers always did it ample jus- 
 tice. 
 
 "What say, Barney?" asked Ros. "Is this here 
 goin* ter keep up all day ? " 
 
 " It's meself would like to know," replied Barney. 
 "Be the way she's comin* now, we'll be nadin' the 
 plough, if it lasts the day out."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS I03 
 
 " It's a roughish storm to work in ; but we've all seen 
 wus, an' likely to again afore we git this here pine all 
 cut into shingles," remarked Bob Landseer. 
 
 " Please pass them beans, an' never mind the storm ; 
 I guess we uns isn't sugar nor salt," called Ned Blakely 
 from the middle of the table. 
 
 ' More wash, cookee," demanded Underbill, passing 
 his basin to the cook's assistant for another filling of 
 hot black tea. 
 
 "Ain't yer hash-traps full yet ? " exclaimed Reon the 
 cook, after he and his assistant, the cookee, had been 
 flying about like veritable " devil's darning-needles " for 
 what seemed to him as long a time as ought to suffice 
 to satisfy the most voracious appetites. 
 
 Heedless of the cook's impatience, the scene of gor- 
 mandizing went on until the inner man cried " hold ! 
 enough ! " Then the teamsters, the choppers, the saw- 
 yers, the swampers, and the loaders, arming themselves 
 with their appropriate implements, chains, axes, pea- 
 vies, cant-hooks, etc., pushed boldly out into the 
 whirling, driving storm, all bustling and hastening, as 
 was their wont, to see who should accomplish the great- 
 est amount of work for the day. There were three 
 teams of horses, and a separate crew for each, each with 
 its complement of men for the various kinds of work. 
 The mill would not start up until the skidways were 
 filled, so the entire force of men was first set to work 
 felling the trees, cutting them into lengths, and hauling 
 the logs to the skidways. Thus they began in earnest 
 to devour Farmer Hawkins's pine forest. 
 
 Another week passed, and the mill was going in full 
 blast. The weather was clear and cold. A steady 
 stream of logs to the skidways kept the mill supplied. 
 Barney had transferred to Tom Moore his duties as
 
 104 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 foreman, in order that he might devote his time to his 
 specialty as shingle-sawyer. He and Lon Hawley 
 worked side by side, and kept their saws hot, with a 
 good-natured, though none the less keen, rivalry for 
 the lead in numbers of shingles completed in a day. 
 First one and then the other would show a winning 
 score, but the margin was slight. The rivalry became 
 contagious, and the men of the outside crews soon 
 caught it and dropped in between trips to learn how 
 the race stood. Partisanship developed. Each man 
 had his backers, though, of course, Barney, who was 
 well known and immensely popular, received by far the 
 most general support. The Midland contingent, for 
 once, was divided, Ashbel Fair and " Babe " Strander 
 rooting for Barney, while Rodney Bedell and Bud 
 Frazer declared for Lon. Jim Gyde was watchful but 
 silent and non-committal. Ned Blakely and Arch Fel- 
 lows favored the lean, long-limbed Yankee. Most of 
 the others, with the possible exception of Old Leather- 
 back and Red Lampheer, who appeared to take no in- 
 terest in the matter, stuck by the no less lanky and 
 agile Irishman. Curiously enough, neither of the real 
 contestants seemed to care whether his superiority was 
 believed in by the crew at large or not. Their whole 
 attention was bent upon their work and the effort of 
 each to demonstrate to the other his own unbeatable 
 speed. 
 
 Finally the interest became so acute that some one 
 suggested a match to settle the question of superiority 
 definitely. The idea found immediate favor. The day 
 before Thanksgiving was selected, and an extra holiday 
 for all hands except those necessary to run the mill was 
 declared. The mill was cleared of all rubbish. The 
 skidways were filled with the best logs obtainable.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 105 
 
 The tramway was examined and put in good running 
 order. The fireman had placed ready to his hand an 
 extra supply of well-dried spalts and edgings to keep a 
 full head of steam all day. His machinery was all clean, 
 oiled, and inspected ; the belts made taut ; the drag- 
 saw and shingle-saws newly filed and "gummed," that 
 is, the spaces between the teeth made deeper, to allow 
 free play for the sawdust 
 
 News of the match spread throughout the surround- 
 ing country, and visitors from other camps and mills 
 secured leave of absence, that they might witness the 
 contest between two of the fastest sawyers in the whole 
 region. Even the women, taking advantage of a clear 
 crisp day, came out to the mill and brought extra sup- 
 plies of good things for the boys to eat. Sam Hawkins 
 and Seward Rathaway yielded also to the general ex- 
 citement, and found their way to the seat of battle. A 
 certain hope, strong in Sam's breast, led him, more 
 than anything else, to see the match. 
 
 The evolution of a pine shingle is a simple and rapid 
 process, fraught with dangers to fingers and hands in 
 proportion to the speed attempted. The rough pine-log 
 passes under the drag-saw, is cut into shingle-lengths, 
 or bolts. A bolt is seized the instant it drops from the 
 saw by an axman, who sets it on end and with a few 
 quick strokes of his axe deftly removes the adhering 
 bark and " sap," that outer portion of the wood through 
 which the sap or pitch of the tree runs, and which is 
 worthless for lumber or shingles of the better grades. 
 He then splits the bolt into halves or quarters accord- 
 ing to the diameter of the log, often leaving small bolts 
 whole, and tosses the clean shingle bolts to the sawyers, 
 by whom they are placed upright in the sawing machine. 
 There they are held in place by spiked rollers above
 
 106 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 and below, are rapidly slipped back and forth with an 
 alternating slant to right and left, and thus are sliced 
 into rough shingles, thick at one end and thin at the 
 other, with jagged edges, corresponding with the split 
 sides of the bolt. As these shingles fall from the saw, 
 they are picked up by the man who runs the " edger," 
 a large revolving disc with keen, chisel-like knives, like 
 those of a plane, radiating from the centre on its inner 
 surface. The shingles are slid along a table into a slot 
 where the edges press against the revolving disc and 
 the knives remove with lightning rapidity all rough or 
 uneven edges. The shingles are then tossed to another 
 man, the "packer," who places them into the packing- 
 machine, where they are made up into bunches ready 
 to be stored away in the drying-house. By this last 
 process the weight of a bundle of shingles is reduced 
 nearly one-half. 
 
 The most expert edgers and packers had been secured 
 to assist at the match, for the double purpose of taking 
 care of the shingles promptly, as they fell from the two 
 saws, and to insure against accidents which often re- 
 sulted from an effort to speed when the skill was not 
 equal to the test. 
 
 The sound of the whistle had scarcely died away at 
 six o'clock on the morning of the day of the match, 
 when the wheels in the mill began to move ; the first 
 log, specially selected with a view to making good bolts 
 for the start, was rolled upon the carriage, and before 
 the drag-saw had fairly gained its momentum, was in 
 place for the first cut. The log was made fast ; the 
 saw descended, and, with a shout, the first bolt was 
 rolled to the axman. 
 
 " That's a darlin' ! " exclaimed Tom Moore, the mas- 
 ter of the axe, as he clipped off the sap, cleft the bolt
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 107 
 
 into even quarters, and let them fall all together at the 
 hands of the rival sawyers. 
 
 Barney and Lon each grabbed a section at the same 
 instant, and in the wink of an eye the sharp " ping " of 
 the saws was heard as they bit into the live wood. The 
 tone deepened into a hum, then ended with a " zipp " 
 as the first two shingles dropped off. Instantly the 
 same note was repeated over and over again, with 
 hardly long enough intervals to mark them as separate- 
 sounds. In a steady stream the shingles fell upon the 
 edger's scaffold. 
 
 Chip, chuck, chur-r-r-r, went the edger, as, with a flip 
 and a flop, first one edge of the shingle and then the 
 other was pushed against the sharp chisel-bits. 
 
 " Who won first blood ? " yelled Jaky Strander, mean- 
 ing the first shingle to the edgers. 
 
 " Both kem together ; no advantage," announced Ros 
 Whitmore, who watched at that point. 
 
 Sawdust and edgings began to fly at a lively rate. 
 Full steam was up at last, and the match was on in 
 earnest. 
 
 According to the rules adopted, only number one 
 shingles, without " shake " or sap, were to count in the 
 score, the narrowest shingle of this class being six 
 inches in width. This required good judgment in get- 
 ting the bolts to the saw, a bolt under one management 
 often producing several more shingles of the first class 
 than it would yield if first set to the saw some other 
 way. 
 
 Few visitors had arrived so early in the morning, but 
 Farmer Hawkins had made it a point to come for the 
 very beginning of the match. The other men of the 
 crew who were not needed for the actual mill-work 
 found places of vantage and spurred the two sawyers
 
 io8 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 on with encouraging shouts and scraps of advice, or 
 engaged in speculations as to the outcome. 
 
 Both men seemed to be putting in their best work, 
 yet as the morning advanced Lon Hawley was seen to 
 be forging steadily ahead. His lightning-like move- 
 ments, his flashing eye, and his strict attention to busi- 
 ness resulted in a gain that grew alarming to Barney's 
 friends, as Ros Whitmore marked the tally from time 
 to time on a large board. Barney appeared to pay no 
 attention to the score, but chaffed good-naturedly now 
 and then with his partisans. 
 
 " Tech her up, Barney ; yer runnin' a bit slack, ain't 
 ye ? " urged Tom Moore, after an hour or so waiting to 
 see whether Barney would try to cut down his rival's 
 lead. 
 
 " Sure, it's asy I am in mind an' body," said Bar- 
 ney. " Ye'll have no nade to worry before the day is 
 inded. 5 ' 
 
 But Tom continued to worry. He could not bear to 
 see his friend dropping behind. 
 
 " Keep it up ; you're a winner, Lon ! " cried Rodney 
 Bedell, who with Sam Hawkins and Seward Rathaway 
 stood near the Yankee's machine. Sam made no effort 
 to conceal his pleasure, but said nothing. 
 
 The stack of bundles was growing to considerable 
 proportions, and orders were given to take them at 
 once to the drying-house and thus make more room for 
 visitors who were constantly arriving. Lon was work- 
 ing at top speed, excited by his own lead and deter- 
 mined to maintain it. The edgers and packers were 
 compelled to strain every nerve to handle the flood of 
 shingles. 
 
 "Bedad! but they're the fast sawyers," exclaimed 
 Pete Murray to a newcomer.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 109 
 
 44 One of them is," sneered Sam, indicating which one 
 by a jerk of his thumb. 
 
 A gleam crept into the eyes of Barney O'Boyle, but 
 he gave no other sign that he had overheard the remark. 
 
 "Come, Barney, quit playin' with 'im, an* pull out; 
 show yer friends what ye can do." Bob Landseer's 
 voice betrayed real concern 
 
 Barney allowed his eyes to rest quizzically on his 
 friend's face for the briefest fraction of a second, 
 then he went on with his work, cool and collected as 
 before. 
 
 " Time enough, Bob," he said 
 
 Dinner hour approached The relative positions of 
 the contestants remained the same The whistle blew, 
 and the saws stopped. Ros Whitmore announced that 
 Lon Hawley was a whole bundle, a quarter thousand 
 shingles, in the lead. Barney's smile vanished. The 
 lead was larger than he thought. At that moment, 
 glancing about the crowd of spectators, he saw Norine 
 Maloney standing near the door. She smiled, but 
 looked disappointed. Barney's eyes glistened, his jaws 
 set firmly, and with erect figure and elastic step he 
 walked out of the mill toward the shanty. 
 
 " What's ailin' ye, me boy ? " asked Pete Murray, as 
 he and Tom Moore hastened after Barney. "Sure, 
 there's no sawyer in the State would be runnin' away 
 from ye with a bundle o* shingles before dinner if ye 
 were feelin* loike yersilf." 
 
 The smile came back to Barney's face 
 
 "Would ye mind puttin' your hand there a bit; an' 
 there?" 
 
 Tom felt of his friend's forehead and wrists, and ex- 
 claimed : 
 
 "Cool es a cowcumber, an' not a drop of sweat 1"
 
 no THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " See any shakin' ? " asked Barney again, as he 
 stretched out his arm and held it rigid. 
 
 " Nary a shake," said Tom. 
 
 " Now ye might go look at Lon ; an' don't be after 
 worryin' yourselves grayheaded fer what ain't loikly to 
 happen." 
 
 " Two extra tables were spread for dinner in the men's 
 camp, to accommodate the crowd of visitors. Excite- 
 ment over the match ran high, but did not dull the 
 appetites. Barney's friends were puzzled at his poor 
 showing, and could only hope that he had greater things 
 in reserve. Farmer Hawkins, when appealed to, de< 
 clared Barney would come out all right, he felt sure. 
 On the other hand, the partisans of Lon were jubilant, 
 confident, and boastful. Lon himself was in high 
 feather and declared he would certainly gain another 
 bundle during the afternoon. He admitted that he had 
 " put in his best licks " from the start, and was glad of 
 a resting spell ; but he explained that everything de- 
 pended upon gaining a commanding lead early in the 
 game. " It sorter puts the other feller under a handi- 
 cap, an* takes the nerve out'n him," he said. 
 
 Jaky Strander had something on his mind, and it 
 made him fidget until he got it off - 
 
 " Guess I'll bet five on Lon ter win this 'ere match," 
 he said, taking care that Barney should not hear him. 
 
 " Thought ye were for Barney," said Tom Moore, in 
 surprise. 
 
 "Yes, thet's right; my feelin's is with the under 
 dog, but my money's on the top one. Any feller 
 want it ? " 
 
 No one seemed in a hurry to cover the bet, and 
 " Babe " laughed jeeringly. 
 
 " Lon's got ye all scared ; looks like a sure thing.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS in 
 
 Gee! ef Barney ain't got a backer, guess I'll hev ter 
 bet th' other way." 
 
 " Give Ros yer money, ef yer so anxious ter lose it ; 
 here's five ter cover it," said Tom; and each man wrote 
 on a bit of paper his I. O. U., and deposited it with 
 Ros Whitmore. 
 
 Sam had been watching the transaction with flushed 
 cheeks. It was exactly what he wanted to do himself, 
 but he had hesitated to take the initiative. Now, how- 
 ever, waiting only until his father was away at the other 
 part of the shanty in his capacity as host, he pulled out 
 two ten-dollar greenbacks, and exclaimed loudly : 
 
 " Here's twenty, spot cash, on Lon, that is, if any of 
 you is foolish enough to bet against a sure winner." The 
 last words were spoken with an unmistakable sneer. 
 
 Astonishment showed itself on all faces. Barney 
 heard, but quickly turned away. Norine also heard 
 and gave a little sniff of indignation. 
 
 "How'd he come by twenty dollars greenbacks, 
 too ? " whispered Bob Landseer to Dan Underbill, who 
 sat near him. 
 
 44 Not by workin', I'll venture Mought o' borried it 
 from them city chaps who spent the summer here," 
 speculated Dan. 
 
 Pete Murray spoke up promptly : 
 
 " Is it twenty dollars an' no more ye want ? " he asked. 
 
 44 Why, I thought twenty was about right, don't you 
 know," replied Sam, a little flustered. 
 
 44 Ye'll not be after makin' it forty, maybe ? " persisted 
 Murray. 
 
 "Well, no; to tell the truth, twenty is about my 
 limit just now," said Sam, still more nervous because 
 of the other's calm assurance. 
 
 44 Right ye are. Jes' pass up the green ter Ros fer
 
 ii2 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 safe houldin*. Here's what'll kape it from bein* lone- 
 some." 
 
 The wagers added fuel to the excitement, and all 
 were eager for the struggle to be resumed. Before the 
 noon hour was over the mill was crowded, and those 
 who could not get in waited around the door until some 
 of the spectators should come out and give them a turn. 
 Lon stood at his machine with a smile of confidence, 
 and acknowledged the congratulations and admonitions 
 of his party while waiting for the whistle to blow. 
 Barney pushed through the crowd at the last moment 
 and paid no attention to the great cheer of welcome 
 and encouragement that greeted him. He reached his 
 place just as the whistle blew. 
 
 The machines had been set in motion a few moments 
 before the blowing of the whistle, so that no time need 
 be lost. Both men began at once rushing the bolts 
 through. Tom Moore wielded his axe with fury and 
 precision to keep a pile of bolts ready. The drag-sawyer 
 called for an additional helper. The watchers looked 
 eagerly to note the first sign of any change in the score. 
 
 " Barney's gainin' ! " yelled Grat Vogel, of a sudden, 
 trying to jump into the air. 
 
 " Shet up ! He ain't ; Lon's got him beat," said Ned 
 Blakely, crowding in front of the boy. 
 
 But Barney was gaining, and the first bulletin exhib- 
 ited by Ros Whitmore showed that the margin between 
 the contestants had narrowed considerably. With cool- 
 ness and good judgment he picked up the bolts invari- 
 ably with the best side ready, and before they were 
 fixed on the rollers the carriage was in motion. Every 
 bolt was made to yield its utmost of No. I shingles. 
 His speed seemed to increase steadily as the hours 
 passed.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS n 3 
 
 A shudder went over the spectators as the murder- 
 ous teeth of the whirring saw caught his smock and 
 ripped the sleeve. Barney did not even withdraw 
 his hand, but went on with his work as if nothing had 
 happened. 
 
 Near him Lon was working like a madman. The 
 same driving speed of the morning was maintained. 
 He fairly hurled the bolts through his machine. Bar- 
 ney's coolness worked on him like a constant irri- 
 tant. He saw his margin of lead slipping from him, 
 and was determined to keep it. His power was being 
 exerted to the extreme limit, but the strain of the long 
 forenoon was beginning to tell. He began to show 
 nervousness, and to cut too many narrow shingles. 
 
 The weather grew colder as the afternoon waned. 
 Steam was harder to make, and the fireman called for 
 assistance. The crowd of onlookers shifted uneasily, 
 unwilling to lose sight of the exciting match, yet unable 
 to endure quietly the piercing cold. The shingle-mill 
 afforded no more shelter than a thin roof, and a single 
 thickness of boards stood on end for walls. Yet in 
 spite of the snapping frost, the workers now all per- 
 spired as freely as in July ; and the men spectators, first 
 in one position and then in another, stuck doggedly to 
 the mill, or made brief visits to the cook's den or the 
 men's camp to get thawed out. The women made 
 their headquarters in the cook's shanty, and received 
 news at intervals, or ran over to the mill for a brief 
 sight of the contest. 
 
 As the last hour drew near, the cold was almost for- 
 gotten in the tingle of excitement. The fire under the 
 boiler cracked and roared under forced draught. As 
 the steam came up, part of it would blow off. 
 
 "Jump onter thet 'ere safety-valve, and hold her
 
 114 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 down ! " yelled Lon, as he heard the escaping steam. 
 " We want every bit o' power in the boiler." Without 
 looking to see whether his demand was complied with 
 he bent still more furiously to his work. 
 
 "Babe" Strander quickly planted his great bulk 
 astride the offending valve. Higher and higher rose 
 the steam. Faster and faster dropped the shingles on 
 the edgers* scaffold. The machinery was rushing at a 
 terrific rate. 
 
 " Look out ! She'll bust ! " cried Ros ; but nobody 
 "looked out." 
 
 Just then a bulletin went up. 
 
 "Tied, by thunder! " yelled Ashbel Fair. 
 
 The shout from the crowd drowned the noise of the 
 machines for an instant. Lon swore a fierce oath, and 
 with fire in his eye grabbed a bolt. 
 
 Barney gave no heed to the cheers. He was looking 
 anxiously at his machine. It seemed to be losing 
 speed. Soon the saw stopped altogether. The arbor 
 had become choked with gum, ice, and sawdust. Only 
 an instant was needed to discover the mischief, and 
 only a few moments to clean away the dirt ; but these 
 few moments were precious, as the other saw was 
 whirring spitefully on, and Lon was regaining the lead. 
 With the stoppage of Barney's saw, the belt had been 
 thrown and had to be replaced. Fully ten minutes 
 were lost. 
 
 Barney's blood was up at last, and he let out the last 
 wrap, as he faced the task of regaining in an hour's 
 time the loss of ten minutes, besides the necessary 
 margin for winning. He had saved his strength during 
 the early hours, and had gauged that of his opponent, 
 but had not looked for so severe a finish. A stoppage 
 of Lon's saw with the accumulation of the day's gum
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 115 
 
 and dirt put them on even terms again. Then the 
 race waxed hotter. 
 
 " Cut yer gov'ner belt ! " shouted Fellows to the en- 
 gineer. The latter, without a moment's hesitation, 
 whipped out a big knife, and with one slash severed the 
 belt. The loosely built mill seemed like to fall to pieces 
 over their heads. 
 
 "I can't stand this much longer," wailed "Babe," 
 from his hot seat on the safety valve, his face red as a 
 boiled lobster. 
 
 " Cawn't ye ? " cried Lon. " Move one pound offn 
 thet valve, an* I'll make jelly of ye ! " 
 
 Round and round flew the shafting. Again Barney, 
 who had forced himself into the lead, was put out of it 
 by an exasperating delay. A squeak, another, another ; 
 then a smell of burning oil and sawdust gave notice 
 that a hot journal must be attended to. 
 
 " For the love of hiven ! grab some snow, quick ! " 
 called Barney, and a dozen hands obeyed. 
 
 The cooling was the matter of a moment ; but the 
 oil-cup had to be cleaned and refilled with oil, before 
 the machine was again in commission. Lon was a 
 score of shingles ahead. 
 
 " Half an hour more ! " cried Ros. 
 
 " Hit 'er up, Barney ! " 
 
 " Keep yer nose in front, Lon ! " 
 
 "You kin ketch 'im yet, Barney!' 
 
 " Yer a winner, Lon ! " 
 
 " Five on Barney ! " 
 
 " Five here, on the winner ! " 
 
 Everybody was shouting, and nobody paid attention 
 to any one else. The two men were straining every 
 nerve. The machinery, with no governors to check it, 
 was racing madly. Still the fireman piled dry spalts
 
 Ii6 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 and edgings into the furnace. "Babe" Strander 
 squirmed in agony, but clung to the safety valve. 
 
 " Five minutes to six ! " said Ros, consulting the en- 
 gineer's clock. 
 
 The bedlam of voices suddenly ceased. All were too 
 excited to talk. A new log rolled upon the carriage. 
 The bolts fell one by one. Tom Moore caught the first, 
 denuded it, and laid it in quarters just in time for the 
 sawyer. 
 
 " Yer journal's hot, Lon ! " exclaimed Blakely, but 
 Lon paid no heed, as he reached for one of the new 
 quarters. 
 
 " Don't ye see 'er burnin' ? " insisted Ned. 
 
 " Let 'er burn and be " 
 
 " Ping ! r-r-r-r-r-zip ! " 
 
 Not Lon's, but Barney's saw gave forth the startling 
 sound. A villanous pine knot lurked in his bolt, and 
 every tooth of his saw succumbed in the contact. 
 
 A groan of dismay ; a half -suppressed shout of exul- 
 tation ; then a flash, and a wail like a demon spirit. 
 Lon's saw turned a cherry red, and clogged itself in the 
 " shaky " ice- and gum-filled bolt he had just picked 
 up. Both saws were out of the race and the shrieking 
 of the six o'clock whistle drowned all other sounds. 
 
 "Lon wins!" 
 
 " How so ? Barney's ahead." 
 
 " No, Lon." 
 
 "What say, Ros?" 
 
 " Wall, Barney he's a full dozen shingles to the good. 
 I reckon he must be the winner," declared Ros. 
 
 Then, in the midst of the shouting and cheers, Bar- 
 ney grasped Lon by the hand and threw his left arm 
 around his antagonist's shoulders in a brotherly em- 
 brace.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS u 7 
 
 "Bedad, yer the foinest sawyer I've set me two eyes 
 on ; an' ye gave me such a rub, I thought I was licked. 
 It's proud I am of ye." 
 
 The hearty sincerity in Barney's tone went far to 
 take the sting out of the defeat, and Lon roused him- 
 self to take his beating manfully. 
 
 " Guess I'll hev ter own up ter being licked fair an' 
 square by a better man," he said, returning Barney's 
 grasp. 
 
 Sam Hawkins was trying to sneak off unobserved to 
 hide his chagrin and disappointment ; but Pete Murray 
 and Ros Whitmore stopped him. " Here's yer twenty, 
 Sam. Pete, here, says he has no thought o' keepin' it," 
 and he thrust the two bills into Sam's hand. 
 
 " Not keep it ! Why he won it didn't he ? " ex- 
 claimed Sam, in surprise. 
 
 " Sure, I'll not be takin' money I've not earned, from 
 the son of me friend Hawkins," said Murray. Then 
 he added, " I made quick to take yer bet to kape it 
 from fallin' into the hands of some one who might not 
 fale the same way." 
 
 Sam sheepishly pocketed the money and hurried 
 away. Tom Moore was not so soft-hearted and felt no 
 hesitation in taking " Babe's " money. 
 
 " Tain't safe to bank too heavy on the top dog early 
 in the game," he remarked. "The under dog is some- 
 times playin' possum." 
 
 A glance from two bright eyes was Barney's reward, 
 the only reward worth counting.
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 SATURDAY night, after Thanksgiving, Jim Cycle 
 turned his team of horses over to the stableman with 
 a muttered exclamation which the other did not under- 
 stand, and marched off at once to the men's shanty. 
 Without a word to the half-dozen men who were there 
 before him, he sat down on the deacon seat in front of 
 his bunk, and, resting his head on one hand and his el- 
 bow on his knee, proceeded to wrestle with the prob- 
 lem which had been bothering him for several weeks. 
 During the past three days it had reached an acute 
 stage, and he felt that the time had come for a fight to 
 the finish. The supper call from the cook's shanty 
 sounded, and the other men scrambled off. Jim sat 
 still on the deacon seat, and only a slight scowl gave 
 token that he heard the call usually welcomed so 
 eagerly. Presently he^stretched out his legs, and form- 
 ing a bootjack with the toe of one foot and the rim of 
 the stove he drew off his heavy boots and placed them' 
 before the fire to dry while he held out his stockinged 
 feet to the red glow of the stove for the same purpose. 
 A pungent odor of steaming leather and wool quickly 
 asserted itself in the close atmosphere of the shanty. 
 Jim's movements had been almost automatic and un- 
 conscious. He was still absorbed in the struggle which 
 raged within. Rodney Bedell and Bud Frazer came in 
 from supper and stared at him in surprise. 
 
 " What's up, Jim ? You look like a funeral. Ain't 
 you goin' to grub ? " asked Rodney. 
 
 us
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 119 
 
 Jim started and shook himself together. 
 
 "I'll go when I like," he replied shortly; but at that 
 moment his face lost all the perplexity which had fur- 
 rowed it with wrinkles, and a look of determination 
 and purpose transfigured it. He pulled on his boots 
 and went at once to supper. Then, gathering together 
 the few personal belongings which he had at the camp, 
 he quietly slipped away, taking care that no one should 
 be aware of his going. An hour or so later he pre- 
 sented himself at the Hawkins Farm and asked Josiah 
 Hawkins for his " time," meaning his pay for the time he 
 had worked and his release from further duty. Persist- 
 ent questioning failed to get from him any reason for 
 his sudden desertion. He had no grievance, he said ; 
 nothing had gone wrong ; he felt fit as ever, and liked 
 the work, but he wanted to quit. With a kind word of 
 regret, and a cordial invitation to come to the Christ- 
 mas jollification which had been promised for the mem- 
 bers of the Hawkins camp, the farmer paid Jim and 
 let him go. Barney O'Boyle, when appealed to, could 
 not explain Jim's action. Even Ashbel Fair and the 
 other boys from Midland had not been taken into his 
 confidence. 
 
 "Now that I think of it, he's been actin' kinder 
 queer-like the last month," said Barney ; " kapin' to him- 
 self sorter quiet an' peaceable. Sure, he's after givin' 
 Red Lampheer the cowld shoulder entirely. Him an' 
 Red were the divil's own twins for trouble up the river 
 last year. It's my opinion there's somethin' on his 
 mind." 
 
 Farmer Hawkins laughed and said : " I should hardly 
 regard that as a bad sign. A little thinking will do 
 him good. If you hear from him, let me know." 
 
 Meanwhile, Jim Gyde had gone from the farm directly
 
 120 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 to Red-Keg. The night was cold and clear, and he 
 walked rapidly along the snowy road, reaching the vil- 
 lage about nine o'clock. Almost unconsciously he 
 turned in the direction of Pete's saloon and " hotel," 
 the Red-Keg, from the window of which a cheerful 
 light seemed to invite him to enter. He stepped upon 
 the low platform which served as a piazza, and raised 
 his hand to push open the door. Then he hesitated, 
 and let his hand fall slowly to his side. 
 
 " Tain't 'xactly the place to begin,'' he muttered, 
 and stole softly away. 
 
 A little farther up the street was Jake Vogel's store 
 with his house adjoining. Both were in darkness, but 
 Jim, after a moment's deliberation, pounded on the door 
 of the house with his fist. Presently a voice within 
 demanded to know who was there, and then the door 
 was opened and Jake Vogel appeared holding a smok- 
 ing kerosene hand-lamp above his head. 
 
 "Great beanstalks, Jim! What brings ye to the 
 Kag this time o* night, an' what kin I do for ye ? " 
 
 " Nothin', 'cept give me a place to sleep till mornin'," 
 replied Jim. 
 
 " Ye kin hev Grat's bed ef it's long enough," said 
 Jake, as he shut the door; "but I thought ye was 
 workin* in Hawkins's camp out by the Sturgeon 
 way." 
 
 " I've quit," said Jim, so shortly that Jake was con- 
 strained to keep his curiosity to himself, and he showed 
 the young man to a small room on the next floor, re- 
 marking: 
 
 "This here's Grat's room; don't know what shape 
 it's in ; guess ye'll hev to make out by yerself ; the old 
 lady's in bed." 
 
 ** I'm much obliged, an' I don't need no waitin' on,"
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 121 
 
 said Jim. " I might o' gone to Pete's, or to Ferd's, 
 yonder, but but " 
 
 "Never mind," interrupted Vogel, "ye're welcome 
 here ; make yerself ter hum." With this, Jake retired, 
 taking his lamp with him. 
 
 Early on the following morning, after a quick but 
 substantial breakfast, Jim started off again along the 
 river road to Midland. Later in the forenoon numer- 
 ous conveyances would pass along that road with Red- 
 Keggers on the way to the Rev. Augustus Hayward's 
 church. It was just as well to be early and avoid 
 meeting acquaintances who might ask embarrassing 
 questions. 
 
 The intense cold of the past three or four days was 
 moderating, and already the snow was beginning to 
 soften in the morning sun. A thin sheet of ice had 
 formed over the Tittabawassee since the last snow fell, 
 but it was likely to break up with one warm day. The 
 naked trees between the road and the river afforded 
 free glimpses of the frozen stream, glistening like silver 
 in sharp contrast to the bronze-like boles. On the 
 other side of the road the forest was broken at intervals 
 by the clearings of lumbermen or farmers, and in most 
 of these clearings the houses of those who had thus 
 slain their thousands in their battle with the forest 
 stood a short distance back from the road. Overhead. 
 the road was arched, for most of the distance, with 
 great branches, which in summer shut out the heat of 
 the sun and in winter mitigated the fury of the storm. 
 A beautiful road it was for those who had eyes to see. 
 
 Jim Gyde cared for none of these things; he did not 
 know of their existence. The road was a way from 
 Red-Keg to Midland, that was all or, not quite all. 
 His stride grew slower as he approached a clearing
 
 122 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 about a mile from Midland. Just within sight of a neat 
 farmhouse he stopped and gazed eagerly at veranda, 
 windows, doors, grounds. Nothing seemed to reward 
 his search, for the longing look did not leave his eyes. 
 He started to enter the gate, hesitated, and then hast- 
 ened on his way, with a spring in his step and the light 
 of a strong purpose kindling anew in his face. 
 
 " Not now; not yet," he muttered, and then, with a 
 grim smile, "thet 'gold ' first, for her, an' him." 
 
 Jim's father was surprised when his son stalked into 
 the house on Sunday morning. He had regarded him 
 as fixed for the winter at the Hawkins camp. Failing 
 to get any explanation, however, for his sudden throw- 
 ing up of a good job, he satisfied himself by adminis- 
 tering a tongue-lashing, which was received in silence, 
 and then left his son to his own devices. The injunc- 
 tion, "Father, provoke not your children to wrath," 
 was not a part of old man Bill Gyde's rule of conduct. 
 He would have been surprised if any one had told him 
 that his " line upon line, and precept upon precept," 
 and his adherence to the command, " Thou shalt beat 
 him with the rod and shalt deliver his soul from hell," 
 had wholly failed in Jim's case because the necessary 
 admixture of love had been lacking. Jim, in his younger 
 days, had hated his father. Now, when he himself was 
 larger and stronger and able to resist the long-accus- 
 tomed switch, his hate had changed to contempt. The 
 tongue-lashing had lost much of its sting, and reminded 
 him, more than anything else, of the rapid and futile 
 stabs of a venomous snake held prisoner under the sole 
 of a thick horsehide boot. Therefore he ignored his 
 father's reproof and kept his own counsel during the 
 remainder of the day. 
 
 Monday morning dawned amid a whirl of snow. The
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 123 
 
 wind blew a gale from the northeast. It had grown 
 colder again over night. Joseph Waters rubbed the 
 sleep from his eyes at daybreak and cast troubled 
 glances out of the window as he dressed. 
 
 " Bad day ; not many out ; I must get around early 
 and warm up," he soliloquized, as he noted how the 
 mercury had sunk nearer to the bulb in the thermome- 
 ter nailed to the frame outside his window. A few 
 minutes later he repeated the same observation to 
 Dame Bedell, who stood over a crackling hard-wood 
 fire in the kitchen preparing breakfast. In his " board- 
 ing 'round " itinerary, the teacher of District School 
 No. i had, the week before, taken up his brief abode 
 with the parents of one of his pupils, Rodney Bedell. 
 
 " You're 'bout right, teacher," responded Dame Be- 
 dell briskly, as she thrust a fresh stick into the stove 
 and jammed it down into place with the poker. " I'll 
 hev your breakfast ready in a jiffy, an' ye can git off 
 as soon's ye like." 
 
 The school was but a short distance from the house, 
 and as soon as Waters arrived, he set about building a 
 fire in the long box-stove with its antique drum on top. 
 Pine chips, and dry spalts, and heavy sticks of beech 
 and maple, full cordwood length, were soon blazing and 
 snapping. The fire roared through the long stovepipe, 
 the sides of the old stove became cherry-red, and the 
 drum threw out a cheerful warmth which soon reached 
 the remote corners of the room. 
 
 Waters looked for a slim attendance at this first ses- 
 sion of school after the Thanksgiving holidays. The 
 storm would keep many of the little ones away who 
 loved to come, and some of the older children who 
 were glad of any excuse to be absent. His assistant, 
 Axcy Marthy, would come in spite of the storm ; he
 
 124 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 felt sure of it. She had almost never missed a ses- 
 sion as pupil, and now, as assistant teacher, regularly 
 appointed at a salary by the School Board, she was, 
 if possible, still more faithful. The little ones wor- 
 shipped her, and considered it the direst misfortune 
 if kept at home. Her winning smile and merry laugh, 
 and her natural roguishness and love of fun made her 
 the comrade of them all; while the forceful dignity 
 with which she controlled them when she wished com- 
 manded their respect and obedience. To Mr. Waters 
 she had grown indispensable. The work of the school 
 proceeded better, the deportment had improved, and 
 he found himself taking real enjoyment in the perform- 
 ance of his arduous task. He sometimes questioned 
 with himself what had wrought the change in behavior 
 among many of the formerly unruly boys. Was it his 
 own firmness, or the presence in the room of Axcy 
 Marthy as assistant teacher ? And what had wrought 
 the change in his own attitude to the school ? Last 
 year he had entered the room in the morning with a 
 sense of taking up a burden or beginning a struggle. 
 In the evening he departed with a feeling of relief. He 
 had even debated seriously whether to accept a reap- 
 pointment. This year he experienced unmistakable 
 pleasure as he began his day, and curiously failed to 
 welcome its ending. Perhaps he was not fully con- 
 scious of this reversal of feeling. Perhaps he did not 
 realize this Monday morning, as he wound the school 
 clock and set it by his watch, that his only thought with 
 regard to the half -hour remaining before school time 
 was one of impatience for it to be gone. 
 
 One by one the pupils struggled in from the storm, 
 shutting the door with difficulty against the wind and 
 the whirl of flakes. They shook the snow from coats
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 125 
 
 and wraps, stamped their feet, and gathered around the 
 big stove in the centre of the room . Cheeks were aglow 
 and spirits rollicksome after the battle with the ele- 
 ments. Some of the smallest children, living near at 
 hand, had been brought, bundled up, by their fathers 
 or big brothers. At nine o'clock between thirty and 
 forty pupils were present, but Axcy Marthy had not 
 come. Just as the teacher reached for the bell-rope, 
 one of Axcy's anxious pupils, who was posted at the 
 window and peering through the flying snow, called 
 gleefully : 
 
 " Here she comes I guess ! Way down the road. 
 The wind is mos' blowin' her to pieces." 
 
 Instantly a dozen more children were wiping the 
 steam from the windows on that side of the room and 
 straining to catch a glimpse of their " own teacher," 
 who had fought her way through the storm for more 
 than a mile, and now seemed exhausted and almost 
 helpless in the wind and drifting snow. 
 
 Waters glanced through the window and then sprang 
 for his overcoat and cap to go to the girl's assistance. 
 As he stepped out into the road he saw a tall man hur- 
 rying toward Axcy with the evident purpose of render- 
 ing aid. A moment more, and Waters saw to his sur- 
 prise that the man was Jim Gyde, who, as he had 
 thought, was ten miles away at Hawkins's shingle-mill. 
 He watched the two until satisfied that no further help 
 was needed, and then re-entered the schoolroom to await 
 their arrival. 
 
 "Well! Thought I'd never get here! What a 
 storm ! " exclaimed Axcy, as she burst in, panting and 
 laughing. 
 
 Jim shut the door and stood by it, looking sheepish 
 and uncomfortable, his frame towering above all the
 
 126 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 other pupils and even the schoolmaster himself, who 
 extended his hand cordially. 
 
 " Glad to see you, Jim. What brings you down here 
 so far from the camp ? " he asked. 
 
 " Why I ain't it school time ? I b'long here, don't 
 I ? " replied Jim, fidgeting awkwardly. 
 
 " Certainly ! Glad to have you. Pretty rough out- 
 side, isn't it ? " said Waters, still puzzled, but quick to 
 see that the young lumberman did not want to be ques- 
 tioned. Probably this was simply another of his many 
 whims, which had so long kept him from making prog- 
 ress in anything that required persistent application. 
 
 School was quickly in session, and Jim glared at the 
 lesson that had been given him to study as though he 
 would devour it, book and all. Now and then he dug 
 his fingers into his hair and scowled at the page in a 
 sort of suppressed fury. Real study was so unusual 
 with him that it almost baffled his most determined 
 efforts to keep his mind on the lesson, and he was angry 
 at his own seeming inability to conquer what the smaller 
 pupils found so easy. A feeling of shame grew strong 
 in him as he began to realize his own ignorance, but he 
 only went at his task with more fierce determination, 
 which made the sweat stand out on his forehead. Wa- 
 ters noticed with interest and curiosity the evident 
 struggle in which the young man was engaged. He 
 had never seen him tackle his lessons in such a manner 
 before. Something was behind it, and it must be some- 
 thing out of the ordinary. He would watch and wait. 
 
 At noontime the storm had abated somewhat. Most 
 of the children had brought their lunch and gathered 
 in groups to eat it ; but Jim plunged out into the drifts 
 as soon as the bell rang for noon recess. He had re- 
 cited once during the forenoon, and had surprised him-
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 127 
 
 self no less than the schoolmaster and the other pupils 
 by spelling several words correctly. He had a vague 
 dread that compliments and questions might be waiting 
 him, so he fled precipitately the moment the bell rang. 
 Waters noticed this also with a smile. 
 
 Just as the school was reconvened, not a moment 
 sooner, Jim returned and took his seat, and the painful 
 struggle of the forenoon was renewed. After another 
 creditable recitation Waters covered him with confu- 
 sion by commending him before the school. Moreover, 
 he determined to speak personally to him after school 
 and encourage him to go on with his good work ; but 
 the young man disappeared the instant school was 
 dismissed. 
 
 Several days passed in this way, and the schoolmas- 
 ter watched with growing interest and wonder the 
 dogged persistence with which Jim stuck to the work. 
 His progress was marvellous, for him. Waters had 
 tried every day to find an opportunity to talk with him 
 alone, but the young man avoided everybody. Twice 
 as Waters left the schoolhouse in the evening he 
 caught a glimpse of Jim, apparently hanging around 
 and waiting for him, but as soon as he approached, Jim 
 went away. 
 
 " The boy has something on his mind and he wants 
 to tell me, but can't screw up his courage. I'll have to 
 help him," concluded Waters, after the second experi- 
 ence of this kind. 
 
 The next day was Friday, the last school day of the 
 week. Before dismissing the school, Waters announced 
 the names of six pupils who were requested to remain 
 for a few minutes. Jim Gyde was among them, much 
 to his surprise. After the others had gone, the school- 
 master began to dismiss the six, one at a time, with a
 
 128 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 word or tv.*o concerning their studies, until only Jim 
 was left. 
 
 " I want to speak to you, Jim ; and I think you want 
 to speak to me ; but you've kept away from me so per- 
 sistently that I had to resort to this little ruse to get 
 hold of you." Waters laughed as he made this frank 
 confession, and took a seat near Jim. 
 
 " Now tell me all about it," he continued. " What's 
 got into you? You're a new man. Why, do you 
 know, Jim, you have really accomplished more in this 
 one week than you ever did before in a year. It has 
 teen hard work, I know I admire your pluck. At 
 this rate you'll do wonders by spring. What does it 
 all mean ? " 
 
 Pleasure, surprise, and chagrin betrayed themselves 
 in the rugged face of the young lumberman. The 
 schoolmaster's hearty praise pleased him, but he had 
 flattered himself that Waters understood exactly the 
 reason for his changed conduct 
 
 " You don't mean to say that is, you haven't forgot, 
 have ye, what you said at the parson's party ? " said 
 Jim, hesitatingly. 
 
 " No, Jim, I haven't, surely ; and you haven't forgot- 
 ten it ? You said then that you didn't understand me, 
 but you have never asked me to explain. Did you 
 figure it out for yourself ? " asked Waters. 
 
 " You said as how I had gold in me an' didn't know 
 it, or some such talk as that. I didn't know what you 
 meant then, an' I ain't jes clear now, but I couldn't git 
 it out o' mind ever sence. I kinder figgered you was 
 usin' fancy talk, like the parson does in preachin', an' 
 meant that I didn't amount to much, but could if I laid 
 out to do my best." 
 
 Jim was painfully embarrassed at having to explain
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 129 
 
 himself to the schoolmaster, but now the ice was broken 
 he was resolved to make his intentions perfectly plain. 
 Waters could scarcely refrain from a smile at the refer- 
 ence to his style of language, but he replied seriously 
 and kindly : 
 
 " You came pretty near to it, Jim ; I did mean that 
 you could amount to something if you would rouse and 
 use the good qualities that are in you but that had been 
 neglected. A manly character bravery, honesty, 
 kindness, worthy ambition and the pluck and ability to 
 achieve it this is the gold in a man. When he finds 
 it and uses it, he makes himself rich, and his friends, 
 too. I'm glad you've struck the vein." 
 
 "I ain't so clear on that," said Jim, "but if it's so, as 
 you say, an' I can git ahead, an' make up for lost time, 
 an' be good fer suthin, I want to. I don't know much 
 not as much as the other fellers an* I thought may- 
 be I oughter come back to school this winter 'stead of 
 cuttin' logs." 
 
 " Yes, there are some things a man must get before 
 he says good-by to school-books, if he wants to take any 
 kind of place among his fellows. We'll crowd a lot of 
 good, practical, every-day learning into the remainder 
 of this school season, and you will be surprised at the 
 results in the spring. I shall be only too glad to help 
 you all I can." 
 
 Waters spoke heartily and rose as he concluded, to 
 indicate that their understanding was complete, and the 
 purpose of the conversation achieved. Nothing more 
 remained but to go home. But Jim kept his seat, and 
 cleared his throat in the manner which always intimates 
 that there is something more to say. 
 
 "That ain't quite all, Mr. Waters," he said, with 
 some hesitation. " You told me that time you was my 
 
 4
 
 130 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 friend, an' would always be willin' to give me a brother's 
 help if I'd take it didn't you ? " The question was 
 added with a sudden tone of anxiety lest he had pre- 
 sumed too far. 
 
 " That's right, Jim. I meant it, and I'll stick to it. 
 Nothing will give me more pleasure than to help you 
 on in the way you have chosen. Do not hesitate to 
 call on me for anything you need that is within my 
 power to grant." 
 
 The young man seemed to be laboring under a sup- 
 pressed excitement, which made it difficult for him to 
 speak. The schoolmaster's hearty and unqualified 
 promise of help stirred him strangely. 
 
 " I have no right to ask it ; I know I ain't," he said, 
 hoarsely. " I ain't forgot how I set the dog on ye, an' 
 how ye never told on me, an* even offered to be my 
 friend. It was a dirty trick. I hated you that day fer 
 thrashin' me ; I hated you worse fer killin' Moscow, an* 
 I hated you again fer forgivin' me an' makin' me 
 ashamed o' myself. Then, 'long in the summer, I didn't 
 hate you, an' felt more ashamed ; an' I thought about 
 all you said, an' made my mind up to try an' make up 
 for it, an' show you, an' another reason. I meant 
 ter come ter school at the start, but the boys got me out 
 ter the mill before I knew it. Then I thought I'd wait 
 till spring, but the more I thought, the more I couldn't 
 wait, so I quit an' come here. Now I'm havin' the 
 cheek ter ask favors of the man I tried ter git done up." 
 
 " Never mind the dog, Jim," said Waters. " I don't 
 regret the episode at all. I believe it was the means 
 of bringing us together. We'll be all the better friends 
 because of that little affair and this frank talk. If 
 there is any other favor you want to ask, don't hesi- 
 tate. If I can, I will grant it gladly."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 131 
 
 "There is !" exclaimed Jim. "I don't know why I 
 come to you for it, 'cept that you're the only man who 
 could do it, an' you are goin' to help me be somebody, 
 an' an' you're a square man." 
 
 Jim paused a moment, at a loss how to proceed. 
 Waters said nothing, but waited. 
 
 " I said I wanted to try what ye told me, an' show 
 you they was somethin' decent in me," continued Jim, 
 after a moment. " It was no more'n fair to you, after 
 the way you'd treated me ; but there's somebody else 
 I want to show, too somebody I want to make my- 
 self fit for. I ain't good enough now, I know, but you 
 said I could be, an' you promised to help. If you'll do 
 that, maybe in a year or so I'll be fit to go to her and 
 tell her, an' ask her ter have me. Mr. Waters, you've 
 been talkin' about the good in me the gold, ye called 
 it an' about ambition, an' all that. Let me jes say 
 this there's nothin' in God's world will bring 'em out 
 like the love in me for that girl, an' the hope of makin' 
 her my wife. If they's any gold, it's for her, an' if if 
 ye could, sometime, speak a good word for me to Axcy, 
 it would be the biggest favor ye ever did, an' more'n I 
 deserve." 
 
 Would it not, indeed ! Jim had been so absorbed in 
 his appeal that he did not observe the pallor which 
 spread over Joseph Waters' s face as he listened, nor the 
 look of horror and anguish which distended his eyes, 
 as the full significance of Jim's request struck him 
 with cruel force. A complete realization of his own 
 feeling for Axcy seemed to come simultaneously with 
 his comprehension of Jim's desire, and he cringed as 
 from a blow. It was impossible to answer Jim's re- 
 quest at once, and he rose hastily and walked toward 
 the door to conceal his emotion. His limbs seemed
 
 132 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 weak and trembling and threatened to give way under 
 him. Only an instant passed, though it was like an 
 hour to him, when he heard Jim's voice again, away off 
 in the distance, it seemed. 
 
 " What's wrong ? Don't go yet, till you've answered 
 me," he was saying. " You offered me your hand, that 
 time, and a brother's help, an' I was too much of a fool 
 to take it. Would you mind shakin' hands now, ter 
 show you meant it, an' that they ain't no hard feelin's ? 
 I'm only takin' you at your word, ain't I ? " 
 
 With a supreme effort, Waters controlled himself 
 and turned to Jim, who had risen from his seat. He 
 extended his hand, and the young man grasped it 
 eagerly, 
 
 " Jim," said Waters, his voice husky and uncertain, 
 "you can make a worthy man of yourself if you stick 
 to your resolve. The help I have pledged you, I shall 
 give, you may be sure. The matter of your love for 
 a noble girl is between you and her alone ; but do 
 not doubt that I shall speak well of you whenever you 
 deserve it. Good-night." 
 
 Jim strode away satisfied. Waters remained for a 
 few moments to lock up, scarcely conscious of what 
 he did ; then he walked slowly away toward his home. 
 The suddenness with which the double revelation had 
 come to him unnerved him and made it impossible to 
 think clearly. He knew that he had come to a crisis 
 in his life. He felt as if an abyss of darkness and 
 death had on the instant opened in front of him and 
 behind him, where just before all had been bright and 
 promising. Now a step in either direction meant dis- 
 aster and heartbreak. He entered the Bedell home 
 and sat down to supper because it was there awaiting 
 him. After sitting awhile without eating, he excused
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 133 
 
 himself to the good dame who kept house alone while 
 her husband and son were away at the lumber-camps, 
 and went to his room. There, alone, in the cold and 
 the darkness, he tried to find the bearings and steer 
 the course of his storm-tossed soul. The case seemed 
 hopeless. Over and over again he repeated, " I love 
 her I need her; he loves her he needs her. I am 
 pledged to lift him up, to help him gain the prize 
 of manliness. Must I sacrifice myself and her to 
 do it ? " 
 
 Joseph Waters was a true man. He was sturdy, 
 stubborn, and conscientious. When once he had de- 
 cided that a certain course was the right one, he 
 would not hesitate to follow it, no matter what the cost ; 
 but while he was true to others and to his sense of 
 right, he was true also to himself. To be guilty of an 
 injustice to himself was a sin only a degree less than 
 injustice to another. He believed it to be his duty to 
 gain every good thing, every advantage, every joy for 
 himself which could be gained without depriving 
 another of his due. The problem which now con- 
 fronted him was unparalleled in its complexity and its 
 promise of pain for himself and others, however it 
 might be solved. The more he wrestled with it, the 
 more hopeless it looked. To conquer the unruly spirit 
 and arouse the dormant ambition of Jim Gyde was an 
 undertaking which he had specially chosen and made 
 one of the most earnest purposes in his work at Dis- 
 trict School No. i. He had chosen it partly because 
 of a genuine interest in and wish to benefit the young 
 man, and partly because of the very difficulty of the 
 task itself. It was his nature to try things that others 
 regarded as impossible, to do things that others would 
 not do. Moreover, he regarded the training of the
 
 134 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 minds of his pupils in school studies as only a part of 
 his work with them. He had the missionary spirit 
 combined with that of the pedagogue. From the very 
 first, he had recognized that the Midland school, with 
 its element of half-grown and fully-grown young back- 
 woodsmen, lawless and uncouth, was the field of labor 
 which needed him. When he was tempted to leave it, 
 his stubborn nature seized upon the incident of the 
 dog and threw it into the balancing scales. They 
 tipped at once to the side of staying, and Jim Gyde be- 
 came his special aim. Strangely enough, God seemed 
 to have given him, in his very first conversation with 
 the fellow, a word which had struck home. He had 
 pledged himself to stick by Jim and help him in his 
 struggle for a new life, and the young man had ac- 
 cepted his pledge and held him to it. Ambition and 
 purpose had sprung into fierce life and seemed to be 
 sweeping the lad on with resistless impulse. All he 
 asked was the co-operation of the man who had prom- 
 ised to be his brother. That was all, indeed! To 
 Joseph Waters it was all. What fearful sacrifice had 
 Jim unknowingly demanded ? He had innocently and 
 trustingly confided to his new-found brother that the 
 one thing he cared for, the one thing he needed, was 
 the love and companionship of Axcy Marthy. He had 
 known it in his heart before, but now his roused ambi- 
 tion and aspiration to be a worthy man among men 
 seized upon his great love as the reason for all ambi- 
 tion, the incentive and support of all worthy effort. 
 Without it that ambition and purpose would die as 
 suddenly as they had burst into life, so Waters feared ; 
 yet how could it be possible for Jim to possess the 
 priceless thing so much desired ? Another desired it 
 with equal ardor. To another it was the thing needed,
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 135 
 
 the pearl of great price for which all else must be sac- 
 rificed, and that other was Jim's teacher, and friend, 
 and brother, who had promised to help him to gain the 
 prize of manly effort. Now, should he rob him of the 
 prize which he had declared was the object of this 
 effort ; or should he allow himself, in the fulfilment of 
 his pledge, to be robbed of that which had been slowly 
 tightening its hold upon his heart, through months, 
 though he knew it not, but which now, when demanded 
 by another, suddenly revealed itself as the greatest 
 thing in the world for him ? 
 
 How was she affected? Surely her welfare and 
 happiness must, after all, be the deciding factor. Was 
 he not better fitted to provide both ? With his educa- 
 tion and refinement, and his work, would he not be a 
 more suitable and congenial companion for a high- 
 minded girl like Axcy Marthy ? Would it be right to 
 her to relinquish her to an ignorant, uncouth lumber- 
 man, however good his purpose might be ? " God, I 
 thank Thee that I am not as other men are ... or 
 even as this publican." The involuntary thought of 
 this ancient boast smote him like a whip. Had he 
 not assured Jim that the discovery and development of 
 the good in him would make him rich, and others, too 
 that he expected to see him, one day, a leader of the 
 men in these parts a leader in nobility of character, 
 as in bravery and enterprise? What better should a 
 woman want in the man of her choice ? Her choice ! 
 Waters shivered in the cold of his room as his thoughts 
 suddenly turned in a new channel ! Was Jim the man 
 of her choice? He remembered now the occasions 
 when he had seen them together, not many, but full of 
 meaning, as they stood out before his mind, 
 was the donation party to Robert Allen. What could
 
 136 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 have brought Jim to such a place, and so soon after the 
 commission of his abortive crime against his schoolmas- 
 ter, except the fact that Axcy wanted to go with him ? 
 And the other morning in the snow-storm, had they 
 not both looked conscious and embarrassed as they 
 came into the school together ? Every word and look 
 which Axcy had bestowed upon the young man as- 
 sumed an exaggerated significance in Water s's mind, as 
 he tried to guess at her feelings toward Jim and him- 
 self. The result of this analysis was not conclusive. 
 He felt confident of his own ability to win Axcy if he 
 tried, and he felt painfully aware of the probability 
 that, if he held aloof, Jim Gyde, after coming into his 
 new estate of manhood, might in his own simple, direct, 
 and passionate manner lay successful siege to her 
 heart. Thus he came back to the starting-point. The 
 problem still remained to be solved by the ruin of his 
 hopes or Jim's, Either thought was intolerable. Had 
 he been given such strong and unexpected influence in 
 the young man's life only to deal him a cruel blow that 
 might crush him lower than he had been before, and 
 make all future effort in his behalf worse than useless ? 
 A bitter feeling of resentment surged up within him, 
 and for a moment he regretted that he had succeeded 
 in winning Jim's confidence. If it had not been so, he 
 would now be free of all obligation and free to compete 
 with the young lumberman for the love of Axcy Mar- 
 thy. Such feelings, however, were too foreign to 
 Waters to flourish long. He crushed the thought back 
 angrily. Faithlessness to Jim would be faithlessness 
 to himself. The entrance he had gained to Jim's 
 heart had been granted him in answer to special prayer. 
 Should he reproach God for giving him what he had 
 earnestly asked for? Whether faithfulness to Jim
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 137 
 
 included the giving up of his own heart's desire, the 
 blasting of his own life forever, was another question. 
 He sought in vain for the answer. 
 
 The night grew colder, and Waters at last became 
 conscious of the cold. He undressed and went to bed 
 with an agonized, wordless prayer for help.
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 THE, night passed; the morning came, and found 
 Joseph Waters still in the throes of his heart struggle. 
 The help he had cried out for in the darkness had not 
 come, and the light which greeted his eyes did not 
 penetrate his soul. He seemed farther than ever from 
 a solution of the bitter problem. His own insufficiency 
 to cope with the question, which he felt must be an- 
 swered without delay, angered him, while his failure to 
 receive an answer to his oft-repeated appeals to a 
 higher Power surprised and troubled him still more. 
 His head ached ; his mind was confused with the con- 
 flicting thoughts, yet he could not dismiss the subject 
 for a moment. He knew there would be no peace for 
 him until some decision was reached, and not even 
 then unless it was a decision which would satisfy his 
 sense of right. If it were only a matter which he 
 could talk over with some one ; but who was there 
 with whom such a personal and sacred matter could be 
 discussed? Suddenly he thought of Robert Allen. 
 He knew him only slightly, but he had been deeply im- 
 pressed with his quiet strength, his deep sympathy, and 
 quick insight. If any man could help him, he was the 
 man. Fearing to hesitate, when perhaps the thought 
 of Allen had been sent to him in answer to his prayer 
 for help, he yielded to the impulse, and after a hasty 
 breakfast, started off with Rodney's horse and cutter to 
 find the backwoods minister. 
 
 Parson Allen was not an easy man to locate during 
 138
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 139 
 
 the winter, as he was in the habit of visiting several lum- 
 ber-camps, for a week or two at a time. Waters had no 
 idea where he was at present, but he believed Farmer 
 Hawkins could tell him, and thither he went without 
 delay. The eight-mile drive was accomplished in little 
 over an hour, and Farmer Hawkins and his wife were 
 surprised to receive so early a call from such an unac- 
 customed visitor. 
 
 "Joseph Waters! Well, this is a treat!" ex- 
 claimed Josiah, coming out of the barn just as the 
 schoolmaster drove into the yard. "To what good 
 fortune ?" then, seeing the other's gloomy face, 
 which still bore traces of his sleepless night and men- 
 tal struggle, he said, anxiously, " No trouble, I hope ? " 
 
 " Oh, I just took a notion to look up Mr. Allen and 
 have a little talk," replied Waters, non-committally. 
 " I thought it might save time to find out from you 
 where he is." 
 
 " You never thought straighter to the mark in your 
 life," said Farmer Hawkins, heartily. "Robert is due 
 to spend Sunday here and hold a meeting for the boys 
 down at the shingle-mill. He is up at old Bloag's 
 camp on the Tobacco, now, and may get down here be- 
 fore dinner, or maybe not till afternoon. You come 
 right in and stay to dinner. I'll tend to the horse." 
 
 Mother Hawkins bustled in from the kitchen, wiping 
 her hands on her apron, as the two men entered the 
 house. 
 
 " Here, Mother, you know Mr. Waters, the school- 
 master at Midland. He was up here to Robert's dona- 
 tion last spring. Seems as if he might have found the 
 place again before now, though he did have to go down 
 to Saginaw for the summer. Anyhow, here he is, and 
 he's going to stay to dinner, and wants to see Robert
 
 140 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 more than he does us. You give him a talking to while 
 I put up his horse." 
 
 " How he does run on ! " laughed Mother Hawkins, 
 as her husband, after his jovial introduction of the 
 schoolmaster, left the room. 
 
 " Come right into the sitting-room and I'll light the 
 fire," she continued. "It's all made and ready, but 
 Josiah don't get much time to sit down till after dinner, 
 and I'm in the kitchen all morning. You'll find some 
 books here you may like to look at. Wish you could 
 get to see us oftener." 
 
 " You're very kind ; I'd like to ; perhaps I will of a 
 Saturday now and then,' replied Waters, his heart 
 soothed by the hearty hospitality of these people, and 
 especially by the motherliness in the good woman's 
 tone and manner. 
 
 " Do ! " she exclaimed, " and I'll have some of the 
 girls here to dinner if you like. You don't see much 
 of your old pupils now, do you ? You know Lettie 's 
 doing wonders with those children of hers. They fairly 
 idolize her. Poor little Tilly Whitmore is almost heart- 
 broken because she can't go to school, even in the 
 sleigh, these stormy days, on account of her cough, and 
 Lettie, tired as she is after school, goes clear out to 
 The Corners almost every other day to visit the little 
 mite. She says she owes all of her success to that 
 child's sweet sympathy and comforting on the first day 
 when everything was going wrong." 
 
 " I've heard great accounts of Lettie's school several 
 times this fall. She's a plucky girl," said Waters, forc- 
 ing himself to take an interest in other matters than 
 the one which absorbed him. 
 
 " Indeed, she is," assented Mother Hawkins. " She 
 has her school crowded in the worst weather, and I
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 141 
 
 don't know what she will do when spring comes. You 
 wouldn't believe the number of children there are 
 around Red-Keg. Guess we'll have to build a school- 
 house soon." 
 
 " Yes, you need one, and so do we at Midland," re- 
 plied Waters. 
 
 " Guess you'll get it before we do. I hear you have 
 Axcy helping you. She's another smart girl, and lively 
 my ! I wonder she can keep serious long enough to 
 teach lessons all day. Really now, Mr. Waters, isn't 
 she more of a distraction than a help? She's so 
 pretty " 
 
 " Axcy is a perfect success as a teacher, and a great 
 help," interrupted Waters, hastily. " How is Norine ? 
 I haven't seen her since last spring." 
 
 "The dear girl is at home, helping her mother, 
 though she runs over to see me almost every day when 
 it doesn't storm." A sudden wistful tenderness crept 
 into Mother Hawkins's voice as she spoke of the girl 
 who had been as a daughter to her ever since she had 
 come to the farm. The poor sorrowing mother, failing 
 of the love which her own boy seemed unable to feel, 
 and yearning for that giving and receiving of affection 
 so necessary to every mother's heart, had lavished her 
 love upon the child of her neighbor and friend Mrs. 
 Maloney, and found joy and comfort in the warm, un- 
 restrained affection which Norine gave her in return. 
 Mrs. Maloney, sure of her own first place in her daugh- 
 ter's heart, never felt the slightest twinge of jealousy, 
 but declared that it would be impossible for her Norine 
 to be loved too much. If God saw fit to give her 
 daughter two mothers, she would say, and a heart big 
 enough to love them both, sure, it was a matter to be 
 thankful for, like all the other blessings.
 
 142 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " She is a very clever girl, too," went on the school- 
 master. " She is more quiet than some, but very faith- 
 ful and sweet-spirited. You must find the Maloneys 
 delightful neighbors in every way." 
 
 " Why, they are our most intimate friends," exclaimed 
 Mother Hawkins. " We have known them ever since 
 they came from Ireland with Barney. That little girl, 
 she was but a child then how she has grown ! You 
 may wonder at me, Mr. Waters, when I tell you that I 
 couldn't love an own daughter better than I do her. 
 Sometimes, when I look into her soft brown eyes, with 
 their tender, caressing look, and kiss her rosy cheeks, 
 plump and fresh as a ripe cherry, I feel as if she really 
 does belong to me after all, and that somehow God 
 made a mistake in giving her to another mother. Then 
 I pray Him to forgive me for such a wicked thought, 
 and thank Him that he has filled her brimming full of 
 love and lets me have a share of it." 
 
 "I imagine Barney would like a share of it, too, 
 wouldn't he ? " remarked Waters, with a faint smile. 
 
 " To be sure he would, and he has it, if he only had 
 the gumption to see it, the big goose ! " laughed Mother 
 Hawkins. " He worships the ground she steps on, but 
 he mustn't know how she feels toward him until he 
 sees for himself, or screws up the courage to ask her ; 
 so don't you tell him what I said. Barney is a good 
 boy," she added, with a sigh. If only she could say the 
 same of Sam. 
 
 Farmer Hawkins, after unharnessing the schoolmas- 
 ter's horse and putting him snugly into a warm stall, 
 had finished the necessary morning chores, brushed up, 
 and now returned to the minister's guest, who, for a 
 while, would be his. Mother Hawkins started up as 
 she saw her husband at the door.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 143 
 
 " Lands ! here I am with my sleeves up and my hands 
 rolled in my apron, gossipping away like a quilting-bee, 
 and my work all standing around the kitchen. You 
 come right in, Pa, and sit down with Mr. Waters till 
 dinner-time," and with a smile and flurry of gingham 
 apron the good woman disappeared through the door 
 which led to her domestic laboratory. 
 
 " So this is your day off, is it, Mr. Waters," said 
 Farmer Hawkins, as he adjusted the drafts of the stove 
 and sat down opposite the schoolmaster. " I'm taking 
 a holiday myself to-day on account of Robert's coming. 
 Ought to be down to the mill, you know; but, really, 
 I'm not needed much, Barney looks after everything so 
 well. He knows the business better than I do, but I 
 play boss some days." 
 
 Hawkins stretched out his legs to the fire and set- 
 tled more comfortably in his chair, with a genial smile 
 at his guest. The thought of Barney always gave him 
 a contented feeling, when it was not coupled with a 
 thought of his own wayward son. Waters assented 
 politely, but ventured no remark, and the farmer pres- 
 ently exclaimed, as a new idea came to him : 
 
 " By the way, have you seen anything of Jim Gyde 
 lately ? He quit work about a week ago, without giving 
 us any reason. Barney said something seemed to be 
 troubling him." 
 
 "He came back to school last Monday," replied 
 Waters. 
 
 " Well, well ! that is surprising," said Hawkins, with 
 a laugh. " He is hardly the man I should expect to 
 throw up a good job to tackle school-books. I'm afraid 
 he's too restless to stick to anything long, and yet it's 
 too bad to see such good raw material going to waste." 
 
 " He means business this time, apparently," replied
 
 144 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Waters. " He has been digging along furiously, and, 
 as I told him yesterday, has done more this week than 
 he ever did before in a year." 
 
 "You don't tell me!" cried Farmer Hawkins in 
 genuine surprise. " Something must have moved him 
 mightily. Barney evidently was right when he said Jim 
 had something on his mind. How do you account for 
 it, Mr. Waters ? " 
 
 " He has suddenly discovered the hidden man in him 
 his plus identity, you might say which, moved by 
 new purposes, and armed with pluck and potency of 
 will, starts out to subdue difficulties, and create a place 
 for itself. Who shall attempt to explain it ? God uses 
 the chance word, sometimes, to startle such a slumber- 
 ing giant into life." 
 
 "Just so," said Hawkins, with a sigh; "the chance 
 word; while the fervent, agonizing prayers of father 
 and mother sometimes go on for many years unan- 
 swered. Why is it ? Why is it ? " 
 
 The question was not addressed to Mr. Waters. It 
 was murmured in a low, musing tone, as an oft-repeated 
 soliloquy which the anxious father had found very bit- 
 ter to the taste, and which sorely tried his sturdy faith 
 in the availing power of prayer. For some time neither 
 man spoke. Waters took up a book and tried to read, 
 but his mind would not admit other subjects than the 
 one which had brought him in search of Parson Allen. 
 The delay in seeing him, and the conversation with 
 Farmer Hawkins and his wife had made him begin to 
 question the wisdom of confiding his difficulty with 
 even such a man as Allen. Could any man, whoever 
 he might be, dictate acceptably the course he should 
 pursue in so personal an affair of the heart and the 
 conscience? Did not his very manliness and self-
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 145 
 
 respect demand that he should fight his fight out alone ? 
 If the issue should be against him, no one else would 
 share the responsibility. What man living was there 
 who could enter into his inmost soul and understand 
 his feelings and his motives well enough to help him 
 to the right decision ? During the long forenoon, he 
 debated this new phase of the question. Farmer Haw- 
 kins and Mother Hawkins came and went, and endeav- 
 ored to entertain him, but he could not rouse himself 
 long from his abstraction to display genuine interest in 
 their kindly attentions. Finally Mother Hawkins, 
 with her woman's intuition, took her husband aside and 
 said: 
 
 "Better let him alone, Josiah. He came to see 
 Robert, and there's something on his mind that he 
 can't get rid of till then. Just let him be." 
 
 Allen came soon after noon, and dinner, which had 
 been delayed somewhat in hope of his arrival, was 
 speedily announced. Waters had concluded to keep 
 his own counsel and work out his own salvation as best 
 he might. He responded, therefore, to the minister's 
 friendly greeting without restraint, and joined with 
 the others more freely in the chat of the dinner-table. 
 After the meal was finished, Farmer Hawkins remem- 
 bered an errand to John Maloney's which required im- 
 mediate attention. His good wife retired to help her 
 woman in the kitchen, leaving the minister and the 
 schoolmaster to enjoy each other's company alone. 
 
 " You've only been in this part of the country a year 
 or less, haven't you, Mr. Waters ? " asked the minister. 
 " Did you ever see a logging-camp in full swing ? If 
 not, you must come up to Mr. Hawkins's place some- 
 time and watch the men. It's an inspiration. They 
 work as if their lives depended upon getting the great- 
 10
 
 146 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 est possible number of logs to the mill before sun- 
 down. They are a stalwart, happy, true-hearted set 
 of men." 
 
 " I should enjoy seeing the camp, immensely," said 
 Waters, "but I am usually busy at the same time 
 your loggers are, and it has never occurred to me to 
 run away from my work to inspect theirs." 
 
 " What's the matter with taking a jaunt up to the 
 camp now ? " exclaimed Allen, with animation. " You 
 have the afternoon, and so have I. Hawkins has de- 
 serted us, and the boys will be glad to see us both. I 
 expect to preach up there to-morrow. Let's go and 
 look over the ground now." 
 
 The minister's enthusiastic suggestion met a ready 
 approval. Having abandoned his original purpose, 
 Waters was at a loss to account for his unexpected 
 visit, and was glad to occupy the afternoon with some 
 definite enterprise. Accordingly, making their excuses 
 to Mother Hawkins, and promising to return for sup- 
 per or stay to eat the meal in the cook's den at camp, 
 as inclination prompted, the two men departed on foot 
 through the snow for the shingle-mill in the woods. 
 Although fully aware of the fact that Waters had 
 driven eight miles from Midland in the early morning, 
 especially to find him, and recognizing the probability 
 that this unusual performance betokened some particu- 
 lar errand, Allen betrayed no curiosity, but left the 
 schoolmaster free to choose his own time and manner 
 for introducing the topic of his concern. He did not 
 dream that that topic was the very one Waters had re- 
 solved not to introduce. 
 
 " The crew at Mr. Hawkins's camp is made up almost 
 wholly of his friends and neighbors, I understand," said 
 the schoolmaster. " It must be very pleasant for all
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 147 
 
 hands, if too much sociability does not interfere with 
 the work." 
 
 " On the contrary, it spurs them to greater endeav- 
 or," replied Allen. " Every one of them would give 
 his right hand for Uncle Si, as they call him. He has 
 endeared himself in unnumbered ways to them all. 
 Then there's Barney. He stirs them up like a streak 
 of lightning. He loves Uncle Si as a father." 
 
 " It's a wonder Mr. Hawkins's own son doesn't take 
 a hand in the work," said Waters. " One would think 
 he would welcome such an opportunity, on his own 
 father's property, to get a practical training. They 
 say he doesn't care much for work of any kind." 
 
 The minister's face clouded. 
 
 " It is a wonder," he admitted, gravely. " If ever a 
 boy preferred husks to the meat of his father's table, 
 Sam is such a boy. I had earnest hopes for him at one 
 time last spring, but the coming of two careless fellows 
 with whom he had been intimate in college, destroyed, 
 at least for the time, the impulse in the right direction 
 which seemed to have sprung into life." 
 
 " It seems to me I've heard about those boys," re- 
 plied Waters. " Seward Rathaway is with them, too, 
 isn't he? They call themselves 'The Invincibles,' I 
 believe." 
 
 " Yes, though what they are invincible in I can not 
 guess, unless it be in their determination to shun all 
 honest work. They were inseparable all summer and 
 fall, and stayed away most of the time in the woods. 
 Some say they were not as idle as they appeared. As 
 nearly as I could find out, they have fitted up an old 
 hunting-lodge and intend to hunt and trap on a large 
 scale next year. Well, I suppose that is better than 
 doing nothing. The most discouraging feature is the
 
 148 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 intimacy they seem to have formed with the Red-Keg 
 saloon-keeper, Pete." 
 
 " Is there no way of breaking up this little clique of 
 so-called ' Invincibles,' if it stands in the way of inter- 
 esting Sam in something better ? " asked Waters, some- 
 what vaguely. He felt hardly equal to wrestling with 
 another problem just now, but he recognized the great 
 interest Allen took in Sam's welfare. " Seward is a 
 very clever chap, also," he continued, " and he would 
 soon settle into something worth while if wrong influ- 
 ences could be withdrawn." 
 
 " I believe so, with all my heart," agreed Allen ; " but 
 I have sought in vain thus far for some means to coun- 
 teract the wrong influences. It is hard to say what 
 should be done." 
 
 "These two boys what are their names come 
 from some distant States, do they not ? " asked Waters. 
 " Could you not write, or Mr. Hawkins, to their par- 
 ents and kindly advise them to keep the boys at 
 home?" 
 
 " Perhaps," said the minister, doubtfully. " It might 
 not accomplish the desired end, however, and if it came 
 to the ears of the boys themselves, might do more 
 harm than good. A way, the right way, will be pro- 
 vided, if God wills, sooner or later. It is a comfort to 
 know that we do not need to solve all the perplexities 
 of life, even the ones that concern us most closely, but 
 that they can be safely left to a higher power to solve 
 for us yes, and the right answer reached, where we 
 too often would reach the wrong one. There is One 
 who knows the end from the beginning, and He can 
 take our snarled affairs and make them straight. You 
 know the saying that 'man's extremity is God's oppor- 
 tunity.' After doing our best we can remember that
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 149 
 
 'it is good that a man should both hope and quietly 
 wait for the salvation of the Lord.' " 
 
 Waters listened to the minister with a strange thrill. 
 Surely here was the answer he had been groping for 
 during the past twenty-four unhappy hours. How 
 simple and inevitable it all seemed. There could be 
 no other answer. Without a doubt he had been sent 
 to Robert Allen to receive it. What mattered that he 
 had not told him of his trouble ? Allen had been giv- 
 en his message to deliver. Must he not deliver it just 
 the same, even if the one for whom it was intended kept 
 silent? Waters turned to the minister with shining 
 eyes. 
 
 " You are right God bless you," was all he said, but 
 peace had entered his soul. 
 
 The trip to camp was an enjoyable event. Barney 
 and the other men welcomed them hilariously. They 
 stayed to "grub" in the cook's den, and shared the 
 "wash" and the "chuck" with the lumbermen on 
 equal terms. Waters inspected the shanties, the mill, 
 the stables, the tools, the newly cut logs, the roads 
 through the snow everything connected with the 
 work of logging and shingle-cutting with all the en- 
 thusiastic interest of one who has never seen these 
 things before. Allen noted his companion's changed 
 demeanor and shrewdly guessed that his errand had 
 been achieved in some mysterious manner. Late that 
 evening they returned to the farm and meekly bore the 
 mock reproof of Farmer Hawkins for running away 
 from him when he had taken a holiday especially to 
 entertain his guest. To make up for it he insisted that 
 Waters should stay over night and hear Allen preach 
 to the men in the forenoon. He could drive home at 
 his leisure after dinner. The schoolmaster consented,
 
 ISO THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 although he thought to himself that nothing the minis- 
 ter could say on the morrow would help him more than 
 the brief message he had delivered, all unknowingly, to 
 him that day. His course was clear now. He would 
 not attempt to decide between his duty to Jim and his 
 duty to himself. He would certainly perform to the 
 full his duty to Jim, as he saw it, but that duty did not 
 include any unnecessary or conspicuous self-effacement. 
 On the other hand, he would take no advantage him- 
 self that would imperil any happiness that might be 
 rightly Jim's. Axcy should be free to choose between 
 them, uninfluenced for or against, so far as he was con- 
 cerned, and let Providence decide the issue. In no 
 other way could Waters feel conscience-free. 
 
 Through the months that followed, he had many 
 anxious days and nights, but on the whole he adhered 
 faithfully to his resolve. Jim made rapid progress in 
 his studies, and in the general development of a manlier 
 character. He paid no aggressive suit to Axcy. He 
 was biding his time, unaware that anything in her or 
 another was working against him. Whether or not 
 the quick-witted girl divined anything of the situation 
 with regard to her two silent rivals, she maintained an 
 undisturbed balance, and bestowed her gracious favor 
 impartially upon both. Without apparent planning 
 she managed to go to social gatherings, such as the 
 Christmas-tree party at the Hawkins farm, the quilting- 
 bees, the husking parties, the dances, etc., in company 
 with Lettie Green or Norine Maloney, and her friends 
 never guessed that two of the best-known men of the 
 region would have given all they had to assert the right 
 to be her escort for all time.
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 " HELLO, there, Sam ! I've been huntin e for you," 
 cried Seward Rathaway, as he spied Sam Hawkins 
 coming out of Jake Vogel's store and Post-Office one 
 morning, late in November, of the following year. 
 
 Sam started, and thrust a letter hastily into his 
 pocket. 
 
 " I'm not so hard to find as to need much hunting, 
 am I ? " he said, crossly. 
 
 " Well, now, you needn't get mad," replied Seward. 
 " I have important news, and we must get together at 
 once and decide what to do. Uncle Sam has taken jt 
 into his head to send a little bevy of sleuths on a trip 
 through this neighborhood to try to locate a certain 
 * Mystic Brand ' whose fame seems to have spread be- 
 yond our humble domain. I just got the tip from Pete. 
 He thinks there are three of them in all. One chap 
 sort of an early bird trying to catch the worm is 
 here now, down at Pete's " 
 
 Sam paled for an instant as he heard Seward's state- 
 ment ; then, with an air of bravado, he exclaimed, with 
 a short laugh : 
 
 "So! on to us, are they? Well, we're ready for 
 them, aren't we ? Where are Walt and Billy ? " 
 
 " They're out at Mystic Isle. We better go out and 
 talk it over. Don't let that chap in Pete's see us, 
 though he's more than likely asleep by now, after his 
 nice little tramp last night."
 
 152 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " What tramp ? What do you know about him, any- 
 how ? " asked Sam, impatiently. 
 
 " Oh, he walked down from Beaverton, a little mat- 
 ter of thirty miles or so," laughed Seward. " Pete told 
 me the whole story. It's a good one, but rather long. 
 Wait till the other boys can hear. I don't want to tell 
 it twice." 
 
 About noon Sam and Seward arrived, tired and hun- 
 gry, at their secret resort on Mystic Isle. During the 
 two seasons that Walter Hayward and Billy Axford 
 had been with them, the large caves on the island had 
 been comfortably fitted up for living purposes, and 
 other improvements had been made, Walt and Billy 
 supplying the needed cash. The old blind negro and 
 his wife, who served them at college, had been installed 
 as caretakers and cook, and were faithfully devoted to 
 the interests and comfort of their young masters. The 
 whole establishment was sufficiently novel and in con- 
 trast to the ordinary affairs and environments of the 
 Red-Keg section to please even Sam's contemptuous 
 fancy. Walt and Billy were eating a substantial din- 
 ner prepared by old Sue, when Sam and Seward broke 
 in upon them. After acquainting the former with the 
 facts, the two late-comers joined in the repast. The 
 story as told by Seward was in substance about as 
 follows : 
 
 Jack Mann had been repeatedly to the North Shore 
 for consignments of the " Mystic Brand." He did not 
 know nor care who placed it there nor whence it came. 
 All he knew was that through the agency of Pete some- 
 one paid him well to take loads of corn to a certain out- 
 of-the-way spot, leave them there, proceed to another 
 cache near by, pick up the supply of " My stir Brand," 
 carry it further up, and transfer it to whomsoever
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 153 
 
 might be waiting with the proper countersign. Pete 
 had given him to understand that the continuance of 
 this job, and the certainty of pay, depended upon keep- 
 ing a close mouth. He drew his own conclusions and 
 kept mum ; but the ease of his work and the immunity 
 enjoyed thus far had made him a little careless. Yes- 
 terday he had taken a supply of the goods as far as 
 Beaverton, and was transferring it to a tote-team in 
 charge of a French-Canadian whom he had met before 
 on similar occasions, when he was approached by an 
 affable fellow who took him into the tavern and plied 
 him with drink. As usual, Jack became loquacious, 
 and it was not long before his newly made friend had 
 secured admissions enough to hang him, if hanging 
 were the penalty for moonshining. Pete happened to 
 b*. up there, and he spotted the fellow at once, so while 
 the sleuth was filling Jack up, Pete went out and started 
 the tote-team off in a hurry. By the time Vidocq got 
 through with Jack, there was only the confession of a 
 drunken man left, and the real evidence was well on its 
 way toward the throats of a thirsty lot of French-Cana- 
 dians at Camp Number Ten, away up on the Salt. The 
 fellow looked chagrined when he discovered that he 
 bad been tricked, but he did not dare to make any pro- 
 test. There stood Pete, with the " city " constable by 
 his side, each smoking villanous pipes, and discussing 
 the prospects for a good cutting of logs for the winter. 
 
 " Excuse me," said the sleuth, " but did you see which 
 way that tote-team went that was out here just now? " 
 
 " The one with the grey and the black hitched to 
 'er ? " asked Pete, innocently. 
 
 " Yes, that's the one. Which way did it go ? " 
 
 "Went over toward Sixteen, didn't it, Mack?" Pete 
 replied, turning to his friend the constable.
 
 154 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " Yas," drawled Mack. "The feller's nigh over to 
 the Ox Bow by this time. He's a mighty fast traveller 
 that. What did ye want of 'im ? Goin' along deown 
 his way ? Ef ye want ter ketch 'im it's time ye were 
 hurryin* up," and so saying Mack turned to Pete again, 
 and the two went on talking just as though nothing 
 had happened. 
 
 " Pardon me again, but can I get a teamster to drive 
 me over to the Ox Bow, so as to catch that man before 
 he gets any farther ? " said the stranger, again address- 
 ing the constable. 
 
 "Ye mout and ye mout not," said Mack, drily. 
 " Leastwise not onless ye tell me what ye want to ketcn 
 thet feller for. Ef ye want 'im to take ye on a ride up 
 to the head of the jam er thereabouts, you'll find 'im a 
 mighty accomerdatin' feller. But ef ye're after 'im fer 
 any any purpose other'n peaceful ones ye mout as 
 well tackle a catamount, and a hungry one at that, as 
 to tackle Pierre Badeau ; eh, old boy ? " turning to Pete. 
 
 " Betcher life," said Pete, giving a vigorous puff at 
 his pipe. 
 
 "But, say, my friend," continued Mack, "ef ye need 
 any assistance I'm the constable hereabouts, an' mout 
 be of sarvice to ye." 
 
 They palavered for some time in this manner, and 
 finally the stranger said he thought, as it was getting 
 late, he would stay at the tavern all night, and he went 
 inside again, expecting to find Jack dead drunk, lying 
 on the bench where he had left him. He was dum- 
 founded to find that his supposed prisoner had flown 
 even as had the teamster. He was nonplussed, but 
 dared not make his identity known as yet. He had in- 
 tended merely to shadow Jack, and at the right time 
 catch him when he could scoop in the gang and claim
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 155 
 
 the reward of a thousand dollars offered for the arrest 
 and conviction of the offenders. Except for the watch- 
 fulness of Pete and some of Jack's chums, who spirited 
 him away, suspecting that a trap was being set for him 
 by the oily stranger, his plan might have succeeded. 
 As it was, he could hardly conceal his surprise and 
 chagrin. 
 
 Suspicion having been directed to him, some of the 
 fellows loitering around the bar got their heads to- 
 gether and held a conversation in low tones for a few 
 moments, after which one of their number, Jim Lam- 
 pheer, or " Red," rawboned and lank, stepped out from 
 among the group, and, approaching the stranger rather 
 unceremoniously, remarked : 
 
 " Ye seem to be a stranger 'round these parts. Mout 
 I ask yer business ? " 
 
 " That's a great deal like impertinence, isn't it ? " ob- 
 served the detective. 
 
 " Impertence or no impertence, we want ter know 
 yer business, an' we're goin' ter know it, too. P'r'aps 
 yer mout fust tell us jes' why ye got thet feller drunk 
 in yere a little while ago ? " and Red Lampheer came 
 up closer. Looking down in contempt upon the now 
 frightened minion of the law he continued in tones that 
 left but one interpretation : 
 
 " We know who ye are. Ye're one o' them sneakin', 
 meddlesome tenderfeet as comes up yere 'bout once a 
 winter spyin' inter other folk's business. We're goin' 
 ter give ye jest ten minutes ter git outen this camp, 
 an' ef we ever see ye agin in these parts we'll run ye 
 through a rollway. D'ye understand ? " 
 
 " But, my friend, I am a stranger here, and there's 
 no stage running out of here for several days 
 
 "Walkin's good enough fer the likes o' you, eh,
 
 156 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 pards ? " and a loud roar of approval emphasized the 
 necessity for prompt action. 
 
 " Five minutes," roared Red, and the detective set 
 about preparing for his hasty departure. When the 
 time had elapsed, the unwelcome visitor was count- 
 ing curves on the Tittabawassee pike down toward 
 Red-Keg, where he arrived the next morning after 
 having walked the entire thirty miles during the 
 night. 
 
 Pete followed on horseback about a mile behind the 
 fellow until he reached the Salt Licks trail, and then 
 he deviated off on that and arrived at the Keg ahead 
 of the chap. Seward was at the tavern when Pete 
 arrived, and was at once made acquainted with the cir- 
 cumstances. Then Pete shaved up, changed his 
 clothes, and went to bed for a little sleep. When he 
 thought it was time for the fellow to arrive he took a 
 chair with Seward out on the veranda and waited. He 
 knew if the stranger came to Red-Keg, his was the 
 only place at which he could put up, as the lumber- 
 men's boarding-houses were full, so he and Walt waited 
 with easy assurance. They were soon rewarded by 
 seeing the man coming down the road. He was tired 
 and muddy; but as he approached, his countenance 
 lighted up, and, reaching out his hand to Pete, said, very 
 cordially, but with surprise in his voice : 
 
 " How in the world did you get here ? You surely 
 never passed me on the road, for I walked like one pos- 
 sessed. How did you get here ahead of me ? " 
 
 "Guess ye must be mistaken, pard," replied Pete, 
 as he took the man's outstretched hand. " I've never 
 seen ye afore; but I don't mind shakin' the hand of a 
 stranger. Come in an' have a nip ; ye look tired. My 
 friend, Mr. Rathaway," turning to Seward. "Come
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 157 
 
 in, gentlemen, and let's have suthin'," and Pete led the 
 way into the saloon. 
 
 " Surely I saw you, or your ghost, or your double, up 
 the road," remarked the stranger, wiping his mouth. 
 
 " Where wus ye ? " queried Pete. 
 
 "At Beaverton, thirty miles up the road." 
 
 " Ha, ha, ha ! Ye're not the fust one to be fooled 
 thet way. Ye see, we're brothers twins an' our 
 mother couldn't tell us apart. Well, thet's another on 
 me," whereupon Pete took down his best bottle for the 
 stranger. 
 
 " Ye don't mean to say ye've hoofed it down f rum 
 Beaverton in the night, do ye ? " went on Pete, taking 
 an apparent interest in the fellow. 
 
 "That's what I did," he replied. 
 
 " What d'ye do thet f er ? " persisted Pete. 
 
 " Well, you see I came across there from Sixteen by 
 way of a friendly tote-team. I'm simply travelling 
 through this pine wilderness with a view to hunting up 
 some possible paying properties to buy, and also to 
 have a little outing. I didn't seem to make a very 
 good impression up there, and so " 
 
 " I see, I see," broke in Pete, with another of his 
 guffaws, " an' ye were invited to leave ! Ye're not the 
 fust one treated thet way up to Beaverton. They're 
 kind o' exclusive like, an' don't take kindly to stran- 
 gers. But ye'll find it different here 't the Kag. We're 
 all cosmopolitern like, an* here's one o' the jolliest fel- 
 lers you'll ever meet. Shake again with Mr. Ratha- 
 way. Ef ye stay long hereabouts, he an' his pals '11 
 show ye 'round in style, eh, Seward ? " 
 
 Seward was quick to take advantage of the opening 
 so cleverly provided by Pete, and replied, heartily : 
 
 " Certainly, I shall be glad to show this gentleman
 
 158 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 around if he is looking for a good time. We have a 
 nice stretch of hunting woods, and if you are anything 
 of a huntsman we will give you lots of fun." 
 
 The stranger declared he would be delighted that 
 he would probably remain in the neighborhood several 
 weeks, and that he considered himself fortunate indeed 
 to have fallen into such agreeable company. 
 
 " But for the present moment," he exclaimed, " I am 
 most interested in the wants of the inner man, and I 
 must ask if I can get something to eat. I am about 
 famished." 
 
 " Certainly," said Pete, " breakfast is still on ; come 
 into the dinin' room an* fill up. In the mean time ef 
 ye'll give me yer name. We don't keep no register. 
 I jest keep the names in my head." 
 
 "My name is Barker James Barker, from New 
 York." 
 
 " Long ways frum hum, eh ? " 
 
 " Yes, rather far. This is my first visit to the lum- 
 berwoods," he volunteered, following Pete into the 
 tavern. 
 
 Seward waited around until Barker came out from 
 breakfast and then told him he would see him the next 
 afternoon and introduce him to his friends. Then as 
 soon as the man retired to his room to rest after his 
 fatiguing tramp, Seward hastened to acquaint the other 
 boys with the situation. 
 
 " Well, we're up against it," said Sam, after Seward 
 had told his story. " Now the question is, how shall 
 we throw the chumps off the scent ? " 
 
 " We must get out to the old lumber-shanty over 
 on the Salt, and have that for headquarters while 
 this gentleman is around," said Seward. "We will 
 fit it up as a hunting-lodge the same as we did last
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 159 
 
 year, and when we are out on a tramp we'll take him 
 there." 
 
 It was agreed that Seward and Walt should go to 
 the Keg on the following day for the purpose of enter- 
 taining the visitor. Sam and Billy were to repair to 
 the lumber-shanty and prepare it for habitation. Sew- 
 ard and Walt were to come out that way in a day 
 or two and bring Mr. Barker, who was to be tendered 
 the freedom of the place. Accordingly, about noon 
 the next day, Seward and Walt started on their re- 
 turn trip to the Keg, reaching there by three o'clock. 
 Barker was sitting on the veranda in front of Pete's 
 place, talking with the proprietor. As the boys came 
 up, he arose to meet them, and Seward introduced 
 Walt. 
 
 " Sorry I couldn't find Sam Hawkins and Billy Ax- 
 ford," he explained, " but I learned this morning that 
 they had gone off on a hunt and might not be back for 
 two or three days. They are nice fellows, just the 
 kind to go out running deer with. Sam is a little in- 
 clined to be egotistical, but we all have our failings. 
 You will like him when you know him. We four were 
 chums at college, and we have formed an alliance since 
 we graduated that has afforded us much pleasure, and 
 as you are out here for pleasure we may as well help to 
 make your stay as pleasant as possible." 
 
 " That is very kind of you, I am sure," replied Bar- 
 ker. " I shall be delighted to meet your friend. What 
 kind of game do you find in this region ? " 
 
 " Nearly everything from squirrel to bear, and from 
 jack-rabbit to deer. There are plenty of raccoons, 
 wolves, wildcats, wolverines, and porcupines in the 
 woods, as well as beaver and otter. If you care to go 
 out with us we can be sure of good sport, and very
 
 160 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 likely may run across Sam and Billy at our hunting- 
 lodge up on the Big Salt." 
 
 Barker expressed his readiness to join them at the 
 earliest possible opportunity, and it was agreed that 
 they should start for the hunting ground on the follow- 
 ing day. 
 
 Before evening a heavy rain set in, and for a time 
 threatened to cause a postponement of the trip. The 
 Invincibles welcomed the downpour because it would 
 obliterate all tracks leading in an inconvenient direc- 
 tion. Toward morning, however, the rain ceased, and 
 the air became cold and crisp, Seward and Walt 
 sought Pete's place early in the forenoon, where Barker 
 joined them in a few minutes, announcing himself as 
 ready for anything. 
 
 " Ye oughter hev different togs than them," ejacu- 
 lated Pete, as he eyed the amateur Nimrod with looks 
 of disapproval. 
 
 " These are all I have. I couldn't take my baggage 
 across to Beaverton from Sixteen, and so it is there yet. 
 I have ordered it sent here, however, for I think I shall 
 be pretty well contented in this hospitable hamlet for 
 a few weeks." 
 
 " Them store clothes o' yourn wouldn't last till ye 
 got out to Sturgeon slough, even goin' by the State 
 road, say nothin' o' goin' through the timber, as ye 
 orter," again insisted Pete. 
 
 " Pete is right, Mr. Barker. You'd better try to get 
 a suit more like ours," added Seward. " Perhaps Pete 
 has something he could lend you for the present." 
 
 " Yas, I can let him have the rig as belonged to thet 
 feller as was all chawed up in the rollway last year. 
 He was about your size, an' I 'low, you won't mind 
 usin' 'em, will ye ? He had all his duds at my place,
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 161 
 
 an* no one hes ever claimed 'em, so you mout as well 
 put 'em on, eh ? " 
 
 Barker consented, and in a short time reappeared 
 with more suitable hunting apparel, whereupon the trio 
 immediately set out for the woods. They followed 
 along the bank of the Tittabawassee for several miles, 
 ate their lunch about noon, and then struck into the 
 woods to the northward in the direction of the lodge 
 provided for the occasion. Through brambles, briers, 
 fallen logs, swamps, and upturned roots, the party 
 wended its way for four or five hours, until from sheer 
 exhaustion Barker dropped upon a log and declared 
 that he must rest. 
 
 "You mustn't give out yet," said Seward. "We 
 have still three miles to go before we reach the lodge. 
 There you can have a good night's rest. So keep up 
 courage." 
 
 " I suppose I must. Don't you get tired, or lose your 
 way?" 
 
 " Oh, no. When we first came we did, sometimes ; 
 but now you can neither lose nor tire us. If we 
 should leave you here you would never get out in the 
 world. Can you tell in which direction you are now 
 going ? " 
 
 " Not for the life of me. As nearly as I can guess, 
 we have been proceeding southward, have we not ? " 
 
 "Just the opposite," said Seward. "See the moss 
 growing upon the bark of these black-ash trees ? Do 
 you notice that it extends only about half-way around 
 the trunk ? " 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Well, there you have the woodsman's compass. The 
 side showing the moss is to the north." 
 
 "Well, I declare, I never knew that before. It is 
 
 IX
 
 162 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 wonderful how nature provides even a compass for the 
 use of man in the wilderness," exclaimed Barker. 
 
 It was getting so close to sundown now that the 
 boys urged their guest to another effort, and off they 
 started toward the camp. These three toilsome miles 
 nearly finished the tenderfoot, who had not yet recov- 
 ered from the effects of his thirty-mile tramp from 
 Beaverton; but the boys, while pretending to sympa- 
 thize with his evident suffering, were inwardly chuck- 
 ling at the ruse they were playing, and the fun they 
 were having at his expense. At length, as they ar- 
 rived at the clearing, in the centre of which stood the 
 lodge, the poor fellow gave a cry of satisfaction, remark- 
 ing that if it had been an Indian camp, or a bear's den, 
 he would have welcomed it, for he was ready to drop 
 from exhaustion. 
 
 Sam and Billy were waiting for them, and Barker 
 was introduced with due ceremony, after which he 
 begged to be allowed to rest, and was at once put to 
 bed in a " bunk " on the wall. Daylight came, eight, 
 nine, ten o'clock, and still he slumbered. The boys 
 had been up since sunrise skirmishing for breakfast. 
 When Barker finally began to bestir himself, he found 
 that he was lame in every joint. His feet were swollen, 
 and he felt generally the worse for wear, he said, but 
 was greatly interested in his surroundings. The in- 
 terior of the old log shack had been fitted up gorgeously 
 with skins of all kinds. The logs had been well 
 " chinked " and filled with moss. Deer antlers were 
 numerous, and several bear heads scowled down from 
 the walls. 
 
 Barker's nostrils caught the smell of a savory steak 
 being broiled in the old fireplace at the far end of the 
 shanty, and this served to recall his slumbering appe-
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 163 
 
 tite. He was the guest of a lot of jolly boys, and he 
 was as much interested in Sam and Billy as he had 
 been in Seward and Walt. He partook ravenously of 
 the steak and called for a second portion, which he de- 
 voured with undiminished relish. When informed that 
 it had been taken from the choice quarter of a bear he 
 was somewhat incredulous. To prove their assertion 
 they took him outside the cabin and there exhibited 
 the carcass of bruin, who had been sacrificed the day 
 before. Barker agreed that the steak was most deli- 
 cate, and expressed his willingness to be fed upon it 
 indefinitely. 
 
 " How long have you been in this paradise of Nim- 
 rods ? " he asked, after he had taken a mental picture 
 of all the surroundings. 
 
 " Oh, we have occupied this place as a rendezvous 
 for the past two years, ever since Walt and Billy joined 
 us," replied Sam, "and we find it a jolly place to stop, 
 when out hunting. We are all by ourselves and mon- 
 arch of all we survey, don't you know." 
 
 " But how am I to get out of here ? " 
 
 " The same way you came in." 
 
 " Is there no nearer way ? " 
 
 " Not so direct ; but there is a logging road which 
 runs out to the Big Salt from here, and by walking 
 about twice as far you could reach Red-Keg by way of 
 the Sturgeon road. But it is a stupid way no game, 
 and nothing but sand and mud to walk through much 
 worse even than climbing over logs. You will soon 
 get accustomed to roughing it, and you won't mind 
 such a little tramp as you took yesterday. We must 
 take another little jaunt this afternoon in order to lim- 
 ber up your stiff joints, or you are liable to get foun- 
 dered, like an old horse."
 
 164 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " But I want to return to Red-Keg yet to-night. I 
 am expecting a couple of friends up to-morrow, and I 
 must meet them. So if you will start me on my way, 
 I think I will reach there all right by way of the 
 logging road." 
 
 " We will at least see you safely to the Sturgeon 
 road, and if we start in time we may meet the stage 
 which makes the weekly trip to Sixteen and return. 
 It is due at Red-Keg to-night at seven." 
 
 "All right, boys, I will attempt it, though I am 
 almost as sore as though one of your rollways had run 
 over me. I am very grateful for your kindness ; but 
 as my friends are coming I will not attempt to impose 
 them upon your hospitality." 
 
 " You are welcome to our cabin. The latch-string 
 is always out, and whether we are here or not, just 
 come at any time and bring your friends and make 
 yourselves at home," said Seward, warmly. 
 
 Later in the day the whole party started through the 
 woods to the road where Barker hoped to meet the 
 stage. Their arrival was well timed, for they soon 
 heard the rumble of the old stage-coach coming toward 
 them at a rapid rate. The jehu was a Frenchman 
 noted for his intrepidity and his ability to swear. He 
 was urging on his horses, as the sky was again overcast, 
 and already a fleecy snow had begun to fall which por- 
 tended a blizzard before many hours. 
 
 Just as the clumsy vehicle was rounding a curve a 
 short distance above, where the five men stood, Mr. 
 Barker stepped hastily out into the road, and called to 
 the driver to stop. 
 
 The hunter's garb is fantastic, something like that 
 worn by Daniel Boone in his day, and in the gloaming 
 it looks much like that worn by the Indians. With an
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 165 
 
 oath that rent tne stillness of the air, the driver of the 
 stage brought his horses back on their haunches, throw- 
 ing the half-dozen occupants together in a heap inside. 
 In an instant a carbine was levelled full at Barker's 
 head, and the Frenchman ordered " Hands up ! " 
 
 At this critical juncture the Invincibles gave their 
 old college yell, adapted by them for use in this wilder- 
 ness, and instantly the carbine was lowered ; but those 
 inside of the stage were frightened nearly out of their 
 senses. Order was quickly restored when it became 
 known that a hold-up was not intended, but that simply 
 a new passenger was about to join them. 
 
 " Well, I'll be blowed ! Where in the world did you 
 come from, Barker ? " spoke somebody from the inte- 
 rior of the stage. 
 
 " Same to you ; I certainly never expected to see you 
 here/' answered Barker. "Come out and meet my 
 friends. What ! Dabney here, too ? Well, well ! " he 
 continued, taking the hands of his friends and shaking 
 them at the same time. 
 
 " I was just on my way to Red-Keg, where I expected 
 to meet you to-morrow, supposing you would come up 
 on the railroad," he continued. "Why did you come 
 across this forsaken way ? " 
 
 " Oh, we just learned you had roughed it over and 
 we thought we would do the same. So we followed 
 your trail. You didn't leave a very savory reputation 
 at Beaverton, and we came near being lynched when 
 we reached there. We were 
 
 "Sh! not so loud. Be careful. We are pleasure- 
 seekers, and land hunters," interrupted Barker in a low 
 voice, but not so low as to escape the quick ear of Sew- 
 ard. Then in a louder tone: "Yes, they certainly 
 lack hospitality to strangers out there. I was uncere-
 
 166 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 moniously ordered to depart, because they did not know 
 my pedigree, and I walked all the thirty miles to Red- 
 Keg in the night." 
 
 After introductions and a short parley it was decided 
 that Barker and his friends should leave the stage and 
 all go out to the cabin together. So dismissing the 
 stage driver, the Invincibles and guests set out into the 
 woods, while the jehu shouted to his steeds, and was 
 soon lost to sight in the fast-falling snow and approach- 
 ing darkness. 
 
 As the boys had feared, the quiet was of short dura- 
 tion, for before the party reached the cabin, the wind 
 had risen, and they were in the midst of a whirling 
 blizzard, which threatened to freeze or bury them be- 
 fore their retreat could be reached. The lodge was a 
 welcome refuge to the four boys as well as to the fa- 
 tigued and nearly frozen sleuths. The latter still be- 
 lieved that their mission was unsuspected by the Invin- 
 cibles, and the boys were careful not to dispel this 
 delusion. The Invincibles had this advantage they 
 were on their guard and sure of their enemy, while the 
 detectives were hunting in the dark, hoping to land big 
 game. There was only one secret-service man in the 
 trio, Mr. Lawrence ; the other two were amateurs look- 
 ing for fame and shekels. 
 
 "Whew! what a terrible night," said Mr. Lawrence, 
 as they opened the door, and a gust of wind carried a 
 cloud of snow in with them. 
 
 " Mighty comfortable place, this, for such a night," 
 remarked Barker, remembering his snug bunk and 
 sound sleep of the previous night. 
 
 The logs which had been left in the fireplace still 
 glowed, giving a cheery aspect to the place, and when 
 a few pine-knots had been fished from the " loft," there
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 167 
 
 was enough light and warmth to fill the place from end 
 to end. 
 
 After a hearty repast they sat around the fire to 
 spend a cosy evening. 
 
 " Don't know that this weather is at all suggestive 
 of mosquitoes, but, as I came through some of these 
 swamps, it occurred to me that in the summer you 
 must have a vast number of those pesky fellows to 
 contend with," remarked Lawrence, half interroga- 
 tively. 
 
 The Invincibles looked around at each other, and 
 then Seward, seeing no one else ready to respond, re- 
 marked nonchalantly: 
 
 "Oh, yes; but we don't mind them now. After a 
 year or two one learns how to avoid them. When I 
 first came out here, though, I was reduced twenty 
 pounds in two weeks from loss of blood. The critters 
 would bore through my buckskin shirt, my boots in 
 fact there was no getting away from them. They 
 would follow me all day, and the same hungry crowd 
 would be after me at night. They " 
 
 " Indeed ! " broke in the three strangers in con- 
 cert. 
 
 "True as gospel," asserted Billy. "I have seen 
 them so thick on Seward's back that when I struck 
 them the blood trickled down and spattered into my 
 face ! " 
 
 "Oh, yes, I know that mosquitoes, even though 
 they're not aristocrats, and have no pedigrees, are often 
 full of good blood," assented Lawrence. 
 
 "Don't you know, my dear friends," interrupted 
 Sam, seriously, " that some varieties of these insects 
 grow to a prodigious size up in some part of the State 
 among the swamps and rivers ? Why, I've heard from
 
 168 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 good authorities that the biggest ones are used by the 
 raftsmen bringing up the 'rear' for snubbing-posts. 
 They make them put their bills into- the ground . 
 What in the deuce are you laughing at ? " he exclaimed, 
 glancing with an injured air at the three strangers. 
 
 " What Sam was saying may seem slightly exagger- 
 ated, but it is not overdrawn," interrupted Seward. 
 "You know truth is stranger than fiction. These 
 beasts are always the most obstreperous about rafting 
 time. Only last year a rafting party of five men with 
 two yoke of heavy oxen went up here to the Ox Bow, 
 and began work. By noon of the first day the oxen 
 were reduced to skeletons, although their drivers fought 
 the pests all the time. The men had their peavies 
 along. Don't know what a peavy is? Well, it is a 
 strong pole about eight feet in length turned round, 
 bulging below the centre, and smaller at each end. In 
 the lower end is driven a strong sharpened spike about 
 six inches in length and nearly an inch square, and to 
 hold this securely and strengthen the handle, several 
 bands of iron are driven on, the last and smallest one 
 acting as a ferrule." 
 
 The seriousness of Seward during this description 
 riveted the attention of the hearers, who listened with 
 respectful silence. 
 
 " Each workman finds one of these peavies a neces- 
 sity, and always carries one when at work, either on 
 the drive, roll way, or rear. Well, on this occasion, 
 when the noon hour came, the raftsmen had arrived at 
 an old shanty something like this, into which they went 
 to prepare their noonday meal, leaving their peavies 
 and oxen outside. You may not believe me, but just 
 one hour later, when the men went out, neither oxen 
 nor peavies were anywhere to be found ! "
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 169 
 
 "What had become of them?" timidly inquired 
 Barker. 
 
 " Well, they had disappeared as though by magic ; 
 but a careful search disclosed some heaps of fresh bones 
 lying near by. A great humming noise was heard, a 
 cloud obscured the sun, and looking up, the men saw 
 that the cloud was formed of mosquitoes, and the larger 
 ones, which were the queens, were perched upon the 
 tall pines picking their teeth with the peavies," and the 
 speaker ducked just in time to save his head from con- 
 tact with the snowball which Lawrence had all the 
 time been rolling out of the drift of snow, let in when 
 they arrived at the shack. 
 
 The wind shrieked, the logs in the fireplace crackled 
 and spluttered, the pine-knots glowed fitfully, and all 
 tongues were silent for the space of three minutes and 
 seventeen seconds by the watch.
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 / 
 
 THE next morning found the skies again clear and 
 the air keen and bracing. Everywhere, without, the 
 earth was buried under a billowy and rippled sea of 
 dazzling white, against which the dark boles and 
 branches of the trees stood in naked contrast after 
 their battle with the wind. 
 
 " Just the day to run down deer," declared Seward, 
 as they sat at breakfast. " I move we all go out on a 
 hunt. Our larder needs replenishing. No game, no 
 dinner." 
 
 Dabney agreed without hesitation, but Barker rubbed 
 his limbs reminiscently, and remarked that he was will- 
 ing to defer another day's hunting until some later 
 date. Seward turned to Lawrence, who had remained 
 silent, and said : 
 
 " You will join us, of course, Mr. Lawrence ? We 
 are sure to stir up some big game to-day, and will show 
 you what real sport in these woods is like." 
 
 Lawrence chewed his steak meditatively for a mo- 
 ment, and then replied, slowly : 
 
 " Thank you ; to tell the truth, however, I am not 
 much of a sportsman, though I have hunted, on occa- 
 sions. Perhaps if I tell you a little experience on my 
 last deer-stalking expedition, you will understand my 
 weakness. It was up a little farther north than this. 
 I was on a trip with a party of enthusiastic huntsmen 
 at their urgent invitation, although I made no pretense 
 of being able to shoot anything. They had a fine out- 
 
 170
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS i 7l 
 
 fit, including a pack of hounds. We chose a promising 
 section of country along a beautiful stream, and I was 
 assigned to a * runway ' upon the heavily timbered flats 
 of the west side. There I sat, pursuant to careful in- 
 structions, very quietly for a period as long, perhaps, 
 as fifteen or twenty minutes, my piece cocked, my eyes 
 open, awaiting almost breathlessly the advent of game. 
 It didn't come, and the pastime grew monotonous to 
 me. I arose and looked about to see whether I might, 
 perhaps, catch a glimpse of dog, hunter, or deer. I 
 saw nothing. Then I listened for the baying of the 
 hounds ; but not a bay could I hear. I leaned my rifle 
 against a thorn-bush which grew near the bank of the 
 stream, and began to divert myself by picking up peb- 
 bles from the beach and making them 'skip ' across the 
 rippled water. Tiring of this amusement after a while, 
 I strolled carelessly down the beach, picking up small 
 pebbles, when of a sudden I became conscious of a 
 slight but peculiar sound in the woods just over the 
 bank, which at this point was a little higher than my 
 head. I crawled cautiously up the turfy terrace, 
 mounted the huge trunk of a prostrate, wind-thrown 
 elm, and peered into the dense covert of the forest. 
 Very soon I discovered what had caused the sound, and 
 it was with difficulty that I repressed an exclamation 
 of delight. Right across a little bayou in front of me 
 and distant not more than thirty yards, daintily cropping 
 the herbage that grew on a verdant knoll, was a fine 
 yearling doe. The exquisitely beautiful creature had 
 not observed me, and for several minutes I sat motion- 
 less enjoying the picture. How graceful those limbs ! 
 That slender, willowy neck ! How large and lustrous 
 those glorious eyes ! 
 
 " Why didn't I shoot ? Shoot her ! Why, by all the
 
 172 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 vandals and bloodthirsty savages of the forest ! Shoot 
 that delicate, fairy-like thing ! Not if I had a whole 
 arsenal at my command ! " 
 
 Seward and Walt shifted uneasily, Billy coughed 
 slightly, and Sam smiled sarcastically and opened his 
 mouth to make some comment, but Lawrence con- 
 tinued : 
 
 " I assure you I had no more thought of attempting 
 to kill that beautiful, harmless animal than I had of 
 killing myself. I was merely sitting there (' like a bump 
 on a log,' as my discoverer afterward more forcibly 
 than poetically put it), mute with delight and admira- 
 tion, when a crackling in the brush to the right sent 
 my timid beauty flying deep into the forest, and brought 
 me to my wits and to my feet. 
 
 " ' Was that a deer ? ' demanded the harsh voice of 
 one of the hunters who had come out with me. 
 
 "'Ye-es,' I stammered. 
 
 "'Why didn't you shoot?' He asked this question 
 with rather more than impatience in his tone. 
 
 "'Why why,' I answered, in confusion, 'I didn't 
 have my gun here.' 
 
 " 'Where is it ? ' he demanded, in disgust. 
 
 " The truth is that I had forgotten all about the gun, 
 and it was still standing leaning against the thorn-bush 
 some twenty perches up the stream. And, will you 
 believe it ? that man was actually angry with me. He 
 abused me ferociously and he had always been one of 
 my very best friends, too. 
 
 " ' You' 11 never make a hunter ! ' was the emphatic 
 declaration with which he concluded his tirade. That 
 was an unkind cut. A hunter ! Hadn't I found ? and, 
 as it transpired, wasn't I the only one of the entire crew 
 who did find a deer that day ? And therefore I still
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 173 
 
 insist that I was not only a hunter, but a remarkably 
 successful one. As to being a butcher, that was quite 
 another matter. I've always had a lingering suspicion 
 since then that in the ordinary acceptance of the terms 
 'hunter' and 'sportsman' they are necessarily synony- 
 mous with 'butcher.' Of course I don't mean any as- 
 persions on you, my good friends ; but you can see that 
 I would make rather unprofitable company for you on 
 the proposed deer-running trip to-day." 
 
 Sam laughed. "It is fortunate we are not all so 
 tender-hearted," he said. " I know some hungry men 
 who would have no dinner to-day. Besides, how about 
 the ravages of wolves and other troublesome beasts ? " 
 
 " Oh, don't understand me as being opposed to the 
 shooting of dangerous animals who are the natural ene- 
 mies of man, or those which are necessary for food. I 
 can hunt without mercy on suitable occasions," said 
 Lawrence, smiling. Then he added, quickly, " I have 
 known of many instances, however, where men have 
 slaughtered hundreds of helpless doves, simply to dis- 
 play their marksmanship, or have shot down beauti- 
 ful song-birds for no better purpose than to give some 
 vain woman the pleasure of wearing the murdered little 
 beauties on her hat." 
 
 " You are right there ! " exclaimed Seward. " There 
 is too much of that kind of sport. We do not indulge 
 in it." 
 
 By the time breakfast was over, it was agreed that 
 Dabney should exchange clothes with Barker and join 
 the Invincibles in their hunt, while the other two visit- 
 ors remained at the lodge. The hunters set off in two 
 divisions, Seward with Dabney in one direction, \Yalt, 
 Billy, and Sam in another. 
 
 " Let us round up at the western edge of the swamp.
 
 174 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 I saw a new runway down there the other day, that 
 looked promising," called out Seward, as the friends 
 separated, Seward and Dabney taking the shortest cut. 
 
 In the course of an hour Seward declared that they 
 were in the vicinity of game. They had struck the 
 deer trail, or runway, which deer and other animals fol- 
 lowed to find water, making a well-beaten path. The 
 hunter waits near this path, and if he escapes the keen 
 scent of the game, he will be sure, soon or late, to see 
 one or more of the timid animals go by. As the two 
 men stood for a moment, considering whether to remain 
 there or go farther toward the swamp, they heard be- 
 hind them the patter of hoofs, and the terrified snort 
 of a deer in distress. They jumped to one side just in 
 time to avoid being run down by a big buck, who 
 rushed past with a murderous catamount firmly fixed 
 upon his shoulders. With each bound of the deer the 
 claws and teeth sank deeper into the quivering flesh. 
 
 Seward raised his rifle and fired two shots in rapid 
 succession at the cat ; but still the buck kept up the 
 terrific pace. 
 
 " Come ! " shouted Seward, and the chase was on. 
 Neither paused for breath. The deer would keep to 
 the runway until it fell exhausted, and if the pursuers 
 could maintain a reasonable speed, they might overtake 
 the fleeing buck before the cat had made an end of 
 him. Snow-covered brambles caught their clothes, hid- 
 den logs their feet. Down they went, time and time 
 again; but nothing daunted, they raced on. Dabney 
 kept close with his companion, and in the excitement 
 did not feel the pain of bruises or the lacerations from 
 the cruel briers. Almost before either man was aware 
 of it, they had reached the margin of the swamp. Here 
 a terrific fight was going on. The stag had run under
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 175 
 
 the limb of a tree which had dislodged the wildcat. 
 Quicker than a flash the deer had turned on his foe, 
 and with lowered head was striving to disable him. 
 Both were too much occupied to notice the approach 
 of the hunters, and the battle was a royal one. The 
 cat, hungry already with a taste of blood, was making 
 fierce efforts to again mount the back of the buck, who, 
 though weak from the loss of blood, led in the fray, his 
 eyes gleaming wickedly. The cat parried in vain for 
 an opening; the deer was ever on the alert. Now on 
 the aggressive, now on the defensive, the combatants 
 rushed around and around in a little open space on the 
 margin of the swamp. It was soon evident that' the 
 deer could not hold out much longer, as he began to 
 stagger, and the fire was leaving his eyes. 
 
 Up to this time the hunters could only gaze in awed 
 silence and admiration at the prowess of the timid and 
 gentle deer, fighting so gallantly with his terrible an- 
 tagonist. But now Seward, reloading his rifle, raised it 
 to his shoulder, took deliberate aim, and pulled the 
 trigger. As the report rang out, the catamount gave 
 a shriek of pain and anger, and turning upon his new 
 foes, only a few feet away, the enraged beast made a 
 furious spring at Seward. The latter had anticipated 
 the move, and instantly, while the cat was still in air, 
 not six feet from the muzzle of his gun, the other bar- 
 rel barked, Seward sprang to one side, and the monster 
 dropped like lead at the very feet of the two hunters, 
 shot through the heart. 
 
 The deer, at this unexpected denouement, turned 
 and made a dash for the swamp, hotly pursued by Dab- 
 ney. The buck proceeded but a little way before his 
 feet became imbedded in the quagmire, and Dabney, 
 nothing daunted at the fight the fellow had put up
 
 176 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 against the cat, rushed impetuously after him. The 
 deer remained quiet till Dabney came within a few feet 
 of him and had drawn his hunting-knife to despatch 
 him. But the inexperienced hunter had reckoned with- 
 out his host. With a last desperate effort the monarch 
 of the forest, driven to the last ditch, freed himself and 
 made a rush at his new foe. Dabney, now realizing 
 his peril, sought to retreat, but his own feet were en- 
 tangled in the swamp, and he could not escape. In an 
 instant he was battling for his life with a deer brought 
 to bay. Hoofs and horns were used with powerful 
 effect, and by the time Seward's attention was called 
 to the new arena of battle, Dabney was almost past 
 help. Picking up the latter's rifle, which had been 
 dropped in his haste to get at the deer, Seward took 
 aim at the beast's head, and none too soon the bul- 
 let went crashing into the stag's brain. This was an 
 enemy against which the gallant buck could not con- 
 * tend. The fire of battle died out of his eyes. His no- 
 ble form quivered, and he fell crashing to the ground, 
 where he lay, motionless forever. 
 
 Seward turned his attention to Dabney, and found 
 him covered with blood, his face badly cut, his clothes 
 torn, and his body so deeply imbedded in the mire that 
 he could not draw him out. To add to the situation 
 the poor fellow had fainted. 
 
 Reaching for his revolver, Seward fired five shots in 
 the air. Almost instantly an answer came, not far 
 away, and soon the other hunters came in sight. Hav- 
 ing heard the first firing, they were hastening to the 
 scene of the scrimmage. 
 
 After considerable effort, Dabney was extricated 
 from his muddy bed, and soon regained consciousness. 
 No bones were broken, but he was plentifully supplied
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 177 
 
 with cuts, bruises, and rents in his clothing, made by 
 the stag's sharp hoofs. 
 
 Turning their attention to the cat, they found him 
 to be one of the largest of his species, four feet long 
 and armed with magnificent teeth and claws. A few 
 strokes of the knife, and the pelt was off. Sam, Billy, 
 and Walt then went after the deer, and having quar- 
 tered him, started for the lodge, each, except Dabney, 
 who was scarcely able to walk alone, carrying a portion 
 of the quarry. 
 
 Lawrence and Barker stood watching the departing 
 Nimrods till they had disappeared into the woods. 
 Lawrence, ever on the alert, observed the flutter of 
 something falling to the ground as Sam drew a hand- 
 kerchief from his pocket. As soon as the party was 
 out of sight, and Barker had re-entered the cabin, he 
 went to the spot and picked up a letter. 
 
 " All is fair in love and war," he soliloquized. " In 
 my business, one must not stop to consider the niceties 
 too closely. It is necessary at times to do things that 
 are distasteful, like reading another man's private cor- 
 respondence, for example. These boys are certainly 
 hail-fellows-well-met, generous to a fault, and perhaps 
 as straight as they seem to be. I hope so ; but there 
 are several things I must find out before I give them a 
 'clean bill.' Hallo! this letter is not addressed to 
 Hawkins. I will look at it, and put it back where I 
 found it, if it contains nothing of importance. Barker 
 need not know anything about it." 
 
 Thrusting the letter into his pocket he returned to 
 the shack. Barker was sprawled out among the furs, 
 half asleep. 
 
 " Come, old man, we have work to do. There's no 
 
 12
 
 i;8 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 time to sleep while we have this place to ourselves. 
 Let's nose around a bit and see if we can find any clews. 
 If these young fellows are not the ones we are after, we 
 shall have to start on another tack inside of a week." 
 
 " All right, John ; only for heaven's sake don't talk so 
 infernally loud," grumbled Barker in an undertone. 
 " Some of these skins may hide a pair of ears that we 
 haven't counted on." 
 
 Lawrence laughed, and then remarked good-na- 
 turedly : " You are right. It is well to be discreet as 
 a matter of self -discipline, although I have no doubt 
 that we rule this roost alone just now. However, we 
 will quickly find out if there are any secrets here. I 
 confess, it begins to look as if we are barking up the 
 wrong tree, notwithstanding the tip we received." 
 
 With a show of admiration and curious interest they 
 set about a careful examination of the place, and were 
 not long in satisfying themselves that there was noth- 
 ing " queer " about the house or premises, for not the 
 smallest nook or cranny was left unexplored. 
 
 " Well, what do you think about it ? " asked Law- 
 rence when their work was completed. 
 
 " No sign of anything wrong here, that's sure ; and 
 the boys seem all right. We are not apt to find much 
 moonshine here," replied Barker. So saying he 
 stretched himself out again in the bunk from which his 
 partner had roused him to make the search. 
 
 Lawrence strolled out of the cabin, saying he would 
 like to have one more look around before the hunters 
 returned. As soon as he was alone he inspected the 
 letter which Sam had dropped. It had been posted 
 about a month before at Belfast, Ireland, and was ad- 
 dressed to Barney O'Boyle. The envelope had been 
 torn open at the end. As Lawrence read it, a look of
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 179 
 
 astonishment and perplexity spread over his face, and 
 his lips puckered into a long, low whistle. 
 
 " Oh, ho ! There's a colored gentleman in this wood- 
 pile somewhere. Either Sam Hawkins is personating 
 the said Barney O'Boyle, or he is appropriating his 
 mail. There's a girl in it, too, with a pretty name 
 Norine. This is interesting enough to investigate a 
 little on my own hook. Meanwhile I shall hold fast to 
 this little missive. Mr. Samuel Hawkins will pass sev- 
 eral uncomfortable moments when he misses it, and 
 will finally conclude that he lost it somewhere in the 
 swamp. It's just as well that he hasn't seen me yet, 
 but only my sandy-haired friend Lawrence. I may 
 want to meet the gentleman again before long." 
 
 The detective carefully adjusted the yellow mustache 
 which had adorned his face since his departure from 
 Sixteen the day before. Re-entering the lodge, he 
 roused Barker to tell him that he had decided to push 
 on to Red-Keg at once, leaving his two allies to con- 
 clude their investigation of the Invincibles at their 
 leisure. 
 
 " I am expecting certain important papers to reach 
 me at Red-Keg, and they may even recall me from this 
 section," he explained, " but if I do not return, or you 
 do not see me at the village, I will leave word for you 
 there. Convey my regrets to our kind hosts, and tell 
 them I hope to see them again some day," and after 
 getting Barker to tell him all he knew as to the best 
 way out of the forest, he was off. 
 
 When the five hunters returned, they found Barker 
 still lying at his ease in the bunk. He was alarmed 
 when he saw Dabney, but catching sight of the ugly 
 head of the catamount still attached to the skin, he felt 
 that his friend's appearance was amply accounted for.
 
 l8o THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 When told that it was the deer instead of the cat that 
 had created the havoc, he was astonished beyond 
 measure. 
 
 " I thought the cat had been trying to make a meal 
 of you," he exclaimed. 
 
 "Where's Lawrence?" asked Dabney, looking 
 around. 
 
 " Oh, he is no kind of sport at all. About an hour 
 ago he started off for Red-Keg, leaving nothing but re- 
 grets. Said he expected to hear from his house, but I 
 have an opinion that there is a girl in it, so I let him 
 go without much protest." 
 
 The next few days were uneventful. Lawrence had 
 not returned, and it was supposed that he had been re- 
 called as he had anticipated. 
 
 Before the week was over, Dabney and Barker were 
 convinced that they must look elsewhere for " moon- 
 shine" and rewards. They parted from their jovial 
 hosts with genuine regret, declaring that the few days 
 spent in their company had been a delightful event in 
 their lives. The Invincibles accompanied them to Red- 
 Keg, where Barker found a note from Lawrence which 
 read as follows : 
 
 "Nothing can be accomplished by remaining here 
 now. I am going further up into the woods, where I 
 hope to be more successful. Will see you later." 
 
 That was all. 
 
 The same evening the train took away two detec- 
 tives, completely outwitted, not knowing what move to 
 make next, but bound for Saginaw, from which place 
 they would plan a new start. They scarcely concealed 
 their discomfiture, and the Invincibles were jubilant 
 accordingly.
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 "THANK goodness, we have gotten rid of that gang 
 of spies. I was afraid they would give us more trouble 
 than they did, don't you know," exclaimed Sam, as the 
 four Invincibles met again in their snug quarters on 
 Mystic Isle, the day following the departure of Dabney 
 and Barker from Red-Keg. 
 
 "That's a fact, they were easy," replied Seward. 
 "They have gone off, I'll venture to say, prepared 
 to give us the best of reputations 'to whom it may 
 concern.' " 
 
 " Don't be too sure," broke in Walt. " They were 
 almost too easy to suit me. It may be a bluff. I hope 
 we have seen the last of them, but it will do no harm 
 to be on the lookout, and go slow with the Mystic 
 Brand for a while." 
 
 " It's all very well to talk about going slow," re- 
 marked Billy, " but we need the money. We have been 
 doing nothing for the past week, and we can't afford to 
 remain idle. Since the old man reduced my allowance, 
 this is my principal source of income. I don't look for 
 any further interference from the reward hunters, and 
 I vote to go ahead." 
 
 " Well, boys, you have all had your say ; now listen 
 to me. I have something else in mind that is more 
 important to me, don't you know, than all the moon- 
 shine that we can turn out in a year. I can't tell you 
 all the details just now, but I may want your help be- 
 fore long. Are you with me ? " queried Sam, earnestly. 
 
 181
 
 182 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " Well, you say it's more important to you. Where 
 do we come in ? We've always stuck together and I 
 guess we will now, if there's anything in it for all," said 
 Billy. 
 
 "That's the idea," agreed Walt; "mutual interest, 
 you know." 
 
 " Oh, it's not likely I'll forget those who stand by 
 me, even if it is a personal matter," replied Sam. " Be- 
 sides, it needn't interfere with our business here. I 
 merely want to be sure of your help if I should need it." 
 
 " What's your game, then ? " asked Seward, 
 
 " I can't give you all the particulars now," answered 
 Sam, " but to begin with, I may as well say that I have 
 set my heart on winning that little beauty, Norine 
 Maloney, for my wife." 
 
 "What are you talking about! She and Barney 
 O'Boyle have been in love with each other for years. 
 You haven't a ghost of a show there," exclaimed Sew- 
 ard, in astonishment. 
 
 " Now look here, my boy, don't you get a headache 
 on my account," replied Sam, somewhat nettled. " You 
 ought to know that I am not in the habit of going into 
 a thing without considering it beforehand, and what I 
 undertake I generally put through, don't you know. 
 As you say, Norine and Barney have been fooling 
 around together for a long time too long nothing 
 has come of it. That big calf of an Irishman don't 
 know enough to come to an understanding with the 
 girl, and she is more than likely to get tired of waiting 
 for such a dullard and be only too glad to take a gen- 
 tleman who has gumption enough to ask her, and I 
 flatter myself that she could do worse than to accept 
 the emperor of this fair island." 
 
 "How about my cousin?" inquired Seward, with
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 183 
 
 rising anger. "She has shown a decided preference 
 for you herself for the past year or two, and it was 
 understood some time ago that there was an under- 
 standing between you. The rest of us boys think you 
 are very lucky in having such a pretty girl at your 
 beck and call. Surely you do not mean to give her the 
 cold shoulder ? " 
 
 " Nonsense ! " exclaimed Sam, uneasily. " Lettie's a 
 nice girl, but she hasn't any claim on me. I may have 
 paid her some attentions, but I don't see how that pre- 
 vents me from choosing another girl for my wife if I 
 like. You are not likely to object very much. I know 
 you would be only too glad to get Lettie yourself. 
 Just now she seems to be completely taken up with 
 that school and pack of ragamuffins of hers. I have 
 more than one reason for preferring Norine, and my 
 mind is made up to have her." 
 
 " If she will have you. I suppose that side of the 
 question is worth considering," said Seward, flushing 
 with annoyance. "It is the general impression that 
 the young lady considers your room slightly more de- 
 sirable than your company." 
 
 " I don't care that for the 'general impression,' " cried 
 Sam, snapping his fingers. " Do you suppose I am go- 
 ing to allow that lanky Irish farmer, or a girl's silly 
 whim, or a 'general impression' to stand in my way? 
 However, it may require a little manoeuvring. I have 
 a plan by which Lettie can help me. If that fails, I 
 may call upon my friends, the Invincibles." 
 
 "What deviltry are you up to, I should like to 
 know ? " broke in Walt. " I don't see what the Invin- 
 cibles have got to do with your love affairs, anyway." 
 
 " Explain yourself a little more fully, Sam," said 
 Seward, quietly.
 
 1 84 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " What's the use, if you're all against me ? " snapped 
 Sam. "We may as well dissolve partnership right 
 now, if it has come to that." 
 
 "Not at all," said Seward, still controlling himself; 
 " we haven't declared against you ; we merely want to 
 hear your plan. We can't go into a thing of this kind 
 blind. What is it you propose to do and what do you 
 want us to do ? " 
 
 Sam hesitated a moment and glanced doubtfully at 
 one after another of his three companions. He dis- 
 trusted them ; yet he feared to admit his distrust by 
 refusing to confide in them. Presently he said : 
 
 " I may not have to ask anything of you, after all. 
 I have an idea I can work things around my own way 
 by the use of a little diplomacy. I know Norine doesn't 
 care for me that is, at present but perhaps I can 
 make her. It is devilish unpleasant to think that stu- 
 pid Irishman can always stand in my way. He must 
 be made to give her up, or she to give him up I don't 
 care which. Lettie can help me, if, as you say, she is 
 at my beck and call, and is willing to sacrifice her own 
 feelings a little for my wishes. She can make herself 
 fascinating enough if she likes, and is something of a 
 coquette if she hasn't forgotten it. Why shouldn't 
 she try her wiles on Barney for a change. Of course 
 v ll have to put her up to it somehow. If that pans 
 jut, and he should appear to neglect Norine, my chances 
 with the latter will increase, though, of course, I don't 
 want Lettie to suspect that part of it. Then, if all goes 
 well, I won't have to bother you fellows at all ; but I 
 am determined to put the thing through in any event, 
 and I want to feel that, if need be, I shall have you to 
 fall back on. Let's settle it now; can I count on you 
 or not ? "
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 185 
 
 " Villain !" muttered Walt under his breath; but 
 Sam's eyes were on Seward, and he did not notice the 
 expression of disgust on Walt's face. 
 
 " Well, I've got this to say, so far as I'm concerned," 
 said Seward, harshly ; " in the first place I don't believe 
 you can carry that very pretty scheme through. It's 
 not a small matter to trifle with the affections of one 
 girl, to say nothing of two. Lettie will hardly consent 
 to be your tool in any such business not if I know 
 her. You may get her to do a good deal i* "ou lie 
 cleverly enough, and I do not question your ability in 
 that direction ; but for all she is so devoted to you, she 
 is a proud little woman and will not stand to be hu- 
 miliated or insulted. In the second place, my advice 
 to you is to make the most of the business we are in as 
 long as you can. It is what we came together for, and 
 is the only thing that will keep us together here. I 
 imagine Walt and Billy will not care to stay out in this 
 neck o' the woods just to help you in your love affairs 
 and dirty private schemes. In the third place, I con- 
 sider your proposed treatment of my cousin Lettie, to 
 say nothing of Norine and Barney, as scoundrelly and 
 cowardly in the extreme, and I'll be shot before I'll 
 have anything to do with it." 
 
 Sam sprang to his feet, his face purple with rage and 
 his fists clenched. The other boys also sprang up 
 hastily, and for a moment a fight seemed imminent ; 
 but Sam counted the forces against him and decided 
 that as they might be three to one, it would be better 
 to avoid a personal encounter. 
 
 " Hang it all, Seward ! " he snarled, " what do you 
 mean by such insolence ? I won't take it from you nor 
 anyone else. It's come to a pretty pass when you can 
 preach to me about what I ought and ought not to
 
 1 86 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 do. I wouldn't have said a word about my plans, only 
 I thought we were sworn friends, ready to help each 
 other in everything, and lo and behold, you flunk and 
 play the baby act at the very first " 
 
 "Hold on, Sam," interrupted Walt. "There's no 
 baby act about it. I agree with Seward in every word 
 he said. This isn't a matter the Invincibles want to 
 be mixed up in. We may be criminals in Uncle Sam's 
 eye, because we don't share our profits with him, but 
 there are two ways of looking at that. This job of 
 yours is very different, and I confess the thought of it 
 turns my stomach, although I'm not especially inter- 
 ested in either of the young ladies. If you want to 
 hold the corporation together, I advise you to see when 
 you're outvoted and let personal interests go when 
 they interfere with those of the concern." 
 
 Sam scowled and kicked viciously the head of a 
 wildcat which glared at him from among the skins on 
 the floor of the cave. He was rapidly turning the sub- 
 ject over in his mind, and in a few moments replied 
 sulkily : 
 
 " Oh, very well ; if you're all so hot over it, we'll call 
 it off and say no more about it, though I don't see why 
 you should be so squeamish all of a sudden. I suppose 
 we'll have to stick to business this winter, spies or no 
 spies, and get in some money. If you only knew it, I 
 have had a better eye to business than you gave me 
 credit " 
 
 Sam stopped suddenly. He had put his hand into 
 his inside pocket while speaking, then into his other 
 pockets in rapid succession. 
 
 " What is the matter ? " exclaimed Billy. " You are 
 as white as a sheet, Sam. I declare you are really 
 trembling."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 187 
 
 "I oh, nothing. That is I think I have lost 
 something. Excuse me, I will look around my bunk," 
 and Sam, greatly agitated, hurried off to another of the 
 group of caves which formed their remarkable estab- 
 lishment. 
 
 " There's a nigger in the wood-pile somewhere," said 
 Walt. " Sam has not unbosomed himself as fully as 
 he might. I only hope he won't get us entangled in 
 more than our contract calls for." 
 
 Billy Axford had taken very little part in the heated 
 discussion aroused by Sam's astonishing proposal. 
 
 Later in the day, however, he found opportunity to 
 speak to Sam alone, and recurred to the subject con- 
 fidentially. 
 
 " I didn't see that anything could be gained by caus- 
 ing a split," he said, "so I kept quiet; but if there's 
 any money to be made in working the scheme you 
 have in mind, just count on me for any help you may 
 want. The gov'nor don't like my staying out here in- 
 stead of sitting at a desk in his office, and when he 
 wrote reducing my allowance for this year, he inti- 
 mated in no gentle terms that if I stay out here after 
 this winter there'll be no allowance at all, so it's make 
 or break with me or else go home like the prodigal 
 son." 
 
 Sam seized his friend's hand enthusiastically. Here 
 was unexpected help. 
 
 "Thanks, old fellow!" he exclaimed. "It'll be 
 1 make ' this time. If we put this thing through, I'll 
 line your pockets well, and we needn't let the others 
 in at all. If it comes to a pinch they will have to stand 
 for their share whether they like it or not." 
 
 As the winter wore on, the Invincibles applied them- 
 selves to their business with more industry than ever.
 
 1 88 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Their "hunting and trapping" trips were more fre- 
 quent and protracted, and to keep up appearances they 
 began to despoil their lodge in the woods and even 
 their island caves of some of the accumulated pelts in 
 order to make a display of bringing them to market. 
 
 In all of this activity Sam bore his share with less 
 and less regularity. Night and day he puzzled his 
 brain for some means to cause an estrangement be- 
 tween Barney and Norine. He went out of his way to 
 make himself agreeable to the unsuspecting girl, and 
 showed her parents more courtesy and attention than 
 he had ever done before. He took especial care that 
 Barney should not notice his behavior for fear it might 
 spur him on to declare himself. Moreover, Sam re- 
 newed his attentions to Lettie, who, in spite of her 
 school work, had been unable to overcome her infatua- 
 tion, as some of her friends regarded it, for Farmer 
 Hawkins's son. She was overjoyed at what she 
 thought was his reawakened love, little dreaming that 
 he merely-sought to assert his influence over her suffi- 
 ciently to bend her to his wishes. Whenever he could 
 contrive it on one pretext or another, he brought Lettie 
 and Barney together and made sure that Norine should 
 hear an exaggerated version of the meeting. He hardly 
 dared to ask Lettie outright to attempt anything like a 
 wilful flirtation with the young Irishman, preferring to 
 accomplish his purpose, if possible, without revealing 
 his hand. He found his task harder than he had antici- 
 pated, though Barney's natural gallantry and his frank 
 friendliness toward Lettie, as Norine's friend, helped 
 the plot not a little. After Barney had been trapped 
 several times into taking Lettie to her home from the 
 Hawkins farm in the evening, and once from her 
 school, Sam had the satisfaction of seeing unmistakable
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 189 
 
 signs of trouble and resentment in Norine's manner 
 when told of the affairs. Without apparently intend- 
 ing to do so, Sam succeeded in conveying to her mind 
 the interpretation suited to his purpose. In the ab- 
 sence of an understanding between Barney and Norine, 
 neither felt like calling for or giving an explanation, 
 but Norine did not come so frequently to see Mother 
 Hawkins, and the dear, loving heart began to wonder 
 and grow sad. Her health had been failing for some 
 time, and she needed more than ever the sustaining 
 power of filial love. 
 
 Spring was approaching, and Sam grew impatient. 
 Norine's doubt concerning Barney did not seem to pro- 
 duce any kindlier feeling toward Sam. She began to 
 connect all her trouble with him, and, without under- 
 standing the reason for it, to fear him and shun him. 
 He determined on a bold stroke. The last dance of 
 the season would be held at Sixteen, Saturday, May 
 6th. If he could arrange it so that Lettie should go 
 with Barney, or, at the least, so that Norine should be- 
 lieve they were going together, he might take advan- 
 tage of her pique and take her to the dance himself 
 and settle things that night. Lettie would have to help 
 him whether she liked it or not, and the sooner it was 
 understood the better. 
 
 After considerable thought he contrived what seemed 
 to him a plausible argument intended to convince Lettie 
 of the necessity of her going to the dance with Barney ; 
 but when he explained it to her she refused indignantly 
 and then burst into tears. She pleaded that Barney 
 cared nothing for her; that he was devoted to Norine, 
 and would wish to take her; that Norine was her 
 best friend and she could not think of offending her; 
 that what Sam proposed would be dishonorable, and,
 
 igo THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 moreover, might subject her to suspicion and humili- 
 ation. 
 
 Sam broke in upon her protestations and insisted 
 that Norine and Barney were out ; that Barney would 
 be only too glad to take her, and Norine wouldn't care ; 
 that he was giving up his own hoped-for pleasure in 
 taking her, because special reasons of great importance 
 to him required that she should go with Barney. She 
 should know all in good time. If she cared anything 
 about pleasing him, she would yield her preferences, 
 this once, as he had, and make sure of doing as he re- 
 quested. It might take a little time to arrange, but 
 she could do it if she had a mind to use her cleverness 
 a little to accomplish the desired result. After the 
 thing was over, he would reward her in a way she 
 would like best. 
 
 With sophistry and flattery and promises he so con- 
 fused the poor girl that before she realized what she 
 had done she agreed to attempt the task from which 
 her soul revolted. Her mission was foredoomed to 
 failure, and she knew it, yet she persisted hopelessly. 
 As the time for the dance drew near, she contrived to 
 speak of it often, and let fall numerous remarks to the 
 effect that Norine was planning to go with Sam Haw- 
 kins. One day, after calling attention to the fact that 
 Sam's arrangement to take Norine left herself and 
 Barney without companions, she asked him if he would 
 not like to take her, and rinding that he did not respond 
 with alacrity, she begged him to let her go with him 
 to show the others that they were not limited to one 
 companion. 
 
 Barney was puzzled and embarrassed. He admired 
 Lettie for her beauty and vivacity, and for her devoted 
 work among the children of her school, but he was
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 191 
 
 unwilling for more reasons than one to accede to the 
 proposition she had made. At last he told her bluntly 
 but kindly that he was very much flattered by her will- 
 ingness to go to the dance with him, but that if he 
 could not take the girl of his choice, whom he had been 
 expecting to take, he would go alone. 
 
 Poor defeated Lettie could only implore him not to 
 tell any one that she had been so unmaidenly as to ask 
 him to take her, and then hasten away to drown her 
 humiliation in tears in the privacy of her room. 
 
 The meeting with Sam the following afternoon on 
 her way home from her school was a bitter experience 
 for the proud girl. When she told him of her defeat 
 and added that Barney would surely ask Norine to go 
 with him when he discovered the truth of the matter, 
 Sam flew into a rage, and made the girl who had humili- 
 ated herself in the effort to serve him, the victim of his 
 wrath. The interview was brief and bitter. 
 
 Lettie stood still for some minutes after Sam had 
 gone, her breath coming in short sobs, and her cheeks 
 alternately paling and flushing. A struggle was going 
 on in her heart between the love which dwelt there su- 
 preme, and a stranger which came to wrest it from 
 its throne. The sun was sinking toward the western 
 forest. The unhappy girl looked down the road in the 
 direction Sam had taken, and then, turning, fled to her 
 room and gave way to passionate tears. 
 
 Sam was boiling with wrath, as he strode along the 
 road to the village. He saw his cherished schemes 
 threatened with defeat. Nothing but desperate meas- 
 ures could win for him now. He inferred from what 
 Lettie had told him that Norine still thought Barney 
 was planning to take her rival to the dance. If any- 
 thing was to be done it must be done quickly. He
 
 192 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 would make a last attempt with the girl himself, be- 
 fore she had a chance to come to an understanding 
 with her Irish lover. As he neared Red-Keg he saw 
 Norine coming up the road alone, Now or never, he 
 thought.
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 " LET up, you Irish devil ! Let up, I say f Do you 
 want to murder me ? " 
 
 " Begorra, no ! Murderin' is not in my line, me boy. 
 I've given ye less than ye desarve, but if ye're sorry 
 for what ye done, git up and apologize to the lady like 
 a man." 
 
 " I'll see you in first ! " snarled Sam, springing 
 
 to his feet and whipping out a revolver. Before he 
 could pull the trigger, however, the brawny fist of 
 Barney O'Boyle flashed out and sent him measuring 
 his length again in the mud of the road. 
 
 " So that's it, is it, me foine college-brid gintleman ? 
 Faith, ye're whipped an' don't know it. We must lave 
 no grounds for unsartinty this time," and heedless of 
 Sam's howls and curses Barney rolled him over on his 
 face in the mud, and seizing a stout switch from the 
 roadside began to apply it vigorously to the back and 
 legs of the prostrate man. 
 
 " Oh, Barney, please let Mr. Hawkins go now. I 
 think he is sorry, and surely you have punished him 
 enough." 
 
 " Well, well, Miss Norine, if you intersade for the 
 man as has insulted and threatened ye, I reckon I'll 
 have to let him go, but first we must put that shooter 
 where it can't go off." 
 
 As he stooped to secure the revolver which lay on 
 the ground near Sam, the latter suddenly drew up his 
 feet and aimed a vicious kick at Barney's face, only 
 13 *93
 
 194 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 missing it by a hand's breadth as Barney dodged to one 
 side. 
 
 " Ha, ha ! but that was meant well, if it did miss. 
 If it's kickin' ye would try, ye'd better practise up a 
 bit. Ye might employ Pete's old mule for a teacher 
 while he's not workin'," and Barney laughed mockingly 
 as he still held Sam down in the mud, while he picked 
 up the revolver and threw it over the fringe of bushes 
 into the river about fifty feet from the road. 
 
 " I promised Norine to let ye go, but, begorra, yer 
 face is so dirty with the mud, and yer blood is so hot 
 with wicked feelin's that I'm a mind to give ye a dip in 
 the Tittabawassee to clane the one an' cool the other." 
 
 Lifting Sam Hawkins to his feet, with a quick mo- 
 tion Barney caught both of his arms, pinned them be- 
 hind his back, and rushed him through the bushes down 
 to the river's edge. Then kicking his feet from under 
 him by a skilful twist, he rolled the thoroughly beaten 
 man into the cold water. 
 
 " Now, me r)oy, I'm through with ye. Swim around 
 a bit an' cool off, or go home an' hang yerself up to 
 dry. I'll lave the decision to yerself, while I see Miss 
 Norine home," and Barney rejoined the frightened girl 
 in the road. 
 
 "I'm not through with you, Barney O'Boylel" 
 shouted Sam, as he crawled out of the water. " By the 
 eternal, you shall suffer for this ! " and instead of turn- 
 ing in the direction of his home, Sam started off at a 
 rapid pace for Red-Keg. 
 
 " Come, Norine, it's time for the likes of you to be 
 home. There's a good two miles yet to walk an' yer 
 mother will worry her dear heart out of her mouth if 
 ye're not home before dark." 
 
 "Oh, Barney, I'm so afraid Sam will seek revenge
 
 " SWIM AROUND A BIT AN' COOL OFF, OR GO HOMK AN* HANG 
 YERSELF UP TO DRY."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 195 
 
 on you for this afternoon. He is not one to forget 
 such a beating as you gave him ! " 
 
 " An' the longer he remembers it, the better for him 
 an' for you. He'll not be so likely to annoy you with 
 his attintions. As for meself, I'm thinkin' I'll be a 
 match for him if he wants to try another bout." 
 
 " It is not that, that I am afraid of, Barney. You are 
 more than a match for him in a fair fight ; but he may 
 resort to underhanded means to be revenged. Sam 
 would not stop at anything, however dishonorable, I 
 am afraid, to gain his purpose." 
 
 "There, now, Norine, don't you be after troublin' 
 yer pretty head. Barney O'Boyle will carcumvent the 
 rascal if he tries any dirty tricks. By the way, Norine, 
 I have a bit of news for ye that's been spilin' for the 
 tellin', an' I might as well " 
 
 Barney stopped suddenly, looked up and down the 
 road, cleared his throat, took off his hat, brushed his 
 hair up from his forehead with one hand, put on his 
 hat again, glanced sideways at Norine, and then walked 
 on in silence. 
 
 Meanwhile Norine looked at him with her bright 
 eyes wide open in expectancy which soon changed to 
 surprise at Barney's silence. 
 
 "News, Barney? For me? Well, why don't you 
 tell it to me ? I'm waiting." 
 
 " Well, you see, Norine, I that is don't you see, I 
 faith, Norine, I'll tell ye this avenin' after supper." 
 
 " Now, Barney ! Why can't you tell me at once ? I 
 shall die of curiosity if you don't," and Norine lifted 
 her rosy face beseechingly to that of the stalwart 
 young farmer by her side, and pulled on his sleeve with 
 a teasing and at the same time caressing touch that 
 made the young man's blood tingle.
 
 196 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " Sure, Norine, who could resist ye ? Will ye be so 
 smilin', I'm wonderin', after ye hear the news ? It's 
 just this. I was thinkin' I mean, I thought, maybe 
 Howly Saints! what was that?" Barney jumped 
 suddenly, as a dismal " Hoo Hoo ! Hoo Hoo ! " 
 sounded from the woods that lined one side of the road. 
 
 " Pshaw, Barney ! that was only an owl." 
 
 " So it was, the varmint ! I must be narvous. By 
 the way, Norine, are ye goin' to the dance at Sixteen 
 to-morrow three weeks ? " 
 
 " I don't know yet. Why ? " 
 
 " Well, I heerd ye were goin' with Sam. I'm thinkin' 
 ye'll not do that same after what happened this after- 
 noon ? " 
 
 Barney looked quizzically at his pretty companion, 
 and a grin struggled with the anxious look in his honest 
 eyes. 
 
 " Who in the world said I was going with Sam, I 
 should like to know ? Me go to the dance with Sam 
 Hawkins? Well, I guess not, indeed!" and Norine 
 gave her shoulders a little shrug of disgust, and then 
 broke into a merry laugh. 
 
 " Surely, you didn't believe a word of that, Barney ? 
 I have detested that man for some time, and after to- 
 day I fear him. It is too bad, but I'm afraid he is 
 breaking his dear father's and mother's hearts. But 
 who told you I was going with Sam, Barney ? " 
 
 " Lettie said as how you were goin' with him, least- 
 wise, that he wanted ye to, an' she thought ye would." 
 
 " Lettie is mistaken. Perhaps Sam told her a false- 
 hood. She likes him so well herself that she imagines 
 every one else does, and she can't understand why I do 
 not. I have never told her my reasons, because it 
 would only hurt her, and she is a dear good girl. She
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 197 
 
 is blind to Sam's faults, and cares more for him than 
 he deserves ; but she is a charming companion, and I 
 suppose you will have a nice time with her at the dance, 
 won't you ? " 
 
 There was a slight quaver in Norine's voice, although 
 she strove to conceal it. 
 
 " Ye'r jokin', Norine! I never went to a dance with 
 Lettie in me life, an' I'm not likely to. She's a swate 
 girl an' all that, but if I can't take the one of me choice, 
 faith, I'll take no one," and the decision manifest in 
 Barney's voice left no uncertainty as to his intentions. 
 
 " Whom are you going to take, then ? " asked Norine, 
 her words exhibiting a great deal more curiosity than 
 she really felt. She did not look at Barney as she 
 waited for the answer. 
 
 "Sure, it'll be no one unless it's yerself," replied 
 Barney; then he added, "I'll borrow Rock and the 
 buckboard, an' the trip will be nice an' asy. I'm 
 thinkin' there'll be a full moon, an* barrin* rain, the 
 road will be middlin' dacint. It's the last dance for the 
 sasen, an' we don't want to miss it. Ye'll go, Norine ? " 
 
 " Yes, since you are not going to take Lettie, I will 
 go with you, and be pleased ; but is that the news that 
 you were going to tell me, Barney ? " 
 
 "Well, not exactly; that is why, here we are at 
 your gate, Norine, darlint, an' it's supper-time. The 
 news can wait until '* 
 
 " No it can't, Barney. It may be something I would 
 like to tell the folks. Why not let me have it now ? " 
 
 "Faith, Norine, it consarns only yerself an' me. 
 It's just this, darlint, I love ye, an' I want ye for me 
 own little wife. Norine, tell me why, what on airth 
 are ye laughin' at ? " 
 
 "Why, Barney! that's not news. I've known that
 
 I 9 8 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 for ever so long," and Norine tried to hide the blushes 
 that swept over her pretty face by laughing merrily. 
 
 " Ye don't say ! Who tould ye ? " exclaimed Barney, 
 hardly knowing whether to be pleased or provoked. 
 
 " Why, you have told me yourself hundreds of times, 
 in every tone of your voice and every glance of your 
 eyes. You told me again this afternoon when you de- 
 fended me so bravely against Sam Hawkins yet I 
 am glad to hear you tell it to me now, Barney," and 
 Norine looked up frankly into the blushing face of the 
 manly swain, who had been taken so much by surprise 
 by her unexpected reception of his avowal. 
 
 " God bless you, Norine, darlint ! I thought it would 
 be news to ye. But maybe you have ahem have ye 
 any any news for me, swateheart ? " Norine dropped 
 her eyes from his face. Her head drooped lower and 
 lower, and the rich blood came and went in her sweet 
 face and neck. She stood silently twisting her bonnet 
 strings for what seemed to Barney a long time. At 
 last, his boldness returning as hers seemed to be wan- 
 ing, he reached out one big brawny hand and took pos- 
 session of one of her little ones. Still the silence con- 
 tinued. He gathered in the other little hand ; then he 
 drew her nearer, and a strong arm stole around her 
 shoulder. 
 
 " Look up, little swateheart, an' tell me the news, the 
 blessed news, if ye have any for me." 
 
 A sly glance, another blush, and then the answer 
 came, in a voice so low that Barney had to bend his 
 head closer to hers to hear. 
 
 " It wouldn't be much more like news than yours 
 was, because because I've loved you almost as long 
 as you have loved me." 
 
 The sweet confession ended in almost a whisper.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 199 
 
 Barney's face was very close to her as he listened. 
 Just the least upward turn of the rosy face below his 
 was it an invitation, or only a permission ? He never 
 stopped to consider, but took quickly what the gods 
 put within the reach of his lips. Then, with a sudden 
 movement, and a whispered "Come after supper," 
 Norine had freed herself and was flying away to the 
 house, leaving Barney standing in the road trembling 
 with his happiness.
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 THERE are some fires which water will not quench. 
 The blaze in Sam's breast had grown into a conflagra- 
 tion as he crawled out of the Tittabawassee and con- 
 tinued his interrupted way to Red-Keg. 
 
 " I'll be even with that Irishman, and pay the 
 
 score with interest," he snarled between his teeth. 
 " And that hussy who flies to his arms for protection 
 I'll bring her off her high and lofty perch before 
 she's many days older. They shall both rue this day's 
 work. What would the boys say if they were to catch 
 me in this fix ? Just wait a bit ; my time'll come soon." 
 
 Blinded by his rage, and wholly occupied with his ugly 
 thoughts, he hurried along the road, utterly oblivious 
 of everything else, until suddenly glancing up he found 
 himself almost face to face with Robert Allen, who was 
 walking rapidly toward him. Without stopping for a 
 moment to think what he should do ; without respond- 
 ing in any way to the minister's hearty greeting and 
 anxious inquiry, Sam turned and dashed into the woods 
 at the side of the road and ran and scrambled through 
 the trees and underbrush as if in mortal fear for his 
 life. For several minutes he kept up his wild flight re- 
 gardless of direction, until at last, becoming aware that 
 he was not pursued, he sank trembling upon a bank of 
 moss, his heart thumping in his breast painfully. The 
 minister ! Of all men the one he wanted least to see. 
 And why ? Why had he instinctively fled from the 
 man who was probably the best friend he had in the 
 
 200
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 201 
 
 world ? Like a flash he recalled the minister's words 
 and looks a year and a half ago, when he had talked to 
 him after saving his life. He had told Sam that he 
 loved him. What other man, even his father, had ever 
 told him that ? Yet Sam dreaded the very sight of 
 him. Yes, as he sat there trembling in the gloom of 
 the forest, he almost felt that he hated him. Why had 
 he come along just in time to see him in such a predica- 
 ment ? Why did his tender and entreating words per- 
 sist in plaguing Sam ? He ground his teeth in wrath, 
 and choked back fiercely the still small voice that had 
 suddenly made itself heard for a moment in his inmost 
 heart. He deliberately turned his mind again to Bar- 
 ney and fanned his vengeful rage into a blaze again. 
 
 With some difficulty he found his way back to the 
 road and turned again toward Red-Keg, keeping a 
 sharp lookout against further undesirable meetings. 
 When he reached the village, shortly before dark, he 
 hastened at once to Pete's and put on a dry suit of 
 clothes, borrowed from the saloon-keeper, while his 
 own were dried before the fire. While waiting about 
 the place, and repeating to first one and then another 
 curious questioner a lying account of Barney's attack 
 upon him, he caught sight of Jim Gyde coming out of 
 Jake Vogel's store. At first he paid no attention to 
 him, but a moment later an idea took possession of him, 
 and he went to meet the tall young lumberman. 
 
 Sam's contempt for and indifference to the people 
 among whom he lived had caused him to remain igno- 
 rant of many things concerning them which were mat- 
 ters of common knowledge throughout the region, and 
 this ignorance now led him into a humiliating blunder. 
 He remembered Jim Gyde as one of the most reckless 
 and lawless of the boys in the Midland school when he
 
 202 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 himself had attended there. He had heard once or 
 twice since then of Jim's scrapes, and he had been told 
 of the terrible thrashing the fellow had received the 
 day Lettie and the other girls graduated. Whenever 
 Sam had seen him, he had been vaguely impressed with 
 his size, his strength, and his generally forbidding ap- 
 pearance. He assumed that he was the same kind of 
 a man now, and just as ready for mischief. Perhaps 
 he would be just the one to enlist in Sam's plan of re- 
 venge. The fact that Jim might be one of Barney's 
 friends never occurred to him. He accosted the young 
 man, much to the latter' s surprise, and with a jocose 
 reminder of old school-days, which Jim received in 
 silence, he asked him to walk down toward the river a 
 little way, as he had something particular to tell him. 
 As Jim wonderingly complied, Sam told his version of 
 the trouble with Barney, and asked Jim to help him 
 "get square with the Mick." Jim listened with a curi- 
 ous expression in his face, which the gathering dark- 
 ness hid from his companion. 
 
 " An' what can I do ? " he asked. " Have you any- 
 thin' in mind ? " 
 
 " Well, not exactly, don't you know," replied Sam. 
 "I thought you'd be a match for him in anything, 
 almost. But say, they're going to break the rollway 
 soon, ain't they? You'll both be there, I suppose. 
 Why not dump him in, or something ? " 
 
 Jim grunted nervously, and if Sam had been watch- 
 ing him closely he might have noticed a peculiar twitch- 
 ing of the long ringers which were suddenly drawn 
 from his capacious pockets. 
 
 " Do you happen to know, Mr. Sam Hawkins, that 
 to 'dump him in, or somethin', while the logs are rollin' 
 would mean that he'd git chawed up an* spread along
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 203 
 
 from here to Midland 'most as sure as we're standin' 
 here ? Is that your lay ? or do you jes' want to thump 
 him an' call it square ? " Jim leaned forward and peered 
 into Sam's face as he spoke. 
 
 " Oh, of course I didn't mean to ask you to kill him 
 outright," said Sam, rather taken back. " I thought a 
 good ducking and scare would serve him right for what 
 he did to me. If he got any more than that it would 
 be his own lookout. He pretends to be so smart on 
 the river." 
 
 " You sneakin', lyin' coward ! " cried Jim, giving way, 
 at last, to his wrath ; " you know right well what happens 
 nine times out of ten to any man who gits off his feet 
 in the rollway. You've picked up the wrong man this 
 time to do your dirty work. Hold on there ! " he ex- 
 claimed, grabbing Sam by the shoulder, as the latter was 
 turning hastily away. " I ain't through yet. You've 
 picked up the wrong man, as I was sayin', an' you 
 might have knowed it if you hadn't been too stuck on 
 yourself an' too busy doin' nothin' to notice anybody 
 else. I see I'll have to tell you that I ain't the Jim 
 Gyde you used to know. More'n a year back I turned 
 over a new leaf an' started in to be somebody an' be- 
 have like a man, an' it strikes me you better do the 
 same thing. I'm ashamed to talk to a man who's been 
 to college an' had the chances you've had, an' tell him 
 what he ought to do ; but if you don't look sharp, Mr. 
 Sam Hawkins, you'll git left back in the ruck, an' 
 rough chaps like me, who mean business, will git ahead 
 of you." 
 
 He loosened his grip on Sam's coat ; but as the latter 
 wrenched himself away, he sprang quickly forward and 
 seized him again. 
 
 " I forgot to tell you another thing," he said. " Bar-
 
 204 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 ney an' me are special friends. We've worked side by 
 side in rollways before, an' likely will in this one. I'll 
 keep my eyes peeled." With this parting shot, he let 
 the discomfited and angry plotter go. 
 
 Sam was fairly choking with shame and rage and 
 unable to make any retort to the tongue-lashing he had 
 received from one whom he had considered so greatly 
 his inferior. The thought of a lecture from the minis- 
 ter was bad enough, but that this coarse, ignorant 
 logger should presume to preach to him was in- 
 tolerable. Moreover, the truth in what he had said 
 stung Sam to the core. He hastened back to Pete's 
 and began to drink recklessly. As the fumes mounted 
 to his head he talked more and more loudly, heedless 
 of who might hear him. A stranger, clad in a loose 
 flannel shirt, and trousers tucked into high boots, sat 
 near the door. A short thick overcoat, a stout stick, 
 and a small bundle lay on the floor by his side. He 
 listened for a while to Sam's angry tirade against Bar- 
 ney, and presently, strolling up to the bar where Sam 
 stood, he said, confidentially : 
 
 " Look here, partner ; I used to know a young fellow 
 of that name some years ago. Wonder if it could be 
 the same. He played me a dirty trick, and I've been 
 biding my time ever since to get even." 
 
 Sam glared at the man for a moment, and then asked 
 rudely : 
 
 "How should I know?" 
 
 " It ought to be easy enough to tell if it's the same 
 one," replied the stranger. " The chap I knew, con- 
 found him, came from Ireland about eight or nine years 
 ago with a family by the name of Maloney. I met him 
 in New York soon after he landed, but he went West, 
 and I lost track of him."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 205 
 
 " He's the man all right," growled Sam, eyeing the 
 stranger with new interest. " He's here, just out of 
 the village, and I'd like to break his neck." 
 
 " Just what I've said myself many a time. Have one 
 on me," rejoined the stranger, calling Pete, who placed 
 a fresh bottle before them. 
 
 "What did he ever do to you?" asked Sam, as 
 he accepted the glass the stranger had filled for him, 
 but did not notice that he had forgotten to fill one for 
 himself. 
 
 " Oh, he that is I why I did him a kindness in 
 New York, nd he repaid it with the meanest trick I 
 ever had played on me. I don't like to talk about it," 
 he added, to explain his hesitation, " but if I could only 
 get hold of him again, I'd come sit down over in the 
 corner, my friend, where we can talk without being 
 heard, and we'll let our genial host here keep us sup- 
 plied with refreshments as we want them." 
 
 Sam yielded, glad to find any one with a grievance 
 against Barney who would listen sympathetically to his 
 story of wrongs and, perhaps to his plans for revenge. 
 His rage at Barney and at Jim Gyde, and the conflict- 
 ing emotions aroused by the sight of the minister, had 
 caused him to lose his self-control, and he drank more 
 freely than was his custom, growing more and more 
 confidential with his new friend at the same time. An 
 hour or so passed, and the stranger rose with a yawn. 
 
 " Guess our young friend ain't used to much indul- 
 gence," he remarked to Pete, with a laugh. " He seems 
 to be getting sleepy. Better let him bunk here if 
 you've got any room." 
 
 "That's all right; I'll 'tend to him," replied Pete. 
 " He kin hev the room he an' his pals hev used before. 
 He'll be all right in the mornin'."
 
 206 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 When morning came, however, Sam was far from all 
 right. His head ached, and he felt ugly clear through. 
 An important meeting of the Invincibles had been ap- 
 pointed for that morning at their regular rendezvous. 
 He was in no mind to go, but he feared what the other 
 boys might do in his absence, so he braced up as best 
 he could and started for the island. The Invincibles 
 were not in the most friendly state of mind when the 
 time for the meeting came and Sam had not arrived. 
 They waited impatiently until dinner-time. After din- 
 ner their displeasure began to find vent in remarks 
 that testified to Sam's waning prestige as leader. Yet 
 they had no choice for the present but to stick to- 
 gether. Shortly after dinner Sam's call was heard at 
 the south landing, and old blind Pomp, who had re- 
 placed his sight with some other mysterious and almost 
 equally serviceable sense, hastened off in the boat to 
 bring his young master to the island. In a few minutes 
 Sam entered the cave and threw himself down upon a 
 seat without a word of greeting, but looking tired and 
 ugly. 
 
 " What's up, old man ? You look as if you had been 
 trying to act as peacemaker between two gangs of 
 rivermen. Nothing wrong, I hope ? " inquired Seward 
 as cordially as possible. 
 
 " Everything's wrong, wrong as hell," growled Sam ; 
 but except for a fictitious account of his fight with 
 Barney, the boys failed to get anything from him in 
 explanation of his present mood or his intentions for 
 the future. The meeting was called to discuss plans 
 for getting more corn to the North Shore without 
 arousing suspicion, and increasing the output of " Mys- 
 tic Brand " to meet the large demands from the numer- 
 ous logging-camps where the men had finished their
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 207 
 
 spring cleaning up and were indulging in their usual 
 spree before resorting to the rollway. After the In- 
 vincibles had finished their deliberations, Sam, with a 
 cautious sign to Bill to join him in a few minutes with- 
 out letting the others know it, strolled off toward the 
 other end of the island. There the two young men re- 
 mained in earnest conversation for some time, after 
 which they separated and returned to the cave from 
 different directions. Already the Invincibles were "a 
 house divided against itself." 
 
 Lettie Green left her room Saturday morning under 
 the spur of a new resolution. There was something 
 she must know at once. The burden on her heart was 
 too heavy to carry alone. She sought out Norine, that 
 she might ask her the strange question which she be- 
 lieved could only be answered one way, yet which she 
 dreaded might bring another answer. Norine was 
 shocked at her friend's haggard face and swollen eyes, 
 and with a quick rush of sympathy she put her arms 
 around her and led her into the fields, where they could 
 be alone. 
 
 "Tell me all about it, dear," she said, soothingly. 
 
 "Norine," exclaimed Lettie, hysterically, "tell me 
 truly, do you love him ? Do you care the least bit for 
 him ? I don't believe it, but I must hear the truth 
 from your own lips," and she looked beseechingly into 
 the astonished eyes of her friend, and found that she 
 was blushing furiously. 
 
 " Why, Lettie, dear, how you surprised me. Whom 
 do you mean ? " 
 
 Lettie's face grew suddenly red, and her eyes dropped 
 before Norine's astonished gaze, as she said in a low 
 tone:
 
 208 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 "Sam." 
 
 "Sam Hawkins! How can you " began Norine, 
 with flashing eyes and a voice full of scorn ; then as 
 she saw her friend's look of pain and anxiety, she con- 
 tinued more softly, " No, Lettie, I certainly do not love 
 Sam in the very least. I fear him. You do not know. 
 Why do you ask, dear ? " 
 
 A look of relief struggled with the pain in the un- 
 happy girl's face as she replied: "I know you love 
 Barney, and God bless your love. He is worthy of it. 
 If only Sam . Oh, Norine, you do not know what 
 torture it is to love and remain unloved to love and 
 to know the one you love is unworthy to love and be 
 spurned, and still to love to feel your love turn to 
 hate, and then feel the hate melt away in the love that 
 will not quench to dishonor yourself for the sake of 
 that love, and know that you have gained nothing by 
 it after all. God help me I could not keep it to my- 
 self any longer." 
 
 Norine made no reply, but simply drew the heart- 
 broken girl closely in her arms and shed tears of sym- 
 pathy which were more eloquent than words.
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 THE early morning sun was shining through the tree- 
 tops ; the moist fragrance of spring rilled the air, and 
 forest birds were singing a welcome to sun and flowers. 
 There was something singing in Barney's heart, too, as 
 he strode along through the woods on the way to Red- 
 Keg. The song in his heart found expression in the 
 rhythm of his buoyant steps and the cheery whistle that 
 came from his lips. He had won his dear love. What 
 mattered all else in the world? His little rub with 
 Sam the previous afternoon was hardly worth a 
 thought, certainly not a regret. He had borne his own 
 indignities a long time patiently, for Uncle Si's sake, 
 and he was rather glad of an excuse to settle with Sam 
 on some one else's behalf. Besides, had it not supplied 
 just the spur his courage had needed to make the long- 
 deferred avowal to Norine? Now his heart was as 
 light as a bird, and he wondered why he had waited so 
 long. To commemorate the happy occasion he was 
 on the way to Red-Keg to look for a present for his 
 " swateheart." 
 
 Barney's progress toward the village and his blithe- 
 some whistle were suddenly interrupted by a rough 
 challenge : " Hold on, there, Barney O'Boyle ! Not so 
 fast ef ye please." 
 
 A tall, heavy-set man sprang into the road from be- 
 hind a large tree and barred the way. He was clad in 
 similar fashion to Barney, in rough flannel shirt and 
 long-legged cow-hide boots, and he carried a stout stick. 
 14 2og
 
 210 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Barney gazed at him a minute in astonishment, and 
 then broke into a hearty laugh. 
 
 " What on airth do ye mane, Tom Moore, by skarin' 
 the life out o' me like that ? Was ye waitin' for me ? " 
 
 " Thet's jes what I was, Barney. I arrest ye, in the 
 name o' the law," and big Tom Moore stepped nearer 
 and placed his hand on the other's shoulder. 
 
 Barney did not move a muscle, but stared into Tom's 
 face for several seconds before answering. He could 
 not imagine the cause of this strange act. He and 
 Tom Moore, the village constable, were bosom friends, 
 and he suspected a joke, but Tom Moore was not given 
 to playing practical jokes on his friends, so Barney 
 looked at him earnestly to make sure whether he was 
 in earnest. A tell-tale twinkle stole into the stern eyes 
 and quickly disappeared, but Barney saw it. 
 
 " An' what might ye be arrestin' me for, yer honor ? " 
 he asked, banteringly. 
 
 " Fer fellernously assaultin' an' attemptin' t:> murder 
 one Sam Hawkins to say nothin' o' givin' him a bath 
 in the Tittabawassee agin his will, an' with his cloze 
 on." 
 
 As Tom Moore finished stating his charge, his face 
 relaxed, a grin spread over it, and in a minute both he 
 and Barney were laughing aloud together. 
 
 " I couldn't keep it up, Barney," said Tom at last, in 
 quite a different tone from that which he had lately 
 assumed. "Folks that ain't got a guilty conscience 
 don't skair wuth a cent ; an' when ye saw through the 
 joke so easy, I had to give in. Sam made complaint 
 agin ye last night for tryin' to murder him, an' wanted 
 me to put ye in jail, but I laughed at him an' told him 
 I'd hear your story fust. Are ye goin' to the Keg^ 
 Ef so, I'll walk along with ye."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 211 
 
 "It's little story ye'll nade, I'm thinkin', Tom. Ye 
 know Sam Hawkins, an' ye know me, an' to come to 
 the pint, ye must have seen how Sam has been pester- 
 in' Miss Norine with his attintions. She's towld him 
 repatedly that she can dispinse with his company an' 
 not pine for the lack of it, but the rapscallion refuses to 
 take the hint, an' buzzes round her like a pesky horse- 
 fly. The more she won't, bedad, the more he will, an' 
 yisterday he had the impidence, consarn 'im, to waylay 
 her on the road and threaten her, sayin' he'd have her 
 whether she liked it or not. The brave little girl scorned 
 him, an' the varmint was makin' a grab for her, when 
 I made me ontray like a play-actin' hero. About that 
 same minit Sam Hawkins got taken weak in the knees, 
 or somewhere, kinder sviddint like, an' lay down in the 
 mud. Somethin' must have made the gintleman nar- 
 vous, for in two more minits he was foolin' with his pis- 
 tol, an' I thought it me duty to relave him of it for fear 
 he might think it wasn't loaded, an' hit somebody. 
 There bein' nothin' better for him to do just then he 
 lay down in the road agin ! Faith, it was a shame to 
 lave him go home all over mud, so what did I do, in 
 the kindness of me heart, but try to clane the mud 
 off with a stick, which same bein' not quite satisfac- 
 tory, I helped it out with the water of the Tittabawas- 
 see. The last I seen of him he was bathin' there quite 
 paceable." 
 
 " Ye done right, Barney, so far as I can see," de- 
 clared the constable, heartily, "but I'm afraid ye'll 
 hear from Sam in a way ye least expect. He's one to 
 nuss a grudge till doomsday, an' he's sworn to git even 
 with ye." 
 
 " Begorra, let him try it on when he fales the nade 
 of another bath," laughed Barney.
 
 212 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " It's not fightin' he'll try next time. Ye may rest 
 sure of that, Barney, an' ye'd best look out for his tricks. 
 He'll be up to some devilment, I'm afraid. He wuz 
 mad clean through las' night, an' made no bones 
 o* sayin' he hoped ye'd git kilt in the rollway nex' 
 week." 
 
 " In which same I'll decline the honor of obligin' him. 
 Ye better tell him to be keerful himself. I've noticed 
 that them as wish others harm are ginerally the fust to 
 git hurted." 
 
 " Thet's so, Barney, but he won't git hurt in the roll- 
 way, fer the very good reason that he won't be there ; 
 it's too much like work for him an' his pals. The 
 chances are they'll be off somewhere in the woods 
 doin' the devil knows what." 
 
 " It's true, ye are, Tom ; the b'y's not much good at 
 all. His college larnin's made him lazy, but he kapes 
 the devil busy findin' mischief fer his idle hands to do. 
 His good owld mother an' father are breakin' their 
 hearts for him, though he ain't wuth it." 
 
 " I seen Sam talkin' to a strange chap at Pete's las' 
 night," resumed Tom, " an' I didn't like the looks o' 
 the feller. He's never been roun' these parts before, 
 an' he came from nowhere. Fust anybody knowed he 
 was sittin' round in Pete's jes' as cool an' comftable 's 
 if he'd lived here all his life. When he heard Sam 
 lambastin' ye, he kinder jined in sympethetic like, an' 
 then he an' Sam sat down in a corner together an' was 
 talkin' kinder low an' quiet fer 'bout an hour. I kep' 
 my eye on 'em, though o' course I couldn't go near 
 enough to hear anythin'. The chap didn't leave until 
 Sam had drunk hisself pretty near under the table, an' 
 Pete had ter drag him up-stairs an' put 'im to bed." 
 
 The two friends had now arrived at the village of
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 213 
 
 Red-Keg, and Barney was on the point of excusing 
 himself to Tom in order that he might perform the 
 errand on which he had come to the village, when Tom 
 suddenly nudged him and remarked : 
 
 " See that dark-lookin' feller with the black whiskers, 
 talkin' to Pete? Thet's the chap Sam was chinnin' 
 with las' night. Let's see what he has to say." 
 
 " Mornin', Tom ; mornin', Barney," called out Pete 
 as he saw the newcomers approaching. " Let me in- 
 terjuce this here gentleman, Mr. Jim Lane, who came 
 to this metropulus to start a store. I've been tellin' 
 him 'tain't no use. One store an' one gin-mill is 'bout 
 all we need here jes now, an' sence he's seed the place, 
 he's come 'roun* to my way o' thinkin ' ; thet so, stran- 
 ger?" concluded Pete, turning to the man he had just 
 introduced 
 
 "It looks that way, indeed," assented Mr. Lane. 
 4 * I was led to suppose your town was larger. I think 
 I shall have to look elsewhere ; but I am glad to meet 
 you, gentlemen. What names, did you say ? " 
 
 "This here's Tom Moore, constable, an* t'other is 
 Barney O' Boyle, thet lives with Farmer Hawkins, three 
 miles up the road. Guess I forgot ter give ye their 
 hull names before," apologized Pete. 
 
 ^Lane extended his hand, and the others took it some- 
 what grudgingly Barney noticed that the stranger 
 eyed him more than once with peculiar interest. 
 
 " I am told that you expect to break the big rollway 
 in a few days. Is it much of a sight ? " asked Lane. 
 
 " Bet yer life ! " exclaimed Pete. " Biggest rollway 
 ever piled here or anywhere on airth. Ef ye ain't never 
 seen one, ye'll think it's a sight. They's nigh on seven 
 million feet o' logs down there now, an' some loads 
 ain't in yet. Besides that, they's other rollways along
 
 214 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 up the river for fifteen or twenty miles waitin' for the 
 freshet." 
 
 " That being the case, I think I'll stop and see the 
 job done, provided it will be soon. I can't wait more 
 than three or four days." 
 
 "They calc'late ter do it Monday, the I7th, or Tues- 
 day at the latest, an' to-day's Saturday, so ye'll not 
 have long ter wait. Ef ye're a mind ter, we'll go down 
 t' the river an' see it now." 
 
 Barney and Tom Moore consented to join them, 
 though ordinarily they had very little use for Pete's 
 company, and all four were soon at the place where the 
 great rollway was being filled in. The stranger exhib- 
 ited the liveliest interest at once as he saw the immense 
 pile of logs which reached from the high bank of the 
 river on one side, more than half-way to booms which 
 marked the edge of the mud flats on the opposite side, 
 and extended for a distance of over half a mile up the 
 river, and which was being heaped up by means of 
 skids until the top was twenty or thirty feet above the 
 higher bank and fully sixty feet above the water. 
 
 " Surely all those logs didn't come from hereabout ! " 
 he exclaimed. " And how in the world can their own- 
 ers tell them apart and separate them after the rollway 
 is broken ? " 
 
 " Them logs hev been comin' here all winter from all 
 pints o' the compass," began Pete, with great relish. 
 He was never so happy as when imparting information 
 or gossip to an interested listener. " Some fellers, 
 small lumbermen, settlers, an' the like, bring mebbe 
 one small load a day with the on'y ox-team they got. 
 Then agin they'll be the big operator thet sen's in a 
 dozen ox-loads, or mebbe a hull train-load from up the 
 line. Big an' little, all goes in together to make the
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 215 
 
 pile ye see. Every log is scaled an' branded on the 
 end before it goes in, an' every man kin tell his own 
 logs, when it comes ter siftin' 'em out at the booms 
 down the river." 
 
 " How do they start that great pile of logs moving ? 
 It looks to me as if nothing short of an earthquake 
 would do it." 
 
 "Wai, ye see, looks is deceivin'. What with the 
 river bein' swollen at this time o' year, an' nateral 
 tendency o' logs to roll, like as not one man kin do the 
 trick." 
 
 "One man! Surely you are joking," exclaimed 
 Lane. 
 
 " Fact, my friend ; but it's mighty resky. Thet pile 
 o' logs hes ter be started from the bottom, an' it ain't 
 no job for any man thet's skeery. Es I say, one man 
 migJit do the trick alone ef he got holt o' the right log 
 at the bottom, but more'n likely they'll be a dozen or 
 twenty at p'ints along the river, an' maybe they'll break 
 the railway in two or three sections. Anyhow, ye'll 
 see 'em go down there at the fut o' the pile o' logs, 
 squint along close ter the water, till they git their eyes 
 on the log thet looks ter be the lock fer the hull com- 
 bination ; then with peavies or cant-hooks they'll yank 
 the log out, an' the chances are thet before ye kin say 
 'Jack Robinson' more'n once, down comes a few thou- 
 sand logs, rollin', crash in', splashin', an mebby the hull 
 rollway is on the move." 
 
 " Wonderful ! " exclaimed Lane ; " but what on earth 
 becomes of the man who loosened the first log? I 
 should think he would be crushed to death in an 
 instant." 
 
 " Oh, he's used to it, an' " 
 
 " What ! used to being crushed to death ? "
 
 216 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " Course not ! used to breakin' rollways, an' he kin 
 most gener'ly look out fer hisself. Some o' the fellers 
 roun' here have broke so many thet they think no 
 more of it than eatin' their breakfas'. Barney, here, 
 is a cool han' at the job, an' like's not will be in this 
 one eh, Barney ? " and Pete turned a questioning eye 
 on the young Irishman. 
 
 " I'm thinkin' they'll want all the help they kin get, 
 an' ye'll be likely to see me there if me huntin' 
 ingagements will allow," assented Barney, grinning 
 suggestively. 
 
 Lane's interest seemed to increase, and he turned to 
 Barney as though on the point of speaking to him, but 
 instead he said to Pete : 
 
 " Do you mean to tell me that men can go down into 
 the river under that mountain of logs towering sixty 
 feet above them, loosen a key log here and there, which 
 lets the whole mighty mass down like an avalanche, 
 and yet escape with their lives ? " 
 
 "Yep; thet's right. I've seen Barney, here, an' 
 many another like him, go down under the front of a 
 rollway, pick out a suspicious log at the bottom, flop 
 his cant-hook 'round it, an' give it a yank as uncon- 
 cerned like as a dentist turn-key in' an obstrep'rous 
 tooth. With a crash an' a roar down comes the logs, 
 an' fust thing ye know, there is Barney hoppin' an' trip- 
 pin' on the rollin' logs, like the bareback rider in the 
 circus, till, when they hev stopped movin', he's standin' 
 on the logs at the top o' the heap, smilin' an' wavin' 
 his han's an' makin' his bow to the cheerin' public on 
 the bank!" 
 
 "That is certainly a marvellous feat!" declared 
 Lane ; " but are there not accidents often ? " 
 
 " Sometimes, but not so often as a stranger might
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 217 
 
 think. Las' spring, Moses Hawley was tryin* to break 
 the rollway. He got holt o' the right log, sure 'nuf, 
 but there ain't been nothin' seen o' him sence. Mebbe 
 ye'll see his widder thunder ! there she is now ; see 
 her walkin' along the river-bank up yonder es though 
 she war lookin' fer somethin' ? Poor critter, she's a 
 little gone in the head, an' she comes here every day, 
 rain or shine, lookin' fer Mose. Yer can't make her 
 b'lieve she won't find him some day." 
 
 " Let us hope she will," said Lane, quietly. Pete 
 laughed at what he thought was intended as a joke, but 
 Barney glanced at the stranger with a quick thrill of 
 surprise. 
 
 "Is there no other way to break the rollway? 
 Couldn't they fasten a rope to the key log and pull it 
 out ? " asked Lane. 
 
 " Nope. Rope's been tried, but it gets tangled with 
 the logs an' makes a jam. Onct I saw a yoke o' oxen 
 thet was haulin' on a rope get pulled in an' rolled into 
 jelly afore any one could cut the rope. The man-way's 
 the surest an' best." 
 
 " Why can't they " 
 
 " Hey, there, Pete ! The boys is breakin' loose up in 
 the Kag. Better come up before they's any broken 
 heads an' glass," and Bob Simons, the saloon roust- 
 about, after coming near enough to yell out this bit of 
 information to the proprietor of the Red Keg, turned 
 back to the scene of the scrimmage, Pete following in 
 a hurry. 
 
 " What's the trouble ? " asked Lane, addressing Bar- 
 ney. 
 
 " Faith, it's nothin' but two river teams been fillin' 
 up, an' gettin' frisky. They're after nnishin' their 
 work up the line, an' have a day off till the rollway is
 
 2i8 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 broken. Them teams are jealous, an' it's likely they 
 been disputin' which could do the biggest stunts. Once 
 they git at it, begorra, they're wuss than Kilkenny 
 cats, an' won't let up till every mother's son o' thim 
 is laid up for repairs. Pete's gone up to protict his 
 property." 
 
 " Why don't you go up there, Mr. Moore, and put a 
 stop to the row ? Some one may be killed. Aren't 
 you constable?" inquired Lane, evidently surprised at 
 the apparent indifference of the village officer. 
 
 " Ye don't understand the situation, my friend," re- 
 plied Tom Moore ; " but ye're right in sayin' some one 
 might be killed ef I mixed in. Those fellers don't 
 allow no interference in their little fun. The feller 
 thet tries to play peacemaker must make his will fust. 
 I'd as soon try to arrest a pack o' wolves as them river- 
 men when they're drunk an' ugly. They's only one 
 man in creation 't I know of thet kin go up against that 
 crowd an' not git hurt ; an' he ain't here." 
 
 " Who is he ? He must be a wonder, if they're as 
 bad as you say." 
 
 " Parson Allen ; he is a wonder," replied Tom. " He 
 knows every mother's son of 'em, an' kin handle 'em 
 like babies, drunk or sober ; but they ain't nobody else 
 kin go near 'em, an' he may be ten miles or more from 
 here." 
 
 " But suppose they should kill some one ? " persisted 
 Lane. 
 
 " Wai, 't wouldn't be much loss, ef 'twas one o' them- 
 selves, an' they don't bother the citizens o' the place, 
 ef the citizens don't interfere with them. The two 
 teams fight it out between themselves, an' when one 
 side licks, thet settles it, an' the victors stan' treat." 
 
 "Pete's turnin' the varmints out into the street,"
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 219 
 
 remarked Barney, pointing in the direction of the 
 saloon. 
 
 As he spoke, the sound of shouts and curses was 
 heard, and with a rush and a tumble the drunken, 
 fighting crowd shot out of Pete's place into the street 
 just ahead of the trio. Toques, smocks, boot-packs, 
 heads, heels, and fists were mixed in savage mette. A 
 heavy bottle was raised high in air and brought down 
 with murderous force upon the head of a drunken 
 brute. He went down like a polled ox. A rough boot- 
 heel, reinforced with nails and calks, was planted ruth- 
 lessly in his face. The fight was more than usually 
 fierce, and the opposing gangs seemed to be evenly 
 matched. 
 
 "That is downright brutish," exclaimed Lane, turn- 
 ing away in disgust. 
 
 " Yep, it is unpleasant, but ye can't do nothin' to 
 stop it, away out here in the lumber region," said Tom, 
 glancing at the stranger in some surprise that a man of 
 his appearance should be disturbed by a rivermen's 
 fight. " One hundred or so able-bodied citizens would 
 git the wust of it ef they interfered with them fighters, 
 so we let 'em have it out in their own way. It's only 
 when they git drunk thet they fight ! " 
 
 " Look at that, Tom, look ! " exclaimed Barney, sud- 
 denly. " Parson Allen's at them ! " 
 
 As he spoke, a violent eruption seemed to be taking 
 place in the dense crowd of struggling rivermen, and 
 as the writhing mass split open in the middle, the 
 sturdy figure of the backwoods minister emerged, drag- 
 ging two of the combatants by the collar. Placing 
 them beyond reach of each other, and speaking a few 
 quick, low words that seemed to galvanize them to the 
 spot, he sprang back into the mttte. With astonishing
 
 220 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 strength and disregard of the flying fists, bottles, and 
 stones, he grabbed two more of the brawlers and yanked 
 them away from the mob. He spoke to no one at first 
 except the men whom he had captured, and his words 
 to them could not be heard above the shouts and curses 
 of the fighters. Twice again he repeated his surpris- 
 ing assault upon the mob. Then, as the men began to 
 realize who it was that was interfering in their row at 
 the risk of his own life, a remarkable change took place. 
 Some of the rivermen slunk away shamefacedly. 
 Others seized those of their own party and compelled 
 them to stop fighting. As the noise grew less, the 
 minister was heard talking pleasantly, calling them 
 "my boys," and telling them they must stop such 
 " rough play " and save their prowess to wrestle with 
 the logs on Monday. The fight was over, and the 
 bruised and disabled were helped away almost before 
 the three men who had been watching from a distance 
 could realize what had happened. 
 
 " Wonderful ! " exclaimed Jim Lane, at last. 
 
 " Yes," remarked Tom Moore ; " thet's the man I jes' 
 told ye about the only man in the State of Michigan, 
 or anywhere else for thet matter, who could a'done 
 what ye seen jes' now."
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 JIM GTDE felt that he was indeed a new man. His 
 statement to Sam had been no idle boast. He was not 
 the Jim Gyde of a few years ago. All who knew him 
 had seen the change, and now he realized it himself. 
 A winter and spring of hard study, a summer of fann- 
 ing rendered more than usually strenuous by the effort 
 to gain as much time as possible for work at his books, 
 and then a full season of logging in Pete Murray's 
 camp, had wrought wonders for the young man. His 
 development surprised even the optimistic schoolmas- 
 ter, who, having settled the question with his con- 
 science, bent all his energies to the task of helping Jim 
 to make up for some of his wasted time. Robert 
 Allen, during his visits to Pete Murray's camp, noticed 
 the transformation that was taking place in the young 
 man and became greatly interested in him. An inti- 
 macy sprang up between them which gave the minis- 
 ter opportunity to arouse Jim's concern for the welfare 
 of his soul as well as of his mind and body. His whole 
 outlook on life was changed and broadened. In the 
 steadfast, unflinching working out of his own salvation 
 he tasted happiness for the first time in his life. He 
 was worth something after all. He would count as 
 a man among the best men of the woods. He would 
 keep on as he had begun and be ready to step up to 
 something higher whenever the chance presented it- 
 self. For the present season his work was almost fin- 
 ished. After the rollway had been broken and the 
 
 321
 
 222 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 drive sent down the river, he would be free to go where 
 he pleased. And where would he please to go ? Jim's 
 blood tingled as he thought of the one who was the in- 
 spiration and support of all his earnest efforts. The 
 schoolmaster? Ah, no! His word had roused him; 
 his faithful, patient help had led him on and encouraged 
 him ; without him but, there, why not admit truth- 
 fully that another face was before his eyes, another 
 voice in his ears, another purpose spurred him on. 
 The schoolmaster, bless him, was simply the way by 
 which Jim might reach that which he greatly coveted. 
 He had shown now what he could do. His perform- 
 ance thus far was eloquent of future possibilities. 
 Was it not time to claim his reward ? Jim could admit 
 of no negative answer. His mind had been made up 
 for weeks that as soon as this season's work was done 
 and he had drawn his "stake," he would ask Axcy 
 Marthy to be his wife. 
 
 Pete Murray's logs were all in. He was always the 
 first to break camp. His example was an inspiration 
 to his men, and the enormous loads which came to the 
 rollway from his camp were the pride of his men and 
 the admiration of all others. Jim Gyde had just come 
 down from camp on Friday when he met Sam Hawkins. 
 He was staying with Jake Vogel while waiting for the 
 breaking of the rollway. Saturday and Sunday were 
 off days with nothing to do. Jim found almost before 
 the sun cleared the tops of the trees that this period of 
 waiting and suspense was going to be unendurable. 
 While actively engaged in the strenuous work of the 
 logging-camp he could possess his soul in patience, but 
 now there was nothing to distract his thoughts from 
 the one who had so long monopolized them. Why 
 should he wait, after all ? Was not to-day, his day of
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 223 
 
 leisure, as good a time as any to lay claim to his great 
 happiness? A peculiar weakness stole over him as 
 he thought the momentous hour had come. The very 
 act of deciding to do what most of all he desired to do, 
 aroused, suddenly, a spirit of temporizing and procras- 
 tination which he resented even while he cherished it. 
 Nevertheless, while the contest of his emotions and in- 
 clinations raged within him, he proceeded to make 
 himself as presentable as possible, yielding to the dic- 
 tates of some inner arbiter who advised him to take a 
 walk down the river road toward Midland. It would 
 do no harm, anyway, to walk past her house. If he 
 should be so happy as to see her he would be well re- 
 paid. He need not say anything unless he wanted to. 
 
 As he approached Hal Marthy's farm, he caught 
 sight of a tall, graceful figure which came down the 
 driveway from the house and started up the road ahead 
 of him in the direction of Midland. His pulses leaped 
 into tumultuous action as he recognized Axcy. She 
 was hurrying, and the fact roused him like a challenge. 
 He could not let her escape. His long, rapid strides 
 brought him up with her in a few moments. She 
 greeted him with unfeigned cordiality and pleasure. 
 
 "Why, Jim! You are a stranger. I haven't seen 
 you for more than six months. Are you back for 
 good ? " 
 
 " Murray broke camp yesterday, an' I came down to 
 the Keg to wait till it's time to break the rollway. It's 
 a big one. They count on doin' the job Monday," an- 
 swered Jim, relieved, in spite of himself, that it was 
 possible to talk at once on commonplace topics. 
 
 " I'm coming up to see it," declared Axcy, with en- 
 thusiam. " I never do get tired of seeing that great 
 pile of logs go rolling and tumbling down into the river,
 
 224 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 and you poor men scrambling out of the way. It's 
 awfully dangerous but it's exciting. Are you going 
 to be down underneath again ? " 
 
 " I s'pose so," said Jim. " They'll be a dozen or more 
 of us down there. Say, Axcy, do you know how 
 much I'll git for this season's work ? " 
 
 " No let me see oh, maybe a hundred dollars," re- 
 plied Axcy with some hesitation, not knowing whether 
 Jim's industry at school had extended to his camp life. 
 In other seasons he had earned scarcely half a full 
 season's pay, because of his irregularity. 
 
 " Over two hundred dollars ! " he announced proudly. 
 " They's only two men in the camp thet'll draw more'n 
 that." 
 
 "My! that's splendid," exclaimed Axcy. "You 
 must have worked hard." 
 
 " I did," he admitted. " I'm always goin' to work 
 hard after this. Some day I'll be a rich man." 
 
 The sturdy confidence in his tone did not wholly 
 conceal a slight questioning, almost pleading, note which 
 sounded strangely in Axcy's ears. She glanced quickly 
 at him, but glanced still more quickly away when she 
 found his eyes fixed on her face. 
 
 " That will be fine, won't it ? " she replied, with an 
 effort to appear unconcerned. 
 
 The breeze played with a stray lock of hair, blowing 
 it now and then across her cheek. Jim watched it, 
 fascinated, silent, greedy. Suddenly the fire in his 
 heart flared up. 
 
 "Axcy," he said, hoarsely, "I love you!" 
 
 The girl started and caught her breath. " Oh ! Jim, 
 how you frightened me ! If you do that again, I shan't 
 let you walk with me," she exclaimed, with an uneasy 
 laugh.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 225 
 
 Jim ignored her interruption, and continued with a 
 half-suppressed fierceness of desire : 
 
 "I love you! I want you. I want you for my 
 wife ! " 
 
 "Jim! Jim! Please don't," cried Axcy, facing him, 
 genuinely frightened this time, and quick distress and 
 pity gleaming in her eyes. 
 
 "Don't?" repeated Jim. "Does that mean you 
 won't have me? Quick! Tell me, does it mean 
 that ? " 
 
 Axcy looked away and toyed nervously with a fold 
 of her dress. It was hard to reply to such a big, pas- 
 sionate questioner, when the answer could only give 
 him pain. But Jim would not wait. 
 
 " Answer me, for God's sake, Axcy ! Don't you see 
 I'm waitin' ? Will you have me ? " 
 
 "Jim! I can't, I can't!" moaned Axcy, cowering 
 from him as if she feared a blow, and little realizing 
 that with her simple words, " I can't," she was deliver- 
 ing a blow more cruel than any the young giant before 
 her could give with all the strength of his brawny arm. 
 Jim quivered and paled for an instant, but a dull red 
 flush quickly flooded his face as he took up her words 
 again. 
 
 "'Can't!' An' why not? Ain't I good enough? 
 Haven't I stuck to schooling an' learned to read, an' 
 write, an' figger ? Haven't I give up drinkin', an' devil- 
 try, an' fightin', 'cept when I can't help it ? Haven't I 
 been tryin' for more'n a year to be a clean man, an' 
 worth somethin'? Why? All 'cause I wanted you, 
 an' wanted to make myself good enough for you 
 though partly, I'll allow, 'twas to please Schoolmaster 
 Waters. If I ain't good enough yet, I'll keep on, if 
 you'll "
 
 226 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " Don't Jim ! It isn't that. You are good enough, 
 but I I " 
 
 She could not go on, neither could she conceal the 
 blush that had colored her cheeks when Jim mentioned 
 the schoolmaster's name. The young man had noticed 
 it, but did not at once connect it with its cause. His 
 whole attention, for the moment, was on the question 
 and her reply. Now he stood regarding her in per- 
 plexity and bitter disappointment. 
 
 "Then why can't you, if it isn't that? Do you un- 
 derstand ? I love you. I must have you. I've been 
 lookin' f orrard, an' plannin', eager, but keepin' quiet, an' 
 eatin' my heart out, too long to take any such answer 
 as that. Why can't you ? You don't mean it, Axcy ; 
 you're teasin' me." 
 
 " No, Jim, I wouldn't do that," said Axcy, gently, re- 
 covering her self-control. " I like you, Jim. You've 
 made me respect you, too, this last year. We've been 
 good friends. Can't we keep on being friends ? " 
 
 " I want love ! I want a wife ! " cried Jim, passion- 
 ately. " Do you s'pose I could ever look at you or talk 
 to you without thinkin' of that ? Why can't you give 
 me what I want ? " 
 
 "Because, Jim because it isn't mine to give," 
 said Axcy in a very low tone, while Jim bent toward 
 her in his eagerness. As the meaning of her words 
 forced itself into his brain, he straightened up with a 
 gasp. 
 
 " Oh h ! " he said, and the word was a groan. For 
 a moment he stood looking at the girl he had hoped to 
 make his partner and his inspiration in the struggle for 
 a better, broader, nobler life upon which he had en- 
 tered. The mainspring of his ambition and purpose 
 seemed broken in him. A heaviness settled upon him,
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 227 
 
 and the light of day grew dim. Then his square jaws 
 closed tighter, and without a word he turned on his 
 heel and strode away. He chose no direction. He 
 knew not where to go only to be alone, where none 
 could see his hurt. Pity he dreaded. Even sympathy 
 he shunned. No one should know, because no one 
 could help him. No one ? A thought came unbidden 
 of one who understood him, and who might know just 
 how to deal with this trouble. Perhaps if he went to 
 the schoolmaster another thought flashed upon his 
 mind and drove all else away. He stopped suddenly. 
 The next instant he was hastening back to the girl who 
 had sunk down on the bank by the roadside, and, with 
 her face in the hollow of her arm, was finding a woman's 
 relief from the strain and pain of the episode just 
 passed. Jim stood before her. 
 
 " Axcy, look up ! " he said, harshly. 
 
 She lifted two startled, tear-dimmed eyes and looked 
 at the young man. 
 
 " Tell me, Axcy, is it him the schoolmaster ? " he 
 panted. 
 
 The tell-tale blush was hidden quickly as the girl's 
 face went down again into the hollow of her arm. She 
 said not a word, but a movement of her head gave an 
 affirmative reply only too plainly understood by the un- 
 happy man. 
 
 " Him ! " he whispered through clenched jaws, as he 
 turned away again from the sobbing girl. " Him ! who 
 pretended to be my best friend! Him! who's been 
 tellin' me how much there was for me in life if I'd 
 make myself worthy of it. And now he's robbed me 
 of the only thing- 1 want oh curse him ! " A fierce 
 oath burst from his lips, and he brought his great 
 clenched fist to his shoulder and thrust it down again
 
 228 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 in impotent rage. So this was his reward for all his 
 hard work; this was the "brother's help" which had 
 been given him. He would not have dreamed that 
 Waters could be so false. All these months, while he 
 had worked and studied to make himself worthy of the 
 girl of his choice, the schoolmaster had been making 
 love to her behind his back, thought Jim, even after he 
 had told him of his own great love. 
 
 " What a fool I was ! " he muttered, as he pushed on 
 blindly along the road. " Why didn't I see it ? Why 
 did I wait so long ? " 
 
 He remembered the events of that last winter in 
 school as if it had been yesterday. The reason for the 
 schoolmaster's strange behavior when Jim first told 
 him of his hope with regard to Axcy was plain now. 
 Why hadn't he suspected it then ? He tried to think 
 of any other significant words or acts, but could recall 
 nothing else that might have roused his suspicion. 
 That was the worst of it. He took it for granted that 
 Waters, put on his guard from the very beginning, had 
 governed himself accordingly and had taken unfair ad- 
 vantage of his absence. It seemed like tearing out his 
 very heart-strings to believe the man guilty of such 
 baseness ; yet Axcy had confessed the truth. Jim had 
 lost his love and his friend at the same moment. What 
 was there left for him now ? He tumbled on in the 
 direction of Midland, though he was unconscious of 
 time or place. The sound of hurried steps behind him 
 suddenly brought him to a halt, and Axcy stood again 
 before him, breathless, panting, her bonnet off, and her 
 hair flying loose about her flushed face. 
 
 "Oh, Jim !" she cried brokenly, "Jim, please 
 please don't tell him ! " 
 
 The young man gazed at her dumfounded.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 229 
 
 " What who ? " he asked, at length. 
 
 " You know ; what I told you. Oh, why did I say it ? 
 You forced me to. Please promise me, Jim, that 
 you won't tell him." 
 
 "I don't understand," stammered Jim. "Do you 
 mean that I ain't to tell the schoolmaster thet you 
 you love him, an' so can't hev me ? Is thet what you 
 mean ? " 
 
 Axcy nodded her head and tried to hide her face 
 from Jim's searching gaze. 
 
 " Why ! don't he know it already ? " exclaimed the 
 unhappy fellow. 
 
 " I never told him nor anybody, before," murmured 
 the girl. 
 
 " Didn't he never ask you ? " demanded Jim, almost 
 fiercely. 
 
 Axcy shook her head. 
 
 " An' didn't he never tell you he loved you ? " cried 
 Jim, still more imperatively. 
 
 Another shake of the beautiful bowed head, and then 
 the poor girl began to sob hysterically. 
 
 " He hasn't yet," she faltered, " but oh, please, Jim, 
 don't ask me any more, and please don't tell him." 
 
 For a moment Jim made no reply. He was weigh- 
 ing the new admissions and readjusting his verdict on 
 the schoolmaster's conduct. 
 
 " I'll not tell him," he said, at length. " He'll find 
 out soon enough for himself if he don't know already, 
 but," he went on passionately, " he can't care for you as 
 much as I do, Axcy. It seems like I couldn't live with- 
 out you, now, after lovin' you, an' waitin' for you so 
 long. You say he never asked you never spoke to 
 you ? What right has he, then, to keep you away from 
 me? Don't you think you could care for me if you
 
 230 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 tried a little ? I'll wait as long as you say. Won't 
 you try, Axcy ? I love you so ! " 
 
 He waited, but no reply came from the sobbing girl 
 whose face was persistently turned from him. He took 
 a. step nearer and laid his hand on her arm. 
 
 "Axcy!" 
 
 There was a world of longing and entreaty in his 
 voice as he spoke her name. Her sobbing became 
 audible. She was so sorry for Jim, but she wished he 
 wouldn't torture himself and her any longer. His 
 cause was hopeless. 
 
 " I can't," she said again. She felt his hand drop 
 from her arm, and heard his footsteps growing fainter 
 and fainter. When she looked up again she was alone 
 in the road half a mile from her home.
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 THE sun had not begun to redden the east when 
 Barney was up and busy with his Monday morning 
 chores. Farmer Hawkins expected nothing of him 
 this morning, but Barney was unwilling to leave any 
 of his ordinary tasks to Uncle Si, so he clipped an hour 
 from his usual sleeping time, and by sunrise was ready 
 to start for the river where the great rollway was to be 
 broken up and its contents started down the swollen 
 current. 
 
 As he left the house, he met Norine Maloney run- 
 ning up the road. 
 
 " Good mornin', an' what brings ye here, like a lark, 
 with the sunrise, darlint?" exclaimed Barney, as he 
 opened wide his brawny arms, caught the breathless 
 girl, and administered a hearty salutation. She 
 squirmed out of her prison, shook the tumbled hair 
 back from her blushing face, and cried : 
 
 " Oh, Barney ! " 
 
 " I am that same," replied the young farmer. 
 
 "Barney, please don't go down under the rollway 
 this morning. I was afraid I should not catch you be- 
 fore you went, so I ran all the way here." Norine 
 stopped short for want of breath. 
 
 "Not help break the rollway, is it, darlint? An' 
 why shouldn't I do it ? They'll be nadin' all the men 
 they kin git fer the job, an' I promised to help. I'm 
 jes' goin' down now, Norine. What did ye want me 
 todo? J> 
 
 3*
 
 232 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " Oh, Barney, I had such a horrid dream last night. 
 I saw you down in the river, and the logs had just 
 started to roll. You looked so happy and seemed to 
 be looking up at me. All of a sudden somebody gave 
 you a push, and you fell into the water, and the logs 
 came rolling down, down, down on you by the hun- 
 dreds and thousands! I screamed and tried to look 
 away, but I couldn't. I had to keep looking, and the 
 logs kept rolling, and rolling, as though they would 
 never stop. If I shut my eyes I can see them now. 
 Really, Barney, you mustn't go down, I can't let you." 
 
 " Faith, darlint, 'twas only a drame, an' drames go 
 by opposites, ye know. I must help, 'cause I promised 
 to, an' I couldn't be backin' out now. Ye wouldn't 
 have me tell any o' the b'ys thet it war on account of a 
 drame ? " 
 
 " But I am sure something will happen, Barney. I 
 have a presentiment. Can't you stay away for my 
 sake?" 
 
 Barney was sorely puzzled, and he stood still in the 
 road and scratched his head several minutes before an- 
 swering. At length he looked around and exclaimed 
 with a kind of desperation : 
 
 " Where's thet varmint Sam Hawkins an' his three 
 good-fer-nothin' chums ? Bring 'em on, the hull four 
 of 'em, an' let me lick 'em all togither fer insultin' Miss 
 Norine Maloney. Let me do somethin' anythin' fer 
 this little swateheart ! Begorra, what wouldn't I do fer 
 ye, darlint ; but ye see the difficulty is, ye want me to 
 do notkin\ Not bein' used to thet kind o' work, I 
 don't know how to do it. Sure, Norine, ye wouldn't 
 hev me begin sarvin' ye by shirkin', an' loafin', an* 
 breakin' me word ? I tell ye what, darlint ; come to 
 the river with me an' kape yer swate eyes on me while
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 233 
 
 I'm at work, an' ye'll be my protictin' angel, so ye 
 will." 
 
 Without waiting for any reply to his harangue, or for 
 any further protest, Barney took Norine by the hand, 
 and together they hastened on toward Red-Keg and 
 the rollway. 
 
 Many were there before them, and others came later. 
 Some were there to work and risk their lives. Others 
 came only to look on, and cheer if need be. Pete's 
 tavern was deserted, even by the roughest of the river 
 element, for this was an occasion when cool heads and 
 steady nerves were all-important. 
 
 The rollway had reached enormous proportions. The 
 contour of the river at this point was particularly fa- 
 vorable for constructing and handling a large rollway, 
 and for this reason had been chosen by the railroad 
 company and other large operators, who brought their 
 logs here from distant points, as the nearest available 
 outlet to the Eastern markets. Many small operators 
 had banked their logs at other points farther up the 
 river to save the time and labor of toting them to Red- 
 Keg. Here, however, where the main rollway was 
 always constructed, the Tittabawassee formed a cres- 
 cent about half a mile long, the village lying within the 
 crescent. The shore on this side was high and pre- 
 cipitous. On the opposite side, away from the village, 
 the land was so low that in the spring the river over- 
 flowed the bank and covered a wide strip of mud flats. 
 Piles were driven along this shore and immense boom 
 logs fastened to them with chains to define the channel 
 of the river and keep the logs from floating over upon 
 the flats. About half a mile below Red-Keg the low- 
 lands came to an end, and the river, with a sharp bend 
 away from the crescent, flowed between high banks on
 
 234 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 either side. At this point the drivers had work to keep 
 the logs from jamming. It was the only really difficult 
 place on the river, and the watchfulness and agility of 
 the rivermen could be counted on to prevent trouble 
 even at this point in all ordinary conditions. To lessen 
 the probability of choking this bend with too great a 
 rush of logs at one time, the expedient had recently 
 been adopted of breaking the rollway in two or three 
 sections, beginning at the lower end, the contour of the 
 bank rendering this feasible. 
 
 The great rollway now reached from end to end of 
 the crescent, and extended half-way across the river to 
 the opposite booms. The top was sixty feet above the 
 swollen stream. It had been building all through 
 the winter, and layers of snow and ice deposited by the 
 season's storms helped to cement the massive logs to- 
 gether. Along the base, the turbulent water, aug- 
 mented by heavy rains and melting snow, swept on 
 with growing force, whirling against the edge of the 
 rollway, and gurgling and hissing through the crevices 
 with an impatient, taunting call to the sleeping giant to 
 awake and join in a wild revel. 
 
 Pete Murray, Andrew Green, John Maloney, and the 
 others who were responsible for the affair had chosen 
 the time for breaking the rollway with that unerring 
 precision which comes only from long experience and 
 constant alertness. The freshet was approaching its 
 height. In three more days the waters would begin to 
 subside ; but then the great drive of logs would be well 
 on its way to the booms at Saginaw and below. 
 
 Crowds from the surrounding district and from Mid- 
 land filled Red-Keg. Even Joseph Waters, whose 
 school was represented in the force of workers by more 
 than a few sturdy fellows, gave the remainder of his
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 235 
 
 pupils a holiday, that he, and some of them, might see 
 the roll way broken. Robert Allen, the minister, who, 
 although a skilled logger, made no claim to proficiency 
 as a riverman, joined Waters as a spectator. 
 
 Gossip was rife concerning the plight of old Heze- 
 kiah Bloag, whose logs were in a fair way to be stranded 
 up on the Tobacco River, above the village of Sixteen. 
 He had always been noted for his close-fisted habits 
 and his meanness to the men in his camp. Only the 
 worst class of loggers would work for him. This sea- 
 son he had exceeded the limits of their endurance, and 
 his entire camp had mutinied and refused to complete 
 the work until he paid them a certain amount. He 
 stood out obstinately against their demands, while the 
 men employed their idleness by drinking and fighting. 
 When Bloag saw the freshet coming and tried to com- 
 promise with his men, preparatory to eventually yield- 
 ing, they were too drunk and ugly to listen to him, and 
 thus the matter stood when the time came to break the 
 rollway. Very little of Bloag's cutting had come to 
 hand, and very little sympathy was expressed by his 
 neighbors, nearly all of whom had suffered at one time 
 or another from the old man's meanness. 
 
 As one result of Bloag's hang-up, " Red " Lampheer, 
 his foreman this year, was absent from the breaking of 
 the rollway. His dare-devil recklessness usually made 
 him a conspicuous figure on the river. With such men 
 as Barney O'Boyle, Jim Gyde, " Babe " Strander, Ash- 
 bel Fair, Tom Moore, Ned Blakely, and scores of 
 others, ready to the call, however, the daring but quar- 
 relsome Lampheer and his gang were not sorely missed. 
 
 Andrew Green and Pete Murray rounded up the 
 men and, dividing them .into the various gangs, de- 
 spatched them to their places. A dozen expert rollway
 
 236 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 breakers were assigned to the lower section of the huge 
 rollway which was to be released first. Barney gave 
 Norine's hand an encouraging squeeze, and, grasping 
 his peavy, mounted the towering pile of logs with the 
 others of the gang. Jim Gyde was close to him. 
 Quickly they disappeared over the brink of the rollway 
 and began the perilous descent to the water's edge. 
 The assembled crowd could only hold its breath and 
 watch for the outcome. 
 
 Barney went over near the middle of the section, the 
 most forbidding and dangerous point of all. As his 
 hat disappeared from sight, a little woman pressed her 
 way through the crowd, and, standing as near to the 
 edge as was safe, fixed her eyes anxiously on the spot 
 where her lover was last seen. 
 
 Minutes seemed like hours. The spectators were 
 growing nervous. The suspense to Norine was almost 
 unbearable. She clasped her hands tightly and breathed 
 a prayer. Then she waited as patiently as she could. 
 Her eyes never wandered for an instant from the spot 
 where Barney had disappeared. She seemed to see 
 again the frightful dream, and the logs rolling down, 
 down, down, upon the man she loved. None of the 
 spectators could see the workmen, and this made the 
 strain of suspense more intense. 
 
 Soon a shout was heard from below, and the watch- 
 ers knew that the crisis was at hand. As some huge 
 monster, disturbed in sleep, stirs, yawns, and then is 
 still again, a rumbling was heard through the great 
 pile, low and ominous. The mass of logs began to 
 move, slowly and with lazy deliberation apparently, and 
 then it stopped. The right log or logs had not been 
 released. There was another wait. Suddenly the 
 great mass moved again. This time there was no
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 257 
 
 uncertainty, no hesitation. Thousands of the foremost 
 logs went tumbling and rolling down, a mighty, rushing 
 avalanche, into the swollen river. The rollway was 
 broken. 
 
 All eyes were strained to catch sight of the men who 
 were risking their lives in the raging current below, 
 seemingly at the mercy of the wild deluge they had let 
 loose. As the logs went tumbling down, and the huge 
 pile began to melt away into the rushing stream, the 
 men were seen to rise and leap with marvellous agility 
 and rapidity from log to log until they reached the top. 
 A shout of triumph rang from the throats of the as- 
 sembled throng on the shore, because of the success 
 and bravery of these men ; but Norine shivered, and 
 sought out Axcy and Lettie, that their companionship 
 might take her mind away from her troublesome dream. 
 When she looked again down into the river, she saw 
 Barney hard at work with his peavy urging on the roll- 
 ing logs into the foaming current. Near him, engaged 
 in the same work, was Jim Gyde. 
 
 It was now time for the "drivers" to take their 
 places. These men mount the logs as they are floating 
 down the stream and keep them moving. Experts are 
 needed for this work, also, and it is only a shade less 
 dangerous than breaking the rollway. With high boots, 
 having calks in the soles to prevent slipping, and with 
 peavy in hand, these men skip from log to log, and 
 wherever a tendency to "jam" is observed they seek 
 out the offending log, straighten it around, and soon 
 the mass is again moving. Drivers are stationed, also, 
 at points along the river, wherever the formation of the 
 banks makes jamming liable, and there they watch the 
 passing stream of logs like hawks, ready to dart out and 
 pounce upon any one which threatens trouble.
 
 238 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 The first break loosened and sent down into the 
 stream many thousands of logs and kept a full force of 
 drivers busy. There were, however, two more sections 
 of the rollway with nearly twice as many more logs to 
 be released and cared for. The greatest disadvantage 
 of breaking the rollway in sections was that a larger 
 number of men were required. 
 
 "Now's the time we could be usin* old Bloag's 
 gang," remarked Pete Murray to Lettie's father, as 
 he began assigning the remaining men to their places 
 and realized that the supply would be hardly suf- 
 ficient. 
 
 "Call for more volunteers. There must be some 
 men able to lend a hand in this crowd," said Green. 
 
 A dozen additional men were quickly hunted out. 
 Among them, Jim Lane offered himself. Neither 
 Green nor Murray had ever seen him before, and they 
 hesitated. 
 
 " Are ye shantyman, or riverman, or what ? " asked 
 Murray ; " Ever break a rollway before ? " 
 
 "No not exactly," admitted Lane; "but I'm willing 
 to begin. Always have to begin sometime, you know. 
 I'm something of an acrobat, and I've ridden floating 
 logs before. Guess I can help juggle these without 
 breaking my neck." 
 
 " Wall, ye've got nerve, an' mebbe ye can. Here's 
 a peavy ; git out there where ye see them two, yonder," 
 pointing to where Barney and Jim Gyde were at work ; 
 " but, begorra, yer blood is on yer own head ef ye git 
 kilt." 
 
 Lane hastened out upon the logs with an alacrity 
 which surprised those who thought he was going to 
 almost certain death, and more than one protest was 
 heard among the onlookers; but Murray shook his
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 239 
 
 head and grinned. " Take a fool fer luck," he said ; 
 " guess he'll pull through." 
 
 " His boots ain't calked ! " exclaimed one man. " He 
 can't stand on them logs. Call him back an' make him 
 fix his boots, anyhow ; " but it was too late, for Lane 
 was already out of hearing. 
 
 Barney and Jim Gyde greeted the newcomer with 
 some surprise and suspicion. Barney remembered 
 what Tom Moore had told him of the stranger's con- 
 versation with Sam Hawkins, and of Sam's expressed 
 hope that Barney would be killed in the rollway. If 
 this was a plot he would take care not to be caught 
 napping, and he felt conscious that among the moving 
 logs on the river the advantage was his; therefore 
 when the stranger asked him what he could do to help, 
 Barney replied, shortly : 
 
 " Faith, if ye'll moind yerself, an' kape right-side-up, 
 I'll wrastle the logs." 
 
 Lane said nothing, but watched the young Irishman 
 closely, and when the opportunity came, assisted with 
 a skill and display of muscle which commanded Bar- 
 ney's admiration. 
 
 " Ye' re right handy fer a beginner," he remarked, 
 finally ; " but moind ye kape back by the boom logs 
 when we let this next rollway down." 
 
 It required but a few minutes to start the pile of 
 logs moving a second time. As before, they moved 
 almost imperceptibly at first, but soon it seemed as if 
 every log were a living thing, or that some great up- 
 heaval was taking place and toying with the heap as a 
 child would play with a handful of jackstraws. 
 
 It was time for the men to appear at the top, and all 
 but Barney and Lane had scrambled into safety. Sud- 
 denly a cry of alarm rang out from below, and a respon-
 
 240 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 sive cry of horror came from the crowd of spectators 
 on the shore. As the face of the rollway melted 
 away and a view of the river was disclosed, Jim Lane 
 and Barney O'Boyle were seen struggling in the water 
 near the boom logs on the other side, while the ava- 
 lanche from the rollway was rushing and heaving around 
 them. Barney was evidently trying to help the stran- 
 ger, who seemed hurt or exhausted. It looked as if in 
 another moment or two both would surely be over- 
 whelmed and crushed to death. The spectators on 
 shore were paralyzed with horror all but one. 
 
 A little woman with pale face and flying hair dashed 
 from the crowd, and before any one could detain her, 
 she was out on the writhing and rolling logs. She 
 skipped from log to log like a fairy. Fear and love 
 gave her wings. Reaching the edge of the rollway, 
 which was rapidly melting away beneath her, she looked 
 out upon the sea of logs, and for an instant her heart 
 stood still. By a miracle she kept her feet that brief 
 instant as she hesitated. What could she do ? Could 
 she do anything ? A sense of her helplessness and of 
 the almost certain death which now threatened her, as 
 well as her lover, flashed through her mind, when, sud- 
 denly, a pair of strong arms seized her and bore her 
 back toward the shore. 
 
 The schoolmaster, thrusting Robert Allen aside, had 
 followed her with scarcely the loss of a second of time. 
 He had not been quite so fleet of foot on the rolling 
 logs ; but he had been as heedless of danger, and her 
 instant of hesitation had enabled him to catch her. 
 
 "Come back! You'll be killed! Don't you see 
 Jim's gone to help Barney ? " cried Waters, as he strug- 
 gled back with the now almost helpless girl over the 
 short but tortuous space between them and the shore.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 241 
 
 A score of hands were outstretched to help. It seemed 
 to Waters that he would never reach them. With in- 
 credible good fortune he had kept up thus far, spring- 
 ing from log to log as they vanished under his feet like 
 a treadmill. Parson Allen had procured a rope and 
 was just throwing it to him. What good would that 
 do, he wondered, since both hands were busy holding 
 Norine and maintaining his balance ? The bank was 
 almost reached only a few feet farther. He pushed 
 Norine before him. A cheer went up too soon. 
 His foot slipped, and in an instant he was lying prone 
 on the logs and being carried down with the rolling 
 mass. Norine fell at the same time, but near enough 
 to the minister's outstretched hands to be dragged 
 safely ashore. 
 
 Waters had fallen face downward across the logs in 
 such a way that for a while his body remained at right 
 angles to them and thus stayed on top of the rolling 
 mass ; but he was absolutely helpless. 
 
 At any instant his arms or legs were liable to be 
 caught, and he would then be quickly dragged under 
 and crushed. Suddenly the movement in the rollway 
 became slower, and Waters struggled to regain his feet. 
 
 As he did so, a heavy log rolled upon one leg and 
 pinned him down. Then the whole mass stopped as 
 though unwilling to complete the tragedy it had begun. 
 
 The excitement caused by Norine' s sudden dash and 
 the schoolmaster's desperate plight had for the moment 
 diverted attention from Barney and the stranger known 
 as Jim Lane. Before help had reached them in the 
 person of Jim Gyde, Barney had crawled out upon the 
 boom logs and pulled Lane after him, with nothing 
 worse than a ducking and a fright to show for his first 
 experience with a rollway. Barney and Jim Gyde 
 
 16
 
 242 THE RED-KEGGERS. 
 
 quickly made their way to shore with the exhausted and 
 crestfallen novice, only to find that a more serious dis- 
 aster was threatening at that very instant. 
 
 " I'll have a word with you, Mr. Lane, if ye plase, 
 when we git through with this," said Barney, as he left 
 the volunteer riverman and hurried toward the spot 
 where Norine was the centre of an excited crowd. 
 
 " I'll be here/' called Lane, following him, in spite of 
 his wet clothes, to see what had happened. 
 
 Jim Gyde was there, already, striding up and down 
 the bank like a madman. A fierce look of exultation 
 blazed in his eyes when he caught sight of the school- 
 master half-way out from the shore and pinned down 
 among the logs. 
 
 " He's a dead man the minute the logs start to roll 
 again ! " he cried. " Nothin' on earth can save him. 
 What's the matter with them logs anyway ? They're 
 only half down. Why don't they roll ? why don't they 
 roll?" 
 
 The bystanders stared at Jim in astonishment. 
 
 " Looks like ye're in a hurry for him to get killed, 
 Bub," remarked old Doctor Landseer, whose son was 
 with the drivers down the river. . 
 
 "Sure, you're crazy, Jim!" exclaimed Barney. 
 " We'll have him out o' that in two shakes of a stick. 
 We kin go down there, the two of us, an' pull him out 
 in no time." 
 
 " Shet up, you fool ! " yelled Jim. " The minute you 
 step on them logs down there, they'll roll again. Don't 
 you see? They're jest hangin' now. What stopped 
 'em, anyhow ? It can't be done. Nothin' can be done. 
 Tech them logs, an' the schoolmaster an' us, too, will 
 be rolled into jelly." 
 
 Jim swung his great arms in a frenzy of excitement,
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 243 
 
 and glared around at the crowd as if daring any one to 
 contradict him. 
 
 " Bedad, I'm afraid ye're right ; but we'll have a try 
 at it, anyhow," declared Barney, as he examined the 
 sloping bank of logs some hundred feet distant where 
 Waters lay waiting for the help which he never doubted 
 would come. 
 
 Ned Blakely, muddy, panting, dashed into the group. 
 
 " It's jammed ! It's jammed ! " he shouted. " Down 
 by the bend basswood-tree undermined by current 
 fell into river caught the logs like fish in a net river 
 backin' up fast." 
 
 " Thet's what stopped the logs from rollin'," explained 
 old Landseer, but nobody listened. 
 
 " The water's backin' up ! " cried Jim again. " Soon 
 'twill lift these 'ere logs an' start 'em goin' again. The 
 man that goes down there now is a " 
 
 " Hero," spoke a quiet voice close behind Jim. 
 
 The young man whirled around, but no one acknowl- 
 edged the interruption. Old Doctor Landseer, Jim 
 Lane, in his wet clothes, and others were pressing upon 
 him. Suddenly his eyes fell upon a little group which 
 he had not noticed before. Norine was there, and 
 Lettie Green, white and trembling and there was 
 another, whose face was turned first to him and then 
 to the logs below the bank. An unspeakable agony 
 and appeal was in those eyes ; her hands were clasped, 
 and she was leaning forward in breathless suspense for 
 the issue of the dispute which seemed to her so strange 
 at such a time. Jim staggered as from a blow. Hard- 
 ly more than a moment had passed since he and Bar- 
 ney had come to the spot, yet it seemed as if a lifetime 
 had rushed by. He shuddered as he glanced from 
 Axcy to the schoolmaster. What was he doing?
 
 244 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Great God ! Was he trying to murder the man who 
 had given him the hand of a brother who had been 
 faithful to him even to the point of ? 
 
 " Here, Parson Allen ! What are you doin' with that 
 rope ? I tell you it's impossible. Don't you see his 
 foot's caught? What good is that? Git out o' the 
 way, all of you ! Give me that rope ! " 
 
 Sweeping the crowd aside, and snatching the rope 
 from the minister, who, regardless of Jim's wild talk, 
 had been actively preparing to rescue Waters if he 
 could, Jim sprang with his peavy down the bank and 
 out upon the rollway. Before the spectators had time 
 to realize what was taking place, he had fastened one 
 end of the rope under the schoolmaster's arm and 
 thrown the other end to the bank, where it was seized 
 by the minister and Barney. Then with his peavy Jim 
 sought to pry up the log which was pressing upon 
 Waters. One end of it was under two other logs, and 
 he could not budge it until they were removed. With- 
 out a moment's hesitation he drove his peavy into the 
 green pine, and with a powerful twist sent one after 
 another of the logs tumbling down toward the jam that 
 now covered the river. Quickly he sprang to the great 
 log which had caused the trouble, and, with a supreme 
 output of strength, lifted it clear from its place, and 
 Waters was instantly released. The next log above it 
 slipped at once into the opening; another followed, 
 then another, then more scores hundreds the roll- 
 way was in motion again. Jim gazed at the form of 
 the schoolmaster being drawn up out of harm's way. 
 He ought to have watched his own footing. His eyes 
 wandered to a group of faces on the bank to one 
 face. He ought to have been leaping nimbly from log 
 to log.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 245 
 
 The rollway could not go down very far now because 
 of the jam. When it settled once more into its tem- 
 porary quiet, Barney and others went out and picked 
 up Jim Gyde's bruised and broken body and brought it 
 tenderly to shore. Life was still in it for a little 
 while. The minister silently waved back the crowd 
 that pressed around, while old Doctor Landseer made 
 a hasty examination, shaking his head gravely as he did 
 so. Jim turned his eyes wearily from one to another 
 and then looked into Allen's face. The minister 
 stooped closer, and listened. 
 
 "The schoolmaster," whispered Jim. 
 
 Waters, with his broken leg, was brought to Jim's 
 side and placed in a reclining posture so that he could 
 be as near as possible to the dying man. He grasped 
 Jim's hand ; their eyes met and looked into each other's 
 soul. Waters could not speak for the choking in his 
 throat. Jim's lips moved, and Waters bent nearer. 
 
 " You were true to me in every thin' ? " asked Jim, 
 painfully. 
 
 "Yes, Jim in everything; but, oh, Jim! you've 
 given " 
 
 "It's all right, then," whispered Jim again; "an' 
 she " He stopped, and the gray began to creep into 
 his face. " No, I won't say it," he added, presently. 
 "You'll find out Good-by." 
 
 " Good-by, Jim, you noble fellow you hero oh, it 
 was too much, Jim ! " said Waters, with a sob. 
 
 Jim smiled and turned from Waters to the minister. 
 The latter motioned to Barney, and he helped the 
 schoolmaster away, and spoke a quiet word to one and 
 another of the crowd. In a moment Jim Gyde and 
 the backwoods minister were left alone together. The 
 young lumberman had found his "gold " at last It
 
 246 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 was almost within his grasp, and it gleamed before his 
 dimming eyes in the form of a crown. 
 
 Toward evening, after the jam had been loosened, 
 and the remainder of the rollway broken, and the vari- 
 ous gangs of drivers and rear-enders had the entire 
 mass of logs under control, Barney returned to the vil- 
 lage in search of Jim Lane. He found him in front of 
 Pete's place explaining for the twentieth time to the 
 gossips that came and went that he had retreated to 
 the boom logs in the river, just as Barney had ordered 
 him to do, but that the shock and upheaval caused by 
 the downward rush of the second section of the roll- 
 way had thrown him off his feet, and that Barney, who 
 had sprung at once to his rescue, had been pulled into 
 the water in the effort to drag him up upon the boom 
 logs. 
 
 " One moment, if ye plase, Mr. Lane," said Barney, 
 pushing his way into the group. 
 
 "Certainly; excuse me, gentlemen, I must speak 
 with Mr. O'Boyle alone," and the man drew Barney 
 away from the inquisitive idlers. 
 
 " Now, sir, Mr. Jim Lane, as ye call yerself, tell me 
 what ye mane by follerin' me out onto the rollway," 
 demanded Barney. " What divil's job were ye hatchin' 
 up with Sam Hawkins the other night ? What are ye 
 doin' here with false whiskers ? Begorra, who on airth 
 are ye, anyhow ? " 
 
 The stranger hesitated before answering, and eyed 
 Barney contemplatively. 
 
 " Quite a batch of questions, and rather pointed ; but 
 I can't say that I blame you, considering all the cir- 
 cumstances. To begin with, I had reason to suspect, 
 very good reason, as I thought, though it turned out
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 247 
 
 to be based on a sad misunderstanding that some one 
 working near you had designs on your well, we may 
 say, life. I know now that the overtures made to him 
 must have been as unsuccessful as similar ones made 
 to me; but he was an utter stranger to me. I didn't 
 know then that he was a hero." 
 
 "Jim Gyde! Ye mane to say?" began Barney 
 in great astonishment. 
 
 " Well, perhaps I didn't mean to say anything defi- 
 nite. We'll let that pass. It was rash for a 'tender- 
 foot ' like me to venture on the rollway, I suppose. I 
 yielded to an impulse, and for the moment I imagined 
 but we'll let that pass, too; likewise the 'job' you 
 say I was hatching up with one Sam Hawkins. As to 
 the er little additions to my hirsute adornment 
 well, that matter may as well join the others in retire- 
 ment. My name is Jim Lane. That is not true, but 
 what's in a name ? Perhaps this will do in place of 
 one." 
 
 The queer stranger suddenly unbuttoned his shirt 
 front, turned back one side, and revealed something 
 fastened to it that caused Barney to stare in still greater 
 astonishment. Quickly buttoning his shirt front again, 
 the man continued : 
 
 " I'll ask you to say nothing to any one about that. 
 I have, by the way, some news for you from Belfast, 
 and if " 
 
 "Belfast, did ye say?" interrupted Barney, excit- 
 edly. " Howly Saints ! That same is where I came 
 from, an* Miss Norine, too. An' ye have news from 
 there, is it ? Faith, I'm dyin' to hear it." 
 
 " Call in at Pete's place to-morrow evening about this 
 time, and meanwhile remember that you don't know 
 any more than any one else about Jim Lane."
 
 348 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Barney returned to the Hawkins farm with curiosity, 
 wonder, and anxiety tugging at his heart. He could 
 hardly wait until the time came to talk with the stran- 
 ger at Pete's saloon. Early the following evening he 
 repaired to the appointed place, only to find that " Jim 
 Lane" had disappeared from Red-Keg, and no one 
 knew where or when he had gone.
 
 CHAPTER XV11I 
 
 LATE Wednesday afternoon, two days after the 
 breaking of the rollway, a group of Red-Keggers was 
 gathered in Jake Vogel's store talking over the funeral 
 of Jim Gyde, which had been held that afternoon in 
 Midland. Several of the party, including Jake himself, 
 had just returned and stopped for a few minutes' gossip 
 at the store before going home to supper. 
 
 "Tain't many of us'll have two parsons to our 
 fun'ral," remarked Ned Blakely, as he dusted off the 
 top of a sugar barrel with his handkerchief so that he 
 could sit down without soiling his best black suit. 
 
 " 'Twant none too good fer Jim," said Vogel. " He 
 deserved the big crowd, an' the two parsons, an' the 
 wreaths, an' singin', an' all ; though as ter the parsons, 
 it couldn't a bin any ways else. Old Bill Gyde is one 
 o' the pillers o' the church in Midland, an' o' course he 
 had ter hev thet little Parson Hayward o' hisen. Our 
 own Elder Allen went cause he's the only parson Jim 
 ever had, an' you couldn't no more kep' him away than 
 nothin'. They say he felt wuss over Jim than the old 
 man did himself." 
 
 " Shouldn't wonder," declared Bob Landseer. " They 
 wasn't much love lost 'tween Jim an* the old man. 
 The boy was brung up on a stick till he got too big for 
 it, an' the stick never had no taffy 'long with it. I hear 
 thet Schoolmaster Waters is more cut up than anybody, 
 though, an' fretted hisself near sick cause he couldn't 
 git up an' go to the funeral." 
 
 34G
 
 250 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 "He has cause enough ter feel cut up," replied 
 Blakely, "seem' es Jim got kilt savin' his life; but 
 there's somebody else feels es bad es the schoolmaster, 
 an' mebbe worse, ef what my Jenny tells me is true." 
 
 " Who's that ? " asked several at once. 
 
 " Axcy Marthy," announced Blakely with significant 
 emphasis, and the expression of one who has sprung a 
 sensation. 
 
 " How's that ? What's she got to do with it ? They 
 warn't engaged, war they?" asked the others, with 
 satisfactory display of curiosity. 
 
 "No, they warn't; thet's jest it. She refused him, 
 an' now she thinks he wasn't hisself on Monday on 
 thet account, or he wouldn't a-gone down after savin' 
 the schoolmaster. More'n that, they say she's sweet 
 on Waters, an* thet Jim knew it when he went out on 
 the rollway to pull him out o' the jaws o' death. Ef 
 it's true, an' I don't doubt it fer a minute, Jim Gyde 
 was a braver man than any of us knew." 
 
 "Amen! He certainly was," exclaimed Dan Un- 
 derbill ; " but I don't see the need of Axcy blamin' her- 
 self at all. It was all the fault of that pesky stranger, 
 Lane, who had no business on the river. The whole 
 thing started with him. What did he go out there for, 
 anyhow, an' where in blazes is he now ? He skipped 
 out of town as suddenly as he skipped in." 
 
 " Ye might ask Barney about that," suggested Arch 
 Fellows. " Him an' the stranger went off talkin' to- 
 gether by theirselves Monday evenin', ef I remember 
 right." 
 
 '* Barney don't know no more'n you or I do," declared 
 Jake Vogel with some heat. " He yanked the stranger 
 away to ask him jest the same questions you been 
 askin' now. Lane put him off till the next day, an'
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS -251 
 
 then skipped. I saw Barney last night when he come 
 down to see the fellow, an' Barney was disgusted clean 
 through when he found out the chap had gone." 
 
 " Guess he had enough o' life in this region, after 
 bein' near chawed up in the rollway," suggested Blakely. 
 
 " Likely he was afraid o' bein' locked up fer causin' 
 the death o' Jim Gyde," said Landseer. "But he 
 seemed ter take sech an interest in local happenings, 
 he might o' took the chance an' stayed ter help put up 
 Ros's new house. 'Twould only kept him here a week 
 longer, an' a house-raisin' is es much fun es breakin' a 
 rollway, an' less risk." 
 
 " Oh, let him go," exclaimed Vogel. " Ros will hev 
 all the help he can take care of. Fer my part, I'm 
 glad the close-mouthed stranger's gone. I jest see 
 Barney, an' Farmer Hawkins, and Norine Maloney 
 drive past on the way home from Jim's funeral. It's 
 supper-time, an' I'm goin' in the house." 
 
 With this gentle hint, the company dispersed to con- 
 tinue their comments and speculations at their own 
 tea-tables. 
 
 During the same afternoon a different discussion was 
 taking place in Pete's saloon. Sam Hawkins and Billy 
 Axf ord were in private consultation with Pete concern- 
 ing the extra drain which had been made upon his sup- 
 plies during the past week and the urgent need for re- 
 plenishment. Pete was the only person outside of the 
 Invincibles themselves who was kept informed of their 
 business progress, and all other patrons of the " Mystic 
 Brand " either procured their supply direct from him, or 
 received from him the tip as to the right spot to find a 
 cache in the woods. Even Pete was kept in igno- 
 rance of the location of the spring from which the
 
 252 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 contraband liquid flowed, and he was quite content to 
 have it so. 
 
 While Pete and the two Invincibles were discussing 
 arrangements for filling his own barrel, and meeting 
 certain outside demands, Red Lampheer swaggered 
 noisily into the barroom and called for Pete. Ignoring 
 the presence of Sam and Billy, he made known the 
 fact that his crew up at Old Bloag's camp on the To- 
 bacco was " stranded high an' dry," having exhausted 
 their own stuff and mopped up the last drop of the real 
 article in Sixteen ; consequently he had been vocifer- 
 ously requested to "go down to Pete's an' bring up an 
 ocean or two ter set the gang afloat." 
 
 Pete winked at Sam and told Red that he could only 
 let him have a couple of demijohns at once, but that 
 in a day or two he would see that he got all he wanted. 
 
 " A couple of demijohns ! " cried Lampheer, with a 
 volley of backwoods oaths. "D'ye think the boys 
 wan' ter make fools o' their mouths ? They ain't 'miff 
 in a couple o' demij ohns ter give 'em all a smell. They'll 
 run me outer camp." 
 
 " Can't help it ; stock's low," replied Pete, indiffer- 
 ently. " Might let ye hev three ef ye're in such a bad 
 way ; but thet'll hev ter do ye till the day after termor- 
 rer. How are ye comin* on with ole man Bloag ? " 
 
 "Nohow may the devil roast him!" exclaimed 
 Lampheer. " The ole skinflint ain't ponyin* up a cent. 
 His logs is lay in' on the skids an' in the woods, an' he 
 can't git 'em down the river this year, nohow; so he 
 says he'll keep the crew in camp an* not pay 'em a cent 
 till every log is barked to save 'em from the worms. 
 The boys ain't ready ter give in yet, an' the ole man's 
 logs can rot till they's skatin' in hell for all I care. 
 We'll see our money 'fore we bark a log "
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 253 
 
 " What ef he should cut off yer grub ? " asked Pete. 
 
 " He's too smart fer thet. He knows we all 'd hev 
 ter quit then fer sure, an' his logs wouldn't be wuth a 
 cent. He couldn't git no other gang ter tech 'em ef he 
 druv us away owin' our season's stakes. He reckons 
 we'll come crawlin' to him in a few days axin* his par- 
 ding; but he's missed his tally there. We're layin' ter 
 wait till after the dance at Sixteen ; then we'll tell the 
 ole fool ef he don't pony up we'll skip an' leave his logs 
 ter the worms, an' git the law onter him." 
 
 " What's the dance at Sixteen got to do with you all 
 an' ole Bloag?" inquired Pete; and Sam began at the 
 same time to show a lively interest in the conversation. 
 
 " What's it got ter do with us ? Well, thet's a cool 
 one ! Don't ye reckon we lay out ter git an invite ter 
 thet 'ere dance ? " cried Lampheer, indignantly. 
 
 " Oh, like enough ye do," sneered Pete; " but I ain't 
 heard any one say es how ole Bloag's gang o' shanty- 
 men was wanted ter the dance." 
 
 Red Lampheer let out a yell of rage and a string of 
 profanity as he demanded to know " why in hell he an' 
 the boys warn't wanted." 
 
 " Mebbe thet's jest the place ye are wanted in ; but 
 I was talkin' of the dance. Ye know it's them as lives 
 in these parts an' behaves themselves respectable who 
 gits invites ter the dance. They'll be three or four 
 boys ter every gal, anyhow, an' the ballroom ain't no 
 place fer a big crowd. No offense, o' course," added 
 Pete in a conciliatory tone. " I ain't never had an invite 
 myself." 
 
 " Well, ye might es well tell the committee thet me 
 an* the boys '11 git invites, or they'll be trouble," asserted 
 Red, threateningly. 
 
 " Oh, come now, ye wouldn't push yer drive in where
 
 254 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 ye're not wanted," urged Pete, more for the sake of 
 argument than with a desire to preserve peace. 
 
 " Thet's what we'll do ef they try to give us a throw 
 down," insisted Red ; " so ef they want ter save trouble, 
 let 'em send along the invites." 
 
 Sam had been listening with growing satisfaction. 
 Things seemed to be shaping just as he would have 
 them, Perhaps a word in season might help to bring 
 matters to a head. He sauntered up to the bar and 
 asked Lampheer to have one with him. 
 
 " You are dead right about the dance," he said, confi- 
 dentially. " It would be an outrage not to send you in- 
 vitations, don't you know. You see, the whole trouble 
 is with the management. Barney O' Boyle is bossing 
 the whole thing this year, and he has the swelled head. 
 He thinks he's better than you and your men, and he 
 is bound to keep you out. I heard him say that this 
 dance is to be very select and exclusive, and that he 
 wasn't going to allow any drunken shantymen near the 
 place." 
 
 "Warn't goin* to allow any Hell an' furies! 
 We'll see about that. I never hed much ter do with 
 Barney, but I thought he hed too much sense ter 
 say a thing like that. We'll just about come down 
 an* own thet dance, an' like's not we won't 'low any 
 sech critters as Barney an' his crew in the place. You 
 hear me \ " 
 
 " It would be no more than right, I'm sure," declared 
 Sam, hardly concealing his delight ; " but you'll have 
 to come prepared. Barney says that any drunken 
 loafers who try to break in to the dance will have to 
 fight him first." 
 
 " Fight him ! " yelled Red Lampheer, beside himself 
 with rage ; " we'll fight him ; we'll tear him into rags
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 255 
 
 an' feed the crows. We'll teach him an* all like him 
 to go easy with Red Lampheer an' his gang o' shanty- 
 men. By ! You hear me ! " 
 
 The irate shantyman tied his three demijohns on the 
 back of his buckboard and drove off swearing ven- 
 geance and ruin for Barney and the rest of the Red-Keg- 
 gers who should attempt to exclude the gang from the 
 last dance and supper of the season, which was booked 
 for a fortnight hence at the little village of Sixteen, 
 some twelve miles up the river. Sam started soon 
 after for home, congratulating himself on the chance 
 which had thrown Red Lampheer in his way. As he 
 passed the Maloney farm he saw Barney and Norine 
 sitting together under the trees near the house. Just 
 then Mrs. Maloney came to the door and called them 
 to supper. Evidently Barney was there to spend the 
 evening. The bitter hatred in his heart flamed up anew 
 as he saw the happiness which he had been unable to 
 interrupt and which interfered so provokingly with his 
 own plans. 
 
 The Hawkins and Maloney homesteads were scarcely 
 a mile apart as the crow flies, but a bend in the road 
 added half a mile to the distance for those who did not 
 care to tramp through the fields and a rough patch of 
 woods. With Norine, Barney always took the longer 
 route alone, he used the short cut. Late that even- 
 ing he was returning home across lots, whistling a gay 
 tune, and utterly oblivious of everything but his own 
 happy thoughts. The night was dark, but he knew his 
 way, and went on unhesitatingly until he came to a 
 narrow arm of the woods which followed a small stream 
 across the Hawkins farm. Here the low ground on 
 both sides of the stream was swampy and treacherous, 
 being covered with fallen logs and pools of water. Spe-
 
 256 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 cial care was necessary in passing this spot, especially 
 at night, and Barney began to pick his footholds more 
 slowly. As he reached a large log which had been 
 stretched across one of the pools for a path, he heard a 
 rustling in the brush behind him. Thinking it might 
 be a wildcat who had ventured down from the forest, 
 he quickened his steps to reach the open. The next 
 instant his foot tripped, and, unable to regain his bal- 
 ance, he fell heavily forward upon the log and rolled 
 into the water. In a moment he righted himself and 
 began to scramble back upon the log. Just as he threw 
 one leg over it, another heavy log fell with crushing 
 force, seemingly from the tree above him, and struck 
 him down again into the swamp. 
 
 Hew long he remained there stunned he could not 
 tell. When he regained consciousness, he found him- 
 self lying half buried in mud and water, his legs pinned 
 down beneath the log that had fallen upon him. It 
 seemed as if every bone in his body was broken as 
 he struggled to throw off the weight across his legs. 
 By slow, painful degrees, however, he succeeded in ex- 
 tricating himself and crawling up again upon the log 
 which served as a foot-path. There he sat for several 
 minutes to recover his wits and take an inventory of 
 his bruises. Failing to find any serious injury, his 
 spirits rose, and his anger, accordingly. 
 
 " What divil's work is this, begorra ? " he muttered. 
 " Sure, I heard some varmint rustlin' the bushes, or 
 I'm a sinner." 
 
 He examined the log on which he sat, crawling along 
 toward the further end. A tiny sapling was bent 
 down across it and caught in the fork of a tree on the 
 opposite side Evidently it was this which had tripped 
 him up.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 257 
 
 "Some murdherin' spalpeen did that a' purpose!" 
 exclaimed Barney, glaring around into the darkness. 
 " Come out here, ye divil's whelp, an' let me see ye. 
 I'll tache ye to set on a man in the dark ! " 
 
 Not a sound came in response to his invitation, but 
 he went on with increasing rage, "Begorra, ye're a 
 cowardly hellyun, whoever ye are, an' I'll make it my 
 business to find out. Ef thet log hed hit me square on 
 the head, ye'd hev murder on yer soul this night, an' 
 no mistake. Faith, the murder is there now for all ye 
 know an' care." 
 
 As he vented his wrath against his unknown foe, 
 Barney hurried as well as his sore joints would let him 
 toward home. Suddenly he stopped short and 
 
 clenched his fists. " By ! " he exclaimed through 
 
 his teeth. " Ef it was you ! " No threat to suit 
 
 his need came ready to his mind and he completed his 
 limping walk to the Hawkins farm in silence, but the 
 square jaw and clenched fists spoke a forcible language 
 of their own. 
 
 " Lands alive, Barney ! what's happened to you ? " ex- 
 claimed Mother Hawkins, as he entered the sitting- 
 room. 
 
 " Tripped on a log, an' fell into the swamp, Mother, 
 darlint. Hit my head an' feel sore an' mad, but no 
 bones broken. Sam home yet ? " 
 
 " Yes, he came in a little while ago from his hunting 
 trip why ? " 
 
 " Faith, I only axed. Good-night," and Barney hur- 
 ried off to bed for fear the dear old lady might see the 
 gleam of rage and suspicion that sprang into his eyes. 
 
 In the morning he was not much the worse for his 
 mishap, save for a soreness and slight stiffness in his 
 legs, and in the shoulder which received the principal 
 I)
 
 258 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 force of the blow from the log. He waited around the 
 house for an hour or two until Sam Hawkins came 
 down to his breakfast. Then he walked into the room 
 on some pretext, keeping his eye on Sam's face. He 
 thought he saw him start and pale slightly, but other- 
 wise pay no heed to his presence. Presently Barney 
 went out without speaking. Since the previous even- 
 ing he had weighed the matter carefully in his mind, 
 and had come to the unwilling conclusion that it would 
 not be wise to accuse Sam of an attempt on his life. 
 In the first place, he had nothing himself but suspicion. 
 He could not prove that he had been the victim of any- 
 thing but a somewhat unusual accident. In the second 
 place, Sam would undoubtedly deny with indignation 
 that he had been anywhere near the place, or that he 
 knew anything whatever concerning the affair. With 
 so little to back up his accusation, his story would look 
 too improbable, and Sam would be given the full benefit 
 of the doubt. Clearly the only thing to do was to 
 watch and wait.
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 
 Ros WHITMORE had prospered during the two years 
 since Farmer Hawkins had engaged him to clear the 
 stumps from a section of his farm. He and his good 
 wife Jule were hard workers and missed no opportunity 
 to provide and save for their large and growing brood. 
 The little cabin which they had erected out at The Cor- 
 ners, in the Sturgeon district, when they were among 
 the first pioneers of the region, had long been too small. 
 The time had come at last for building a house more 
 suited to their needs and their position. The Whit- 
 mores were popular far and wide among young and old. 
 It was a foregone conclusion that Ros's house-raising 
 bee would eclipse anything of the kind seen in the 
 township. 
 
 For weeks Ros had been selecting and bringing from 
 the forest the best long, smooth pine-trees he could 
 find whose diameter at the base was from a foot to four- 
 teen or sixteen inches and tapered to eight or ten 
 inches at a distance of twenty to twenty-four feet from 
 the ground. As he intended to build a good " block " 
 house, he flattened the logs with a broadax, cut them 
 into proper lengths, and squared the ends to make them 
 ready to be placed in their proper position in the house. 
 For the less pretentious houses and for the lumber- 
 shanties the ends of the logs only were squared, and 
 on raising-day the logs were put up with the bark on. 
 Thus they were rather uncouth in appearance, but an- 
 swered the simple needs of the majority of small farm- 
 
 359
 
 260 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 ers. When properly chinked with clay or plaster, 
 these log dwellings were warm and dry in winter, which 
 was a great desideratum. Ros, however, was deter- 
 mined on a very different kind of house. He and his 
 large family had lived long enough in the little rough 
 log cabin of a pioneer. His new house would be one 
 of the finest of its kind within twenty miles, almost as 
 good as that of Farmer Hawkins. All the logs were 
 nicely hewed and squared. The house was to be one 
 and a half stories high, with real sawed rafters, shin- 
 gles for the roof, siding for the gable ends, and all 
 chinks filled with real lime plaster. 
 
 As soon as the logs were cut, trimmed, and ready to 
 be put in place, Ros set a day for the raising, and every 
 able-bodied man within reasonable distance was invited 
 to be present and lend a helping hand. The Saturday 
 following the breaking of the rollway had been selected 
 as a convenient time for the many who had been en- 
 gaged on the river and had not yet settled down to the 
 regular spring work on their farms. 
 
 Raising-bees were always great occasions. The crowd 
 never failed. Drawn by the certainty of a generous 
 spread and plenty to drink, as well as by cordial neigh- 
 borly feeling, and the unwritten law which governed 
 such events, nearly all who could come did come. The 
 jug was a potent factor. Custom had established it 
 as an indispensable adjunct of every raising-bee, and 
 many young farmers who would have been ashamed to 
 be seen going into Pete's place, partook openly, and 
 often too freely of his " Mystic Brand " at these gather- 
 ings, frequently taking their first lessons in dram-drink- 
 ing. At the wind-up of a raising-bee the sober men 
 were usually a small minority, and often serious acci- 
 dents befell those whose nerves had been rendered
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 261 
 
 unsteady before the heavy work of the day was finished. 
 Ros was himself a temperate man, and did not approve 
 of the use of liquor, but at a time like this he felt com- 
 pelled to yield to popular custom and demands. To 
 omit so important an item would be regarded as an un- 
 pardonable breach of hospitality, so he provided him- 
 self with several jugs of " Pete's best," which, as the 
 latter confidentially informed him, had been specially 
 procured the day before for this occasion. His wife, 
 also, made generous preparations for the great crowd 
 which was sure to be on hand. " Aunt 'Jule's" din- 
 ners were famous for their quality as well as for their 
 quantity, and there were many willing hands to help 
 her, because the women were glad of any excuse to be 
 present as participants in the activity. 
 
 Barney had recovered from his bruises sufficiently to 
 attend the raising. Indeed, his presence was regarded 
 as well nigh indispensable, because of his cool head, 
 his ready wit, and his universal popularity. Few, how- 
 ever, were prepared for the announcement made by 
 Sam Hawkins the day before the raising that he also 
 intended to go and help in the work, and that he would 
 do as much as anybody to help Ros Whitmore put up 
 his house. 
 
 "As to thet, we'll wait an' see," remarked Tom 
 Moore to Barney, and then he asked, " What idee hes 
 he got in his head, d'ye think? Tain't likely he's 
 grown fond o' work all on a sudden." 
 
 Barney's eyes flashed, and he clenched his fists, but 
 he merely replied, " Faith, ye'll have to ask me some- 
 thin' asier." 
 
 On Saturday morning Sam was astir fully two hours 
 earlier than his wont. Both his father and mother 
 marvelled at his unaccustomed activity, but were glad
 
 262 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 to see it aroused in a good cause. Sam said very little 
 to any one. He was ill-natured and nervous, and seemed 
 to be enlisted in the day's undertaking not because he 
 liked it, but in spite of his dislike of it. Yet no one 
 had urged, or even invited him to attend the raising, 
 taking for granted that it would be useless to do so. 
 
 Farmer Hawkins and Mother Hawkins, and Mr. and 
 Mrs. Maloney rode over to Ros Whitmore's immedi- 
 ately after breakfast. Barney and Norine walked there 
 together, while Sam went by himself, and arrived after 
 all the others. Nearly two hundred men, women, and 
 children had gathered on the clearing. Work was 
 about to begin. Two layers of logs were already in 
 place upon the foundation, and others were on the skids 
 waiting to be moved up to form the third tier. The 
 ever-present jug had taken its first round and was 
 about to be placed in the cool shade of a hollow tree 
 near by as Sam sauntered up. 
 
 " Seems I'm just in time," he remarked, taking in 
 the situation at a glance. " Pass that jug this way be- 
 fore you set it down. It's good stuff. I can vouch 
 for that, don't you know." 
 
 "How's that? What d'ye know about it, more'n 
 anybody else ? " asked Arch Fellows, who held the jug, 
 eyeing Sam curiously. 
 
 " Oh, you know that is, I heard Pete say he was 
 going to fetch up from his cellar some of his best stock 
 for this occasion," replied Sam, coloring with sudden 
 embarrassment. 
 
 " Reckon ye got thet a leetle mixed, me boy," re- 
 sponded the other, handing Sam the jug " Pete told 
 Ros Whitmore es how he'd jes' ordered this lot, spe- 
 cial, from his agent for this raisin'. But it's good stuff, 
 es you say, sure enough."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 263 
 
 Sam took a deep draught of the liquor. 
 
 "Hurry up, Sam!" exclaimed Joe Reon in a half 
 whisper at his side. " Here comes Barney. Ros hes 
 appointed him his assistant superintendent for this job 
 an' asked him to shet off the drinkin' until after the 
 house is up if he can." 
 
 Sam set the jug down with a fierce oath, and seemed 
 on the point of defying Barney then and there, but 
 just beyond Barney he saw the minister talking with 
 Ros Whitmore, and he quickly edged away through the 
 crowd. 
 
 "Pile in here, boys," called Barney, whipping off his 
 own coat. " Begorra, this '11 be a foine big house, an' 
 we must be after finishin' it before sundown." 
 
 Each man was given his place, and the work began 
 in earnest. Five or six tiers were set and made fast 
 without interruption. Then some one started the jug 
 on its rounds again. 
 
 " Ye'd better lave the jug alone till the house is up," 
 expostulated Barney ; but it was of no use, for the fire 
 had been kindled and the blaze must be kept up. No- 
 body was content to be left out after some had had 
 their turns, so it was impossible to proceed with the 
 work until all who wished had partaken a second time 
 of Pete's "best," 
 
 While the lower tiers were being placed, the work 
 was comparatively easy and safe. The skids rested at 
 a gentle incline, one end on the ground and the other 
 on the highest tier. The heavy logs were moved up 
 this incline by the use of ropes pulled by those above, 
 assisted by the strong arms of those below, who pushed 
 as long as they could reach the rising log. As the 
 walls grew higher and the incline of the skids corre- 
 spondingly steeper, the work became more difficult,
 
 264 THE RED-KEGGERS ' 
 
 and the element of danger entered. Cool heads, strong 
 arms and backs, and steady nerves were essential. 
 Moreover, the quality of the work depended upon the 
 carefulness used in setting the logs true and fastening 
 the ends securely. Many a house and barn had suf- 
 fered from neglect in these particulars, caused by too 
 much attention to the jug. 
 
 Sam worked gingerly, and skipped from place to 
 place with apparently no reason, never sticking to any 
 one task more than a few minutes. He was gruff and 
 irritable, and seemed to be dissatisfied with everything. 
 Barney, on the other hand, worked with steady persist- 
 ence, always at the hardest places, and ready to help 
 wherever there seemed to be any danger of a log slip- 
 ping. His hearty words of encouragement and exhor- 
 tation, and his merry laugh and quick wit, inspired all 
 with a greater willingness to work ; but he could not 
 persuade them to let the jug alone. 
 
 An old lady, a dear old soul, known by all as " Gran- 
 ny," lived in a shanty near by, and although more than 
 eighty years of age, she was possessed of great vigor, 
 and took as much interest in the house-raising as did 
 Ros Whitmore himself. She watched the work from 
 the laying of the first log, and as one by one the tiers 
 went up, and time after time the " Mystic Brand " went 
 around, she began to notice that the corners of the 
 building were showing the effects of too much stimu- 
 lation on the brain. The condition of " her boys," as 
 she called all the men, worried her greatly, and finally 
 she walked up to a group that had just gathered for 
 another round of drinks and addressed them : 
 
 " Look here, boys, don't you think you ought to let 
 me have thet jug for a while ? Some of you will surely 
 get hurted. Besides, don't you see what poor work
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 265 
 
 you are doin' on Ros's house ? Jes' let me keep it till 
 after dinner, anyhow, and then if you must have it I'll 
 give it to you agin." 
 
 " Hear what Granny says ? " laughed Ned Blakely. 
 " She wants you to give up the jug till arter dinner, 
 an' I guess she's about right." 
 
 " I've got er holt o* this jug now, an' don't intend to 
 let go yet," said Jake Vogel, good-humoredly. " But 
 Granny's right, jest the same, an' she can hev it as 
 soon as I get enough/' and suiting the action to the 
 word, he took a long " pull " of the stuff. " There," he 
 remarked with a laugh, as he held the jug out to 
 Granny, " I'll be good now. Ye got ter limber up a 
 bit on these neighborly occasions, ye know. I've been 
 ter lots of 'em, an' guess I know when it's time ter 
 stop." 
 
 " Jake's a hog," said Tim Underwood, and reaching 
 for the jug before Granny could get it, proceeded to 
 demonstrate that he belonged to the same genus. 
 
 Barney and Ros were both getting out of patience, 
 but the good-nature of the crew prevented any out- 
 break, and as they were all volunteers, extreme measures 
 could not be taken. Even Parson Allen deemed it 
 wise to refrain from remonstrance which would be 
 listened to with perfect good-humor and respect, and 
 then disregarded when his back was turned. Barney 
 was constantly on the alert, and more than once he had 
 sprung to the aid of some half-drunken workman just 
 in time to save him from injury when he got into a 
 dangerous position and had not wit enough to take care 
 of himself. Finally Granny secured the jug, but by 
 that time it was as empty as charity at a charity ball. 
 By the time the noon hour arrived the house was about 
 two-thirds up, and the work was beginning to go better,
 
 266 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 because one jug was empty and the other had been 
 surreptitiously removed from its hiding-place and 
 smuggled away. 
 
 The feast of the day was ready promptly at twelve 
 o'clock, and the hungry men sat down to dinner at a 
 long table made of boards and placed in the shade. 
 White cloths covered the rough pine boards, and great 
 heaps of substantial good things crowded each other 
 from one end to the other. The women and girls 
 bustled about to wait upon the workers, leaving their 
 own repast until later. 
 
 Apparently all thought of the jug had been dropped, 
 but as the men returned to the building, on their way 
 a dozen or more of them ranged themselves along in 
 front of Granny's place, and, to this good dame's utter 
 disgust, demanded the article they sought. She argued 
 with them for a while, but seeing argument useless, she 
 finally produced it empty. There were some who, for- 
 getting that this was just its condition when surrendered 
 to her, accused the dear old soul of dealing unfairly with 
 them. However, Red-Keg being only a few miles dis- 
 tant, a courier was despatched with the jug with orders 
 to lose no time in getting it refilled and back to the 
 place. 
 
 The sun was well down in the west when the plates, 
 or finishing logs, were to be put into their places to form 
 the last tier upon which the roof was to rest. In order 
 to raise these heavy logs, longer skids were employed, 
 so that the incline should not be so steep. As before, 
 two ropes were fastened at the top of the building, the 
 lower ends were placed around the log at each end, and 
 men were stationed at the top to pull on the ropes, 
 while others remained below to assist in the lifting as 
 far as they could reach. This dangerous work, which
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 267 
 
 called for clear heads and steady nerves, was undertaken 
 by men some of whom were scarcely able to stand erect 
 upon the ground, so demoralizing had been the effect 
 of the fresh supply of Pete's " Mystic Brand." Only 
 those who had refrained from indulgence realized the 
 gravity of the situation. 
 
 When the last log had been lifted and pulled to a 
 point just above the heads of the men below, it was evi- 
 dent that the weight was too great for those above to 
 master, but by a desperate effort they succeeded in 
 pulling it up still farther. 
 
 " Boost 'er up, boys ! I can't hold on ter this rope 
 much longer ! " bawled out Joe Reon at the top. 
 
 " Put the rope 'round yer waist," yelled Tim Under- 
 wood from below, laughing tipsily; "then ef the log 
 comes down, you'll hev ter come with it. Haw, haw ! " 
 
 The log dropped back a little till it was again within 
 reach of those on the ground. 
 
 " Hurrah, boys, shove 'er up ! " shouted Arch Fel- 
 lows, giving it a boost, and away went that end of the 
 log, while the other end, held above by Sam Hawkins, 
 remained stationary. , 
 
 This left the log in a most dangerous position, and 
 cool heads were needed to avert a disaster, but the men 
 became dazed, and the danger dawned upon their sod- 
 den minds too late. 
 
 " My God ! boys, what are ye doin' down there ? " 
 yelled Joe Reon, who had actually tied the rope around 
 his body as suggested, and was now struggling with 
 all his nerveless strength to prevent the inevitable; 
 " I'm fallin', an' the top log is comin' with me ! Look 
 out!" 
 
 Barney and Ros, seeing that some one was going to 
 get hurt, both rushed toward the spot where the falling
 
 268 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 log must strike. Barney was there first, with quick 
 brain and steady nerve taking in the situation at a 
 glance. At the risk of his own life he pushed two men 
 aside who would have been struck by the log in its de- 
 scent, and then dodging under it, caught the man who 
 was falling just in time to save him from striking his 
 head on a sharp pine stump near by. 
 
 Sam, who held the rope at the other end of the log, 
 braced his feet securely and held his end well in place, 
 but just as the shout went up at the daring rescue Bar- 
 ney had made, Sam suddenly let his end go, which, re- 
 leased from duress, slid like lightning down the skid 
 just as Barney was passing under it with Joe Reon still 
 in his arms. 
 
 Every one supposed that the log was secure in Sam's 
 hands, and no one had looked for it to fall. But No- 
 rine, who had been watching Barney's every move- 
 ment, had come near to the scene unnoticed, and with 
 quick eye she saw Sam let go of his rope, and almost 
 before the log began to fall she screamed : 
 
 "Barney, quick, jump back!" 
 
 Without stopping to learn the reason, Barney obeyed 
 his sweetheart's warning instantly, springing backward 
 close to the wall just in time to avoid receiving the 
 whole crushing weight of the log upon his head. 
 
 Ros Whitmore was not so fortunate. He had fol- 
 lowed close behind Barney at the first sign of the dan- 
 ger. When Barney sprang back, Ros attempted to do 
 the same, but he stumbled and fell to the ground. The 
 heavy log came down upon his right leg and broke the 
 bone below the knee. 
 
 Meanwhile, Sam stood above, watching the scene 
 below, but forgot the slack of the rope, which he had 
 gathered in as he had pulled up his end of the log, and
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 269 
 
 which lay in loops and coils about his feet. As the 
 log slid down the skids it jerked the rope with it, and 
 the slack quickly becoming entangled around Sam's 
 feet, pulled him unceremoniously from his position. 
 No one was there to help him. Barney was still hold- 
 ing to Reon, whom he had the instant before caught in 
 his fall. The rest were rushing to help Ros. Sam 
 struggled for a brief moment to release himself from 
 the ropes, and then, with a yell of rage and terror, came 
 tumbling down. A large tub of mortar for filling the 
 chinks between the logs had been started close to the 
 wall just below Sam. The lime had just been slaked, 
 and the sand was ready for mixing. Into this tub Sam 
 fell headlong. The force of the fall was broken, but 
 when Sam emerged from his lime bath he was a sight 
 to behold. Sputtering, and spluttering, and howling, 
 he rushed down to the brook near by and jumped in 
 bodily, and began at once the task of cleaning the stuff 
 out of his eyes and mouth. 
 
 A part of the crowd followed, forgetting even Ros's 
 sad injury in this new diversion, and the more Sam 
 raved and swore, the more the spectators laughed and 
 jeered, for Sam was generally disliked by his neigh- 
 bors, and they did not hesitate to blame him for his 
 own plight. There was no excuse, they said, for his 
 letting go of the rope, if he had had his wits about him, 
 and that was the least that could be said. There were 
 some who said nothing, but shook their heads gravely 
 and turned away. 
 
 Barney had taken Joe Reon to Granny's cabin, where 
 he had found the fellow to be more scared than hurt, 
 and then he hastened to look after Ros, stopping on 
 the way to see if Sam had been injured. When he 
 saw the fun the rest were having at Sam's expense he
 
 2;o THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 withdrew to Whitmore's cabin, whither Ros had been 
 carried. Already his brave and energetic wife had 
 stripped the injured leg, and, with the help of Mother 
 Hawkins and Parson Allen, was preparing splints and 
 bandages. She knew just what to do, and wasted no 
 time in useless lamentations or complaints. 
 
 " It is a very unfortunate interruption of Ros's home- 
 building," said Allen to Barney, quietly; "but we may 
 be thankful it is no worse. He will have the use of 
 his leg again in time with the good care Jule will take 
 of it. She is the best doctor he could have." 
 
 Barney said nothing in reply. He did not dare to 
 trust himself, and the sight of little Tilly Whitmore 
 standing by her father's bed and holding his hand 
 tightly in hers while the big tears rolled quietly down 
 her pale, agonized little face, was too much for him 
 altogether. With a choking sensation in his throat, he 
 hurriedly assured Ros that he would see to finishing the 
 house, and that Ros needn't worry, and then broke away 
 from the painful scene and went back to the work outside. 
 
 Sam and the rest of the men soon returned, all by 
 this time being pretty well sobered up. Barney looked 
 his enemy in the face as he passed him and saw the 
 demon in the fellow's eyes, but said nothing. Sam 
 was too badly bruised to resume work, and after a short 
 rest started for home. The jug went around no more 
 that day. 
 
 As Barney and Norine walked home together after 
 the work was finished and the sumptuous supper 
 eaten, they were unusually quiet. After walking almost 
 half the distance, Norine, unable longer to keep her 
 dreadful thought to herself, exclaimed : 
 
 " Oh, Barney ! That's what he came for. He did 
 it on purpose. I saw him "
 
 THE MURE SAM RAVED AND SWORE, THE MORK TIIK 
 SPECTATORS LAUGHED AND JEERHD.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 271 
 
 " Hush, darlint ! " interrupted Barney, who had the 
 same conviction. " Ye can't be sure. Let's not think 
 of it. Let's talk about yer own swate self." 
 
 "And imagine," she continued, in only half obedi- 
 ence, "you thought I was going to the dance with hint." 
 
 "Faith, I'm thinkin' thet was quare meself. But 
 he'll not be there at all, niver fear, an' we kin have our 
 fun better without him, eh, swateheart thet is, ef we 
 can have any fun at all when we'll be thinkin' of poor 
 Ros lyin' home with a broken leg, an' his little mite of 
 a girl cryin' her swate eyes out for him all on account 
 of thet thet hellynn ! " 
 
 Having thus relieved a part of his pent-up rage 
 through the safety valve of that one expressive word, 
 Barney drew Norine closer to him, and spent the re- 
 mainder of the time in trying to make her forget every- 
 thing except himself and happiness.
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 A DANCE and oyster supper at Sixteen was always an 
 event which interested all the lads and lasses for miles 
 around. To miss the last one of the season was a thing 
 not to be thought of by any rational young person with 
 nimble feet and a good digestion. The settlement 
 which flourished under the name of "Sixteen," taken 
 from the number of the township in which it was lo- 
 cated, was about twelve miles from Red-Keg and nine 
 miles from Farmer Hawkins's a mere " stone's throw " 
 for the active young lumbermen and farmers and their 
 sweethearts. The festive occasion was always well at- 
 tended, and fun and frolic were free and unrestrained. 
 Barney O'Boyle was to be master of ceremonies, and 
 he and Norine had been looking forward to the even- 
 ing with more pleasant anticipation than ever before. 
 It would be the first one for them to attend since the 
 happy understanding between them. Barney had ob- 
 tained Uncle Si's willing permission to take old Rock 
 and the buckboard for the trip. 
 
 Norine came over early from the Maloney homestead 
 " fixed up " for the occasion and looking very sweet in 
 her holiday finery. Much of this finery was saved from 
 last year and skilfully made over, but that was a 
 woman's secret which others need not know. 
 
 Barney had carefully groomed Rock, dusted and pol- 
 ished up the buckboard, and arrayed himself in a 
 new broadcloth suit, bought for the occasion, he said, 
 
 272
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 273 
 
 but others thought it might have been purchased with 
 an eye to a future use. Uncle Si was to bring the 
 rig around from the barn when the young people were 
 ready to start ; but suddenly, while they were waiting, 
 they heard his voice calling out in alarm : 
 
 " Barney, Barney, come here and help me with Rock. 
 He's sick, an' I'm afraid he can't be taken out." 
 
 Hastening to the barn, he found that Rock was, in- 
 deed, a sick horse, and was now scarcely able to stand 
 on his legs. 
 
 " Poor old boy, what's ailin' ye ? " exclaimed Barney, 
 as he stroked the horse's neck, which was covered with 
 a cold sweat. 
 
 Rock turned his dim eyes upon Barney with a lov- 
 ing, piteous appeal for help, made an effort to lift his 
 head and rally his strength, staggered a moment, and 
 then fell upon the barn floor. Before anything could 
 be done for him, he shivered once or twice, stretched 
 out his limbs convulsively, and was dead. 
 
 " It's very strange. He was all right this afternoon," 
 said the farmer, wiping away the suspicion of a tear, for 
 good old Rock, so kind and gentle, had been the family 
 horse ever since they came to the farm, and had be- 
 come a great pet. They stood for some time looking 
 down mournfully at the prostrate body, until Uncle 
 Si asked dubiously i 
 
 " How will you go to the dance, now, Barney ? It is 
 a good nine miles, and the roads are bad out that way. 
 You might walk, but Norine couldn't think of it. Poor 
 child, she'll be so disappointed. It's too bad. Do you 
 suppose you could get along with the oxen? Why 
 not ? They're a spry team, and would cover the ground 
 almost as last as Rock himself. The riding wouldn't 
 be quite so easy, of course, but we don't seem to have 
 18
 
 274 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 much choice now. You go and ask Norine while I 
 hitch up. It's getting late." 
 
 Norine at first was scandalized when asked to go to 
 a ball in an ox-cart with all her finery, but Barney 
 finally persuaded her that it was the proper and only 
 thing to do in such an emergency, and by the time 
 Uncle Si came around with the big-eyed and gentle 
 oxen, the couple had come to an agreement and were 
 again awaiting him. 
 
 "You remind me of Priscilla and John Alden," 
 laughed Mother Hawkins, coming to the door of the 
 farmhouse to see the young couple safely off in their 
 extemporized pleasure vehicle. 
 
 " Good-by, Auntie and Uncle. You're very good to 
 help us out this way, though it seems queer to go to a 
 dance in an ox-cart," said Norine, waving her handker- 
 chief as they took their departure. 
 
 There was certainly something incongruous in the 
 combination of broadcloth and ribbons with a rough ox- 
 cart and heavy, slow-going oxen. Even Barney felt it 
 as he urged his team into a livelier gait after leaving 
 the farm. 
 
 "Git along there, Bill; gee, Bright, gee; can't ye 
 hear? I'll be after givin' ye a taste o' this whip ef 
 ye don't kape t' th' road better'n that. Begorra, did ye 
 iver see so much trouble as I'm havin' with these oxen ? 
 Sure, they'll make me lose me timper, so they will," 
 and Barney O'Boyle sidled closer to Norine, and encir- 
 cling her waist with his arm, explained that he was 
 afraid she would fall out of the wagon if he did not 
 hold her in. 
 
 " Oh, you're a blarney," said Norine, coloring, but 
 making no effort to unfold the brawny arm from around 
 her.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 275 
 
 Before long they were travelling over a very rough 
 and winding road, one which had been used by lumber- 
 men during the winter. While the ground was covered 
 with snow this makeshift became a pretty fair highway 
 for logging purposes, but when the snow and ice had 
 melted, and the road-bed came to its normal condition, 
 it could hardly lay claim to any particular merits for 
 pleasure travel. While the right fore wheel of a vehi- 
 cle might be on a protuberant root, the left one very 
 likely would be down in a rut, throwing the conveyance 
 somewhat out of equilibrium. In some places the right 
 fore wheel of a wagon would be up, the left down, the 
 right hind wheel down and the left up, all at the same 
 time. In spite of it all, however, Barney and Norine 
 were happy and in the best of spirits. 
 
 " Haw, Bright ; haw, there ; can't ye moind ? Haw 
 " but before Barney could even disengage his arm 
 from around his fair companion, to steady the awk- 
 ward team, there was a crash and a spill and Norine 
 felt herself flying through the air as though shot from 
 a catapult. 
 
 The wagon had struck one of the " bad spots," and 
 the uncertainty of the road, together with Barney's ex- 
 cited vociferations, had frightened the oxen till they 
 had " hawed " too much, and the " nigh " wagon-wheel 
 had struck a root nearly opposite the one ne was trying 
 to avoid on the " off " side. 
 
 Norine landed a few feet away in a ditch of water, 
 unharmed, much frightened, and very wet. Barney 
 was likewise hors du combat on the other side of the 
 road, while the ox-team took it into their heads to run, 
 and run they did. 
 
 "Barney, come here, quick come and help me," 
 called Norine, bursting into tears, partly because she
 
 276 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 was frightened, and partly because her pretty clothes 
 were ruined, and the prospects of a good time at the 
 dance were rapidly fading away. In her present be- 
 draggled condition she surely could not put in an 
 appearance at the festivities. 
 
 " Where are ye, Norine ; are ye hurt ? " cried Barney, 
 disengaging himself from a clump of briers into which 
 he had fallen. 
 
 " I'm down here in the mud and water, up to my 
 neck ! " replied Norine through her tears ; " and if you 
 don't hurry I'll soon be drowned. It was bad luck for 
 us to come out here in that old ox-cart." 
 
 Barney's clothes were torn and his hands and face 
 badly lacerated by the brambles among which he 
 had fallen, but he hastened to Norine and found 
 her, not quite "up to her neck" in the water; but 
 much the worse for her immersion in the shallow 
 ditch, and too much frightened to help herself to 
 dry ground. Barney quickly extricated her from the 
 mire, and as he did so she exclaimed, half in earnest 
 and half in play : 
 
 " You said you wanted to protect me from falling ; 
 and now see how you have done it. Just look at my 
 clothes ! " 
 
 " While ye're spakin' of clothes, look at mine ! " said 
 Barney, by way of apology. 
 
 Up to this time Norine had not noticed Barney's 
 condition, but when she beheld him by the light of the 
 full moon just rising, her own plight was for the mo- 
 ment forgotten and she was filled with alarm and sym- 
 pathy for her companion. He was a fright! His 
 new black coat was torn and muddy; he was minus 
 his hat ; his hair was tumbled, his face and hands bleed- 
 ing, and a woebegone expression overspread his coun-
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 277 
 
 tenance, as he stood before Norine, and began to real- 
 ize all that had come to them. 
 
 " What iver shall we do " began Barney, and then 
 he suddenly awoke to the fact that his team was run- 
 ning away, and that he must stop it quickly, or a worse 
 accident might happen. Telling Norine to wait where 
 she was for a moment, and that he would be back im- 
 mediately with the team and wagon to take her home 
 for dry clothes, he started up the road on a run after 
 the oxen. 
 
 By this time the team had a good start, and the usu- 
 ally gentle oxen were racing madly. The rumble of 
 the wagon could still be heard, with now and then a 
 crash as it met with some obstruction. The runaways 
 were nearing a strip of corduroy about half a mile in 
 length which had been laid across a treacherous swale. 
 Unless they stopped before reaching it there was 
 scarcely a hope that either the oxen or wagon could be 
 saved, as the " bridge " was narrow, and in their mad 
 rush they would surely go off into the mire and slime 
 of the lagoon, which meant certain death, because they 
 would quickly sink out of sight. Barney realized all 
 this as, with fear tugging at his heart, he bounded up 
 the road at his topmost speed. 
 
 " Whoa, Bright ! whoa Bill ! whoa ! " rent the air as 
 he fairly flew over the uneven road. Strewn along the 
 way were evidences of the wreck the cattle were mak- 
 ing of the wagon, first the wagon-box, then one wheel, 
 then another, and it was soon apparent that all four 
 wheels had gone ; but all the more desperately Barney 
 sped on, determined to capture the two oxen if possi- 
 ble, and whatever salvage remained of the cart. 
 
 He reasoned that the yoke and chain might still be 
 intact, even if the vehicle had been so rudely scattered.
 
 278 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 He was nearing the runaways at every bound, but at 
 the same time they were nearing the corduroy. An 
 instant later he heard their hoofs and dangling chain 
 clattering and clanking over the loose logs. He re- 
 doubled his efforts to reach them before it was too late. 
 Arriving at the opening he saw his quarry only a little 
 distance ahead, each ox making a crazy effort to crowd 
 the other off the narrow bridge into the water. They 
 were bellowing now with fright and fatigue, but kept 
 on in their wild career. The middle of the bridge was 
 reached, and Barney was almost upon them. 
 
 "Whoa, Bright, whoa! back, Bill, back! haw, 
 Bright " He was cut short. The hook of the chain 
 had caught in one of the cross logs of the "bridge," 
 and, before he knew what had happened, he was hurled 
 headlong into the swale chain, logs, cattle, and all in a 
 frightful mix-up. 
 
 It so chanced that a loosened log landed near by, and 
 as he gathered his few remaining senses he instinctively 
 clutched at it, and before his feet became inextricably im- 
 bedded in the bog, he crawled upon its friendly side . He 
 had been hurled head first, however, and was covered 
 with mud and ooze from head to feet. His first thought 
 was for his own safety, so he proceeded at once to se- 
 cure it. Reaching the corduroy, he climbed up, and 
 then looked around for his dumb charges. They had 
 disappeared in the lagoon, and a few bubbles on the 
 water alone indicated the spot where they went down. 
 
 Barney was at his wit's end to know what step to 
 take next. In the excitement of the last few moments 
 he had forgotten all about Norine, whom he had left 
 standing in the road nearly a mile back. 
 
 He was nearly distracted with the course events had 
 taken. The wagon had been smashed to smithereens,
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 279 
 
 and the team of oxen were at the bottom of Stur- 
 geon Slough. He was in a great dilemma. He could 
 not think of going on to the dance, and he was ashamed 
 to face Uncle Si. How could he explain such a dire 
 calamity ? How would Farmer Hawkins feel at losing 
 his horse and his ox-team, both in the same evening ? 
 
 Barney gazed wistfully at the murky water where 
 the team had gone down. Mechanically he turned his 
 footsteps toward the spot where he had left Norine so 
 abruptly. As he passed one by one the pieces of 
 wreckage strewn along the way he was filled with sor- 
 row and dismay. He could scarcely realize the havoc 
 wrought in so short a time. The wreck was complete. 
 
 Nearing the spot where he had left Norine standing 
 he came suddenly to a realization that something else 
 was wrong. She was nowhere to be seen, and repeated 
 calls failed to get a response. He was nonplussed. 
 Perhaps she had been injured by her fall, and had 
 crawled away from the road and become unconscious. 
 Again and again the woods resounded with his calls. 
 He begged and implored her to answer if she were 
 near, but not a sound broke the stillness of the night 
 in response. He was some five miles from home and 
 about four miles from the settlement of Sixteen. Help 
 was nowhere at hand. The poor fellow was almost 
 crazed by grief. He scoured the woods round about in 
 a vain effort to find the lost girl. Once he thought he 
 heard a faint call for help, but when he stopped to listen 
 he could hear nothing, and was filled with apprehension. 
 
 While Barney was somewhat deficient in "school 
 larnin ' " he was a good deal of a philosopher. He saw 
 that, direful as the incidents of the evening had been, 
 the issue must be met, and the sooner Uncle Si and 
 the rest became acquainted with the facts, the better it
 
 280 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 would be for all concerned. He therefore decided to 
 return home with all haste, thinking, also, that he might 
 find Norine there, or, perhaps, would overtake her on 
 the way. Hoping against hope, he started on a run 
 for the home of Farmer Hawkins, but saw nothing 
 of Norine on the way, and his heart was sinking within 
 him when he opened the door of the farmhouse. The 
 peace and quiet that reigned within told him at once 
 that Norine had not arrived there. Farmer Hawkins 
 sat in his comfortable arm-chair, and Mother Hawkins 
 was near by, busy with a basket of patchwork. Nero, 
 the house-dog, was lazily stretched out on the floor at 
 his master's feet, and Maltese Tabby was playing hide- 
 and-seek with her brood of youngsters, assisted by a 
 spool of thread which had dropped from her mistress's 
 basket. 
 
 As the door burst open and Barney appeared, great 
 consternation at once prevailed. The huge mastiff rose 
 suddenly and made a rush for the supposed intruder. 
 He was never friendly toward tramps, and his well- 
 known antipathy kept the farm free from trespassers 
 of that sort. 
 
 " Nero, lie down there ! Aren't you ashamed of your- 
 self acting so hastily," Uncle Si said, commandingly. 
 
 "Sakes alive, that's Barney! What on earth has 
 happened to you? Where's Norine?" cried Mother 
 Hawkins, dropping her patchwork over the floor as she 
 hastened to meet Barney. She was trembling with 
 excitement and alarm. 
 
 Breathlessly, Barney stammered out his woeful story. 
 The farmer and his wife listened in amazement and 
 sympathy, but when he came to the disappearance of 
 Norine, Mother Hawkins could bear no more. 
 
 " Josiah, you go down to the village and rouse the
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 281 
 
 neighbors just as quick as you can. Maybe my poor 
 little girl is dying out there in the woods. Don't lose 
 a minute. Barney, get on some dry clothes and come 
 with me," she said, almost hysterically. 
 
 " Now, Mother, you can't go out there in the night," 
 protested Farmer Hawkins. " You haven't been feel- 
 ing well for a month past. It would be too much for 
 you. I'll get all the men I can. You stay here and 
 wait for us." 
 
 " I can't stay here," exclaimed Mother Hawkins. " I 
 must be doing something for the dear child. Perhaps 
 I'll go down and keep her mother company. She'll be 
 nearly crazy with anxiety." 
 
 "That's just the thing," agreed Josiah. "Hurry, 
 Barney, we'll all go together and leave Mother at the 
 Maloneys while we go on to rouse the neighbors. Has 
 Sam been home to-night, Mother ? " 
 
 " He came in about six o'clock and went to his room 
 complaining of a headache and said he was going to 
 bed and didn't want to be disturbed," replied Mother 
 Hawkins. 
 
 Josiah hurried to Sam's room and quickly returned, 
 saying that Sam was not there and his bed had not 
 been touched. 
 
 " That's strange ; I wonder where he can be," said his 
 mother, half conscious of a vague disquiet in her heart. 
 
 " It's hard to say, but he'll turn up as usual when it 
 pleases him," replied Josiah with a sigh; then, as Bar- 
 ney returned in his working clothes, and Mother Haw- 
 kins threw a thick shawl over her head and shoulders, 
 he called to Nero, and they all started down the road 
 toward Red-Keg. 
 
 Norine's mother was almost prostrated with grief 
 and anxiety, and was bent upon starting out at once
 
 282 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 with the searchers, but cooler judgment prevailed and 
 she was persuaded to remain with Mother Hawkins 
 while the men searched for the lost girl. 
 
 In a marvellously short time Farmer Hawkins, John 
 Maloney, and Barney, going in different directions, had 
 gathered a party of twenty men, with half as many 
 vehicles. The younger men were away at the dance; 
 but Barney was overjoyed and not a little surprised to 
 find Tom Moore at home, and ready to accompany him 
 on the instant. Big Pete Murray, who would have 
 been an invaluable addition to the party, had gone with 
 his wife and his two daughters to the dance. Robert 
 Allen had gone to Midland that morning to visit the 
 schoolmaster, who was recovering from his injury in 
 the rollway. 
 
 The moon was rising high in the heavens when the 
 searching party, with lanterns and torches, arrived at 
 the spot where the search was to begin. A signal was 
 agreed upon to be used if any of the searchers were 
 successful. Repeated shouts had failed to bring any 
 response. Nero was alert. He ran around and around 
 the spot where Norine was last seen, and then started 
 off into the jungle, baying loudly as he went. He was 
 evidently on the trail. On and on he went, further and 
 further into the dense forest, till at last his baying was 
 lost in the distance, even to those leading the party. 
 
 The brambles and briers were playing havoc with the 
 clothing of the searchers. But that they were on the 
 right trail there was no doubt, for here and there were 
 found fragments of Norine's dress hanging to the briers 
 which had torn them off as she went along. Tom 
 Moore and Barney were in the lead, and when the bay- 
 ing of the mastiff ceased to reach their ears they hung 
 to the trail just the same. The thought uppermost in
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 283 
 
 Barney's mind was that the girl had been bereft of her 
 reason through fright and had fled through this terri- 
 ble thicket not knowing whither. The woods were in- 
 fested with wild animals and he dreaded lest she might 
 have been torn to pieces. 
 
 After a half hour in the woods the moon was sud- 
 denly hidden by heavy clouds, and soon a drenching 
 shower added to the discomforts and difficulties of the 
 search, and to the fears for Norine. The route the 
 mastiff had taken led deeper into the forest, away from 
 habitations of any kind and into the dense woods where 
 but few feet had ever trod ; now across a tamarack 
 swamp, now over ugly swales and watercourses filled 
 to their brims by the spring rains and swollen by the 
 present downpour. 
 
 The leaders at length reached a lagoon too deep to 
 ford, a branch of the treacherous Sturgeon Slough. In 
 the mud on its margin they discovered recent tracks 
 those of a woman and a man, or men. There appeared 
 to be two. Intermingled with these were the foot- 
 prints of a dog, which our searchers concluded were 
 made by Nero. The latter were quite fresh, but the 
 former had become nearly obliterated by the rain. 
 
 Tom Moore, who was an experienced trailer, was 
 much encouraged by this find, but was considerably 
 puzzled as to the identity of the companion or compan- 
 ions of Norine, and why she had companions. They 
 were not made by the hobnailed boots of a lumberman. 
 Who, then, did make them, and why had they come to 
 this dismal and out-of-the-way place ? Might it not be 
 possible that the tracks were made at different times ? 
 No; for here, as Tom pointed out, after examining 
 them closely by the light of the torches, were the men's 
 tracks over the woman's, and a little farther on the
 
 284 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 woman's tracks over the men's, showing clearly that 
 they must have been made by parties who were to- 
 gether. No evidences of a struggle were apparent. 
 
 This muddy shore extended for some distance to the 
 left, and had been followed by the fugitives for its full 
 length. It ended near a large, overhanging rock. 
 When this was reached the footprints were plainly 
 visible, as here they had been protected from the wash- 
 ing influence of the rain. 
 
 " Shoot me ef one of them boot-tracks warn't made 
 by Sam Hawkins ! " ejaculated Tom, eyeing the ground 
 closely. " Here's his mark plain es the nose on my 
 face a star on the heel ! No one else es I know of 
 hes one like it. Old John Harding, the shoemaker, 
 put it there only t'other day. What on airth could ha' 
 brought him out here with that gal ? There's ben ugly 
 rumors about him an' thet gang o' his'n lately, an' 
 mebbe we're on their trail. Ef thet's the case, Barney, 
 we must go back for reinforcements. Them devils 
 may be up to suthin', an' we'd be no match fer 'em 
 alone. Norine Maloriey never kem out here of her 
 own free will and accord. She's ben brought forcibly, 
 no doubt, afraid of her life. By thunder ! here's her 
 handkerchief, still wet with the poor gal's tears, thrown 
 down under this rock fer us ter find," went on big Tom, 
 excitedly. " I tell ye she ain't fer away, nuther." 
 
 Barney was trembling like a leaf. The thoughts 
 suggested by Tom, and the finding of Norine's hand- 
 kerchief in this wild spot were almost too much for 
 his self-control. He gasped a moment as if in mortal 
 pain. 
 
 " Give me that handkerchief, Tom," he said huskily, 
 and thrust the dainty bit of cambric into his bosom. 
 " Be the powers of hivin, Tom, let us kape on till we
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 285 
 
 find her. Begorra, it's me own doin's entirely as brought 
 her here, and we must find her or die in the attimpt ! " 
 
 The two were now far in the lead. In fact, Tom 
 and Barney seemed to be the only ones who had kept 
 to the trail. The rest had wandered off in different 
 directions, scouring the woods around the spot where 
 Norine was last seen. 
 
 " Jest es ye say, Barney ; but we're not very fer from 
 the dancers at Sixteen, an' we might run over there an' 
 git some help. These devils, whoever they be, are 
 desperit, else they wouldn't ha' sperited a gal off like 
 thet, let me tell ye ; an' like es not her safety, her life 
 mebbe, depends on us meetin* 'em with a superior 
 force. I ain't ben runnin* 'round an' scourin' this neck 
 o' woods the last twenty years fer nuthin' ; an' sure's 
 preachin' this is one o' them times when discretion'll 
 prove the better part of valor, an' don't you fergit it. 
 Still, Barney, old boy, ef ye say forrard, forrard's the 
 word, even though we meet Old Nick hisself," and 
 Tom looked inquiringly at his companion. 
 
 " Sure, Tom, ye're a better gin'ral then I am, so do 
 as ye think best ; but fer the love of hivin, don't let us 
 make no mistakes," rejoined Barney, submissively; 
 then he added, "What on airth has become o' thet 
 dawg? He's gone entirely." 
 
 It was now nearly midnight. The rain had ceased 
 falling, and the men could make better progress. They 
 climbed upon the rock under which they had been 
 standing and soon reached a sand ridge which was quite 
 free from underbrush, and then made their way along 
 as rapidly as possible. Although this spot was fully 
 three miles back from any road, and no nearer to any 
 farmhouse or even lumber-camp, the two men were 
 surprised to see that there was a beaten path here,
 
 286 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 which started from the edge of this lagoon, and ex- 
 tended back toward what were known as the burnt 
 sand-hills. As soon as Tom made this discovery he 
 told Barney to put out his light and move with great 
 caution. The ridge they were traversing intersected 
 another at the foot of the slough, and the latter could 
 be followed up till it reached the settlement of Six- 
 teen. At this intersection, the trail they had been fol- 
 lowing branched off toward the hills. The moon had 
 now come out again in all its beauty and the night 
 became as bright as day. They noted well the spot 
 and then hastened in the direction of Sixteen. On the 
 way they unexpectedly fell in with Jake Vogel and Dan 
 Underbill, who also had become separated from the 
 main party and had come around by a shorter route. 
 Barney was for turning back at once, urging that four 
 were enough; but Tom, whispering to him to say 
 nothing of their suspicions, merely explained to the 
 others that they were on the track of a party which 
 might offer resistance and that as Sixteen was so near 
 it would be wise to get assistance when they could. 
 Jake and Dan approved of this plan, so they pushed on 
 without further delay
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 
 " LADIES give right hands across, don't get lost, be 
 on time ; the left hand back and don't be slack bal- 
 ance four in a line," sang out the first violin, whose 
 calling could be heard across the fields through an open 
 window. 
 
 No sooner had that set been finished than a call for 
 an " Old Mrs. Finnegan " quadrille was heard. 
 
 " Right ye are ! " cried big Pete Murray, who was 
 acting as floor manager until the arrival of Barney. 
 " Form on for *Old Mrs. Finnegan.' " 
 
 In a twinkling the floor was again filled and the music 
 set agoing for this rollicking dance. 
 
 "Salute yer pardners. Lefi-hand around for Old 
 Mrs. Finnegan. You've done it so well you may do it 
 agin, agin! Forward all for Old Mrs. Finnegan. 
 You've done it so well you may do it agin, agin ! Bal- 
 ance all for Old Mrs. Finnegan. You've done it so 
 well you may do it agin, agin ! Allemand left for Old 
 Mrs. Finnegan. You've done it so well you may do it 
 agin, agin ! Grand right-and-left for Old Mrs. Finne- 
 gan. You've done it so well you may do it agin, agin ! " 
 
 Another set was ready and waiting to claim the floor 
 the instant " Old Mrs. Finnegan " ended in a burst of 
 laughter. The good-natured fiddlers swung into a new 
 tune with scarcely a break. 
 
 " First lady lead up to the right ; gent follow after. 
 Balance all ; swing 'em around," came in the regulation 
 sing-song fashion from Dave Martin, who handled the 
 
 287
 
 288 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 bow on the first violin. " Allemand left ; grand right- 
 and-left. Swing on the corner," he bawled out in sten- 
 torian tones. 
 
 It was a jolly, rollicking crowd that had gathered at 
 Sixteen in the only " ball-room " there. An extension 
 of the tavern, used ordinarily as a dormitory for lum- 
 bermen, now cleared of the bunks and furnished with 
 a row of benches placed around all sides of the room 
 except on the end where the " fiddlers " were located 
 this was the ball-room. 
 
 The orchestra consisted of first and second violin and 
 a bass viol. The veteran lumber-camp fiddler, Jose, 
 fat and jolly, handled the second fiddle, and Arch Fel- 
 lows the bass viol. Their repertoire included jigs, 
 quicksteps, breakdowns, waltzes, schottisches, galops, 
 etc., in great profusion. While in many respects the 
 music was crude, it was remarkable how well some of 
 those lumbermen could render the popular airs of the 
 day merely by ear. Their remuneration depended upon 
 the generosity of the dancers, who were expected to 
 " chip in " when the hat was passed. A rough plat- 
 form, consisting of loose boards placed upon several 
 beer kegs, lifted the musicians above the crowd. They 
 were further honored by being supplied with chairs 
 the only ones in the place. 
 
 On the present occasion, the dance was unusually 
 well attended. The people came in all sorts of convey- 
 ances, from horseback to ox-carts. Some arrived on 
 foot from distant points. There was no formality. The 
 party was made up of all classes, from the shantyman 
 who was '* decent " to the boss lumberman and well-to- 
 do farmer. Some came as far as twenty miles in order 
 to take part in the hop which celebrated the wind-up of 
 a prosperous logging season. Even some of the older
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 289 
 
 people thought it not out of place to be on hand, and 
 several gray -haired men and women were there to " trip 
 the light fantastic toe." Ashbel Fair, " Babe " Stran- 
 der, Rodney Bedell, and Bud Frazer had come seven- 
 teen miles from Midland and, with Grat Vogel, ruled 
 the younger element. Pete Murray, with his wife Kate 
 and his two buxom girls Katie and Sally, Bob Land- 
 seer and his wife Hetty, Ned Blakely and his wife 
 Becky, Tim Underwood and Joe Reon were among the 
 Red-Keggers present. Sevvard Rathaway had brought 
 his cousin Lettie, who, in turn, had persuaded Axcy 
 Marthy, with some difficulty, to go with them, insist- 
 ing that the unhappy events at the rollway should not 
 keep her from the dance, and that if she stayed away it 
 would only make people talk. 
 
 Any of these events would be out of tune unless 
 Barney O'Boyle had a hand in it. His presence often 
 prevented melees which might have proved disastrous. 
 His cool counsel and fearless ways gathered around 
 him enough of the peaceable participants to resist the 
 troublesome or boisterous ones. Whether the dance was ' 
 held at Red-Keg, Sixteen, Beaverton, or any other place 
 in the circuit, he was expected to be there. He seldom 
 brought a companion, for he was too bashful to ask any 
 of the girls, so this time, when it was known that No- 
 rine was to come with him, all his friends were on the 
 qui vive. 
 
 The ball-room was barely large enough for two sets 
 in a quadrille ; even then it was difficult to keep to 
 one's own set. The two sets would frequently get 
 mixed in spite of all. This, however, merely gave zest 
 to the occasion, and added to the general hilarity. The 
 quadrille just finished had been one of the preliminary 
 sets not on the regular order, put on to give the musi- 
 19
 
 290 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 cians opportunity to " limber up " for the regular pro- 
 gram which would begin upon the arrival of Barney. 
 All knew that he had a long way to come, so they did 
 not look for him very early ; but as the minutes flew 
 by until an hour had passed, and still no Barney, there 
 was much " reckoning " as to what was delaying him. 
 When nine o'clock came, Dave laid down his fiddle 
 and, after a brief consultation with Pete Murray, an- 
 nounced that they would wait just half an hour longer 
 for Barney ; if he did not come by then the regular 
 program would be taken up with Pete Murray as mas- 
 ter of the evening. Thereupon the entire party was 
 given up to a discussion of the failure of Barney and 
 Norine to appear. The windows of the whole house 
 were open, and eyes were at each looking down the 
 only street in the direction from which the delinquents 
 should arrive. 
 
 " Guess him an' Norine got sparkin' on the way an' 
 fergot ter keep the old horse movin'," speculated Bob 
 Landseer, as he turned away from the window, " I re- 
 member one night when me an' Hetty was goin' to 
 church, our nag stopped, an' first we knew of it was 
 when somebody comin' home from church hollered to 
 us ter git outer the road. I says ter Het " 
 
 The rest of his story was suppressed by the firm 
 hand of Hetty herself clapped over his mouth, while a 
 shout of laughter greeted the yarn and its interruption. 
 
 " Wai, I'll tell ye what I heard about a week ago, 
 though I don't take no stock in it," said Ned Blakely. 
 " It may not have anythin' ter do with Barney, an' I'd 
 clean fergot it till jest now, but I did hear a rumor thet 
 ole Bloag's gang o* shanty men, with Red Lampheer at 
 their head, was talkin' about comin' down here to clean 
 us out, 'cause they didn't git no invites. I haint heard
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 291 
 
 nothin' more sence, an' I reckon they ain't nothin' in 
 it, but then agin, mebbe they is." 
 
 Ned's statement made a decided sensation, and a 
 dozen voices immediately demanded to know who was 
 his informant. 
 
 "Es near es I can remember, 'twas Bob Simons, 
 down at Pete's place," replied Ned. " He said Lam- 
 pheer hed been there to git whiskey, an' raised ruc- 
 tions about the invites." 
 
 " Now ye spake of it, it strikes me I heard thet same 
 thing," declared Pete Murray ; " but let 'em try it on ; 
 bedad, they'll be more ructions raised than Red an' his 
 hull drunken crew kin take care of in a week." 
 
 Although the belief was general that no such attack 
 would be made, it was deemed wise to despatch a scout 
 to reconnoitre. Steve Billings, the chore-boy at the 
 tavern, was assigned to this task and promised suitable 
 payment if he "kept his eyes peeled." 
 
 It was now half-past nine o'clock. Pete Murray an- 
 nounced that the dancing would be resumed without 
 waiting any longer for Barney and Norine, so Dave 
 Martin, Jose, and Arch Fellows vaulted to their places 
 on the orchestra platform and reopened the ball with a 
 varsouvienna. 
 
 " Dance a leetle, dance a leetle, and now you stop 
 still ; dance a leetle, dance a leetle, and now you stop 
 still. Tra la, la, la, la ! Tra la, la, la, la ! Tra la, la, 
 la, la ! Tra la, la, la, la ! " he sang out in unison with 
 the music. A " Nelly Gray " schottische followed, and 
 then a Virginia reel. In other parts of the house 
 games were started, spin the platter, blind man's buff, 
 button, button, who want's to buy lead ? The fun in- 
 creased. All thought of interruption and disappoint- 
 ment was forgotten.
 
 292 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 About half-past ten supper was announced, and a 
 scramble ensued for seats, each man taking the lady 
 nearest to him as the one he would escort to the table, 
 in lieu of his regular partner. The supper was soon at 
 its height, all hands discussing the bounteous repast 
 with a relish born of good appetites. The dining-room 
 rang with jest and laughter. Suddenly the door was 
 flung open and Steve Billings rushed in panting for 
 breath, his eyes bulging from their sockets. 
 
 "They're comin' ! " he yelled, hardly able to get the 
 words out, so great was his excitement. 
 
 " Who's comin' ? Barney an' Norine ? " demanded 
 Pete Murray, imperatively, at the same time springing 
 to his feet. 
 
 "The shantymen!" cried Steve. "They're 'bout 
 half a mile up the road more'n forty of 'em drunker' n 
 owls. They're stoppin' fer somethin' I got near 'em 
 by sneakin' through the woods the other side the road. 
 They was fightin' an' yellin' an' swearin' to tear the 
 roof off the tavern an' whale every son of a gun ter 
 death what sassed 'em or tried ter stop 'em." 
 
 Steve panted out his sentences in short bits, trem- 
 bling the while with fear, excitement, and a sense 
 of his own importance at being the bearer of such 
 sensational news. At once the room was in an 
 uproar, all trying to speak at once to ask questions, 
 give advice, threaten, joke, or sneer. Above the din, 
 Pete Murray's voice was presently heard calling for 
 silence. 
 
 " Boys ! " he said in a quiet, commanding tone, " we 
 mustn't be after losin' time in talk. We've got ter 
 move lively an' git this shanty ready ter defend agin 
 them barbarians. Listen ter me an* do as I tell ye, 
 ivery mother's son of ye. Grat Vogel, you take Steve
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 293 
 
 an' go an' bolt and bar ivery door an' window in the 
 house, an' move somethin' agin 'em wherever ye can. 
 Rodney Bedell, Bud Frazer, Arch Fellows, Tim Under- 
 wood, Joe Reon, an' Seward Rathaway, grab holt of 
 anythin' ye can find for clubs, an' stand guard at the 
 windows here an' in the ball-room. Dave Martin, Bob 
 Landseer, Ned Blakely, Ashbel Fair an' " Babe " Stran- 
 der will help me keep the door. The rest of ye stand 
 by ter help wheriver ye' re naded. All the ladies will 
 stay right here in the dinin'-room, es fur away from the 
 pint of attack as ye can. Now," he added, as all hands 
 sprang to the places indicated, " let Red an' his little 
 s'prise party step up ter the office an' git their time ; 
 we're ready ter pay." 
 
 A peri xi of suspense followed. The men waited at 
 their posts, eager and alert, listening for the slightest 
 sound. The ladies, huddled over the remains of the 
 interrupted feast in the dining-room, exhibited remark- 
 able coolness and courage. There was no weeping nor 
 wringing of hands, no outcries, nor insane supplica- 
 tions to be taken home, nor lamentations that they 
 had come. A belief in the impracticability of a hurried 
 or successful exodus at this juncture seemed to be 
 unanimous, and the righteousness of making as good a 
 defense as possible against the invading crew of semi- 
 barbarian and drunken ruffians seemed to be affirmed 
 by a general, if tacit, agreement. 
 
 Ten minutes passed without a sign of the enemy. 
 The strain of suspense was growing so severe that 
 nearly all were ready to welcome the attack simply to 
 be rid of the suspense. Presently Pete Murray ex- 
 claimed, impatiently: 
 
 " Sure, if the divils don't come on in one minute, I'll 
 go out there an' bring 'em, meself 1 "
 
 294 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 The minute passed, and another, and still another. 
 All was silent without. 
 
 "Come with me, Bob!" cried Pete at last; "we'll 
 have a look to see what's kapin' thim. We can't wait 
 much longer ter lick the smocks off 'em. If they won't 
 come ter us, begorra, we'll go ter thim." 
 
 Pete opened the door and with Bob Landseer sallied 
 forth in search of the marauders. About half a mile 
 up the road they found them, as Steve had said, still 
 engaged in a drunken quarrel. As the two skirmishers 
 Approached, they heard Red Lampheer asserting in a 
 loud voice his right to continued dictatorship over the 
 gang, as in camp, and insisting that he should have 
 first choice for the " purtiest gal in the hull shanty " 
 when they had vanquished the " mossbacks." 
 
 After satisfying himself as to the intentions of the 
 gang and the cause of the delay, Pete advanced boldly 
 into the road and called out tauntingly : 
 
 " Clear outer here, ye animals ! What do ye mane, 
 disturbin' dacent folks? We've been waitin' down 
 yonder ter tache ye better manners. Come on, afi' 
 we'll show ye how ter dance in a way ye niver larned 
 before." Then turning to Bob, he added: "That'll 
 fetch the divils, ef they're comin* at all. We'll make 
 tracks back ter the tavern an* be ready fer thim." 
 Before the drunken shantymen realized what had 
 happened, Pete and Bob were speeding down the road 
 to Sixteen. 
 
 They were scarcely inside the tavern, however, be- 
 fore the raging, yelling mob came tearing after them. 
 Ned Blakely, tall and lank, had charge of the door for 
 the moment, while Pete recovered his wind from his 
 run. Incautiously opening the door a crack to peep 
 out, Ned suddenly found himself face to face with the
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 295 
 
 ugly features of Red Lampheer, who at once tried to 
 force an entrance. 
 
 " Git out of the way, ye scantling," he bawled con- 
 temptuously at Ned, "or I'll break ye in two." 
 
 Then Ned's stuff showed. 
 
 " I don't break easy," he retorted, as a long, slim 
 arm, with a red, bony fist at the end thereof, shot out 
 like a flash of chain lightning, the fist end taking effect 
 full upon the flushed face of the burly intruder. 
 
 Red Lampheer, howling with pain and rage, fell back- 
 ward into the arms of his companions. Ned, reinforced 
 by as many of those inside as could crowd up, sought 
 to take advantage of this temporary victory to close the 
 door and bar it, but heavy-booted feet thrust in at the 
 bottom, and brawny hands and fierce, brutal faces fill- 
 ing the space at the top made it impossible. The ruf- 
 fians were only momentarily feazed by the overthrow 
 of their leader. Red soon rallied, and with loud oaths 
 started again to rush into the room. His followers 
 came on en masse, and the fight raged hot about the 
 entrance. First Pete Murray, then Ned Blakely, then 
 Ashbel Fair and the other defenders sent the shanty- 
 men tumbling to the ground like weak children beneath 
 the blows of their heavy fists ; but as fast as one went 
 down he was dragged or kicked away and another took 
 his place. Suddenly a crash of glass announced an at- 
 tack on one of the windows. It was followed quickly 
 by the crash of a chair on the head which was thrust in 
 through the broken sash. The situation was growing 
 more perilous every moment. The women, with pale 
 faces and dilated eyes, had shrunk close to the rear wall 
 of the dining-room at the point farthest from the scrim- 
 mage. They made no outcry, but listened and watched 
 with what interest in the result of the struggle may be
 
 2g6 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 imagined. Their defenders, with the single exception 
 of Jose, the fat fiddler, who had mysteriously disap- 
 peared, and who, by the way, was found afterward 
 asleep under a bed, were standing manfully up to the 
 work in hand, determined to defend the citadel at any 
 cost, although they could not tell how far the drunken 
 fury of the shantymen would carry them. More than 
 one regretted that they had not taken warning from 
 the threat made by Red Lampheer and provided them- 
 selves with more effective means of defense. A single 
 brace of revolvers would have proved more effectual 
 than two score of fists. By a strange chance, there did 
 not appear to be a single firearm in possession of either 
 the defending or attacking party. 
 
 It appeared at length that a new scheme for forcing 
 an entrance had been hit upon by the enemy. Three 
 stalwart shantymen rushed in upon Pete at the same 
 time and clinched with him, wrestling and tugging at 
 the giant Irishman with all their might, and striving 
 not so much to throw him to the floor as to shove him 
 back from the entrance. In this they were completely 
 successful, and the moment his place was vacant at the 
 doorway three others rushed upon Ned and bore him 
 struggling to the floor. Bob Landseer and Dave Mar- 
 tin in turn met a similar fate. Ashbel Fair was dragged 
 outside. Before the remaining force within could rally 
 to fill the breach thus formed, the horde of drunken, 
 bruised, and yelling shantymen came pouring into the 
 room, and the defenders were pushed back to the rear. 
 Several brave fellows were already badly hurt, while a 
 number of Lampheer's crew were still clinging to the 
 arms, legs, necks, and hair of those who had been forced 
 away from the door, rendering them helpless for the 
 time. Ashbel Fair had come in again with the rush of
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 297 
 
 invaders and was now grappling with a wiry young 
 French-Canadian. " Babe " Strander was being pum- 
 melled about the head with huge fists by a burly logger 
 who knelt on his victim's body. Pete Murray was 
 down at last and giving four brutes all they could do to 
 hold him, but murderous ringers were clutching at his 
 throat. The outlook began to look dark ; the enemy 
 outnumbered the defenders and fought with demoniacal 
 fury; the battle was almost lost when unexpected 
 shouts were heard, and clear and distinct above the din 
 came the command : 
 
 M Loose your hold there, quick, or you die ! " 
 Tom Moore stood inside the door with a cocked re- 
 volver pointed straight at the head of the ruffian who 
 was trying to strangle Pete Murray. Barney O'Boyle, 
 Jake Vogel, and Dan Underhill stood near him with 
 their revolvers levelled at Red Lampheer and his shan- 
 tymen Consternation seized the foe ; they began to 
 fall away as if already they felt the cold lead in their 
 flesh. The hard-pressed defenders were electrified. 
 Pete sprang to his feet the moment the murderous 
 hands were removed, and pausing not an instant, as his 
 eye roved over the scene, cried out in a loud voice, 
 somewhat husky from the choking he had received : 
 " Now's the time, boys ! Charge the divils ! " 
 Immediately the swingle-like movement of his arms 
 recommenced. Shantymen began to fall around him 
 as decayed trees fall in the path of a cyclone. His 
 friends also were up and hewing away at the panic- 
 stricken foe. Barney, Tom, Jake, and Dan, putting up 
 their revolvers, joined with a relish in the feast of pun- 
 ishment, until the miserable wretches were cleared com- 
 pletely out of the tavern, and driven far down the road, 
 over the rude bridge spanning the creek, and on toward
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 299 
 
 free from injury and obligation were to join in the 
 hunt for the lost girl if they were willing. Pete Mur- 
 ray, in spite of his rough handling, insisted upon joining 
 the searching party, and confided his wife and daugh- 
 ters to Bob and Hetty Landseer. Ned Blakely also 
 declared himself to be fit, and six others likewise, mak- 
 ing a party of twelve, who declared they would thrash 
 every acre of woods until Norine was found. This ar- 
 rangement settled upon, the party set forth, following 
 the ridge to where it intersected with the burnt hills. 
 Here Tom said that he and Barney would go forward 
 to reconnoitre while the others remained to follow when 
 the signal should be given. This signal was to be the 
 hooting of an owl, followed by a raccoon's cry. Tom, 
 from long years spent in the woods, was an adept at 
 imitating these sounds, making both so naturally as to 
 deceive even the owl or raccoon itself. 
 
 Barney and Tom moved stealthily along the ridge in 
 a southerly direction to the spot where the path had 
 been discovered. They followed this path till it merged 
 into the hill or ledge skirting the great swamp. There 
 all traces of it disappeared. They went cautiously from 
 side to side of the ridge, but not another sign of a track 
 could they find. The ground was all quite new to them. 
 They could be sure of their tourse only by observing 
 the stars. After traversing the ridge for a while they 
 concluded to return to their companions. It was use- 
 less to try to follow a trail on a rocky ledge at night. 
 Coming back to the rest of the party, they held a con- 
 sultation as to the next step to be taken, and it was 
 unanimously agreed to wait for daylight before making 
 another attempt. The disappearance of Nero puzzled 
 them, and made the search more difficult. 
 
 At the first streak of light the whole party set out
 
 300 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 again on the trail, thinking it wisdom to proceed then 
 in a body. When they reached the ridge it was evi- 
 dent that the trail was lost there and could not be 
 picked up again. They scoured the whole distance of 
 three miles, spreading out from side to side of the ledge 
 of rocks, scanning every foot of its surface in a vain at- 
 tempt to pick up the lost trail. They peered into the 
 swamp all along its margin for a possible opening, but 
 none could be observed. It seemed evident that no 
 foot could penetrate the swamp, which bordered the 
 rocks on both sides, and no way of leaving the ridge 
 could be found except the one by which they had come. 
 The sun had nearly reached the meridian before the 
 tired and hungry searchers gave up hope of finding the 
 lost girl. She could not have disappeared more com- 
 pletely if the earth had opened and swallowed her up. 
 Utterly baffled, they turned their steps in the direction 
 of the Hawkins farm to make their disheartening re- 
 port and assist in any new plans that might be made to 
 discover the secret which the forest and the swamp 
 refused to disclose.
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 
 A PARTY of searchers, weary, crestfallen, muddy, and 
 torn arrived at the farm of Mr. Hawkins on the after- 
 noon following the interrupted dance and supper at 
 Sixteen. The other searchers who had gone in differ- 
 ent directions had returned several hours before. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Maloney, Parson Allen and a score or more 
 of neighbors were gathered there, anxiously awaiting 
 the coming of the last party, and hoping against hope 
 that they would bring Norine with them, or at least 
 some tidings of her safety. Their story was heard with 
 sorrow and alarm, which increased as the questions 
 which came thick and fast failed to elicit any definite 
 information or encouragement. The parents of Norine 
 were distracted with grief and anxiety, all the more 
 acute because Norine had never before been away from 
 their protecting care for a single night. 
 
 Mother Hawkins was one of the most anxious in- 
 quirers for tidings of the lost girl. She seemed to be 
 breaking down under a fear she could not repress. 
 Learning that Barney and Tom had returned without 
 any encouraging news, and that, indeed*, their few dis- 
 coveries pointed to foul play, the stricken woman un- 
 willing to confide to human friends the inmost fears of 
 her heart, raised her eyes to heaven and, while the 
 tears rolled down her furrowed face, appealed to the 
 unseen Father to spare her the added sorrows which 
 she felt were near at hand. 
 
 Rumors, which could not be kept from Mother 
 301
 
 302 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Hawkins's ears, went from mouth to mouth that Sam 
 had not yet returned to his home since the night be- 
 fore, and that it was unfortunate he was not on hand 
 to help in the search and prevent suspicion from at- 
 taching to him. Some of the more reckless did not hesi- 
 tate to venture the opinion that Sam Hawkins might 
 give the searching party certain valuable information. 
 These whispered remarks showed signs of developing 
 into threats, but as Tom and Barney said nothing to 
 substantiate the rumors, the majority gave the ugly 
 insinuations little credence. They stung his mother's 
 heart, however, like poisoned arrows. She had watched 
 all night, hoping that before morning Norine would be 
 safely returned. When Barney's home-coming blotted 
 out the last ray of hope she retired to the sitting-room 
 alone and gave herself up to sorrow and despair. The 
 minister followed, seeking to comfort her and keep 
 hope alive. She listened patiently for awhile, then 
 turning her weary, pain-filled eyes to his face, she said : 
 
 "You are very kind, Robert; you would save me 
 from the blow if you could; perhaps you believe all 
 will yet be well ; God grant you may be right." 
 
 She rose tremblingly to her feet in the excess of her 
 emotion. The next moment the minister sprang for- 
 ward to save her from falling, and placing her tenderly 
 in the big arm-chair, started to find Farmer Hawkins. 
 
 " Robert," she called faintly, as he was leaving the 
 room. 
 
 " Yes, Susan ? " he asked, returning to her side. 
 
 " Do not let any of them know that I that I be- 
 lieve " 
 
 "I know, Susan; I will say nothing. Leave all in 
 God's hands, and trust in His mercy. He loves us all. 
 He saved even me, Susan," said Allen, gently.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 303 
 
 Farmer Hawkins was greatly worried to find his wife 
 failing so rapidly. He patted her face lovingly and 
 urged her to keep up heart. "It's always the darkest 
 before dawn," he said. Perhaps the sun would break 
 through the clouds sooner than she thought. It was 
 not time yet to lose hope. The cheery words cost the 
 farmer an effort which well-nigh betrayed his own 
 heavy heart to his wife. He found it hard to inspire 
 her with a hope which he himself did not feel. Several 
 recent happenings, of which his neighbors knew nothing, 
 kept thrusting themselves into his memory, all pointing 
 the same way. His tender pleadings with his wife 
 were broken at last with a sob. He saw plainly that 
 the strain of the past night and morning was proving 
 too much for her feeble strength that anxiety, sor- 
 row, and shame were crushing her tender spirit. He 
 looked appealingly to the minister ; then by a common 
 impulse they both knelt together near Mother Haw- 
 kins's chair and lifted up their burdened hearts to the 
 throne of Him, who, having been " a man of sorrows, 
 and acquainted with grief," is able also to bear out 
 grief and carry our sorrows 
 
 With the peace which seemed to be dawning in the 
 loved face of his wife as they arose, Josiah saw some- 
 thing more which caused him sudden alarm. He hur- 
 ried out to the veranda where several of his neighbors 
 were still waiting, and exclaimed in a voice vibrating 
 with anguish : 
 
 "I want somebody to go for the doctor, quick! 
 Mother is ill ; I'm afraid she's dying ! Please hurry." 
 
 Every man sprang to get his horse, but Tom Moore, 
 leaping into Vogel's buggy which stood waiting in the 
 road, was off at a terrific pace before any of the others 
 could get ready. In an incredibly short time Tom had
 
 304 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 found old Doctor Landseer, Bob's father, and brought 
 him to the farm ; then without a word of apology he 
 turned the panting, lather-covered horse over to Jake 
 Vogel to be sponged off and rubbed down. 
 
 Doctor Landseer came from the house half an hour 
 later looking very grave. As the friends of Farmer 
 Hawkins gathered round him with eager questions he 
 raised his hand in warning. 
 
 "Sh! Silence absolute silence!" he said. "It's 
 very sad very sad. The good woman is sufferin' from 
 nervous shock an' strain. There was little I could do 
 very little. She may rally ; then, again, she may not. 
 Only her husband must go near her an' her brother- 
 in-law, the minister, of course. You better all go 
 home. Noise or excitement of any kind might prove 
 fatal. I regret to say it it's very sad but in her pres- 
 ent condition even good news would be apt to have as 
 serious effect as bad news." 
 
 The old doctor always self-important when speaking 
 in his professional capacity, though unassuming enough 
 at other times, was unusually set up at being called to 
 visit so important a place as Farmer Hawkins's. He 
 was genuinely sorry for the grief -stricken farmer, but 
 his professional dignity asserted itself above all other 
 feelings. He graciously condescended to ride back to 
 Red-Keg with Vogel after his horse had rested, and 
 promised to come out again with Bob in the morning. 
 
 There seemed to be little else that the neighbors 
 could do for the time being in view of the probability, 
 which amounted almost to a certainty, that Norine had 
 not been lost, but had been forcibly taken away. It 
 was decided, therefore, to leave the matter until the 
 following day in the hands of Tom Moore and Barney 
 to plan the next move.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 305 
 
 Tom Moore, in his capacity as village constable, was 
 ready and anxious to do anything that would throw 
 more light upon the mystery. He did not care to ac- 
 cuse Sam until he had something more than a mere 
 suspicion against him. Sam had a bad reputation, but 
 there were many who, for his father's and mother's 
 sake, if not for his own, would not believe him guilty of 
 the dastardly outrage which had been laid at his door. 
 
 It was his unexplained disappearance, his well known 
 antipathy to Barney, and his repeated advances to No- 
 rine, one of which had earned him a thrashing, that had 
 caused him to be suspected of having a hand in the ab- 
 duction of the girl. Big Tom and Barney had pur- 
 posely refrained from mentioning the boot-tracks show- 
 ing the star, and had also cautioned others to be very 
 careful about spreading a report as to who was sus- 
 pected; but the remarks concerning Sam were only 
 partially repressed. Before Tom left for the village 
 they had talked the matter over carefully and had laid 
 plans for a campaign of search on their own lines, and 
 determined to set about their work the next morning. 
 
 Doctor Landseer came early in the morning, and 
 found Mother Hawkins very feeble and suffering great 
 mental distress. He administered an opiate and cau- 
 tioned Josiah again to keep from her everything of an 
 exciting nature. Mrs. Maloney, her own heart torn 
 with grief and anxiety, insisted upon relieving Josiah 
 to enable him to get needed rest. With wonderful 
 self-control she mastered her feelings, that she might 
 soothe and comfort the sick woman with sympathy and 
 tender ministrations. 
 
 Sam had not been seen since the night of Norine's 
 disappearance. This fact counted against him strongly. 
 On the other hand, the presence at the dance of Sew- 
 
 20
 
 306 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 ard, by every one regarded as Sam's most intimate 
 companion and confidant, together with his outspoken 
 condemnation of whoever was responsible for the ab- 
 duction, counted almost as strongly in Sam's favor. 
 Those who had been most ready to point the finger of 
 suspicion at Sam, were compelled to admit that he 
 would hardly engage in so risky an undertaking with- 
 out the knowledge or support of the other so-called In- 
 vincibles. When on the afternoon following the abduc- 
 tion Walt came up on the train from Midland, where 
 he had been on a personal business errand, and also 
 expressed unquestionable surprise and indignation on 
 hearing of the affair, the case against Sam grew still 
 weaker. Billy Axford and Sam himself remained to be 
 heard from. 
 
 As soon as they could do so without attracting at- 
 tention, Seward and Walt met in their room over Pete's 
 saloon to discuss the matter in their own way. Their 
 low, intense voices and angry gestures were strongly 
 out of harmony with their professed ignorance of the 
 whole affair. 
 
 A knock at the door interrupted their conference. 
 Bob Simons stood there with a soiled letter in his hand. 
 
 Seward took it leisurely and then locked the door. 
 He immediately tore the envelope open, read the note 
 and handed it to Walt with an expressive " humph ! " 
 
 " Come to the hunting lodge at once," the note said. 
 There was no signature. 
 
 "Come on," exclaimed Seward. "The sooner we 
 have this thing out the better." 
 
 By a circuitous route, with frequent halts, doublings, 
 and constant watchfulness, the two young men made 
 their way to the lodge in which they had entertained 
 the detectives. Sam and Billy were waiting for them.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 307 
 
 " What devil's work have you been up to now, Sam ? " 
 demanded Seward angrily the instant he opened the 
 door. " I'm not going to beat about the bush, let me 
 tell you ; and what's more, if you have carried off No- 
 rine, I won't stand for it a minute; let that be under- 
 stood." 
 
 " Just hold up there a minute, will you," replied Sam 
 with provoking coolness. " Who said I carried off No- 
 rine ? You are entirely too swift. Sit down here and 
 we'll all talk it over together. Remember the motto of 
 the Invincibles, ' no surrender.' How are you, Walt ? 
 Come sit down here, both of you." 
 
 Hour after hour passed. The four Invincibles con- 
 tinued in earnest consultation until late into the night. 
 More than once the meeting threatened to break up in 
 a row, but mutual interests, and more potent still, mu- 
 tual safety held them strongly, and made a division the 
 one thing to be avoided. Sam had told Billy sometime 
 before that " if it comes to a pinch they must stand 
 their share." Seward and Walt tried to dodge this 
 share but saw no safe way to do so. When they 
 parted in the morning, it was with a definite plan 
 mapped out. Seward and Walt returned at once, by 
 different routes, to Red-Keg. Sam and Billy were to 
 follow later. 
 
 At Pete's saloon, on Monday afternoon, the second 
 day after Norine's disappearance, the usual crowd of 
 tavern gossips were gathered, discussing the mystery 
 and waiting for any scrap of news that might find its 
 way thither. The presence of Seward and Walt at- 
 tracted some who were not accustomed to frequent the 
 place, because it was hoped that they might throw 
 some light upon the reason for Sam's continued ab- 
 sence. But they merely reiterated their belief that
 
 308 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Sam and Billy were on a hunting trip, and that they 
 knew absolutely nothing about the abduction. 
 
 " Sam urged me to go with him out to the Big Salt 
 on Saturday," said Seward, " but I refused because I 
 wanted to go to the dance. I have every reason to sup- 
 pose that he and Billy went, anyway, although I be- 
 lieve he wasn't feeling very well that afternoon." 
 
 "They must have gone," said Walt. "Billy told 
 me they thought of it, and I suggested that they wait 
 till Monday so we could all go together. I had to go 
 to Midland, you know. He said he'd speak to Sam 
 about it, and that's the last I why, here they come 
 now ! By Jove ! you see it is as we thought ; they've 
 just got in from their trip." 
 
 Sam and Billy came in attired in hunting garb, 
 muddy and bedraggled, stood their guns noisily against 
 the wall, and called on Pete to " set 'em up." 
 
 "Hallo, there, boys!" exclaimed Sam, addressing 
 Walt and Seward. "You missed it by not coming 
 with us. We had the best luck of the spring two 
 splendid big bucks. You must come out to the lodge 
 as soon as you can and see them. Thunder ! but I'm 
 tired ; Billy and I have been on the go from Saturday 
 afternoon till last night, running those deer. Come 
 up, and have something what in blazes are you all 
 staring about, anyhow ? " he added, noting the signifi- 
 cant looks bent upon him by the hangers-on. 
 
 " Hain't you two heard nothin' o' that lost girl ? " 
 asked Joe Reon, after an awkward pause. 
 
 " Lost girl ! " exclaimed Sam with a great show of 
 astonishment. " Who's lost ? " 
 
 " Why, didn't ye know thet Norine Maloney hes dis- 
 appeared es though the earth had swallered her up ? " 
 replied Joe.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 309 
 
 "No indeed! How strange!" said Sam. "When 
 was it, and how in the world did it happen ? " 
 
 " No one seems ter know. She an' Barney started 
 out ter the dance Saturday night in the ox-cart. They 
 had an upset, an' while Barney was chasin' his team, 
 Norine disappeared an' hain't been seen nor heard from 
 sence." 
 
 The whole matter, so far as it was known, was then 
 pretty thoroughly aired, Sam listening intently to 
 every word. 
 
 " I say, Sam, come here a minute," whispered Arch 
 Fellows to Sam, and jerked his head toward a corner 
 of the barroom. "I don't mind tellin' ye thet your 
 name is mixed up in this mess. Ef ye can clear yer- 
 self, now's the time to do it." 
 
 " Why, my friend, that's kind of you, don't you know, 
 but you must be mistaken," replied Sam, flushing 
 scarlet, and then paling. 
 
 "Unless you can show an allerby (I think thet's 
 what they call it) there's trouble ahead fer ye. Don't 
 let on as I've put ye on to this, but I want ye ter be 
 on yer guard," and the two sauntered back to the bar 
 and mingled with the rest. 
 
 " But I say that Sam Hawkins had nothing whatever 
 to do with it ! " Seward was just asserting. " He was 
 off on the Big Salt hunting, as he says. I'll take my 
 chances on that. What's the sense in calling a man 
 a liar and worse when you have nothing to prove it. 
 He is here, and can speak for himself. Oh, Sam, where 
 are you ? Here's a fellow who is trying to connect you 
 with the disappearance of Norine. Come here and let 
 us know what you have to say." 
 
 "Who says I know anything about this affair?" 
 cried Sam, emboldened by Seward's companionship.
 
 3io THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 "If anything has happened to the girl ask Barney 
 O'Boyle about it. He took her off Saturday night in 
 an old ox-cart you say. The chances are that he quar- 
 relled with her on the way tried to force her to con- 
 sent to his proposals, or something, and when she re- 
 fused he made way with her; or else he lost her in the 
 slough, and to save his own bacon he's trying to put 
 suspicion on me. He's a " 
 
 " Ye' re a liar, and a coward ! Ye wouldn't dare talk 
 like thet ef Barney war here. I believe you know 
 where Norine Maloney is if any one does," and Tom 
 Moore at that instant stepped into the door, having 
 been standing within hearing when Sam was making 
 his dastardly charge against Barney. 
 
 This unexpected attack took everybody by surprise, 
 and the crowd breathlessly awaited the outcome. 
 
 " Don't be too windy, there, Tom," exclaimed Seward, 
 before Sam could reply for himself. " You know Sam 
 is no knocker, and you take advantage of that fact. 
 You just hold your peace, Sam, till I get through." 
 Then turning again to Tom : " Whatever you may say 
 don't change conditions at all. You've all heard where 
 Sam was Saturday night and what he was doing. 
 Here's Billy to prove it. I've known Sam for years ; 
 we've been intimate all that time. If he wants to make 
 a fight of it, I'll join him, and meet any man or men 
 who repeats the dirty lie again." 
 
 "Bully for you, Seward!" cried Axford. "That's 
 the way to talk. I was with Sam Saturday night and 
 I'm ready to plug the fellow that accuses me of having 
 anything to do with the disappearance of the girl. 
 Here's Walt, too. That makes four of us." 
 
 Walt said nothing, but he ranged himself beside the 
 other three in tacit agreement.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 3 1 1 
 
 A buzz of excitement went around, but no one had 
 the temerity to accept the challenge thrown down. 
 
 Good-natured Tom Moore didn't want to fight. He 
 merely wanted to save Barney from false accusations. 
 He knew that Sam lied when he accused Barney. He 
 could not prove anything further. In fact, the stand 
 the boys had taken almost convinced him that Sam 
 knew nothing of the matter. 
 
 " Gentlemen, I see you are all greatly excited over 
 this affair, and if you will allow me my little say, I may 
 throw a ray or two of light on this mystery." 
 
 One of the loungers, a tramp, who had been resting 
 and dozing the greater part of the day at one of the 
 small tables, pushed his way forward into the group. 
 
 " Saturday evening I walked all the way down from 
 Sixteen, arriving here at about ten 'o'clock. On my 
 way down the State road, when just this side of a long 
 corduroy, crossing a deep lagoon, I heard an awful rum- 
 bling on ahead of me. I stopped to listen, and soon an 
 ox-team came in sight running as though the very old 
 Nick was after them. I stepped aside to let them pass, 
 and soon I heard a man coming along, running at the 
 top of his speed and yelling at the runaways. I was in 
 a hurry and did not care to be delayed, so I again 
 stepped to one side and the runner went by without 
 noticing me. I had regained the road and walked 
 scarcely a dozen rods when I saw a tall man step out 
 from a clump of bushes. He started at a fast walk 
 down the road, and I must confess I was a little star- 
 tled to see him, and so remained behind in order to ob- 
 serve what was in the wind. A little farther down the 
 road he came up to where a woman was standing. He 
 approached her and held a conversation for a few mo- 
 ments, and then both of them started off into the forest
 
 312 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 to the west. From where I was standing (I didn't dare 
 come too near) I could not tell whether she went will- 
 ingly with the fellow or not. I could only see their 
 outlines in the dark. I thought there was some mys- 
 tery in it all, so I skipped out as fast as I could. I 
 didn't want to be mixed up in anything like that." 
 
 The crowd listened and drank in every word. The 
 Invincibles absorbed with avidity all that was said. 
 After the stranger had cleared his throat he continued : 
 
 " I wouldn't have mentioned the matter only that I 
 heard this young man here charged with having a hand 
 in it, and this other gentleman swear that he was with 
 him, and, that being true, he could not have had any- 
 thing to do with the crime, as I saw only one man with 
 the girl. I don't like to see a man charged with any- 
 thing of which he is innocent," and the stranger looked 
 longingly toward the bar. 
 
 " Stranger, you have relieved me of a great deal of 
 embarrassment, don't you know," said Sam. "Of 
 course time would have settled matters all right ; but I 
 might have been unpleasantly situated for a while, if it 
 had not been for you and my friends here," and Sam 
 grasped the hand of the shabby stranger. " Come up 
 and have some of Pete's best. All of you have one on 
 me." A rush was made toward the bar again, Tom 
 nly declining on the ground that he never indulged. 
 
 As the liquor disappeared down thirsty throats gos- 
 sip was again let loose. The developments of the last 
 few minutes had set all tongues to wagging. 
 
 " I want to know the name of my benefactor," said 
 Sam to the stranger a little later. 
 
 " Oh, that don't matter much, my friend. I am no- 
 body. I have been way up State for the winter and 
 came down last week to Sixteen. Got on an awful jag;
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 313 
 
 there and saw snakes. Thought I saw a spider just now 
 on your neck, and that reminds me," and the stranger 
 gave an ominous shudder. " But this stuff of Pete's is 
 a warmer, sure. Hadn't we better try another one ? " 
 
 Again the treats went around at the expense of Sam. 
 
 " Speaking of my name, as I have said, that isn't 
 much, but you are welcome to it such as it is. It's not 
 long simply Long, for short, or John Long, in full, 
 and nearly always full, or willing to be. I expect to 
 board a freight train down the line to-night, and I may 
 never see you again, but I am so much obliged to you 
 for your generosity. Say (sotto voce\ you haven't a 
 few pennies about you, have you ? You know I may 
 see those snakes again unless I am fortunate enough 
 to be fortified against them," and Long looked furtively 
 around as though he expected to see some just then. 
 
 " You see, my friend," his voice assuming a stage 
 whisper again, " I am dead broke, or I wouldn't trouble 
 a nice gentleman like yourself," and he cast an admir- 
 ing look into Sam's face. 
 
 Sam reached into his pocket and gave the man a dol- 
 lar bill. 
 
 " Kind friend, I will remember this, and some day I 
 may be able to pay it back." 
 
 "Don't mention it. It's a mere trifle, don't you 
 know, and you have already done me a great service," 
 and Sam shook the outstretched hand of his garrulous 
 friend. 
 
 Tom Moore had been watching the tramp closely for 
 some minutes. When he was about to leave the place, 
 Tom stepped up to him and brusquely said : 
 
 " Say, pard, don't take no offense ; but I would like 
 to ask ye a few questions. Ye say ye arrived here Sat- 
 urday night about ten o'clock. Where'd ye sleep ? "
 
 3H THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Taken by surprise, the stranger began to stammer : 
 
 "You see, my friend I you you know or my 
 friend here knows that is well I was simply with- 
 out a cent in the world, and a kindly barn out here on 
 the outskirts of your hospitable village sheltered me 
 from the inclemency of the weather while Jupiter 
 Pluvius was drenching the land during the night." 
 
 "When did ye leave thet barn?" continued Tom, 
 pointedly. 
 
 " Well, your honor pardon me, sir ; I thought for a 
 moment that I was addressing a court I left my tem- 
 porary place of shelter this morning. Morpheus had 
 taken such a powerful hold on me after I got nicely 
 ensconced in the depths of that sweet hay, and, having 
 empty pockets, I let him hang on as long as he 
 would," and the tramp looked pleadingly at his inter- 
 rogator. 
 
 " Hev ye any objections to lettin' me see the bottom 
 o' yer boot ? " again asked Tom. 
 
 " Not the slightest," and the tramp raised his foot 
 from the floor. All eyes were now turned toward this 
 couple. 
 
 " Jest as I thought ! Do ye see thet, boys ? " and 
 Tom pointed to the heel. 
 
 There in plain sight was a star ! 
 
 " Thet's enough," resumed Tom, " ye may put down 
 yer foot; but I want ye to come with me," and the big 
 fellow had a pair of handcuffs snapped upon the tramp 
 before he could even utter a word of protest. 
 
 " What does this mean ? " yelled the crowd, as Tom 
 and his prisoner started for the door. 
 
 " It means that I have arrested this man for abduct- 
 in' or otherwise disposin' of Norine Maloney," said 
 Tom, with decision, as he marched his prisoner over to
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 315 
 
 the lockup near by, the crowd following, hooting and 
 yelling, and with cries of 
 
 " Hang him ! " 
 
 " String him up ! " 
 
 " Give 'im to us ! We'll fix 'im ! " 
 
 " Hold on. We must have no blood on our hands," 
 exclaimed Seward to the crowd, and the Invincibles 
 quickly surrounded Tom and his prisoner. "Justice 
 will be done, and we'll see it through to the end. 
 We will have no mob violence. This man's punish- 
 ment will come soon enough when he is proven guilty." 
 
 The crowd, numbering by this time a hundred peo- 
 ple, fell back to let the law take its course, and Con- 
 stable Tom soon had the unfortunate wanderer securely 
 under lock and key in an old log shanty which was used 
 as a jail when occasion required.
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 TOM MOORE hastened to find Barney to boast of his 
 capture. There seemed no doubt that he had the right 
 man. As his belief in the tramp's guilt grew stronger, 
 the defense offered by Sam assumed proportionately 
 greater value. Hadn't he proved an alibi ? Were not 
 the hunting boots he wore free from the telltale star, 
 while the tramp's boots had them? Was not Sam's 
 story of how his time had been employed since Satur- 
 day night much more credible than that told by the 
 tramp ? All these points Tom laid before Barney, but 
 the latter seemed unconvinced. 
 
 " What did the tramp say for himself ? " he asked. 
 
 " Oh, of course he denied the hull thing, an' stuck to 
 it," replied Tom ; " but I reckon Jedge Frost will git it 
 outer him at the hearin'." 
 
 The young Irishman shook his head gloomily. He 
 could see no light on the dark mystery. The uncer- 
 tainty regarding the whereabouts and fate of Norine 
 was preying upon his mind. He could see the girl 
 standing in the road where he had left her ; her appeal- 
 ing voice still smote upon his ears, and he could not 
 be comforted. He fully realized the sorrow his misfor- 
 tune had entailed upon others, and also the loss of 
 property by his beloved employer, who bore the blow 
 uncomplainingly. He could see the suffering of dear 
 Mother Hawkins, who had been indeed a mother to 
 him. He could see also the heart-sorrow of the parents 
 
 316
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 317 
 
 of his betrothed. His bride-to-be had disappeared 
 was perhaps dead and there was lost property to make 
 good. In the last two days he had become melancholy, 
 almost morose, and took little interest in anything ex- 
 cept how to find Norine. 
 
 Tom and Barney, who stood talking out near the 
 road, were so absorbed that they did not hear a light 
 footstep behind them. It was evening, and darkness 
 had already fallen. 
 
 " Mr. Moore, excuse me for interrupting, but have 
 you had any news from Norine ? I saw you passing 
 our place, and thought you would be here and might 
 have more information by this time, so I came up to 
 see. We are so much worried about her." Lettie 
 Green had approached the two men, and now looked in- 
 quiringly at the burly constable. She did not look at 
 Barney. Her heart was too full of sorrow at the loss 
 of her friend ; moreover, there were other thoughts in 
 her mind which she hardly dared to consider, even in 
 secret. 
 
 " We hev no perticular news of her, but we are sartin 
 thet we hev her abductor safely behind the bars, Miss 
 Green," answered Tom, politely. 
 
 " What ! Sam Hawkins in jail ! " and she grasped 
 the gate to keep herself from falling. "What will 
 become of his poor old mother ? " and Lettie burst into 
 tears. 
 
 " Be calm, Miss ; he isn't the guilty one. What made 
 ye think he was ? " and Tom looked at her in amaze- 
 ment. 
 
 "Why, Mr. Moore I I really somebody said 
 that it was Sam," and her face crimsoned deeply, while 
 she gave a sigh of relief. 
 
 44 No, no, Miss Green ; we hev found a tramp who
 
 318 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 we think hes abducted or possibly murdered the poor 
 gal. We will know more about it tomorrer." 
 
 "Oh, I hope she isn't I hope she's safe," exclaimed 
 Lettie ; then thanking Tom, she went to the house to 
 inquire after Mother Hawkins. Receiving an assur- 
 ance that she was quietly resting, the young woman 
 started down the road toward her home. 
 
 She seemed to be walking in a haze. She was oblivi- 
 ous of all things around her. A great tumult was go- 
 ing on between heart and brain. She was sure that 
 Sam Hawkins was the culprit, even though some one 
 else had been arrested on suspicion. Should she tell 
 what she knew of Sam's eagerness to prevent Norine 
 from going to the dance with Barney, or should she 
 shield Sam and let an innocent man suffer ? Although 
 at her last meeting with Sam he had grossly insulted 
 her, she had forgiven him in spite of herself. Why was 
 it that she still held to the love that had well-nigh 
 wrecked her life ? Why was it that the hate which, at 
 the moment of his insults and taunts seemed springing 
 up in her heart, died away so quickly ? Surely he did 
 not mean half of what he had said then in anger. If 
 only she could see him alone again, her tenderness and 
 forgiveness would win him back. Perhaps, after all, he 
 was innocent of the dreadful thing that had been done. 
 Why should she suspect him, if others did not ? He 
 needed a loyal friend now in the time of his trouble. 
 Might she not find comfort and joy herself in standing 
 as his champion ? Ah, let him try her and see. 
 
 Thus musing, she was walking slowly homeward. 
 The road led through a dark patch of wood before 
 reaching her home, and as she neared this spot she sud- 
 denly came to a standstill. She dreaded to go through. 
 It was dark, and the woods seemed unusually gloomy.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 319 
 
 Thoughts of Norine filled her with apprehension. She 
 stood at the outskirts of the wood, hesitating. She 
 could hear her heart thump at every pulsation. A ter- 
 rible dread crept over her, and she was about to turn 
 and fly back to the home of Norine, when she heard 
 some one coming through the glen. She was now 
 helpless from fright. She essayed to move or cry out, 
 but stood like a statue. Soon the outlines of a man 
 could be seen coming toward her, and a moment later, 
 to her great relief, she saw that it was Sam. With a 
 cry of joy she rushed to him, her fear having departed 
 with his advent. 
 
 " Oh, Sam, I never was so glad in my life. I was so 
 frightened at this lonely spot just now, and you came 
 just in time to save me from losing my self-possession. 
 Why, Sam, what's the matter ? Are you not glad to 
 see me ? " and Lettie drew back a step as Sam impa- 
 tiently motioned her aside. 
 
 " Don't know why I should be," he said gruffly. " I 
 suppose you've been up to Norine's or to our place to 
 blab what you know. Have you ? " his voice was thick, 
 and even in the darkness Lettie discovered that he was 
 the worse for liquor, and was in an ugly mood. 
 
 " Sam, please don't talk that way to me. I have done 
 nothing to deserve it. I have not breathed one word 
 against you, nor told anything I know. As soon as I 
 heard of the trouble, and found your name being drawn 
 into it, I prayed that you might be able to clear your- 
 self." 
 
 " I would rather have you use your wits and help me, 
 and do less praying," sneered Sam. " I'm not out of 
 this scrape yet, even though they have got a tramp in 
 jail. I need friends still, and if you're as smart as 
 you're supposed to be, you'll think of some way to help
 
 320 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 me. That tramp says he came down here Saturday 
 night, and on the way saw a man come out of the woods 
 and meet Norine and then go back with her. He says 
 he went past this way about ten o'clock. If his story 
 holds water, he'll get off and they'll have to find the 
 other man. Can't you find somebody, your Aunt Lydia, 
 or somebody else, who will swear they saw the tramp, 
 short, dark suit, slouch hat, pass here this morning, or 
 last evening ? That'll bear out Tom Moore's idea and 
 upset the tramp's yarn. He's no account anyhow, and 
 a spell of boarding at the State's expense will do him 
 good, don't you know, m' dear." 
 
 Sam's tone was growing confidential and coaxing as 
 he thought his plea would succeed. It was too dark 
 for him to see the look of horror which had come into 
 Lettie's face as she listened. 
 
 " Sam ! " she gasped, " would you have me ask some 
 one to swear to a lie? Oh, you don't mean that! 
 What if the poor man is really innocent ? Why are 
 you so anxious to convict him ? Is there no other way 
 for you to shield yourself ? Does it mean that you 
 oh, Sam ! did you ? " 
 
 "That's enough!" interrupted Sam gruffly. "I 
 didn't ask you to preach. Of course I've got to shield 
 myself the best way I can. I thought I could count 
 on you to help me, as you pretended to care for me. 
 S'posing I did do it, isn't that all the more reason for 
 needing help? Are you going to do as I ask or 
 not?" 
 
 " You know, Sam, I want to help you ; but don't ask 
 me to commit another crime to cover up one already 
 committed. Oh, Sam, is it too late for you to set right 
 whatever you have done, and restore Norine to her 
 parents, and to to Barney ? What doyou want of her,
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 321 
 
 Sam, when she has no love for you ? Tell me where 
 she is. Let me go to her, and my word for it, Sam, I 
 will have her return and clear both you and the poor 
 tramp. Besides, no one need ever know that she was 
 really abducted. Let me manage it, Sam. Return her 
 through me to Barney. By so doing you may save your 
 dear mother's life. Do you know she now lies at the 
 point of death, brought there by the thought that her 
 only son has been guilty of some unnamable crime ? " 
 
 " Mother sick, did you say, and on my account ? " 
 said Sam uneasily. "I don't see why she should 
 worry about me, I know enough to take care of my- 
 self without being tied to her apron-strings." 
 
 "That may all be very true, Sam," the girl con- 
 tinued, " but you have caused her great suffering, and 
 the doctor says she may die at any moment." 
 
 " Hang it all ! She seems to think I'm a baby yet," 
 and his lips curled in annoyance at the thought. 
 
 "But, Sam," and Lettie placed her hand tenderly 
 upon his shoulder, "don't you love your mother? 
 When she is gone, Sam when she is gone it will be 
 too late to show her the tenderness that she hungers for 
 now. She yearns for you, and the agony of the thought 
 that you have done such a dastardly " 
 
 "Don't be too ready with your adjectives, please; 
 something unpleasant about them, don't you know," 
 broke in Sam, sneeringly. 
 
 " I beg your pardon, Sam ; I do sincerely. My only 
 thought was to save you from further trouble and your 
 mother needless suffering. Sam, I would do anything 
 in honor for you, because Sam because " and she 
 twined her arms about the neck of the one who was 
 still her idol "because I I love you " 
 
 " Don't be a fool, Lettie! I've got other things to 
 t
 
 322 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 think of now," and he roughly disengaged himself from 
 her embrace. 
 
 Lettie drew back quickly, her face scarlet. For a 
 moment she was speechless. Then tears of pain and 
 mortification sprang into her eyes. Controlling herself 
 at last, she said : 
 
 " Mr. Hawkins, forgive me. I did not mean to force 
 myself on you. Perhaps my zeal for your well-being 
 has made me forgetful of my own dignity. You knew 
 long ago that what I said was true, and you must re- 
 member what you said ; but I will never repeat it, or 
 give you any further uneasiness on that score. I can 
 not leave you now until you promise me not to injure 
 Norine. Will you take me to her and let me save you 
 from further disgrace ? " 
 
 " No ! You may as well say no more about that," an- 
 swered Sam, angrily. 
 
 " But," she persisted, " will you tell me where Norine 
 is ? Is she safe and well ? And will no harm come 
 to her ? " 
 
 " That is none of your business. You do as I tell 
 you and don't interfere further," answered Sam, petu- 
 lantly. 
 
 Lettie' s patience was sorely tried. With some show 
 of returning spirit, she asked : " What if I should refuse 
 to do as you say, but should tell all I know about this 
 affair ? If I am asked in court, shall I not have to tell 
 the truth ? If I thought that you had wronged or in- 
 jured Norine, I could never rest till the wrong was 
 righted even though " 
 
 " It took me to prison ? I know what you were going 
 to say," and, rushing forward in a sudden spasm of 
 rage, Sam seized the girl by the throat and bore her to 
 the ground.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 323 
 
 " Tell on me will you ? Tell on me ? " he hissed 
 through his clenched teeth. " What if I should choke 
 the last breath from your lying throat ? " and his brutal 
 nails sank deeper and deeper into the delicate, quiver- 
 ing flesh. " Will you do as I want you to, or will you 
 tell on me, you false hussy ? " 
 
 Only a choking gurgle came from the distorted 
 mouth. Suddenly Sam released his hold and peered 
 into the face of his victim. It was purple ; the tongue 
 protruded, the bulging, unseeing eyes stared at him in 
 the growing darkness. He sprang to his feet and 
 looked hastily around. 
 
 " My God ! I've gone too far ! " he muttered, shak- 
 ing like a leaf. He stooped and gazed searchingly at 
 the prostrate figure. 
 
 " Lettie ! Lettie ! " he whispered hoarsely, shaking 
 her in a vain effort to bring some response ; then in a 
 sudden panic of fear he sprang to his feet and hurried 
 away from the spot. 
 
 Lydia Green glanced at the clock and remarked a 
 little nervously that it was time for Lettie to be back 
 home. Seward Rathaway was there, waiting for her 
 also. 
 
 " She ought not to have started out so late to go 
 alone up to Hawkins's," he said. " It is a good two 
 miles up there and the road is dark and lonesome 
 enough for men, to say nothing of a girl." 
 
 " I know it," admitted her aunt, " but the poor girl is 
 so upset about Norine ; and after she heard that Sam 
 was suspected of having a hand in the abduction she 
 wished to go. I urged her for a while to keep away, as 
 they had trouble enough of their own. But when she
 
 324 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 saw Torn Moore go by, she was sure he had some news, 
 and then she must go, so at last I gave in. I am get- 
 ting to be a little worried about her now, though." 
 
 " Well, Auntie, I'll take a stroll up the road to see if 
 I can meet her. Hope she hasn't been abducted," and 
 with a forced smile he sauntered away. 
 
 When he reached the glen, Seward thought he heard 
 angry voices ; listening more intently he became sure 
 of this, and hastened to investigate. As he drew near 
 the spot whence came the sounds of altercation, he dis- 
 covered that his cousin and Sam Hawkins were wran- 
 gling about something. He could not catch what was 
 said and hesitated to interrupt a private conversation. 
 At that moment the voices ceased, and after pausing a 
 few moments to hear whether there would be a renewal 
 of the dispute, he went forward in time to see Sam start 
 off up the road alone. Lettie was not to be seen. Puz- 
 zled at this, he quickened his pace, and was about to 
 call to Sam when he stumbled over a prostrate form in 
 the road. 
 
 It took but an instant to discover that this was his 
 cousin, whom he was seeking. 
 
 " That arch fiend has been doing some more of his 
 hellish work! Lettie, Lettie, are you hurt?" and, 
 stooping to raise her, he uttered a cry of horror. 
 
 Hastily raising the limp form to a sitting posture, he 
 chafed her temples and her hands and sought as best 
 he could to restore life to the apparently lifeless body. 
 Soon he felt a quiver; then she began to gasp and 
 moan. 
 
 " Thank God, she lives ! " he exclaimed. " Heavens ! 
 what a narrow escape." 
 
 Without an instant's delay he lifted his cousin in his 
 arms and hastened back to his aunt's home. Not a
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 325 
 
 moment must be lost. When he reached the house, 
 Aunt Lydia was outside, waiting for him. 
 
 " Here, Auntie, get some hot water bandages at once 
 and put them around Lettie's neck. Not a moment for 
 questions! I'll tell you all about it later!" Lydia 
 Green was a methodical woman, and although greatly 
 unnerved at the sight of poor Lettie's condition, she 
 saw the necessity of prompt action. In a few moments 
 the compresses were ready. 
 
 " Keep these up, Auntie, till I return. I must go 
 for the doctor," and away Seward sped toward the vil- 
 lage. When he returned post-haste with old Doctor 
 Landseer, Lettie was just regaining consciousness. As 
 she opened her eyes and saw that she was in her own 
 home, she smiled in recognition of Seward, who was 
 bending over her; then she closed her eyes once more. 
 
 "She has been strangled, Doctor " Lettie's eyes 
 opened again and looked so pleadingly into the eyes 
 of Seward that he quickly understood their eloquent 
 entreaty. 
 
 "As I was saying, Doctor, she was strangled and 
 left for dead on the road." Again an agonizing look of 
 appeal arrested Seward's words. He returned the gaze, 
 and smiling tenderly at his cousin, who in her extremity 
 desired still to protect the man who had so nearly killed 
 her, nodded his head knowingly. 
 
 " The poor girl is dazed at the experience she has 
 gone through," said the doctor. 
 
 " Yes. I saw two men " those eyes were now again 
 looking him full in the face " they were, I think, at- 
 tempting to abduct her when they heard me coming, 
 and fled up the road. I shouldn't wonder if they be- 
 longed to some gang, and are the same ones who kid- 
 napped Norine Maloney Saturday night." Seward
 
 326 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 again glanced at the upturned eyes, and saw there a 
 look of gratitude. 
 
 His first impulse was to denounce Sam and have 
 him brought to justice; but he could not ignore the 
 plainly expressed wishes of his cousin, and so refrained 
 from carrying out his intention, which he admitted to 
 himself, on second thought, might result disastrously 
 for more than Sam. 
 
 This unhappy youth, meanwhile, had hastened away 
 from the girl who he supposed was dead. His first 
 impulse was to flee and escape all his troubles at once ; 
 but a moment's consideration convinced him that this 
 would be the most dangerous course he could pursue. 
 It would amount to a confession of guilt, and the 
 chances of capture were too great. Better face it out, 
 throwing suspicion elsewhere if possible. 
 
 "I had to do it in self-defense," he told himself. 
 " She would have blabbed on me. Well, now she can't 
 that's one comfort. After all, it's better as it is for 
 another reason if only I can keep them from suspect- 
 ing me bah! I'm trembling. This will never do. 
 Can't afford to be chicken-hearted. There's no time 
 to lose if I'm going to start things going my way." 
 
 Thus musing he approached his father's farm. Some 
 one was just coming down the road. Sam braced him- 
 self with an effort. In a moment he recognized Tom 
 Moore and called out to him in as off-hand a manner 
 as he could command : 
 
 " By Jove ! Tom, deuced glad to see you, don't you 
 know. I thought for a while to-day, though, that you 
 had it up your sleeve for me, and was believing the vile 
 rumors set afloat by busybodies by my enemies, don't
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 327 
 
 you know. But I forgive you freely, Tom, for you had 
 a duty to perform, and did it nobly. How fortunate 
 that you were there to unmask the villainy of that tramp 
 just as he was going to slip out of your fingers. Quite 
 a clever catch. Really good in the fellow, though, to 
 run such a risk for a stranger ; eh, Tom ? " 
 
 " Yas, it wus good in 'im, I 'low," said Tom, extend- 
 ing his hand to Sam, "an' o' course he must hev jus- 
 tice done 'im, fer all he's nothin' but a sneakin' tramp. 
 How I come ter get onter him was the stars on his 
 heels. You know you hed some put on your'n an' 
 thet's how I come to suspect ye. I saw them marks 
 'way out at the foot of Sturgeon Slough, in the mud, 
 an' when thet stranger begun ter talk I begun ter look 
 at foot-gear. I looked at your'n an' saw ye hed on yer 
 huntin' boots. I concluded to onct thet they were not 
 your tracks. But when I saw his'n my eyes bulged 
 out like saucers, fer I knew I had 'im jest es plain es 
 though I hed already seen the telltale stars. When I 
 saw 'em, then I was sure enough of my man to put on 
 the bracelets. My ! but the feller must be a cool one. 
 He ast ter hev a jug o' Pete's best laid in with 'im fer 
 the night, an' ter accommerdate 'im I gave 'im one. 
 But say, Sam, forgive me fer whut I did, won't ye ? 
 I'll acknowledge my mistake afore the hull Kag, ef ye 
 say so," and Tom gave a twist to Sam's hand. 
 
 " That is all right, Tom. I harbor no ill-will. Mis- 
 takes will be made, don't you know, and honest ones, 
 too. By the way, better keep your eye out for a couple 
 of suspicious fellows down below. When passing by 
 the Wilford road I saw two men who looked as though 
 they wanted to avoid me. After I had passed they 
 went on down the road, and you may overtake them. 
 There seems to be a gang of strange men in the neigh-
 
 328 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 borhood just now. When do you have a hearing for 
 your prisoner ? " 
 
 "To-morrer, I think; an' be on han', will ye you 
 an' the rest o' the boys ? The people are hard set agin 
 'im down 't the Kag. You fellers did nobly to stan' by 
 in thet storm o' this afternoon, an' we may need ye 
 agin," said Tom, as he started down the road. 
 
 " Yes, we will be there. We want the poor devil to 
 be humanely treated, even though he is guilty. We 
 may be able to touch his heart, so he will tell us what 
 has become of his victim. Poor girl, I can't rest, won- 
 dering where she is. Well, good-night, Tom ; we'll be 
 on hand bright and early," and the two men parted. 
 
 " Deuced good luck that I met him," muttered Sam, 
 nervously. " Now if he stumbles over that fool down 
 there in the road he'll connect the find with those sus- 
 picious persons that I didn't see. That was a clever 
 thought. I hope the chump will believe it." 
 
 While the conscienceless wretch was congratulating 
 himself on his astuteness, he was treading, unknown to 
 himself, on the crust of a slumbering volcano.
 
 CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 " Now to keep up the bluff," thought Sam as he con- 
 tinued his way toward his home after parting with Tom 
 Moore. " It would be a good stroke just now to mollify 
 that confounded Irishman. He's hatching up trouble, 
 I'll be bound. Wonder if I can get around him. 
 Perhaps I might try on a pious dodge for a few days 
 till this thing blows over. 'Twould please the old lady 
 and shut Barney's mouth. If I can only keep out of 
 the way of Allen, it may work." 
 
 Sam found himself getting into deep water. The 
 thought of coming into close contact with the minister 
 frightened him almost as much as the possibility of 
 discovery. His parents, the neighbors, and even Barney 
 might believe him if he should profess a change of heart, 
 but could he look into those deep, honest eyes of the 
 minister and make him believe such hypocrisy ? Of 
 course, if he could manage to avoid him . There was 
 not time now to plan a definite course ; here he was at 
 the gate, and Barney was standing there alone, discon- 
 solate, and absorbed in his unhappy thoughts. Sam 
 hesitated a moment, then accosted him with a bold dis- 
 play of cordiality. 
 
 " Hallo, Barney. What are you doing out here in 
 the dark ? Come into the house, man, and cheer up. 
 Brooding won't help matters." 
 
 Barney moved away from the gate without replying, 
 but the other refused to be repulsed. He extended his 
 
 hand and exclaimed : 
 
 320
 
 330 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " Come, Barney, why can't we be friends ? We have 
 had our outs long enough, and I want to tell you of my 
 sorrow at your misfortunes. Cheer up, for I feel sure 
 that before long Norine will be safely restored to us. 
 When the screws have been tightened upon that hobo 
 down there in jail, he will weaken and tell us where 
 she is." 
 
 The young Irishman hesitated. His heart was burst- 
 ing with grief and self-blame. He had been standing 
 alone in the darkness ever since Tom had left him, 
 brooding over the unhappy event of Saturday night, 
 and racking his brain for some plan by which he might 
 find Norine and restore her to her stricken parents. 
 He had hardly heard Sam's first greeting, and when he 
 did at last grasp the meaning of the words he was puz- 
 zled and embarrassed rather than pleased. The enmity 
 between him and Sam was one which could hardly be 
 brushed aside in a moment, especially when Norine, 
 whom Sam had so recently threatened, was mysteri- 
 ously missing. Moreover, suspicion had fastened itself 
 in Barney's mind so firmly, that even Tom's report 
 concerning the tramp had hardly removed it. Still 
 Sam's words seemed fair enough, and Barney was not 
 at that moment sufficiently attentive to discern the 
 false ring to them. 
 
 " You an' me ain't got much ter shake ban's on, I'm 
 thinkin'," said Barney, slowly. " They tell me a tramp's 
 after bein' jugged fer doin' thet cowardly work night 
 'fore last. Tellin' ye the truth, I 'spected some one 
 else. I don't want ter do ye any injustice, an' I hope 
 ye had nothin' ter do with the matter, but ef ye did 
 I'd brek ivery bone in yer body ! " 
 
 " Of course, Barney," replied Sam, ignoring Barney's 
 lack of cordiality, " matters did look dark for me, don't
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 331 
 
 you know, especially after that little difference of ours. 
 I can't blame you for your suspicions. But thanks to 
 the acuteness of Tom Moore I have been cleared even 
 from suspicion. Shall you attend the hearing to-mor- 
 row ? " 
 
 " I intind to be there," replied Barney, shortly. 
 
 " Here comes father," said Sam, looking up. " Well, 
 father, how are yoi> to-night, and how is mother ? " he 
 continued, as his father approached. 
 
 Farmer Hawkins was taken by surprise and did not 
 answer at once. He peered at his son, trying to make 
 out his face in the darkness. Sam's tone and manner 
 were so unusual that he was at a loss to account for 
 them. When he replied, his words came slowly, with 
 a deep sadness and solemnity which struck a chill to 
 his son's heart. 
 
 " I'm afraid your mother is dying of a broken heart, 
 Sam." 
 
 All of Sam's easy manner and forced carelessness of 
 tone seemed to slip away from him in a moment. A 
 sinking sensation almost like faintness possessed him 
 and made it hard to speak, but he managed to falter, 
 hardly knowing what he said : 
 
 " I'm sorry, father I suppose I have been a little 
 wild but I never meant any real harm. I I hope 
 you or mother don't believe I had anything to do with 
 the disappearance of Norine. I really didn't. Tom 
 has just been telling Barney that he has captured a 
 tramp and can prove he is the guilty one. It was hard 
 for me to be suspected, but I suppose it was my own 
 fault and I've made up my mind to to well, you 
 know, to turn over a new leaf, and try to to oh, be 
 better, you know." 
 
 It seemed impossible to get his sentences out, as he
 
 332 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 began to realize, with a sickening disgust, how thor- 
 oughly he despised himself. When his father put his 
 arm tenderly around his shoulder and exclaimed in a 
 voice choking with joy, " God help you, my son ! " the 
 shame and desire to escape were almost too much for 
 him ; but his father drew him on to the house. In the 
 sitting-room they paused. 
 
 " Wait here a minute, my boy ; I want to see Mother." 
 
 In the sick-room he stood looking down on the closed 
 eyes of his wife for a moment or two. Presently she 
 looked up into his face wistfully. 
 
 "Mother, dear," he said, "are you feeling strong 
 enough this evening to talk a little ? " 
 
 " Yes, Josiah ; have you any news from Norine or 
 or Sam ? " A heartf ul of longing spoke in her feeble 
 voice. 
 
 Josiah drew his chair close by the bedside, while Mrs. 
 Maloney went to the window to look out into the night. 
 He reached over and took his wife's hand in his and 
 gently stroked it. He wanted to speak, but at each at- 
 tempt a great lump came into his throat, and he could 
 not utter a word. Finally, raising the feverish hand to 
 his lips, he kissed it again and again, and then broke 
 down completely, the tears welling from his eyes and 
 falling upon the hand he held. 
 
 " What are you crying for, Josiah ; any bad news ? " 
 and she placed her disengaged hand softly upon his 
 head. 
 
 " No, Susan, no bad news ; but I was wondering if 
 you could bear to hear some good news ? " and he gazed 
 tenderly at the sharer of his joys and sorrows. 
 
 " What is it, Josiah ? Tell me," and the eyes bright- 
 ened. 
 
 " Our Sam has returned, and he hadn't anything to
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 333 
 
 do with taking Norine away. Besides, Susan," and he 
 clasped her hand tighter, " he says he is sorry for being 
 so wild, and is going to try to be a good son to us in 
 our old age." 
 
 A heavenly light shone in the eyes of the sick wom- 
 an, but no other emotion was perceptible. 
 
 " Where is he, Josiah ? " 
 
 " In the sitting-room ; shall I let him come in here ? " 
 
 " Yes; let him come to me my boy ! " 
 
 As they entered the sick-room the aged mother 
 looked longingly at them and beckoned them nearer. 
 Sam hung his head, unable to meet that pure gaze. 
 He moved nearer the bed, but did not offer to speak. 
 As he beheld the change which had come over his 
 mother's features since he last saw them, only two days 
 before, his heart began to throb, and he reached out 
 and took her by the hand. 
 
 " What is it, mother ? " His voice was choking. 
 
 "Sam, darling, kneel down by the bedside as you 
 used to do when a child. There, that is right. Take 
 my hands in yours, my boy ; hold them tight. I feel 
 that I can not be with you long. Sam, is it true that 
 you are converted and are going to live an upright, 
 useful life ? " The mother gazed longingly at her way- 
 ward son. 
 
 "Repent, repent!" came the voice of conscience, 
 grown suddenly bold. But the sight of a struggling 
 girl pleading for life, and another face, distorted in 
 agony, rose before his mind, and he would not listen 
 to the " still, small voice." Yet he stammered almost 
 inaudibly : 
 
 " I'll try, mother," and bowed his head lower. 
 
 " Josiah, turn up the light ! It is dark, and I want 
 to see you and our boy kneeling together."
 
 334 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Josiah, doing as he was bidden, came to the bedside 
 and there knelt in silence. 
 
 Mrs. Maloney, a few minutes later, came softly over 
 to where they knelt, and, touching the elder man on the 
 shoulder, bade him rise. As he rose, the hand which 
 had been placed on his head fell listlessly on the bed. 
 Mrs. Maloney then touched Sam, also. All was solemn 
 and quiet. With bowed heads the two stood for an in- 
 stant. Hearing sobs behind them, they raised their 
 heads and turned to learn the cause. Mrs. Maloney 
 stood there, her face suffused in tears. She pointed 
 mutely toward the bed. A beautiful smile played over 
 the features of wife, mother, and friend. 
 
 " Great God ! is mother dead ? " and the wicked and 
 hardened son fell prone upon the bed, tears coming 
 thick and fast as he gave way to an agony of remorse. 
 Then a horrible thought came rushing into his heart. 
 Over and over he repeated to himself with a terrible 
 conviction, " Now she'll know ! she'll knosv ! " All his 
 crimes would be revealed to her. She would know 
 that he had knelt by her dying bed with a lie upon his 
 lips. He scarcely realized the infinitely more dreadful 
 fact that an angry God saw him and knew him through 
 and through. It seemed more real, more shameful, that 
 the mother who had just placed her hand on his head 
 in blessing, who had smiled with a holy joy in the be- 
 lief of his innocence and conversion, could now see 
 him in all his black-hearted hypocrisy. An awful fear 
 that he was lost beyond hope, shut out forever from 
 the heaven to which his mother had just gone, over- 
 whelmed him. Even the timid voice of conscience was 
 still. He trembled, fearing to rise and face his father. 
 For a long time he remained, hiding his face in the bed- 
 clothes. At length he lifted his head furtively and
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 335 
 
 found the room was almost dark. Mrs. Maloney had 
 turned the wick of the lamp low and left the room. 
 Farmer Hawkins was still kneeling by the head of the 
 bed absorbed in his great sorrow. Sam rose softly and 
 tiptoed to the door. Without a sound he turned the 
 latch and passed out of the room. Then, grasping his 
 hat from the little table in the hall, he fled from the 
 house like an evil spirit. 
 
 For more than an hour he wandered restlessly about 
 the farm in the darkness. He dreaded to sleep in the 
 house where every object, every sound, every shadow 
 would remind him of the mother lying there still and 
 cold. He feared that her spirit might come to his bed- 
 side and charge him with his horrible sins and his 
 hypocritical lies. More than once he was on the point 
 of yielding to an impulse to go to the village and spend 
 the night in Pete's place, lulled by strong drink ; but the 
 sight of an agonized face, with protruding tongue and 
 bulging eyeballs, confronted him. No, he could not 
 pass that spot on the road by night, even to escape from 
 his present plight. Finally he crept into the barn and 
 lay down in the hay until daylight came. As the first 
 rays of light penetrated the little square gable-window 
 he left the barn, taking care not to be seen, and hastened 
 by a circuitous route to Red-Keg. He roused Pete and 
 made him give him a breakfast. The troublesome 
 thoughts that had haunted him the night before had 
 slipped away with the darkness. What a fool he had 
 been, he told himself, to give in to such mawkish senti- 
 mentality. It was a desperate game he had to play, 
 and it required all his nerve and self-possession. Much 
 remained yet to be done. It was necessary to brace up 
 and be ready to meet all questions and repel all attacks. 
 
 Before the morning was far advanced he learned that
 
 336 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Lettie had been found and was on the road to recovery. 
 The news at first brought him relief and fear. At least 
 he was not a murderer ; but had she told, or would she 
 tell, who had made the attack upon her ? When, how- 
 ever, he heard that it was Seward who found her, and 
 that they had given out a statement involving two un- 
 known strangers, he smiled grimly, and congratulated 
 himself on the fortunate coincidence that their fiction 
 agreed precisely with the one which he, on the spur of 
 the moment, had given to Tom Moore. He was at a 
 loss to know whether or not Seward suspected him. 
 Never mind ; he would find out soon enough. 
 
 The attack on Lettie, coming so soon after the ab- 
 duction of Norine, created not only an unparalleled sen- 
 sation, but a feeling of alarm on behalf of the other 
 young women of the neighborhood. The Red-Keggers 
 and others for miles around were wrought up to such a 
 high pitch of excitement that an informal meeting was 
 called before noon at Jake Vogel's store to form a vigi- 
 lance committee for protection and for hunting the 
 scoundrels down. Seward Rathaway was present, and 
 at his own request was placed on the committee. 
 
 Before the meeting adjourned, Barney arrived from 
 the Hawkins farm with the sad news of Mother Haw- 
 kins's death. He had heard, also, of the attack on 
 Lettie, and was filled with new dread lest Norine had 
 suffered in like manner. Although he and Tom Moore 
 had bent every effort and taxed their ingenuity to the 
 utmost, they had been unable thus far to get any trace 
 of the missing girl. John Maloney, with several of his 
 neighbors, had continued to scour the woods, but with 
 no better result. The only immediate hope of learning 
 anything seemed to lie in the possibility of getting the 
 tramp to tell something more than he had done; but
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 337 
 
 Norine's father and Tom Moore had cross-questioned 
 him in vain. 
 
 The death of Mother Hawkins and the attack on 
 Lettie Green led to a postponement of the hearing be- 
 fore Justice Frost until Thursday morning. The whole 
 village turned out to honor her memory. Robert Allen 
 had been with the bereaved husband from the very 
 first, and had comforted him by sharing his grief and 
 pointing him steadily to the source of all comfort. Jo- 
 siah had often asked for his son, but Sam avoided him 
 now as carefully as he avoided the minister. He 
 would have stayed away from the funeral if he had 
 dared ; but he feared to attract notice and suspicion, so 
 at the last moment, when the opportunity for conver- 
 sation was at an end, he came to the large room in the 
 ell of the house where the ceremony was to be held, 
 and took a place in the doorway. Even Joseph Waters, 
 the schoolmaster, whose leg was only partially recov- 
 ered, managed to come in a buggy with the help of 
 crutches, and the more indispensable help of Axcy 
 Marthy. It was evident to all that they understood 
 each other perfectly, for they made no secret of their 
 love. Ros Whitmore was unable to come. The 
 broken bone was not yet firmly enough knit together 
 to allow moving. He sent his wife Jule in his place. 
 Lettie Green was there, her throat still bandaged. 
 Sam did not see her when he entered. Indeed, it had 
 not occurred to him that she might be present. At 
 one end of the long room was the coffin surrounded with 
 spring flowers. Near it, with bowed head, already in 
 the winter of life, sat Josiah, in the presence of a host 
 of his friends yet so lonely. 
 
 Robert Allen stood up silently before them all for a 
 moment or two, seeking to control his own feelings.
 
 338 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 He asked some one to start the hymn, and Dan Under- 
 bill, in a rich baritone, began, rather huskily at first, but 
 gaining in volume and melody as he proceeded : 
 
 " Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep, 
 From which none ever wakes to weep; 
 A calm and undisturb'd repose, 
 Unbroken by the last of foes. 
 
 " Asleep in Jesus! peaceful rest, 
 Whose waking is supremely blest; 
 No fear, no woe, shall dim that hour 
 That manifests the Saviour's power." 
 
 Several verses of the hymn were sung. As the last 
 words died away, the minister began to read quietly 
 from the fourteenth chapter of John's Gospel. In a 
 few simple words he brought the promise in the eight- 
 eenth verse home to the sorrowing hearts before him. 
 " I will not leave you comfortless." The love of friend 
 for friend, of parent for child, of husband for wife, was 
 a precious thing, and the breaking of such ties was for 
 the moment grievous ; but the love of Christ, the per- 
 sonal companionship with Him, was far more precious, 
 and nothing could separate us from the love of Christ. 
 When the companionship of the dearest on earth was 
 taken away, the personal presence of Christ would 
 more than compensate. " I will not leave you comfort- 
 less : I will come to you." What heart could be lonely 
 with such a tender, loving companion, walking with us 
 when we walk, sitting with us in the stillness of our 
 chamber, helping us with our burdens ? " In my Fa- 
 ther's house are many mansions ... 1 go to prepare 
 a place for you." What better preparation of a heav- 
 enly mansion could there be than the placing in it of 
 the heart's loved one to welcome home him who should
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 339 
 
 come after ? " Let not your heart be troubled, neither 
 let it be afraid." The minister's voice thrilled with 
 meaning as he repeated the verse. 
 
 "There are things which trouble us and make us 
 afraid at times," he said, " things far out of the com- 
 mon little affairs of life. Such things have happened 
 among us during the past few days. We have seen 
 two of our number tenderly nurtured lambs of the 
 flock cruelly seized upon, one of them torn from her 
 home and taken away to what fate we know not ; an- 
 other barely saved from death inflicted by brutal hands. 
 Our hearts are troubled and afraid. We know not what 
 to do. We have searched and have not found. What 
 shall we do ? " 
 
 The minister's voice suddenly rose to a cry full of 
 solemn prophecy, which rang through the room and 
 pierced the inmost hearts of all who heard it. 
 
 " Listen to the Psalmist ! " he cried : " 4 Shall not 
 God search this out ? for He knovveth the secrets of 
 the heart.' " 
 
 A moment of awe- filled silence followed. All eyes 
 were riveted on the minister; thus none of his hearers 
 noticed a pallid, cringing, trembling figure slip away 
 from a seat near the door, and disappear. 
 
 " ' Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be 
 afraid . . . I will not leave you comfortless: I will 
 come to you,' " continued the minister, with another 
 sudden change to tenderness. "We need Christ's 
 presence and His comfort at just such times as this, if 
 ever at all, If we will accept it, He will be as good as 
 His word and give us the help and comfort we 
 need. He is ready to employ His power where our 
 weakness has failed; to apply the balm of His love 
 where our hearts are bruised and sore. Let us sink
 
 340 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 our sadness and fear in the fathomless ocean of His 
 love." 
 
 After a more personal tribute to the beloved wife 
 whose body lay peacefully in the casket, but whose 
 spirit had gone to one of the many mansions in the 
 Father's house, the minister closed the service with a 
 tender, heartfelt prayer for a fulfilment of the promise 
 which had been brought to sorrowing hearts in that 
 hour 
 
 In the long line of mourners who passed before the 
 casket for a last look at the face they had all loved so 
 well, the only son, for whom the mother's heart had 
 yearned and broken, was not present. If any noticed 
 his absence, they held their peace. Robert Allen, too, 
 held his peace, but something he had seen within the 
 past hour had brought him more sorrow than the death 
 and translation of his friend and sister Susan Hawkins.
 
 CHAPTER XXV 
 
 "!N the case of the People of this Commonwealth 
 against John Long, is the defendant present ? " called 
 out Judge Frost, glaring over the crowd in his primi- 
 tive little court-room, the next afternoon. 
 
 " He is, your honor," replied Tom Moore. 
 
 " Bring him to the bar. Is this the prisoner ? " and 
 the judge looked over his goggles at the man before 
 him. 
 
 " I'm the man, your honor, and I've been waiting the 
 pleasure of this court for three days," said the prisoner, 
 glibly. 
 
 " Never mind that, sir; you are charged with a most 
 heinous crime, a most abominable offense against the 
 peace and dignity of a great State. What have you to 
 say to the charge, guilty or not guilty ? " 
 
 " If it please your honor, would you kindly inform 
 me what this dreadful charge might be ? " inquired the 
 prisoner, in a tone of friendly curiosity. 
 
 "The charge the charge " sputtered the judge, 
 whose temper was becoming ruffled, "why, that you 
 did witri" malice intent deprive one Norine Maloney of 
 her liberty and that you are now detaining her against 
 her will " 
 
 " Where, your honor ? In the lockup, where I have 
 been staying for the past several days ? Oh, no, not 
 for Joseph ! Not that I know of," and he smiled tri- 
 umphantly at the judge. 
 
 " That feller's a reg'lar Tartar, he is," some one in the 
 crowded '"ourt-room was heard to remark. 
 
 341
 
 342 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 "Silence in the court!" thundered the judge, and 
 the stillness that followed was oppressive. 
 
 Then after readjusting his spectacles, which had 
 barely escaped a fall on the floor during the excite- 
 ment, the judge glanced again at the paper which he 
 had in his hand, held it out at arm's length in order to 
 read it, and then looking over the rims of his glasses 
 directly at the prisoner, who was the calmest one in the 
 whole room, he continued : 
 
 " As I was saying, you are charged with a diabolical 
 crime whose foulness smells to heaven. Constable," 
 turning his gaze from the prisoner to Tom Moore, 
 " where are your witnesses ? " 
 
 " I hain't got many witnesses, jedge; but this feller's 
 got stars in his heels, an' me 'n Barney seed tracks out 
 on the Sturgeon Slough as jest fitted 'em, an' I 'low 's 
 he's the chap as made 'em right there 'long side o' No- 
 rine's dainty little footprints. Here's Barney as '11 tell 
 ye the same thing." 
 
 " Come to the stand," said the judge, looking toward 
 Barney. " Now, you have heard what our court officer 
 has said what have you got to offer against this man ? " 
 
 " Sure, Tom's told the truth, jedge. We saw those 
 star heels out there in the mud," said Barney, hesitat- 
 ingly, for he was not ready yet to be too severe on the 
 tramp, in the absence of more conclusive proof. 
 
 " Now, sir, what have you to say for yourself ? " and 
 the searching steel-blue eyes of Judge Frost again 
 peered at Long, seeking to pierce the prisoner's mask 
 of effrontery. 
 
 "Judge your honor you seem to have the upper 
 hand of me at present. In other words, the weight of 
 evidence looks to be against me so far. I came as a 
 stranger into your community, and have no witnesses
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 343 
 
 to speak up in my behalf. I do not hanker to be made 
 a celebrity, and if I had gone along about my business 
 instead of interfering in other people's affairs from the 
 kindest of motives, I wouldn't be in this scrape. Judge, 
 I swear that I had nothing whatever to do with the 
 disappearance of this young lady, and haven't any idea 
 where she is now. I wish I did, your honor. If you 
 will permit me, I " 
 
 "I'll permit you to keep silent," interrupted the 
 judge. "The evidence says you're guilty. I don't 
 know whether you are or not, though I have my opin- 
 ion. I'll bind you over to the Circuit Court in October 
 to find out." 
 
 " Thank you, your honor ; does that mean that I am 
 still detaining the young lady against her will, and am 
 I to keep possession of her till October ? " timidly put 
 in the prisoner, 
 
 " I'll fine you for contempt of court," shouted the 
 judge, " if I hear another word out of your head ! " 
 
 " Your honor, will ye fix a bond for this prisoner ? " 
 asked Tom Moore. 
 
 " Yes. Five hundred dollars ! " and the judge looked 
 defiantly around the room, not dreaming that the bond 
 would be forthcoming. 
 
 " Please make out your bond and release the pris- 
 oner in my custody," spoke up Walt Haywood from 
 the back of the room, to the great surprise of judge 
 and spectators. 
 
 The bond was filled out, and, in lieu of real estate, a 
 cash deposit to the amount of the bond was accepted. 
 In a few moments the prisoner walked out of court a 
 free man. 
 
 " My friend, whom have I to thank A for this great 
 kindness ? " said Long, addressing the constable
 
 344 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " He's one o' yer friends. Ef it hadn't a' been fer 
 him an' his pals ye'd been strung up the day I put the 
 bracelets on ye," rather testily responded Tom, for he 
 was apparently displeased that the prisoner should be 
 released on bail at all under the circumstances, as there 
 had been no further developments in the case, and it 
 might yet prove to be something worse than a mere 
 abduction. 
 
 Approaching Walt, the released prisoner was very 
 profuse in his thanks for the disinterested kindness 
 that had been shown him. 
 
 " I assure you, my friend, upon the honor of a gentle- 
 man, that I appreciate your kindness, and shall bear 
 you in mind when I get possession of my baronial estates 
 in old England. For the present, however, let us ad- 
 journ court to Pete's. That's something tangible, at 
 least. {Sotto voce?) I came pretty near seeing V'n 
 again last night sh " and with a wild look around 
 though he expected to " see 'em " again, he grabbed the 
 arm of Walt for protection. 
 
 Walt good-naturedly assured the fellow that he was 
 all right, and, as suggested, an adjournment was taken 
 to " Pete's place." All the boys were present, and as 
 further demonstrations were about to be made which 
 boded ill for the tramp, the whole party proposed to 
 give him safe conduct to the saloon at least, and thither 
 many of the crowd followed. By the time all hands 
 had taken several " nips " around, his trampship began 
 to get loquacious. 
 
 " Gentlemen," he said, " I am a stranger here in a 
 strange land. I came among you peaceably enough, 
 but through some unfortunate incidents or circum- 
 stances I have been the subject of suspicion and arrest. 
 Gentlemen of the jury I mean gentlemen of Red-Keg
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 345 
 
 I have been released on bail, and now whither shall I 
 go ? I have no money and I have no work. I assure 
 you, gentlemen (although you would never suspect it), 
 that I would work if I could get work to do. I have 
 worked in all sorts of places, from a sawmill to a watch- 
 factory, and if there is any gentleman here who dares 
 offer me work I'll stay with him till court sits in Oc- 
 tober, be this same person a parson, or a bunco-steerer, 
 or a representative of any of the several grades between 
 these two stations." 
 
 Here, again, he cast wistful glances toward the bar, 
 but, no one offering to treat, he again directed his re- 
 marks to his benefactor, and asked his advice as to what 
 it was best to do. 
 
 " If I should leave town," he argued, " I might never 
 return again, and in that case " 
 
 "I would be just that much out," laughed Walt. 
 
 " Exactly, exactly. Now, sir, I am accepting my lib- 
 erty in good faith. I have nothing to fear from a trial, 
 and if the people here would care to have me incarcer- 
 ated till this court sits, why, gentlemen, I will return 
 to my late dungeon and there remain for the law to take 
 its course," and, in a spirit of submission to the powers 
 that be, Long held his hands in front of him as though 
 expecting to have the manacles replaced. 
 
 " Very well, then, no one seems to wish my return ; 
 so, unless labor of some kind is offered to me, I must 
 take up the thread of my interrupted journey and pro- 
 ceed to-night via some hospitable way-train, securing 
 a reserved seat upon the trucks of a freight-car. To 
 guard against thirst, gentlemen, I always carry a 
 convenient flask with me. It is now empty (and so 
 am I), and who speaks first for the privilege of fill- 
 ing it?"
 
 346 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Several responded, and a broad smile came over the 
 face of the man. 
 
 "Thank you. I don't want to slight any one. I 
 keep these for just such emergencies," and a laugh 
 went round as he produced three other flasks of similar 
 shape and size, and those who were a short time before 
 eager to lynch the fellow, now vied with each other in 
 rewarding him for his ready wit. 
 
 When the bottles were all filled and returned to his 
 capacious pockets, he cast more longing looks toward 
 the bar. 
 
 " What, haven't you enough yet ? We'll get the hose 
 and attach one end to your mouth and the other end to 
 a barrel. How would that suit you ? " 
 
 "Just the ticket, boss; just the ticket," and the 
 man's eyes bulged with delight. 
 
 " Well, come and have one with me," said Billy. 
 
 The tramp obeyed with alacrity, and, resuming the 
 place he had first occupied near an open window at the 
 end of the bar, he set his glass in front of him and 
 gazed at it affectionately. 
 
 "You see, sir, I have an awful awful thirst on me," 
 he said, " and I didn't care to tap those bottles while 
 the fountain flowed so freely near by. I'll keep them 
 till I am out on the desert, so to speak, and there is no 
 other reservoir in sight. Again I thank you all, gentle- 
 men, for your most magnanimous consideration of my 
 frailties. And to this especially kind friend, to whom 
 I owe my liberty, I am more than grateful," and he 
 grasped the hand of Walt, who stood near him. 
 
 "That's all right," responded Walt; "but why not 
 give us your pedigree, and tell us where you came from 
 and where you are going that is, if you are cruel 
 enough to skip your bail ? "
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 347 
 
 " Certainly, with pleasure ; you are entitled to it, my 
 dear sir; but first, if you don't mind you know talking 
 is dry work and " 
 
 " What ! you don't mean to say your glass is empty 
 again ! " exclaimed Walt, regarding the tramp in sur- 
 prise. " You have a thirst, surely. Well, Pete, fill him 
 up again, and give him enough to last this time." 
 
 Pete laughed, and filled the tramp's glass to the top 
 with " Mystic Brand." The man seized it with an un- 
 steady hand. 
 
 " Thank you, my good and generous fellow ! " he ex- 
 claimed, thickly ; then letting his gaze wander over the 
 crowded barroom, he cried out, banteringly, pointing 
 toward the door : 
 
 " Oh, I say ! there's the honest, but unfortunate man 
 who t-testified against me in the court. Now, my 
 frien', I don't bear any ill-will. Come an' join me in 
 some of this excellen' beverage. I trus' one of these 
 very gen'rous gen'lemen will stan' treat on my 'count." 
 
 All hands turned and saw Barney sitting at a table 
 near the door. He made no move or reply except to 
 shake his head to signify his refusal of the invitation. 
 The tramp pressed his invitation. 
 
 " Don't hang back m' man ! A drink of this," and 
 he flourished his glass, " will help you t' forget all your 
 sorrows. They say I am de-de-tainin' your sweetheart. 
 It's a lie I mean a sad mistake. Come here an' 
 sh-shake han's, an' les be frien's." 
 
 Barney rose angrily to his feet as though to leave the 
 saloon. The crowd watching him thought there might 
 be a quarrel, and one or two stepped toward him to in- 
 terfere. Suddenly, however, Barney sat down again, 
 looking more surprised than angry. 
 
 " Ah ! but tha's good for what ails me ! " exclaimed
 
 348 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 the tramp, as, attention being again directed to him, he 
 set down his empty glass and smacked his lips with 
 great gusto, while Walt and the others stared at him in 
 amazement. 
 
 "You wan' know m' pedigree, an' where I came 
 from," he continued. " Well, mos' es'mable frien' an' 
 ben'factor, all I know is I came hither from thither, an' 
 thence I shall go forth from hence by the firs' frien'ly 
 fras' feight I mean the frirs' fenly fash freight or 
 something like that. M' name, you have ; m' res'dence 
 wherever th' night closes 'pon me ; my oc'pation 
 had so many, don' know which the lash one was ; m' 
 people they don' know me 'cause m' close ain't good 
 'nough ; but le' me tell you m' frien's these patched 
 trousers cover an hones' (hie) heart. Wha' you laugh- 
 in' at, mister? It's a fac', I 'sure you. I don' look 
 han'some, but I'd rather (hie) be a good mushroom, 
 growin' on a dung-heap than a bad egg in a good shell. 
 Some day I'll compel m' fam'ly to reco'nize my rights 
 an' return me t' the rish b'ronial eshtates in m' mdther 
 coun'ry merry ol' Englan'. Then m' frien'," growing 
 confidential, " I wan' you t' come over there an' be m' 
 honor' guesh. It will (hie) give me the greatesh 
 pleasure to welcome you." 
 
 " But what about your other friends here ? Would 
 not all the Invincibles be welcome ? " asked Walt. 
 
 " Mosh assuredly, m' frien' mosh assur (hie) ly. 
 Guesh that lash imbiba (hie) tion wash too much 
 for me," replied the fellow thickly, and he began to 
 reel heavily. 
 
 The Invincibles consulted among themselves hastily 
 and decided to get rid of the fellow as quickly as pos- 
 sible, so, taking him by both arms, they escorted him out 
 of the saloon. Barney, who had remained at the table
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 349 
 
 near the door watching the proceedings but saying 
 nothing, started up as though to speak when the tramp 
 and his escorts passed, but quickly changing his mind, 
 he sank back in his seat and waited until they had all 
 gone out. Then he arose, left the saloon, and strode 
 rapidly away, his face flushed with suppressed excite- 
 ment. 
 
 When the Invincibles and their protege reached the 
 road, the tramp turned to Walt and insisted upon shak- 
 ing hands with him again. 
 
 " How 'm I to repay you, mos' noble frien' f ' thish 
 (hie) kin'ness ? " he sputtered. 
 
 " That's easy enough," replied Walt. " We will see 
 you safely to the railroad station, and when your train 
 of palace cars comes along you may take your choice 
 of bumpers or trucks." 
 
 By the time the station was reached, however, the 
 tramp was in such a helpless condition that after a con- 
 ference among the Invincibles, it was decided to re- 
 move him to their private room, over Pete's place, and 
 back they dragged him to this hostelry. 
 
 " It would be suicidal for him to attempt to board a 
 train in this condition," said Seward, "and murder for 
 us to allow it. We'll take him upstairs, where he can 
 sleep it off undisturbed. At the same time," he whis- 
 pered to Walt, " we have a little business to transact 
 while we're all together." 
 
 After considerable tugging and boosting the tramp 
 was smuggled into Pete's place by a back entrance to 
 escape the eyes of the remaining loungers, and was 
 stowed away on the cot heretofore used more than once 
 by Sam for a similar purpose. 
 
 " He's good for all night," remarked Walt, as ster- 
 torous snores came from the couch. " Light up, Billy ;
 
 350 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 it's getting dark. Don't go, Sam ; we've got some fig. 
 uring to do, and need your help. We'll have Pete send 
 up some grub." 
 
 Bob Simons was called and given instructions. Soon 
 the four Invincibles were seated at their light repast, 
 the door was locked, and Sam waited for the storm 
 which he knew was about to break upon his head. 
 Walt was the first to speak. 
 
 " We've got to look things squarely in the face and 
 decide on some way to get out of the snarl we're in," 
 he began. " The sooner we do it the better. If we 
 could have stuck to our profitable business without 
 being hampered with side issues and private affairs we 
 should have been all right. Those spies of Uncle Sam 
 gave us a clean bill of health. It isn't likely we would 
 have been bothered on that line again in a hurry. But 
 the president of our company allows himself to get off 
 the track on other business. I call this plagued love 
 affair business because I don't think he's the man to go 
 to such extremes for a simple sentiment. There must 
 be something more in it. I wouldn't care for that, if he 
 had been content to work his scheme, whatever it was, 
 on the outside ; but in spite of our refusal to have any- 
 thing to do with it, he goes ahead and springs it on us 
 behind our backs. Before we know it, we are mixed 
 up in the matter, and have to stand for it or throw up 
 the whole concern at the risk of making him blab. 
 Now there's the devil to pay with all this excitement 
 over Norine. If we don't look out, the chickens will 
 begin coming home to roost. I don't call it a square 
 deal. Our business is at a standstill. We don't dare 
 to go out to the island for more stuff while the woods 
 are full of searchers. Yet the only thing to do, so far 
 as I can see, is to return the girl at once, provided it
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 351 
 
 can be done safely, and she will promise not to blab. 
 What do you say ? " 
 
 Sam had been drumming on the table in an effort to 
 appear unconcerned while Walt was speaking. He 
 now surprised the others by sitting erect in his chair 
 and looking around defiantly at his companions as he 
 replied : 
 
 " This practically places me on trial, I suppose. AH 
 right, go ahead, fret, accuse, curse ; but remember, we 
 are all in the same boat, and if you think it's going to 
 sink, and have any plans for getting out, present them. 
 If not, better hold your tongues. There's nothing to 
 be gained by pot calling kettle black, don't you know. 
 Funny what a spasm of virtue has taken hold of you 
 because you think / have made a mistake. Maybe I 
 have; anyhow I'm sorry it had to turn out this way. 
 I don't like the excitement any more than you do; but 
 we're in for it, and may as well make the best of a bad 
 job." 
 
 " Talking of excitement," said Seward, slowly, " that 
 damnable attack on my cousin Lettie was about as 
 bad as anything could be, and doesn't make it any 
 easier for us to get out of our fix, even though I did 
 manage to get myself put on the vigilance commit- 
 tee. If they can find the wretch who did the thing, 
 he will probably swing from a good stout limb in short 
 order." 
 
 " The poor girl had a narrow escape. Have you any 
 idea who were the perpetrators ? " asked Walt. 
 
 "I know the perpetrator," said Seward, looking 
 Sam full in the face. " Is it necessary to mention any 
 name ? We ought to have no secrets from each other, 
 but so far as the public is concerned, I left the matter 
 with Lettie. It was through her love, poor girl, that
 
 352 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 you were spared, Sam. Now I warn you to get out of 
 this Norine affair as quickly as you can." 
 
 The discussion continued hour after hour, mingled 
 with bitter accusations and recriminations. Billy at 
 first took up Sam's defense, but after a while he found 
 it more to his interests to keep silent. 
 
 Sam fought his battle alone with less and less assur- 
 ance until he was driven to yield every point. 
 
 " I am for giving Sam just one chance to redeem 
 himself," said Seward. " If he will set his wits to work 
 to restore the girl, without exposing the rendezvous, 
 or revealing our connection with the matter, I, for one, 
 will vote to overlook the past. Then we can decide 
 whether he shall resume his position as leader, from 
 which I now consider him as deposed." 
 
 "Well put," agreed Walt. "What do you say to 
 that proposition, Billy ? " 
 
 "Agreed," he answered. 
 
 "Very well, then, Sam. Can you return the girl 
 safely safely, mind you to her parents, and have no 
 one the wiser as to where she has been?" asked 
 Seward. 
 
 " That's a hard nut to crack, don't you know," replied 
 Sam meekly, "but I'll try. After all, I suppose she 
 will be glad enough to get away without peaching on 
 us." 
 
 " Don't wager too much on that, Sam. If she can 
 be induced to keep still, it certainly will not be out of 
 regard for you. It will be to save your poor old fa- 
 ther," answered Walt. 
 
 " One thing is certain," said Seward, " you must re- 
 turn Norine, and that at once, or within a reasonable 
 length of time. By another week, say a week from to- 
 night, we must make the attempt. We will all go out
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 353 
 
 to the south shore " He suddenly hesitated, looked 
 hard at the sleeper on the couch, who was snoring like 
 a porker, and then, satisfied that the tramp was oblivi- 
 ous of all the world, proceeded: "Sam, you stay 
 around the Keg I am managing this campaign now 
 Billy and Walt shall go up to the hunting-lodge, and 
 I'll stay around home. By the time the week is up all 
 will have quieted down and we can safely make the trip. 
 Be there at daylight, and at sunrise we can fire the sa- 
 lute. Pomp will hear it, and will soon be with us. We 
 can then complete details as the emergencies require. 
 What do you think of the plan ? " 
 
 There was nothing better to offer, so Seward's plan 
 was adopted, subject to change if circumstances should 
 require. 
 
 They had remained talking all night, and it was not 
 until near morning that their prote"g6 showed signs of 
 returning consciousness. With the first symptom of 
 this return they directed their attention to him and 
 ceased their palaver. 
 
 " Had a good sleep, have you, pard ? " said Walt, who 
 first observed his awakening. 
 
 " Yesh, but aivfttl awful thirsty. Where's Pete ? " 
 and with groggy eyes he looked around the apartment. 
 
 " Pete's to bed, but if you want an eye-opener, there 
 are your bottles yet. Better take a little bracer, and 
 get on the train due here at four o'clock. Pretty early, 
 but we'll go with you," said Walt. 
 
 Without further ado, the program was carried out. 
 
 Ere long the tramp was bundled onto the train, and 
 the Invincibles breathed more freely. 
 23
 
 CHAPTER XXVI 
 
 THE people of Red-Keg and all the surrounding 
 region were thrown into a state of renewed excitement 
 by the arrival, on the morning following the tramp's 
 hearing, of another stranger, and the posting, a few 
 hours later, of a notice on Vogel's store and other 
 places offering five thousand dollars reward, and no 
 questions asked, for the safe return of Norine Maloney. 
 The news flew in all directions that Orrin Maloney, 
 brother of John Maloney, and son of a wealthy manu- 
 facturer who had just died in Belfast, Ireland, leaving 
 the bulk of his vast property to his two sons, had come 
 in search of his brother, arriving just in time to help 
 in a still more thorough and aggressive hunt for the 
 lost girl. The offer of a reward and a description of 
 Norine were sent far and wide. New parties were or- 
 ganized. The woods were beaten for miles around, un- 
 til it seemed as though even a rabbit could not escape. 
 Sturgeon Slough was dragged, and out-of-the-way 
 places were searched. The activity and hopefulness of 
 the big-hearted Irishman Sir Orrin, as the Red-Keg- 
 gers dubbed him seemed boundless. Every one 
 caught the contagion, and worked with a fresh determi- 
 nation, which lasted for fully three days. Orrin was in- 
 dignant that the tramp had not been held. He offered 
 another reward for his apprehension and return to the 
 custody of the court. 
 
 The Invincibles were in a constant state of alarm 
 
 354
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 355 
 
 lest some of the searchers should stumble upon their 
 secret rendezvous, or lest the tramp should turn up and 
 clear himself, or lest suspicion should again fall upon 
 them. The day was approaching which they had agreed 
 upon for making the attempt to get Norine off their 
 hands. They did their best to foster the spirit of dis- 
 couragement with further searching in the woods, hop- 
 ing to clear their own way. Indeed, the searching par- 
 ties soon came to the conviction that they had done all 
 that was possible in this direction, and before the week 
 was up, nearly all had abandoned that line of search. 
 Walt and Seward insisted that Sam stick to his agree- 
 ment. 
 
 " If we could only manage it some way by which we 
 could get hold of that reward at the same time, it 
 would compensate in part for the loss of the girl," 
 urged Sam, thinking regretfully of the stake for which 
 he had risked so much, and which was about to slip 
 from his grasp. 
 
 " I have no taste for any further complications," de- 
 murred Seward. " The one thing I am anxious for is 
 to get Norine safely off our hands, and we do not know 
 yet whether we can even do that. If we get out of 
 this scrape with a whole skin, that will be reward 
 enough. You can't expect anything more." 
 
 " I have been thinking we might tell Norine that we 
 would return her to her parents on condition that she 
 would pledge herself on her honor to tell nothing, and 
 then we might arrange with one or two of our middle- 
 men up in the Big Salt for instance, Pierre Badeau, to 
 meet us at the usual place and take this new product 
 of our island to the market, get the reward, retain a 
 share for his trouble, and turn the remainder over to 
 us for our trouble. He could spin a yarn about being
 
 356 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 the go-betweens for two professional kidnappers up in 
 the next township, and the chances are the story would 
 go down. You know the notice says no questions 
 asked." 
 
 " I don't know but that might be feasible," said Walt, 
 doubtfully. " I don't hanker for any more complica- 
 tions, either, but the money would come in very handy 
 just now, after paying out that five hundred dollars to 
 let Mr. Tramp escape, and they say Orrin Maloney has 
 barrels of it. I'll agree to it if Seward will.'' 
 
 But Seward refused, positively. 
 
 While the Invincibles were worrying and planning, 
 and the friends of Norine were making conspicuous 
 efforts to discover some clew to her, and the vigilance 
 committee was exerting itself to catch the miscreants 
 and protect the neighborhood from further acts of vio- 
 lence, Barney O'Boyle held himself aloof as much as 
 he could from his neighbors, and avoided the questions 
 and commiserations that came from all sides whenever 
 he went abroad. Usually cool, collected, and undis- 
 turbed, he was now completely overcome with grief. 
 The illness and then the death of Mother Hawkins, to- 
 gether with the uncomplaining sorrow of Uncle Si, cut 
 him to the heart ; the hopeless grief of Norine's parents 
 smote him like a barbed arrow. Yet, neither they nor 
 Orrin Maloney had a word of blame for the manly fel- 
 low. They knew that all this sorrow and trouble had 
 been brought about through no fault of his. He had 
 expected nothing less than a mild censure, to say the 
 least, but when all concerned had shown such magna- 
 nimity toward him, and confidence in his honor, his grief 
 was all the more poignant, and he recorded a vow with 
 himself that come what would he would never rest till
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 357 
 
 the lost girl was restored to her family, or the mystery 
 of her taking off unravelled 
 
 It was a busy time on the farm, and the spring work 
 must be done. Without consulting Farmer Hawkins, 
 he purchased from his own savings a new yoke of oxen, 
 and worked incessantly during the hours of daylight. 
 He scarcely touched his food, and when evening came 
 he attended to his usual chores ; then taking a lantern, 
 he went out alone to search the woods for a trace of 
 his lost sweetheart. The failure of searching parties 
 did not convince nor deter him. All night long he 
 tramped up and down through forest and swamp ; fol- 
 lowing the original trail back and forth, and then 
 branching out in every direction ; peering under bushes 
 and brambles and dragging ponds and lagoons, sick at 
 heart, but determined to keep on. For more than a 
 week he had been out every night, sometimes with 
 others, more often alone, going each time in a different 
 direction, farther and farther, and with less and less 
 hope of success, yet without a thought of abandoning 
 his search. He had not said a word to any one, until 
 Uncle Si, noting with alarm his haggard looks each 
 morning, insisted on his taking more rest. Then Bar- 
 ney poured out his pent-up feelings and told of his night 
 searches. Uncle Si expostulated with him. 
 
 "You ought not to do that, Barney. You can't 
 stand it. Suppose you should get off in the wilderness 
 alone somewhere and give out. It is unlikely Norine 
 is in the woods now. Whoever took her away has got 
 her in safe-keeping that is if she is still alive. 
 Orrin's reward will bring her to us if anything will. 
 You must take care of yourself, or you won't be fit to 
 meet her when she does come." 
 
 Barney thanked his kind employer and friend, but
 
 358 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 he would not be dissuaded from continuing his search. 
 He could not bear to think that perhaps his darling was 
 lying out there, cold and wet and dead, and no loving 
 hands to place her in her last resting-place. So again 
 he started out on his weary tramp. He always carried 
 his revolver with him, for he knew the woods were full 
 of prowling animals. He also had his hunting-knife, 
 and he knew no fear as he hastened along to the point 
 whence he was to begin the night search. 
 
 "Oh, Norine, darlint," he cried aloud, "will these 
 eyes iver see ye agin? Shall I iver spake into yer 
 livin' ears the sorrow an' love of me heart ? Sure, it's 
 no fault of yours that ye're not this minute safe under 
 yer mother's roof. There's some dark diviltry here, 
 an' begorra, if I could lay these two hands on the cow- 
 ardly varmint as sperited ye away " his eyes gleamed 
 fiercely, his breath came in short gasps, his hands 
 clinched till the nails nearly cut through the flesh 
 of his horny hand " I'd niver rest till he was strung 
 up by the neck an' left fer the crows to pick his worth- 
 less bones." The words came from between his 
 clenched teeth, and the utterance of his rage in the 
 darkness and the wilderness, like the safety-valve of an 
 engine, relieved the pressure within. 
 
 For some time he strode on in silence, and then 
 burst out again : 
 
 " Sam Hawkins, I hate yer infernal looks I I . 
 They all say ye didn't do it, an' ye pretind to be turnin' 
 over a new leaf, but I feel in me heart that ye did do 
 it, an' that ye know where the darlint is now. Ye 
 must be a sneakin' hypercrit, an' the divil's own, 
 besides. Why was ye so anxious to git rid o' thet 
 tramp ? Ye knew he was innercent, an' if he stayed 
 here, they'd be after provin' it. Ye wanted them ter
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 359 
 
 kape on thinkin' he done it, an' so ye helped him to 
 skip, you an' yer friends." 
 
 He had reached the spot where he was to take up 
 the search for the night, and was just stepping from 
 the road, when there came wafted to his ear the maud- 
 lin tones of a drunken man singing "The Falling of 
 the Pine," one of the popular lumber-camp airs. He 
 had no desire for such a companion at this time, so he 
 made haste to get out of the way before he should be 
 seen, and into the woods he went on his melancholy 
 quest. Not a spot within reach of the rays of his lan- 
 tern, or lighted by the moon, which had helped so 
 greatly during the past few nights, now escaped his 
 attention. 
 
 As he hunted, his thoughts ever returned to Norine, 
 and the last moments he had spent with her on that 
 memorable night. She had fallen into the water, and 
 was cold and wet. How long could she survive the 
 cruel exposure, even if nothing worse had happened to 
 her ? But perhaps Uncle Si was right, and she was 
 being taken care of, and would be returned in order 
 that her abductors might secure the reward. Then his 
 thoughts flew to the scene in the saloon after the hear- 
 ing of the tramp in court. 
 
 " Begorra, there was somethin* strange about thet 
 tramp. The crowd thought he was drunker'n a owl, 
 but I'm thinkin' he didn't drink a blessed drop. What 
 did he dump the stuff outer the winder fer, when he 
 thought nobody was lookin* ? Maybe the boys thought 
 he was drunk, maybe not. He's sure enough up to 
 some game, good or bad." 
 
 An hour passed, and Barney was still hunting. 
 Another hour found him thrusting, poking, tramping 
 His long partial fasting, and the ceaseless toil and
 
 360 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 worry were beginning to tell upon his strength. He 
 felt a weakness unknown to him, the strong, robust 
 young Hercules, the envy of every youth in the town- 
 ship. 
 
 " H o o, h o o, hoo hoo ! " came to his listen- 
 ing ears as he was retracing his steps toward an over- 
 hanging rock which he had passed some time before. 
 He was now intent on looking around that place again 
 and still more thoroughly. He reached it and made a 
 detour to the south among the tangle wood. He had 
 not proceeded far when the doleful and ominous hoot 
 of the same owl again arrested his attention. 
 
 " H o o, h o o, hoo hoo ! " came the mournful 
 dirge, and for the first time in his life the notes struck 
 a chord in Barney's breast which caused him to shake 
 with apprehension. He was not frightened, but under 
 the tense condition of nervous strain under which he 
 was bearing up, the sound thrilled him through and 
 through, and he took the hooting as a portent of com- 
 ing disaster. 
 
 As the notes died away he thought he heard a crack- 
 ling in the underbrush just a little way ahead of him, 
 and stopped to listen. With unreasoning hope spring- 
 ing in his breast he rushed forward toward the spot 
 whence came the sound, calling the name of Norine 
 at every bound. A moment's thought would have told 
 him that Norine could not possibly be wandering at 
 night in the forest alive after more than a week had 
 passed. 
 
 As he neared the spot he again stopped to listen, 
 and this time he distinctly heard the " ughf, ughf " of 
 a bear, which came from the clump of bushes not fifty 
 feet ahead of him. 
 
 What if this beast had overtaken Norine and torn
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 361 
 
 her in pieces, was the first thought that entered his 
 mind, and, with a cry of desperation, thinking nothing 
 of the possible outcome, he rushed with maddened fury 
 in the direction of the beast. It was a large fellow of 
 the black variety, and ordinarily would have run away, 
 but Barney's onslaught was so fierce and determined 
 that the animal had no alternative but to turn and de- 
 fend himself against the charge of his mad antagonist. 
 Rising to his haunches he met the onslaught with a 
 swingle-like motion of his ponderous paw. Barney, his 
 blood up, had not moved with his usual caution. He 
 had unsheathed his knife and made his rush, hoping to 
 catch bruin at a disadvantage. But the bear was too 
 quick. His paw struck Barney's knife-hand a terrible 
 blow, knocking the knife away and rendering that hand 
 practically useless. Too late our hero had measured 
 the strength of his foe, and the bear, now himself en- 
 raged to the fighting-point, made another pass at Bar- 
 ney, who fortunately dodged just in time to escape its 
 full force upon his head, which no doubt would have 
 concluded the conflict then and there in favor of bruin. 
 
 Barney had dropped his lantern some distance back, 
 and the oil, running out and igniting, presented a weird 
 spectacle of the surrounding wood, but at the same 
 time distracted for an instant the attention of the bear 
 and gave Barney a chance to draw his revolver and 
 again force the fight with his huge antagonist. The 
 bear's last blow had deprived Barney of his hat, but 
 had not hurt him, and while the bear had his attention 
 drawn to the blazing oil, the desperate man took aim 
 at the heart of the beast and pulled the trigger. 
 
 With a yell of rage the monster was again upright, 
 with froth-flecked mouth and gleaming eyes. He 
 aimed another blow, which failed, and then the two
 
 362 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 met in a hand-to-hand and desperate struggle for the 
 mastery a powerful brute pitted against a human 
 antagonist, both goaded to desperation. 
 
 Barney grappled with the fellow, and the two rolled 
 to the ground, the former on top. His pistol had 
 dropped from his hand, and there in the dead of night, 
 the light having burned out by this time, leaving the 
 combatants to trust to the moon, the two fought and 
 struggled for supremacy. With a power born of love 
 and a determination to live to avenge the wrongs of his 
 love<J one, the brave man knew no fear, and with a 
 mighty power for an instant beyond even his ordinary 
 strength, he grasped the throat of the beast with his 
 uninjured hand and the other he wound around a sap- 
 ling near by. 
 
 His grip upon the throat tightened. The animal 
 writhed and twisted in his agony. But just as Barney 
 felt that the victory was his, he relaxed his hold, as the 
 terrible strain was more than he could stand. The 
 bear, who had almost ceased to struggle, now made a 
 last ferocious effort, in a twinkling breaking the hold 
 upon his throat, and with a terrible growl fastened his 
 jaws upon Barney's arm. Fortunately for Barney he 
 had on his leather hunting-coat, or the arm would have 
 been torn in pieces. Bruin, now evidently aware of his 
 ascendency, paused a moment to contemplate his pros- 
 trate foe, or to get breath, the while holding the arm 
 like a vise, and growling ominously. 
 
 Barney, weak and trembling from lack of food and 
 rest, was for the first time unnerved. He felt that 
 having no weapon within reach, the fight was greatly 
 in favor of the bear. The pain caused by the sharp 
 teeth on his arm and the almost paralyzed condition of 
 his other hand from the first blow of the bear was ex-
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 363 
 
 cruciating, and a groan of agony escaped his lips. 
 Further than that he remained silent, while the big 
 beast, seemingly satisfied with the advantage he had 
 gained, did not crowd the fight. Barney realized this, 
 and with pain shooting through every nerve he heroic- 
 ally held his peace and did not move a muscle. How 
 long he remained in that position he did not know, but 
 soon he realized that a lethargy was creeping over his 
 already benumbed senses, and he was yielding to over- 
 wrought nature. 
 
 Suddenly, without warning, he felt the bear release 
 his hold, and at the same instant a stream of something 
 hot and foaming struck him full in the face. He was 
 aroused at once from his lethargy, and sat upright. 
 The bear had rolled over on his side, while the hot 
 blood still flowed from a knife wound in his throat. 
 Standing over them Barney observed the dim outlines 
 of a man, holding a murderous-looking knife which was 
 dripping with the life-blood of the quivering beast at 
 his feet. 
 
 " Seems to me you have had a pretty narrow escape, 
 eh ? Let me help you to your feet now you are free 
 from the embraces of that fellow," and Jim Lane, the 
 man whom Barney and Jim Gyde had saved from death 
 in the rollway two weeks previous, rolled the carcass 
 away from Barney and reached out to help him up. 
 
 For a moment Barney was too much dazed to speak. 
 But as he gazed at the dead bear, and then at his res- 
 cuer, his thoughts returned. Peering into the face be- 
 fore him, he recognized Mr. Lane, and reaching for his 
 hand he squeezed it as heartily as his remaining strength 
 would permit. 
 
 " Misther Lane, ye're an angel o' mercy. Ye dropped 
 down from hivin just in time to save my life. Do ye
 
 364 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 remember the young lady ye saw with me down at the 
 rollway ? Well, that same girl is lost in these woods 
 an' I'm looking for her, in the course of which I came 
 across this varmint, an' but for your help, I'd been a 
 goner, sure." 
 
 " That's all right, Mr. O'Boyle. I have only, in a 
 small way, been repaying a debt of gratitude which I 
 have owed you ever since the day of the rollway, so 
 please only consider this a partial payment on account 
 nothing more. I happened to be out in these woods 
 on private business, and getting lost, I thought it wisest 
 to just stop where night overtook me and trust to day- 
 light to get out of the tangle. I had climbed up among 
 the branches of a big hemlock, cut a few boughs, made 
 a bed, and was about dropping off in slumber when the 
 report of a pistol aroused me. I jumped up, saw a large 
 blaze over in this direction, and heard you and the bear 
 struggling, but before I could reach you the blaze went 
 out, and but for the labored breathing and growling of 
 the bear I would never have found you. The fellow 
 was too intent on finishing you at his leisure to notice 
 me, so when I was near enough to see just the situa- 
 tion of affairs, I made a lunge forward with my knife 
 and luckily reached a vital spot without touching you." 
 
 "Mr. Lane, I why, I believe I am going to 
 to " 
 
 In a moment the strong man dropped in a heap at 
 the feet of his rescuer. 
 
 From a pool of water near by Lane fetched his hat 
 full and bathed Barney's face. Then from his pocket 
 he took a flask and was about to place it to the lips of 
 the prostrate man when he opened his eyes and sat up. 
 
 " Faith, it's nothin' at all, only a little dizzy. The 
 beast did give me quite a squeeze, an' I've been on the
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 365 
 
 go the last few nights, an' not much appetite to eat. 
 Guess I ain't meself." 
 
 A few moments' rest and a draught of cold water re- 
 stored the young man somewhat. He looked closely 
 at his companion, whose face was now clearly revealed 
 in the moonlight. 
 
 " Why did ye quit the Keg the day of the rollway 
 without kapin' yer appointment with me ? " he asked 
 abruptly. 
 
 " Well, I did leave without much notice, I confess, 
 but you know men in my particular line of business," 
 and he tapped the left side of his coat significantly, "are 
 liable to receive sudden calls. I found it necessary 
 to catch a train before the time of our appointment." 
 
 " Ye said ye had news fer me from Belfast, ef ye'll 
 remember. Would ye mind tellin' it now ? A friend 
 o' mine hes come from there since I saw ye, but I hain't 
 heard him mention yer name." 
 
 Lane sat silent for several minutes as though debat 
 ing with himself, then he said impressively : 
 
 " Barney O'Boyle, I have learned many things the 
 past few weeks, and some of them concern you very 
 closely. It is a little premature to disclose them just 
 now, but very soon you shall know all. In the mean 
 time I wish you 'to discontinue this search for Miss 
 Norine, and leave the matter in my hands. If I had 
 known you were coming out here at night I should 
 have told you to give it up before now. You can ac- 
 complish nothing." 
 
 " Fer the love of hivin, man ! What do ye mane ? 
 Is she dead ? " Barney sprang to his feet, and grasping 
 Lane by both shoulders, gazed into his face with terror- 
 stricken eyes. 
 
 " Your sweetheart is alive and safe," replied Lane.
 
 366 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " Alive ! Safe ! Say that again ! Oh, blissed Saints ! 
 Say it again ! " and then he proceeded to make any 
 repetition impossible by clasping his long arms around 
 Lane, and, with a new-born strength, nearly crushing 
 the breath out of his body. 
 
 " Let me go ! Great Caesar ! Let me go ! " gasped 
 Lane, struggling out of Barney's frantic embrace. " It 
 is true ; Norine is alive and " 
 
 " Take me to her this blissed minute, man ! What 
 are we loafin' here for ? Alive ! Safe ! Come, we'll 
 have her home before mornin'. Which way " 
 
 " Not so fast, my friend. I only know that she is 
 safe. I do not know yet exactly where she is. I am 
 close on the track, however, and shall find her before 
 the week is out. Meanwhile you must get some rest 
 and be ready to help me when the time comes. Be 
 assured I shall call on you to be present at the finish. 
 Until then you must appear to know nothing at all. 
 Even the joy you can not help feeling at the knowl- 
 edge of the dear girl's safety must not show itself at 
 home nor in the village. It might arouse suspicion 
 that would spoil our plans." 
 
 "Ye mane " 
 
 " Never mind what I mean. It is most important 
 that you do as I tell you. The suspense will be over 
 soon and the guilty ones brought to justice." 
 
 " The guilty ones ? Then the tramp " 
 
 For answer, Lane put his hand to his face, and turned 
 his back to Barney. In a moment he confronted him 
 again. 
 
 " You ! " cried Barney, astonished. 
 
 " Yes, your honor," laughed the newly made tramp. 
 " I skipped my bail, but I shall be on hand before the 
 October term."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 367 
 
 " Faith, I spotted ye in Pete's gin-mill the other day, 
 when ye were fakin' the boys, but I couldn't make out 
 yer game, an' I hed no idea 'twas Jim Lane. Ah, but 
 ye're a cute one. What brought ye out here ? " 
 
 "You shall have the whole story in a few days. 
 Now I want you to share the comfortable bed I have 
 made in the hemlock branches yonder. There is room 
 for two, and you are too much used up to walk back 
 home to-night. 
 
 In a few moments the two men were comfortably 
 ensconced in their rustic retreat, and Barney was soon 
 dreaming the sweetest dreams for many a night.
 
 CHAPTER XXVII 
 
 NORINE woke from a heavy sleep of utter exhaustion 
 and rose with a start to a sitting posture. What had 
 happened ? or had she been dreaming ? A vague sense 
 of trouble or sudden accident oppressed her. She 
 would go to her mother at once and let her laugh away 
 the feeling. Then her eyes began to take in strange 
 surroundings. Rocky walls and ceiling; a bright cloth 
 hanging in front of an opening and flapping idly in the 
 draft ; soft skins of various animals scattered over the 
 rough floor; a low couch piled with cushions upon 
 which she had been lying; the subdued light coming 
 from some unseen source all these things mystified 
 her, and filled her with alarm. Where was she ? How 
 did she get here ? What was she to do ? A little cry 
 broke from her lips involuntarily. At the sound Nero 
 sprang up from a rug upon which he had been keeping 
 watch, stretched himself, and uttered a welcoming bark. 
 The presence of Nero in such a place puzzled her, but 
 also reassured her. Surely wherever he was with her 
 she must be safe. 
 
 Suddenly a recollection of a terrible night rushed 
 over her ; bumping over a rough road in an old ox-cart ; 
 a crash, followed by a fall into mud and water ; an appa- 
 rition of Barney standing before her, torn and muddy, 
 and then flying down the road like a mad man ; a man 
 springing unexpectedly from the darkness and dragging 
 her into the forest where another man met them and 
 urged her on ; a cry for help, and a cruel bandage over 
 
 368
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 369 
 
 her mouth; a long, hurried tramp through brambles 
 which tore her clothes and scratched her hands, through 
 rain, and mud, and swamp ; the sudden appearance of 
 Nero ; a strange boat ride through tall rushes ; a big 
 negro woman who hugged her ; and then oblivion. 
 
 She shuddered as she looked again around the strange 
 room, which she now saw was a cave. She dreaded to 
 see Sam Hawkins confront her. But no, she was alone 
 with Nero. The great dog came up, and, placing his 
 head in her lap, looked with his soulful eyes up into 
 hers. He wagged his tail with delight, and seemed to 
 be telling her that he would protect her with his life. 
 
 Rising to her feet, Norine essayed to walk, but her 
 sore and weary limbs refused their offices for an in- 
 stant. This movement revealed to her the effect of 
 the hardships which she had passed through during the 
 night. She looked at her clothing. Her pretty dress 
 was torn and covered with mud. She noticed, likewise, 
 that her hands were badly scratched, and every joint of 
 her body was stiff with pain. She sank back upon the 
 couch too much frightened even to cry. 
 
 Presently the sound of voices reached her, and bend- 
 ing her head to a listening attitude, she caught notes 
 of music coming from a distance, but still distinct and 
 sweet. It was an old negro melody, and was being 
 sung by two voices : 
 
 " You ask what makes dis darky weep, 
 
 Why he like oders am not gay 
 What makes de tears roll down his cheek 
 
 From early morn till close ob day ? 
 My story, darkies, you shall hear, 
 
 For in my mem'ry fresh it dwells ; 
 'Twill cause you all to drop a tear 
 
 O'er de grave ob my sweet Kittie Wells," 
 
 34
 
 370 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Norine listened, bewildered. She had often heard 
 that old melody, but never so tenderly sung as now. 
 The sweet voice of the soprano reassured her, as it told 
 her that one of her own sex was near, even though the 
 color of her skin was not the same as her own. The 
 bass voice was powerful and melodious. After a brief 
 interval, the song went on : 
 
 "When de birds were singin' in de mornin', 
 And de myrtle an' de ivy were in bloom, 
 De sun on de hill tops was a dawnin* 
 It was den we laid her in de tomb. " 
 
 The pathos that came with those tones told the 
 lonely girl as plainly as words could do that she had 
 nothing to fear, at least from those tender hearts near 
 her, and she began to hope that after all she would soon 
 be free. 
 
 After a while she made another attempt to move, de- 
 termined to explore her surroundings at any cost. 
 Nero stayed at her side as she painfully walked about 
 in her rocky prison. Then she lifted the bright cloth 
 and made her way out through the opening into a larger 
 room. The profusion of animal rugs here startled her 
 again, but, observing an exit through which the sun 
 was shining, she hastened to it to get once more into 
 open air, away from those enchanted caves. 
 
 As she stepped outside she drew a long sigh of re- 
 lief, and inhaled a deep breath of the spring air. A 
 scene of beauty lay before her. The budding trees 
 lent their fragrance to the air, and birds and squirrels 
 enlivened the scene with their songs and chatter. The 
 sloping sward looked green and lovely. It was perfect, 
 as only Nature could make it. The magnificent trees 
 which dotted it here and there were beautiful to look
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 371 
 
 upon, and supplied an ideal setting to the scene. The 
 rippling, gushing waterfall was a delight to eye and ear, 
 and Norine gazed upon all that was thus unfolded to 
 her senses with mingled wonder and admiration. 
 
 Suddenly Nero looked up, and in an instant was 
 bounding down the winding path which led to a little 
 copse or thicket, upon reaching which he gave vent to 
 a series of short sharp barks. A moment later the 
 owner of a dark visage, bedecked with a large bandanna, 
 came sauntering along the path singing snatches of 
 plantation melodies. Nero had evidently bestowed his 
 friendship without delay or reserve upon this new ac- 
 quaintance, who had given him such a generous repast 
 the night before, for he was now very demonstrative in 
 his expressions of pleasure. 
 
 " Whar yo' missus, Nero ? Hab you done run away 
 f om ? Wy, bress my stahs, here she be," and old Sue 
 brushed out her apron and gave a tightening twist to 
 the bandanna. " Is yuh done waked up, honey ? It's 
 pas' noontime. Ise so glad to see yo' pretty eyes," and 
 she made a courtesy to the young lady who had been 
 thrust upon her motherly care. 
 
 . Norine sprang toward the kindly negress and grasp- 
 ing both of her big brown hands gazed eagerly into her 
 face. 
 
 " Oh, tell me what all this means," she begged. " I 
 am sure you must be kind and good or Nero wouldn't 
 like you so. Tell me why I am here and how I can 
 get home. My mother, and and folks will be so 
 frightened." 
 
 " Bress yo' haht, honey. Didn't Mars Sam done tell 
 yuh dat yo' be queen yere ? " answered Sue, her eyes 
 opening wide in surprise because of the apparent igno- 
 rance of her charge.
 
 372 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " No, indeed, he didn't, and I didn't come here will- 
 ingly. He brought me by force, he and his friend Mr. 
 Axford. He is a very wicked man. I must go home 
 at once. Tell me how I can get away oh, do ! do ! " 
 she exclaimed with renewed terror, as the black woman 
 began shaking her head and turned as if to leave her. 
 
 " I don't know 'bout dat, honey," she said, kindly. 
 " Can't talk dat-a way. Come wid me an' I'll get yuh 
 yo' dinnah. Den yo'll feel better." 
 
 " I don't want to eat here," cried Norine in anguish. 
 " I must find my way through the forest to my mother. 
 Where is the man who was with you last night ? Can't 
 he help me ? " 
 
 The negress put her arm gently but firmly around 
 the trembling girl and patted her pretty, rumpled hair. 
 
 H We'll talk 'bout yo' mammy while yo' eatin' yuh 
 dinne-i.^ ^<>riey. Yo' shuah mus' eat, or yo' kaint walk 
 a step f'om here. Yo' needn't be a'feared. Ole Pomp 
 an' Sue'll take good cayah yuh." 
 
 Unable to resist the gentle, coaxing voice and the 
 strong arm of the negress, Norine submitted to being 
 led back into the grotto. There Sue set before her a 
 dainty meal, comforting her all the while with cooing 
 words and caressing touches. The poor girl's confi- 
 dence was soon won. It seemed unlikely that the good- 
 hearted woman would refuse any help that lay in 
 her power. Norine determined to find out all she 
 could about the Strange place to which she had been 
 brought. 
 
 "Where are we, Sue?" she asked. "It seems so 
 different from everywhere else. Are we far from Red- 
 Keg?" 
 
 "Ah mus' confesticate, honey, as ah doan know. 
 Yuh see, honey, me. an' mah ole man come yere f'om
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 373 
 
 away off, an 1 w'en we come, den Mars Sam an' de rest 
 ob de boys done an' fotched us yere in de night wen it 
 wus dahk as Egypt, an' ah doan know how to get out. 
 Mah ole man be blin' foh shuah, an' o' cose he doan 
 know nuther. Ah doan keer, missus, as long as de 
 boys are so kin' to us." 
 
 " And are the boys kind to you ? " 
 
 " Yas, missus, dey be berry kin' to us. Only we be 
 prisoners, shuah ! " 
 
 " Who are these boys, Sue ; the only ones I have 
 seen are Sam Hawkins and Billy Axford. Are there 
 more of them, and who are they ? " 
 
 " Dar am Mars Sam, Mars Seward, Mars Billy, an* 
 Mars Walt." 
 
 " What ! do you mean Seward Rathaway and Walter 
 Hayward ? " 
 
 " Yas, honey, dat's dere names." 
 
 " Lettie's cousin ! " exclaimed Norine. " Can he have 
 had anything to do with this ? " 
 
 " Don' know who Lettie is," replied the woman. 
 
 " No, I suppose not. What do the boys do here ? " 
 asked Norine. 
 
 " You is gettin' exquisitive, honey, an' if ah should 
 tell you mah head would shuah fall inter de ribber ! " 
 said Sue with a frightened look in her calm eyes. 
 
 " Well, what do they intend to do with me ? " insisted 
 Norine, making another tack in her conversation, not 
 wishing that such a calamity should fall upon Sue on 
 her account. 
 
 " Wy, you's to be queen, honey; to rule ober us," re- 
 plied Sue, brightening again. 
 
 Under other circumstances Norine would have 
 laughed merrily at such a grotesque idea ; but now even 
 the sight of a tattered and soiled gown on the figure of
 
 374 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 an acknowledged queen did not bring a smile to her 
 face. 
 
 "Where is your husband, Sue?" she asked. On 
 being told that he was down at the boat-landing, Norine 
 insisted upon being taken to him at once. Sue reluc- 
 tantly obeyed, and in a few moments they found Pomp 
 lolling on the greensward near the water. Hearing 
 their footsteps, he arose and turned his face toward the 
 newcomers, waiting for their approach. 
 
 " Hey, Pomp, dis am de Missus as hab come down 
 to see yuh," broke in Sue. 
 
 " Hit am a great honah to receib yuh, Missus ; an' 
 Pomp hoi's hisself yo mos' humble subjec'," replied 
 this worthy, bowing low. 
 
 "If you are my subject, then," exclaimed Norine, "I 
 command you to take me away from here or tell me 
 how I can get home. I must go to-day. If I should 
 stay here another night, it would kill my poor 
 mother." 
 
 " Ah's awful sorry, Missus ; but ah dassent tell yuh 
 nuffin. Yo' see ah hab no recumlection in dese cases. 
 Ah yo' doan yuh see, honey Pomp lose his head in 
 de ribber ef ah tell yuh too much ! 'Sides I don' know 
 where we is mahself, an' ah couldn't fin' mah way out'n 
 heyuh ef ah tried." 
 
 Repeated entreaties and 1;ears failed to accomplish 
 anything. Old Pomp and Sue showed every evidence 
 of sympathy for the unhappy girl, and were untiring in 
 their efforts to make her comfortable, but either they 
 could not or feared to assist her to leave the island. In 
 response to inquiry she learned that her captors did not 
 expect to return for a week or more for fear of being 
 followed. She hoped some of her friends would find 
 her before then. Her parents and Barney, she knew,
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 375 
 
 would be frantic with grief and anxiety over her disap- 
 pearance, not knowing whether she was dead or alive, 
 and she longed to send some message of comfort to 
 them. No way for doing so presented itself, and not 
 a particle of information as to her whereabouts could, 
 she get from the two colored people, who really seemed 
 to be as much in ignorance as she. Each morning she 
 told herself that surely some one would come for her 
 before night ; but each evening despair settled down 
 more heavily upon her and she sobbed herself to sleep 
 among the cushions of her couch. Barney she knew 
 was hunting for her night and day. She felt it. Her 
 father and the neighbors, too, would leave nothing un- 
 done to find her; but she wondered and grew discour- 
 aged as day followed day with no sign of a rescue party. 
 Perhaps they were near at hand. If only she could 
 make some signal that they would see or hear. She 
 hunted through the grotto, but could find no fire-arms. 
 Every day she wandered about the island seeking for 
 some point of escape, but the swamp surrounded it on 
 all sides. She spent houis on the top of the hill in the 
 middle of the island, straining her eyes in every direc- 
 tion over the swamp and forest, but could see nothing 
 which indicated, a relief party, because she could see 
 only the tops of the trees and the tall waving swamp- 
 grass. 
 
 Norine soon learned that there was a fine garden on 
 the island, and Sue occupied much of her time caring 
 for this. Pomp had done the spading for it, and Sue 
 did the planting and then nurtured the young plants as 
 they came forth. 
 
 While wandering one day further than usual she dis- 
 covered the secret of the island. For a while she was 
 nonplussed at her find, but it was not long before she
 
 3/6 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 divined its meaning. That portion of the island was 
 rocky like the part in which the grotto was located, 
 but its abrupt side came down to the edge of the swamp, 
 leaving only a narrow way in front of it. Norine at 
 first hesitated about venturing upon this narrow path, 
 but finally she yielded to curiosity and the hope of es- 
 cape, and went. She found that an excavation had been 
 made into the face of the cliff, and therein were queer 
 looking receptacles, vats, coils, and retorts, which were 
 new to her. But the smell of spirits convinced her 
 that she had discovered a distillery. The fires were 
 out, and all was silent. It was evident to her mind 
 that it was at least temporarily abandoned, because the 
 boys were away. Directly in front of the still was a 
 dock and on this were stored casks and bottles and 
 boxes. A branch of the canal ended at this place. At 
 the end of the dock was a boat somewhat larger than a 
 canoe, which was no doubt used for transporting the 
 product of the distillery. It was held with chains, and 
 these in turn were locked securely ; so Norine saw no 
 escape from that source. 
 
 One bright afternoon, as she was taking her accus- 
 tomed walk around the island, Norine again wandered 
 down toward the still. She mounted the dock, and 
 then stepping down into the boat, sat there a while lis- 
 tening to the song-birds and the chatter of some blue- 
 jays hovering near. She was thinking of Barney, and 
 wondering if she would ever see him and her mother 
 and home again, when in her sadness there came to 
 her the words of a favorite refrain, and involuntarily 
 she began to sing in a sweet voice the song which had 
 stirred the hearts of thousands " Dreaming of home, 
 dear old home ; dreaming of home and mother." As 
 she finished the first verse, her voice broke in a sob,
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 377 
 
 and bowing her head on her hands, she gave way to a 
 flood of tears. 
 
 Hearing a splash in the water beside her, she raised 
 her eyes and was about to utter a scream, as she beheld 
 in the water before her a man, immersed nearly up to 
 his shoulders. A warning look in his eyes, as he placed 
 one hand on his lips to command silence, restrained 
 her ; but she stood up and looked more closely at the 
 intruder, at the same time making ready to flee if nec- 
 essary. A moment's inspection, however, revealed to 
 her astonished gaze the man whose life Barney had 
 saved at the roll way some weeks before Jim Lane, of 
 Belfast. 
 
 " Are you alone ? " were the first words he uttered, 
 and these almost in a whisper. 
 
 She felt like shouting out in joy at the sight of a 
 rescuer, as she at once believed him to be, for she saw 
 in his face the honest candor of a man she could trust. 
 But discretion controlled her, and she answered in a 
 low tone, her eyes brightening through her tears, that 
 others were not far distant. 
 
 Then in a few words she explained her position, and 
 in the mean time her visitor clambered out of the chilly 
 water and stood upon the boat in the warmth of the 
 bright sunshine. 
 
 "How did you get here?" Norine asked, full of 
 eagerness and curiosity. 
 
 "I have swum and waded I don't know how far. 
 Many a time I was almost ready to turn back, for 1 
 could see no evidences of life on either hand, and I 
 didn't know what I was getting into. Finally I came 
 to a fork in the stream, and here I was nonplussed, 
 was chilled and almost exhausted, and at the same time 
 discouraged, for I thought I must be on the wrong
 
 378 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 track. Even the banks of the stream showed no touch 
 of a human hand or foot, and I was about to retrace 
 my way when I heard some one singing. I followed the 
 sound and here I found you. I am so thankful. You 
 were brought here by Sam Hawkins and his pals, were 
 you not ? " 
 
 " Yes ; but how did you know it ? Are they discov- 
 ered ? " 
 
 " No one knows of it as yet but myself. Never mind 
 how I found out. I did not know exactly where you 
 were hidden, and I wished to find you before those 
 young scoundrels returned. I have been hunting 
 through the swamp and forest of this region for nearly 
 a week. What a wonderful hiding place this is to be 
 sure." 
 
 " Tell me about my dear parents and Barney. Are 
 they very much worried ? " pleaded the girl. 
 
 " The blow has been almost too much for them, but 
 they are still doing everything conceivable to get news 
 of you. Your Uncle Orrin from Belfast has come and 
 is with them, helping and comforting surprisingly. As 
 for Barney, the poor boy is crushed with grief. He 
 has been hunting far and wide through the wilderness 
 every night, and going without food, until he was nearly 
 dead with sorrow and exhaustion. Last night I found 
 him in the forest in the embrace of a great black bear, 
 and I finished the beast just in time to prevent him 
 from doing the same for Barney. I sent the boy home 
 this morning to get well, telling him that you were 
 safe, and that he must leave me to find you." 
 
 The tears rolled down Norine's face as she listened 
 to the recital of the sorrow of her loved ones, and she 
 murmured, " Poor dear mama and papa," and then to 
 herself, " Poor dear Barney."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 379 
 
 " Well, my friend, I am warm and must now start 
 away, because I don't want your guardians to discover 
 me. Remain here and be patient till you hear from me 
 again, and do not give any hint of my visit. The old 
 darkies are kind, you say, so you will be all right." 
 
 " Oh, they are so kind to me. Don't let any harm 
 come to them ! " 
 
 Lane promised that he would endeavor to protect the 
 colored couple, and then shaking hands with Norine, 
 he turned to let himself down into the water. Before 
 doing so he glanced for the first time at the cliff, and 
 then with a sudden sniff at the air, he almost shouted, 
 so intense was his excitement. 
 
 " Ah ! What is that ? " he exclaimed in a suppressed 
 voice, as he pointed to the cave. 
 
 " That ? Why, I just discovered it myself for the 
 first time the other day. I think it must be a distil- 
 lery," and as she spoke Lane bounded past her, and in 
 a twinkling was inside the cavern. 
 
 " Just what I have been looking for for the past year, 
 and here I have stumbled upon it by accident," and he 
 looked eagerly around at his find, noting the piled sacks 
 of corn and the great still. 
 
 To delay there any longer might endanger complete 
 success, and so bidding Norine good-by until he should 
 see her again under more favorable circumstances, he 
 clambered off from the dock into the canal. 
 
 "Keep a lookout for Pomp," warned Norine. 
 is on the river most of the time. He is totally blind 
 and can't see you, but his hearing is very acute. Be 
 very careful." 
 
 It was well that the advice was given, for otherwise 
 Lane, no doubt, would have returned with more haste 
 than prudence, and thus would have been heard by the
 
 38o THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 ever alert negro. Just as became in sight of the forks 
 of the canal, he saw the old boatman paddling along 
 toward him, his boat keeping as unerringly in the mid- 
 dle of the stream as though he could see. 
 
 Lane stopped, crept up close to the bank, and allowed 
 the old darky to pass. When he was out of hearing 
 the tedious journey was resumed, and before sundown 
 the detective had reached the landing ; tired, cold, and 
 hungry, but more than satisfied with his day's work.
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII 
 
 THE day after the surreptitious visit of Jim Lane, 
 Norine was walking with Sue just after sunrise toward 
 the top of the hill which was near the centre of the 
 island. Hope had been planted by Lane's visit and 
 had grown over night into vigorous life. The beauti- 
 ful morning cheered her. All nature seemed to smile 
 its glad greeting to the glimmering sunlight that shone 
 in brightness around, and she responded with a cheer- 
 ful face and lighter heart. 
 
 While they stood gazing around the horizon to the 
 southward, Norine espied three puffs of smoke, as from 
 a gun, and then two more in rapid succession. Scarcely 
 had the eye beheld, when the ear took up the following 
 report. 
 
 " One, two, three ; one, two," she said, as she took 
 note of the strange occurrence. " Do you know what 
 that means, Sue ? Is it a signal ? " 
 
 " It am de boys, it am de boys ! " fairly yelled Sue, 
 and without a word further she rushed down to the 
 landing where Pomp was just pushing off his boat. 
 Norine followed more slowly, with fear springing anew 
 in her heart. Could it be that Mr. Lane had failed ? 
 What did it all mean ? 
 
 It was, in fact, the Invincibles returning to the island. 
 According to the agreement made at their conference 
 in the club-room over Pete's saloon a week previously, 
 they were all at the place of meeting on time. Each 
 had arrived at the landing by a circuitous route, and 
 
 381
 
 382 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 just as Norine and Sue reached the top of the hill, Sew< 
 ard raised his big Colt's revolver and fired five shots. 
 This was the cause of the commotion on the island. 
 
 Pomp made haste, and in due time, though it seemed 
 an age to the nervous boys, the canoe came near, and 
 then, to make sure, Pomp gave the raccoon signal while 
 yet under cover. It was answered promptly, and the 
 canoe and Pomp came into sight. The boys sprang in 
 hurriedly. 
 
 " Shove off ! " commanded Seward. 
 
 " Hands up ! " came as a thunderbolt from a clear 
 sky. " The first man who moves is a dead un." 
 
 Without delay the Invincibles, including Pomp, raised 
 their hands high in air. 
 
 " Bring that boat of yours to shore and disembark, 
 please, and be quick about it." 
 
 For the first time all eyes were turned toward the 
 speaker. About a hundred feet away, with muskets 
 levelled at the culprits, stood five resolute men, and at 
 their head was John Lawrence, otherwise known as 
 "John Long," the clever detective, who as a tramp had 
 gone to sleep in the den of the Invincibles but a week 
 before, and as " Jim Lane " had met with an accident 
 in the rollway. 
 
 "The game's up, boys," said Walt, with resignation. 
 "Might as well surrender." Then, turning toward 
 their captors, he coolly asked : " What is it you want, 
 and under what charge are we held ? " 
 
 "Up with your hands, there, you black nigger!" 
 spoke up a gruff voice as Pomp had unconsciously low- 
 ered his hands for a minute. 
 
 "Yas, Mars, I is hab 'em up," and the poor darky 
 trembled with fear pitiful to behold, for he expected a 
 bullet through him at any moment.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 383 
 
 "We have warrants for the arrest, dead or alive, of 
 Walter Haywood, William Axford, Seward Rathaw'ay, 
 and Samuel Hawkins, issued out of the United States 
 District Court, upon the charge of operating an illicit still 
 and disposing of the products thereof contrary to the 
 statutes of the United States," announced Lawrence. 
 
 " We have also a warrant for Samuel Hawkins for 
 the crime of abducting, with malice prepense, one No- 
 rine Maloney. 
 
 " Also, another warrant for the said Hawkins, charg- 
 ing him with a felonious assault upon the person of one 
 Lettie Green, with intent to commit the crime of homi- 
 cide. 
 
 " We have other warrants, but I guess you've heard 
 enough to convince you that you will have to come 
 with us. You will pease step forward as your names 
 are separately called,'-' and he then proceeded to call 
 the roll. One by one they came forward to receive the 
 bracelets, the rifles still levelled at their breasts. 
 
 A look of stoicism crept into the faces of the first 
 three, and they made no attempt at resistance or pro- 
 test ; but Sam's face was the picture of despair. He 
 was trembling violently, and as his name was called, 
 he suddenly jerked down his hand, drew his revolver, 
 and pointed it at his head. As his finger pressed the 
 trigger his arm was thrown upward by a quick blow of 
 a rifle in the hands of Tom Moore, who had been watch- 
 ing Sam closely and sprang forward just in time. The 
 (bullet flew harmlessly over his head, and his hands 
 were soon fast in the handcuffs. 
 
 "Come up here, you imp of darkness come up 
 here ! " and the owner of the gruff voice stepped toward 
 the darky, who was trembling from head to foot, his 
 teeth chattering, and his knees fairly shaking together.
 
 384 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 " Doan yuh see, Mars, ah am blin' ? " and poor Pomp 
 rolled his eyes and moved his head from side to side in 
 abject terror. 
 
 " We have no charge against that helpless old man ! " 
 said Lawrence, sternly. "Let him go back to his 
 home. Mr. O'Boyle, if you will come with me, we will 
 take this boat here with our colored friend, and he will 
 guide us to the retreat where we shall find the young 
 lady you seek." Then turning to Tom Moore, he add- 
 ed: "Constable, under no circumstances allow these 
 men to escape. Keep them well guarded till we return, 
 which will be in a very short time." Then he laugh- 
 ingly drew from his pockets four familiar-looking flasks 
 and exhibited them to the prisoners. A faint smile ap- 
 peared on the faces of Walt and Billy as they recog- 
 nized the flasks, which were still full. 
 
 "I never indulge, boys, though sometimes, in the 
 line of business, I have to go through the motions." 
 
 So saying, he tossed the flasks into the swamp ; then 
 stepping into the boat with Barney and the negro, he 
 pushed off toward Mystic Isle. 
 
 As soon as Pomp had left them, Norine and Sue re- 
 turned to the top of the hill. The negress gave the 
 girl a pair of field-glasses and pointed in the direction 
 of the landing. 
 
 " I'm sure, Sue, that there are more than four men 
 down there," she exclaimed at last. "I can even see 
 the shimmer of the sun as though along gun-barrels. 
 There must be trouble. Yes, there are nearly a dozen 
 men, but I can not recognize any of them." 
 
 Suddenly a single pistol shot was heard. Then all 
 was quiet. 
 
 As she waited, the minutes seemed like hours to 
 her, but at last she heard the voice of old Pomp calling
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 385 
 
 in great excitement: "Missy Norine, come down 
 yere, quick," and, losing no time, she was soon at the 
 landing. 
 
 There was the boat ; there was Pomp swinging his 
 arms wildly and shouting to Sue; there was her friend 
 Mr. Lane there was Barney ! 
 
 In an instant she found her " home " in his strong 
 embrace. 
 
 In front of Pete's place a small group of idlers sat 
 smoking, chewing, and gossipping. Old "Leather- 
 back," a tanned and wrinkled lumberman, whose nick- 
 name suited him to a dot, was complaining because Pete 
 had just refused him a third glass of whiskey on the 
 plea that his stock was unusually low. 
 
 " Hain't got in a supply for some time, ye know. 
 My agent hes been unable ter 'tend ter bus'ness fer 
 nigh on two weeks. Last I heard, he was countin' on 
 startin' up agin this week. Reckon we'll be able ter 
 stock up soon now," explained Pete. 
 
 Old Leatherback squinted at Pete out of the corner 
 of his eye, and remarked : 
 
 "Thet 'ere 'agent' o' your'n is a mighty fly critter; 
 I've heerd ye talk about 'im a good deal, but I never 
 sot eyes on 'im yet. Where's he keep hisself ? " 
 
 " Like enough thet's his business," said Pete, shortly. 
 His love for imparting information seemed suddenly 
 to have deserted him. 
 
 " Hear anythin' 'bout thet Maloney gal all this rum- 
 pus is about ? " asked Old Leatherback, after a pause, 
 looking around at the loungers. 
 
 "No, ain't heerd nothin'," answered Jack Mann. 
 "Why, are ye figgerin' on winnin' thet five thousan' ? " 
 he queried with a sneer. 
 5
 
 386 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Leatherback rolled a monster quid out of his mouth, 
 deposited it on the bench, gazed at it a moment, and 
 finally picked it up and tossed it into the road. Then 
 he spread his legs apart, placed his elbows on his knees, 
 poked his head forward, and squinted into the faces of 
 the two men before him. Presently he said, senten- 
 tiously : 
 
 " Five thousand's five thousand." 
 
 After a silence of seme minutes, Pete ventured a 
 remark. 
 
 " Jes' so," said he. 
 
 Another pause Jack Mann fidgeted a bit but said 
 nothing. Pete waited. Leatherback pulled out his 
 square of tobaccc. cut off a fresh hunk, and stuffed it 
 away in his cheek 
 
 "I been thinkin/' he began slowly; "I been think- 
 in' thunder!" 
 
 Leatherback's intended revelation of his thoughts 
 was interrupted by the sudden exclamation because he 
 caught sight of a horseman dashing down the road at 
 breakneck speed. 
 
 "Well, in the name of all darnation, Joe, what's 
 up ? " asked Leatherback, as Joe drew rein before the 
 Keg and sprang from his horse. 
 
 " Up ? Everythin's up. Norine's found, the Invin- 
 cibles hev all been taken prisoners, an' Tom Moore an' 
 his posse hes' 'em, an' is bringin' the hull kit of 'em in, 
 an' they've got the bracelets on Sam Hawkins, an' 
 all the rest." 
 
 As Joe Reon shouted out his exciting news, neither 
 he, nor the loungers at the Keg, noticed a trim little 
 figure just passing 01 :ht jtner side of the road. She 
 stopped an instani to listen to Joe, trembled a little, 
 and then hurried on, and was quickly out of sight.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 387 
 
 Norine and Barney had reached home by way of the 
 crossroad from Wilford, and thus had avoided the vil- 
 lage and the curious eyes of the gossips. The joy of 
 home-coming would be marred by a crowd of intruders 
 if they were seen. The Hawkins farm lay between 
 them and Norine's home, and Uncle Si would be the 
 first one to know of the return. Fearing that the sud- 
 den excitement might be too much for the old man, 
 Norine waited in the orchard while Barney went in to 
 find Uncle Si and break the news. He dreaded to tell 
 him that his only son was indeed the guilty man, but 
 he hoped to soften the blow, as any one else might not 
 do. He found Farmer Hawkins in the barn and greeted 
 him with a cheery " Good-mornin'," although it was 
 well toward noon. 
 
 "Good-morning, Barney; where have you been? 
 You must have started out long before sun up. I 
 didn't hear you." 
 
 " Yes, Uncle Si. It was airly business I was after 
 attindin' to. Ye didn't see Sam last night or this 
 mornin', did ye ? " 
 
 " No," replied Mr. Hawkins, with a sigh. " He spent 
 the night with Seward, I suppose. You haven't heard 
 anything unpleasant about him, I hope?" he added 
 anxiously. 
 
 " Faith, I've been so taken up lookin' for Norine, I 
 don't consarn meself much about Sam, unless followin' 
 him would lead me to her," replied Barney, evasively. 
 
 " Do you really think he did it, Barney ? " The old 
 man's voice trembled. This was the first time the sub- 
 ject had been spoken of so plainly between them. 
 
 " Sometimes I hevn't thought so, an' sometimes, bc- 
 gorra, I hev," admitted Barney, and then he continued : 
 "That tramp yarn don't seem to hold water, an' there
 
 388 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 ain't any one else as I know of, who was set on bavin* 
 Norine agin her wishes, or who hed a grudge agin 
 me." 
 
 Farmer Hawkins groaned at this plain statement of 
 his own fears, and said: "That's so, Barney. I've 
 thought of it again and again, but Sam has been quiet 
 and sober lately, and has been at home most of the 
 time. I had begun to hope that he was really innocent, 
 as he claims. It would be dreadful, Barney, if he " 
 
 "There, Uncle Si, don't be after feelin' so bad. 
 Sure, ye done your duty by the lad. Ef it should turn 
 out that no harm hes come to Norine, an' that she 
 comes back safe home, it wouldn't be so bad." 
 
 " God grant it ! " exclaimed Uncle Si. 
 
 " Ef ye could only see the darlint this blessed minute, 
 sure she'd make up for the sorrows the boy hes brought 
 ye by his doin's." 
 
 " She is a sweet girl, Barney, and it would be a great 
 comfort to me to see her again safe an' sound. I love 
 her almost as a daughter. But it has been so long now 
 since she was lost, I'm beginning to lose hope." 
 
 " Faith, ye must niver do that. Look at me. She 
 is the light of me eyes, an' I'm sure this very minute 
 they shall feast themselves on her swate face agin. 
 Begorra, we hevn't looked for her enough. We've 
 been lookin* away off in the woods an' the swamp. 
 More like she's nearer home. Hev ye looked in the 
 attic, Uncle Si, an' in the barn, an' in the garden, an* 
 in the orchard ? Hev ye ? " 
 
 Uncle Si stared at Barney in amazement, and the 
 suspicion began to grow that his mind had given way 
 under the strain, but Barney seized him by the arm and 
 continued: 
 
 "Come, this blessed minute, Uncle Si. We must
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 389 
 
 make up for lost time. Sure, she must be somewJure, 
 and, by hivin, we'll find her in a jiffy ! " 
 
 Dragging the astonished farmer once around the 
 barn, he poked hurriedly into the hay-loft, into the 
 corn-barrel, into the oat-bin ; then out across the barn- 
 yard into the garden, dodging under syringa bushes, 
 and lilacs, and through the grape arbor, continually re- 
 peating, " She must be somewhere, and I know we can 
 find her in a jiffy, you and I ! " Soon they reached the 
 fence separating the garden from the orchard. Pulling 
 Uncle Si through the little gate, Barney hurried him 
 on. The old man was now certain that Barney had 
 gone crazy, but the latter kept insisting, " Sure, she 
 must be somewhere, an' you an' I will find her." They 
 dodged among the trees, Barney now and then telling 
 Uncle Si to look up into the branches to see if he could 
 see Norine. At last they came to the corner of the 
 orchard where Barney had built a little secluded rustic 
 seat for himself and Norine that same spring. With 
 a last cheery assurance that Norine " must be some- 
 where, an* most likely here" Barney suddenly brought 
 his friend and employer to the rustic seat, and Norine 
 sprang from it and threw her arms about Uncle Si's 
 neck with a glad cry of greeting. 
 
 The old man looked from one to the other of the 
 young people with tears in his eyes, but Barney grinned 
 and remarked boastingly, " I told ye she would be likely 
 near by, an' that we would find her in a jiffy ef Uncle 
 Si took a hand in the sarch ; but we mustn't stop here. 
 Sure Norine is wanted at home to bring joy to the eyes 
 an' hearts of her own parents an' Uncle Orrin. Come 
 along, Uncle Si, an' we'll tell ye the hull story on the 
 way." 
 
 "I thought you were crazy, lad but, thaqk Godl
 
 390 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 you wasn't," said Uncle Si, as he prepared to accom- 
 pany the young people to the Maloney homestead. 
 
 The first to arrive at the home of Norine to con- 
 gratulate her upon her rescue was her friend Lettie 
 Green, who had overheard Joe Reon as he told the 
 news to the loungers at Red-Keg. She kissed Norine 
 affectionately ; but there were tears in her eyes, and 
 she hid her face for a moment on her friend's shoul- 
 der. Norine stroked her hair and hugged her close, 
 but said nothing, feeling that it was hardly the right 
 moment for confidential words on a subject so painful 
 as that which she knew brought those tears to Lettie's 
 eyes. 
 
 While the family group discussed the affair and plied 
 Norine with questions, Lettie sat silent a little apart, 
 busy with her own thoughts. The crimson came and 
 went in her cheeks, and she seemed restive and uncom- 
 fortable, but she made no move to depart until Barney, 
 who had remained for some time after Uncle Si had 
 returned to his farm, excused himself, regretfully, say- 
 ing that he must get to his work, and would come again 
 in the evening. As he arose to go, Lettie excused her- 
 self also, and asked if she might walk up the road with 
 him part of the way. 
 
 " Sure, Miss Lettie, I'll be plased ter have yer com- 
 pany," said Barney, cordially ; but as they walked along 
 together, neither seemed very much to enjoy the other's 
 company. Lettie, particularly, was embarrassed, and 
 found it more difficult than she expected to speak of 
 the things in her heart. 
 
 "Barney," she began after a long silence, "you are 
 glad to get Norine back again, aren't you ? " 
 
 " Indade, Miss Lettie, I am, an' no mistake. Sure, 
 we're all mighty glad, I'm thinkin'."
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 391 
 
 "Then you can afford to be generous and forgiving, 
 can't you, Barney?" pleaded Lettie. "I'm afraid- 
 Sam will need all the mercy and forgiveness we can 
 give him, poor boy." 
 
 " Ye may well say that, Miss Lettie, but it's mighty 
 little mercy he's showed to others, an' it's mighty little 
 he nade ask for here. The sooner he's put where he 
 belongs, the better it will be for all consarned." 
 
 " But, Barney, you know we are told to forgive our 
 enemies and do good to them that despitef ully use us." 
 
 " I don't know so much about that, an' I can't say es 
 I ever heard that oayin' quoted by any except them es 
 wanted to save themselves from somethin' they de- 
 sarved to get ; but, sure, there'd be plenty to do good 
 to Sam ef all he'd despitefully used should follow that 
 rule. He broke his poor old mother's heart. She's 
 .gone. But there's others. He tried three times to 
 kill me. He stole Norine away, an' dragged her 
 through the forest an' swamp, an' kep' her away all 
 this time from her home. He tried to kill yer own 
 swate self, an' came near to doin' it. He hes " 
 
 "Barney! How did you know tJiat?" exclaimed 
 Lettie, with a sudden alarm ringing in her voice. 
 
 " Sure, everybody knows it or soon will. That was 
 one o' the charges for his arrist. It strikes me, Miss 
 Lettie, you hev es little cause es any to be asy with 
 the rapscallion. He's bad clane through, an' ain't worth 
 your trouble." 
 
 " Oh, Barney, have pity, if not for his sake, at least 
 for the sake of his poor old father. I'm afraid this 
 blow will kill him, if he is not comforted. He has 
 been a kind friend to you. Now in his time of need, 
 you can repay his kindness on his son." 
 
 "Faith, Miss Lettie, you're right about dear old
 
 392 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Uncle Si, but what can I do ? Sam hes got himself into 
 the clutches o ; the law for a list o' crimes es long es 
 my arm. It's no grudge o' mine thet'll be holdin' him. 
 He'll likely get his desarts for all I can do to help or 
 prevint. Sure, nobody knows it better than his father, 
 God help him ! " 
 
 " At least you can refuse to press any charge against 
 him yourself, and you can persuade Norine to do the 
 same please, Barney." 
 
 " An' goodness knows .there'll be no nade for me to 
 priss charges, or for Norine to priss thim for thet mat- 
 ter. He was caught rid-handed, ye might say, an' ef 
 that ain't enough, he was heard to tell the Invincibles 
 all about his own doin's, not forgettin' the attack on 
 yerself." 
 
 "Who heard him?" 
 
 " The tramp, no less. He was a sure enough detec- 
 tive in disguise." 
 
 " Then I must find him, too," said Lettie with a lit- 
 tle groan of despair. "But you will do as I ask, 
 Barney ? " 
 
 " I'll have to tell the truth when they ax me. But 
 I'll not be too hard on the varmint (beggin' yer par- 
 don) for your sake an' Uncle Si's." 
 
 "Thank you, Barney; and you will speak to Norine 
 about it, too ? " 
 
 "Faith, you better spake to her yerself, with yer 
 persuadin' ways. It would be hard for me to put much 
 feelin' in the job, I'm thinkin'." 
 
 And speak to Norine she did. No sooner had Bar- 
 ney left her to enter the Hawkins home than Lettie 
 hastened back to the Maloney farm. The tv.0 girls 
 went off by themselves and talked the matter all over, 
 and Norine was soon persuaded to refrain as far as she
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 393 
 
 might be allowed to do from pressing her complaint 
 against Sam. She was moved by her friend's distress 
 and forgot for the moment her own and Barney's 
 wrongs. So these two loving and forgiving girls 
 planned how they might help the wretch who had so 
 ruthlessly injured them both. Lettie, in her innocence, 
 believed it would be enough to win over those who had 
 suffered most at Sam's hands, and those who were im- 
 mediately instrumental in his arrest, to secure his re- 
 lease. After Norine's assurances her heart felt some- 
 what lighter, but she determined to see Tom Moore 
 and Mr. Lawrence before any legal steps could be 
 taken, so she made all haste to the village of Red-Keg, 
 arriving there early in the evening. She was almost 
 exhausted, having walked to and fro many miles during 
 that sad day. To each of the men she poured out her 
 heart without reserve and pleaded for mercy for the 
 man whom, though so unworthy, she still loved. Tom, 
 big-hearted, honest, and susceptible to the pleading of 
 the unfortunate, especially when in the person of a 
 beautiful girl, listened with a show of sympathy, which 
 was really nothing but pity, and then said that he had 
 a painful duty before him, that he would be held strictly 
 responsible for the performance of it, but that, while 
 he could not escape it, he would do no more than the 
 law required, and that without malice or desire for 
 vengeance. 
 
 The generous and sympathetic form of Tom Moore's 
 assurances made up to some extent for their lack of 
 satisfying substance, but prepared Lettie for still 
 further lack of real success with Mr. Lawrence. He 
 explained to her, as kindly as he could, the necessary 
 attitude of the representatives of the law toward one 
 who had committed so many serious crimes against
 
 394 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 the community. He showed her that it was a matter 
 which was not limited to the persons immediately con- 
 cerned, but that the county, state, and nation shared in 
 the injury inflicted upon the individuals. He pointed 
 out the enormity of the offenses, and showed her that 
 to let them go unpunished would be to commit another 
 still worse crime against the community. Poor Lettie 
 was in despair. 
 
 " Mr. Lawrence, what you say is all very true too 
 true He is branded with a series of terrible crimes, 
 but I know that he is not all bad that if he is given 
 another chance he will see the error of his ways and be 
 a better man hereafter. Oh, Mr. Lawrence, have 
 mercy," and she clasped his hands in hers, and with 
 eyes suffused with tears begged for leniency to the man 
 who but a few short days ago had ruthlessly strangled 
 her and left her for dead upon the roadside. 
 
 Mr. Lawrence had great things at stake. He had 
 prided himself on this job, and hoped to gain official 
 recognition, but the pleadings of this fair young girl 
 unnerved him, and bidding her go home and rest, he 
 promised to do all he could compatible with public 
 safety and his professional honor. He did not think it 
 necessary to pain her further by pointing out how little 
 that "all" would necessarily be. 
 
 With a " God bless you ! " she left him, feeling that 
 he would prove a friend in the hour of great trouble, 
 and one who would at least see that justice should be 
 tempered with mercy instead of a desire for vengeance. 
 At last, weary and footsore, she returned to her own 
 home. Robert Allen was waiting for her. He had 
 heard of her efforts in Sam's behalf, and with his own 
 heart full of yearning for the unhappy youth, he had 
 hastened to give the brave girl such sympathy and help
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 395 
 
 as lay within his power. When he left her, late in the 
 evening, both were comforted by a mutual understand- 
 ing, and hopeful that the plans which they had settled 
 upon might lighten the hand of justice on the man 
 they both loved.
 
 CHAPTER XXIX 
 
 JUSTICE FROST had never been called upon to hear 
 so important a case, and his little court-room was en- 
 tirely inadequate for the crowd which gathered the 
 next morning at the hearing of the Invincibles. The 
 whole neighborhood was in a fever of excitement and 
 curiosity, and the big constable, Tom Moore, found 
 some difficulty in getting his prisoners through the 
 throngs which surrounded and filled the court-room. 
 Sam held his head high with a defiant air, yet so thinly 
 veiled was this expression that all knew it was assumed. 
 Seward, Walt, and Billy appeared more resigned. They 
 were not so heavily burdened with guilt as was their 
 fallen leader, and they were indeed glad that the 
 suspense was over and that Norine had been restored. 
 Uncle Si sat there bowed with grief and shame. He 
 seemed to feel in all its intensity the disgrace which 
 had fallen upon his son. Barney and Norine showed 
 plainly that they did not share the relish for the affair 
 which so large a majority of the spectators enjoyed, 
 and that they would rather be anywhere else than there. 
 Poor Lettie Green was nervous and haggard, having 
 passed a sleepless night after the wearisome day which 
 had preceded it. The minister sat close by her side 
 and spoke to her frequently in a low tone. 
 
 Promptly at ten o'clock Judge Frost took his seat, 
 wiped his spectacles, placed them with deliberate care 
 upon his nose, and without uttering a word gazed over 
 
 396
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 397 
 
 the rims at the four prisoners, collectively and individu- 
 ally, for some moments. 
 
 Judge Frost had been chosen by his neighbors in 
 that farming and lumber region to be justice of the 
 peace, but legal practises were little known and less 
 observed. There was no practising attorney in the vil- 
 lage, and Judge Frost, who had been proven to be an 
 honest and merciful man, and a lover of justice, admin- 
 istered cases which came within his jurisdiction with an 
 unrestricted hand and in his own way. Usually when 
 an evil-doer trespassed State laws, however, Judge 
 Frost simply examined the accused and their accusers, 
 and if the evidence was sufficient he held the prisoners 
 for trial in the Circuit Court, which convened at Mid- 
 land, the county seat. This was the procedure which 
 he intended to follow in the present case. After his 
 scrutiny of the four young men, he said slowly and 
 solemnly : 
 
 " Prisoners at the bar, stand up ! " 
 
 They all arose and listened to the reading of the 
 charges, and each in turn, to the surprise of many of 
 their neighbors, pleaded " not guilty." 
 
 It was generally believed by those who knew how 
 clear was the case against them that they would plead 
 guilty and throw themselves upon the mercy of the court. 
 = " Bedad, they're as guilty as the divil ! " exclaimed a 
 voice in the back of the room. 
 
 "Constable, take that man out!" thundered the 
 judge, glaring in the direction of the offender. 
 
 " Who was it, yer honor ? " asked Tom, though he 
 thought he recognized Pete Murray's voice. 
 
 "Find out !" exclaimed the judge, turning again to 
 the prisoners. As the disturber did not declare him- 
 self, and as Tom Moore could scarcely move through
 
 398 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 the densely packed crowd, he took the liberty of disre- 
 garding the judge's commands. 
 
 "Prisoners, be seated. We will now consider the 
 evidence upon which you are being held for the several 
 counts against you, beginning with the case of Sam 
 Hawkins, who is charged with illicit distilling, abduc- 
 tion, and attempted murder. What we want to know 
 about now is this abduction. Barney O'Boyle, take 
 the stand." 
 
 Barney elbowed his way to the witness stand 
 through a crowd, all of whom were his friends, and 
 many a pat on the back, or hearty word, was given him 
 on the way. 
 
 " Barney O'Boyle, what can you tell us in this case 
 of the People of this State against this prisoner charged 
 with the abduction of Norine Maloney ? " 
 
 " Sure, yer honor, I was goin' to I mean, he that 
 is, I Begorra ! I can't tell a blissed thing." 
 
 " What ! Can't tell anything about the abduction of 
 your sweetheart I mean of Miss Maloney ! " exclaimed 
 the judge in astonishment. 
 
 " Well, ye see, yer honor, there's poor old Uncle Si, 
 the best friend I hev in the world, sittin' there, lookin' 
 so old an' heart-broken ; an' there's Miss Lettie gazin' 
 at me with them big eyes o' hern all red with cryin' 
 sure I can't say a word agin that varmint, knowin' that 
 'twould be like stabbin' the hearts o' them two." 
 
 " But we must have the truth. Justice demands it. 
 Come, speak out and tell what happened as you know 
 it," insisted the judge. 
 
 Barney was embarrassed and uncomfortable in the 
 extreme. He shifted from one foot to the other, gazed 
 at the ceiling, and back to the faces before him. Sud- 
 denly his face cleared and he turned to the judge.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 399 
 
 " Ye want me to tell ye all I saw, yer honor ? " 
 
 " Yes, tell the truth and nothing but the truth, no 
 matter whom it hurts." 
 
 I' Well, yer honor, I saw Norine with me that night, 
 an' then I saw she warn't with me. I swear I didn't 
 see Sam carry her off, an' I didn't see him with her 
 when I found her agin." 
 
 An audible grin rippled over the court-room, but 
 Barney's face was as serious as an owl's. The judge 
 looked at him sharply, and said : 
 
 " Don't trifle with the court, sir." 
 
 " No, yer honor," said Barney. 
 
 " Is that all you can say ? " 
 
 "Yes, yer honor; I'm losin' me mimory." 
 
 " Stand down, sir." 
 
 " Sure, thet's what I'm doin' now, yer honor, only 
 it's up I'm standin'." 
 
 "Take your seat, sir ! " roared the judge. 
 
 " Yes, yer honor." 
 
 Barney had managed to keep his eyes away from 
 Sam during his testimony, and had not noticed the sur- 
 prise, shame, and relief which swept over his face when 
 the man he had wronged declined to accuse him. 
 These fleeting emotions quickly lost themselves in the 
 sullenness in which he had taken refuge since entering 
 the court-room. But Barney did not fail to see the 
 tears of gratitude which filled the eyes of Lettie and 
 old Uncle Si, and he felt rewarded. 
 
 Tom Moore being next called to the stand said he 
 could tell nothing except as to the capture of the prison- 
 ers and the finding of Norine. He could not swear 
 from his own knowledge that Sam Hawkins had done 
 the deed imputed to him. 
 
 " Who is there to accuse this young man ? If you're
 
 400 THE REDKEGGERS 
 
 all going to flunk when you come to swear I may as 
 well let the prisoners go at once. But perhaps Miss 
 Maloney will come to the stand and enlighten the 
 court a little," _nd his piercing eyes sought this young 
 lady, 
 
 She came slowly foi vard, amid the most breathless 
 silence. Sam had forgotten his defiance, and was 
 aroused out of his sullenness. He trembled before the 
 girl who a short time ago had been in his power. 
 
 "Miss Norine," said Judge Frost, kindly, "please 
 tell the court from the beginning all that happened to 
 you Saturday night, May 6th." 
 
 Norine was surprised at such a comprehensive com- 
 mand, when she was expecting only a simple question, 
 and she hesitated. Then, seeing Lettie's eyes fixed 
 appealingly upon her, she said : 
 
 " Must I tell it, judge ? Please, I'd rather not." 
 
 "You certainly must," said the judge. "We have 
 got to get at the bottom of this affair some way, and 
 you can tell more than any one else. We cannot ex- 
 cuse you." 
 
 Seeing that there was no escape Norine narrated the 
 events briefly but truthfully. Not a sound but her 
 voice was heard in the court-room. Sam sat through 
 the recital like a statue of stone. Norine mentioned 
 no names, until, at the end of her story, the judge in- 
 sisted that she name the persons who had carried her 
 off. 
 
 "One was Billy Axford and the other was Sam 
 Hawkins," she answered so low that only those very 
 near her could hear the names. 
 
 " Very well , that will do." 
 
 John Lawrence was called to the stand, and as he 
 took his place many recognized him for the first time
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 401 
 
 as the tramp who had been arrested for the abduction 
 of Norine and released on bail furnished by the In- 
 vincibles. The significance of that "generous " act at 
 once became apparent. 
 
 " What have you to offer as a reason for holding this 
 man over to the Circuit Court besides what has been 
 said ? " asked the judge. 
 
 " Your honor, it is not my desire to persecute this 
 young man, and it pains me deeply to bring more sorrow 
 to those who have already suffered so much through him, 
 but I am a representative of the government, and have 
 sworn to serve it faithfully, and it is my duty to charge 
 Sam Hawkins with robbery of the United States mails." 
 
 The witness was interrupted with a buzz of aston- 
 ishment which swept over the crowd at this unexpected 
 announcement. Judge Frost pounded on his desk and 
 called for instant silence. Mr. Lawrence continued 
 rapidly : 
 
 " I have in my possession evidence that through this 
 robbing of the mails he discovered that a legacy was 
 coming to Miss Maloney. He hoped to marry her and 
 thus get possession of her fortune. Failing to secure 
 her hand in a legitimate way he sought to obtain it by 
 force, and hence the abduction." 
 
 If a bomb had burst in the court-room those present 
 could hardly have been more astonished, and no heed 
 was paid to the calls of the judge for silence. To 
 add to the excitement, Lettie Green, who had been 
 listening with white, drawn face and staring eyes to the 
 testimony, suddenly uttered a moan and fell fainting to 
 the floor. All was at once confusion, some crying one 
 thing and some another. Even the judge forgot for a 
 moment his dignity and sprang to his feet, ordering the 
 crowd to make way so that Lettie could be taken out 
 26
 
 402 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 into the air. But it was impossible to force a passage 
 through the press of spectators within and those who 
 were pushing from without, eager to hear something of 
 the proceedings. A glass of water stood on the judge's 
 desk, and Barney seized it and passed it to Norine, who 
 bathed the poor girl's face until she regained conscious- 
 ness. Then Lettie refused to listen to any suggestion 
 of retiring from the room. She would be all right 
 soon, and must stay, at any cost. 
 
 Sam, meanwhile, was shrinking in his seat, pale and 
 trembling, his face twitching nervously. This new 
 charge was unexpected by him, also. When order was 
 restored Judge Frost commanded Lawrence to continue. 
 
 " There is a man in the room who will corroborate 
 me, I think. But before he is called I wish to depose 
 further that not only Sam Hawkins, but Seward Ratha- 
 way, Walter Haywood, and William Axford are charged 
 with operating an illicit distillery in this county on 
 what they have styled 'Mystic Isle.' I ask your honor 
 to hold them for the United States District Court on 
 that charge. Now, if your honor please, we will listen 
 to Orrin Maloney." 
 
 The judge immediately summoned Orrin to the wit- 
 ness stand. He identified a letter as having been writ- 
 ten by himself to Barney O'Boyle, and which Lawrence 
 then testified that he had seen Sam drop in the woods. 
 The four prisoners here, as with one accord, sought 
 the face of Lawrence, and at once recognized their 
 former guest, who they supposed had been disposed 
 of by their cunning ruse. 
 
 There being no other witnesses, the judge asked if 
 any one had anything to urge why the prisoners should 
 not be held for trial. There was an oppressive silence 
 for a moment, then Lettie, gathering strength by a
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 403 
 
 sudden effort, rose tremblingly to her feet, and faced 
 the judge. Even then she was unable to speak at 
 once, and turned an appealing look upon the minister, 
 who, without a word, arose and stood by her side. 
 
 " May it please your honor," she began in a low tone, 
 which gradually grew stronger as she continued, "I 
 stand before this court knowing only too well how- 
 how dreadful are the the crimes charged against the 
 Mr. Hawkins. One of those charges is for some- 
 thing in which I was the only sufferer. The charge is 
 made on hearsay only. For myself, I do not join in 
 this charge. What he did, I provoked him to while he 
 was not himself, and I was to blame. The others 
 Norine and Barney do not press any charge. The 
 prisoner's dear old father is here to join with me in a 
 plea for mercy. Sam is all that is left to him now. 
 Do not break poor old Uncle Si's heart. Oh, judge, 
 be merciful ! be merciful ! " 
 
 " Amen ! " said Allen, earnestly. 
 
 The tears were streaming down her face as Lettie 
 sank into her seat. There was breathless silence now 
 in the court. Even the stern judge was driven to con- 
 ceal his emotion by blowing his nose vigorously. Sam 
 opened his mouth as though to speak, but no word 
 passed his lips. A deathly pallor overspread his face, 
 and he seemed about to fall. Every one waited with 
 tense feelings for the judge's reply. He spoke very 
 kindly but firmly as he said : 
 
 " My dear young lady, I feel the deepest sympathy 
 with you and good Farmer Hawkins, although there is 
 nothing I can see in the behavior of this prisoner which 
 would call for clemency, or entitle him to such forbear- 
 ance as you and these others whom he has wronged 
 are disposed to show him, but whatever I might be will-
 
 404 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 ing to do for your sake, and for the sake of my friend 
 the prisoner's father, I don't see how I can interfere in 
 this case. The prisoners have all pleaded not guilty, 
 and the law says they must be tried. The evidence is 
 too strong for me to dismiss it. If they had pleaded 
 guilty and thrown themselves upon the mercy of this 
 court, there's no telling what I might have done, ex- 
 cept in the matters which concern the United States 
 mails and the internal revenue. Even there, a recom- 
 mendation of mercy from this court on account of the 
 prisoners' youth and the fact of this being their first 
 offense might accomplish something ; but they have 
 pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and I am afraid I 
 can do nothing, in view of the evidence, but hold them 
 for trial." 
 
 " Your honor, may I speak with the prisoner Mr. 
 Hawkins, I mean ? " asked Lettie. 
 
 " Yes, for a moment." 
 
 Lettie made her way to the bench where Sam was 
 sitting and began to whisper earnestly in his ear, heed- 
 less of the many curious eyes which watched her. 
 Sam listened with a dogged air at first, but in a little 
 time his spirit seemed to melt within him. His lips 
 moved and an indistinct sound came forth ; then rais- 
 ing his fettered hands to his head, he broke down com- 
 pletely and sobbed like a child. Lettie waited. Pres- 
 ently she placed a soft little hand on his arm. He 
 started, and suddenly sprang to his feet, exclaiming 
 excitedly : 
 
 "I am guilty, judge, guilty! Oh, yes, far more 
 guilty than you think than any one thinks even this 
 noble little girl here, who knows I am vile enough. 
 Everything charged against me is true. A good deal 
 more might be charged if some persons cared to speak
 
 "I AM GUILTY, JUDGE, GUILTY I 1
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 405 
 
 Barney O'Boyle there, for instance. It's all true. 
 I am a scoundrel, a coward, almost a Oh, I can't 
 say it. This angel here says you would show me mercy 
 if you could. I don't see how you can, I don't see how 
 Barney could, or Norine Maloney, most of all how this 
 girl here at my side could. But if you can, judge, in 
 spite of all my wickedness, be merciful if you can, be- 
 cause of my full confession, coming so late, save me 
 from a part of the punishment I deserve, I beg you to 
 do so, not for my sake I am not worth a single kind 
 thought but for the sake of my poor old father, whose 
 heart I have almost broken, as I broke my saintly 
 mother's for his sake, and for the sake of this angelic, 
 long-suffering, and forgiving girl my -wife ! " 
 
 He stopped for want of breath and stood trembling, 
 his eyes fixed on the judge, seeing nothing else. The 
 spectators, the witnesses, the other prisoners, the judge 
 himself, were dumb, paralyzed, with amazement. Only 
 Lettie seemed to grasp the situation. 
 
 " Your wife ! " she cried. " I thought " 
 
 " Oh, yes ! I told you I was guilty even more than 
 you could think," Sam said to her; then turning again 
 to the judge, he went on: "Nearly three years ago, 
 when I came home from college, I met Lettie, and we 
 loved each other at least I thought so at the time. I 
 took her to a minister and we were married secretly. 
 I made her swear solemnly not to reveal the secret 
 under any circumstances until I should give permis- 
 sion. In a short time I regretted what I had done, and 
 to free myself, I told her that it was only a joke that 
 it was no minister at all who had married us, but that 
 some day we would be married in earnest. I held her 
 to her oath of secrecy, however, and she has been true 
 to it ever since, although I have given her more provo-
 
 406 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 cation than most women would ever endure. I lied to 
 her. The marriage was a genuine one, and if I ever 
 get free from the penalties of my crimes I shall spend 
 my life in an effort to make up to her all that she has 
 suffered on my account, for I love her now if I never 
 did before. I am in your hands, judge, to do with as 
 you see fit." 
 
 Sam sat down beside Lettie, who was weeping hys- 
 terically. 
 
 Judge Frost was rubbing his eye-glasses as vigor- 
 ously as Lady Macbeth ever rubbed her guilt-stained 
 hand. The scene in the court-room was indescribable. 
 Meanwhile, Seward, Walt, and Billy whispered together, 
 and then stood up. 
 
 " Your honor," said Seward, " we beg to withdraw 
 our plea of 'not guilty' and substitute a plea of 
 'guilty'!" 
 
 " That is my wish," said Walt. 
 
 " And mine," said Billy. 
 
 The three boys sat down. 
 
 At last the " damned spot " in the eye-glasses seemed 
 to be "out," for Judge Frost adjusted them again to 
 his nose and rapped loudly on his desk. 
 
 " Silence in the court ! " 
 
 The silence was instantaneous and oppressive. 
 
 " The charge against Sam Hawkins for assault, with 
 intent to kill, upon his wife, otherwise known as Lettie 
 Green, is dismissed. 
 
 "The charge against Sam Hawkins, which charge 
 should extend, but does not, to William Axford, for 
 the abduction of one Norine Maloney, is dismissed. 
 
 " The charge against Sam Hawkins for robbing the 
 United States mail, and the charge against the four 
 prisoners for operating an illicit distillery shall be tried
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 407 
 
 in the United States District Court. I reserve the 
 right to send with the papers such communications of 
 my own as I may see fit. 
 
 " For the time until that court meets, the prisoners 
 are released without bail, in the custody of Thomas 
 Moore, who shall be responsible for their appearance 
 when the court convenes. 
 
 " This court is now adjourned."
 
 CHAPTER XXX 
 
 Two men walked slowly along a narrow logging road 
 which wound here and there through the forest. The 
 younger of the two saw only the wreck of all things 
 present, with nothing but humiliation, disgrace, and 
 ruin as his lot. The other man, looking beyond the 
 unsightly path of the whirlwind, saw the star of hope 
 shining brightly, and caught the glimmer of a happier 
 day about to dawn for the young man at his side. He 
 was speaking quietly. 
 
 " After all, notwithstanding the distress we all felt, 
 there was a great deal of joy in the occasion. It may 
 look dark to you now ; but the day will come, I believe, 
 when you will mark the i8th of May, 1871, as one 
 of the happiest days in your life." 
 
 The elder man paused ; but no reply, no contradic- 
 tion, no question came from his companion. Presently 
 he continued : 
 
 " It was joyful for several reasons. You have been 
 frightfully handicapped for a long time. I know very 
 well that more than once you have really wished to 
 escape from the path you were treading. Secret 
 things held you back. Enterprises to which you felt 
 yourself hopelessly committed could not be given up. 
 You were not strong enough. While immunity lasted 
 it was so much easier to increase your burden than to 
 lessen it. I tell you, my boy, sin is the worst handicap 
 any man can have. It is like the mythical 'old man of 
 the sea.' The time comes when the burdened one cries 
 
 408
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 409 
 
 out in terror and despair, 'O wretched man that I am ! 
 who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? ' 
 Well, now, don't you see how the very completeness 
 of the exposure has cleared the way for your escape ? 
 The secret enterprises being ruined can have no further 
 hold on you. It isn't necessary to plan, or worry any 
 longer over them, nor to commit new sins in order that 
 old ones may remain hidden and prosper. So far as 
 they are concerned, you are free to start anew. Aren't 
 you glad to be rid of them ? 
 
 "More than that, you confessed, publicly made a 
 clean breast of it to those you had injured, and righted 
 a great wrong to your angelic little wife. That was 
 cause for joy, surely. It put you right in line for for- 
 giveness, and I don't know of anybody but will forgive 
 you, or has forgiven you. The best of it all is that this 
 confession to men will make it easier for you to take 
 the next and more important step confession to God. 
 That will bring you not only forgiveness, but a thorough 
 cleansing away of the stain sin has made upon your 
 soul. The promise is that 'if we confess our sins, He 
 is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse 
 us from all unrighteousness.' More than that, He will 
 obliterate the sin altogether from His memory; for He 
 has declared 'I will forgive their iniquity, and I will 
 remember their sin no more.' There is the greatest of 
 all joys for you, my dear boy. Come, won't you join 
 with me right here and ask for it ? " 
 
 The young man's temples throbbed ; his throat was 
 parched and aching ; he longed to feel the relief and 
 joy the minister had spoken of with such quiet confi- 
 dence, but it seemed beyond his reach. The simple 
 power to yield had not come to him. For a few mo- 
 ments he moved nervously Then he realized that the
 
 410 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 minister was waiting for him to answer. His painful 
 embarrassment increased. At last, in an agony of 
 spirit, he cried out : 
 
 " I can't I can't ! It's too much ; I'm an outcast ; 
 I am ashamed ! " 
 
 " Nothing is too much for Him, Sam," answered the 
 minister, putting his arm about the young man's shoul- 
 ders in affectionate entreaty. " If your earthly friends 
 know how to forgive, shall not your Heavenly Father, 
 who loves you far better than they do, forgive you even 
 more gladly ? It is the outcast whom He calls first 
 and receives most lovingly. It is the coming to Him 
 of such a one which causes 'joy in the presence of 
 the angels of God.' We must all be ashamed when we 
 look at ourselves, but He bids us look at Him, and tells 
 us ' though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white 
 as snow ; though they be red like crimson they shall be 
 as wool.' Oh, Sam, He loves you so ! He knows that 
 you've fallen, and hurt yourself so badly that you need 
 help. His hand has been stretched out to you for 
 some time through the hands of friends here who 
 love you. Just take hold and you will be lifted up. 
 Others have been as deep in the abyss as you. The 
 Saviour's love reaches to the uttermost. Just try it 
 and see." 
 
 A dry sob was the only reply Allen received as he 
 paused a moment. A gentle urging of his arm, how- 
 ever, found no yielding yet. From one anxious heart 
 an eager appeal ascended that moment to the throne 
 of power. 
 
 " Listen, Sam, I want to tell you the story of one 
 young man who lived some years ago in a city in this 
 State. I know all the details from personal knowledge 
 and from friends of the young man. I wili call him
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 411 
 
 simply B. for the present. His father sent him to col- 
 lege and gave him every comfort. He studied law 
 part of the time, but gave more of his time to pleasure 
 and dissipation with careless fellows. After he gradu- 
 ated he started in business, with his father's help. 
 Then he won and married a beautiful girl, one of the 
 tenderest and most faithful ever given by God to any 
 man. He loved her, but he loved himself more. Fond- 
 ness for indulgence and bad companions caused him to 
 neglect his chosen profession. The neglect brought 
 speedy failure. A chance came to him to go into the 
 hotel business. Again his father helpecf him with 
 money, though disapproving the enterprise. B. saw 
 that more money could be made from a bar than from 
 the legitimate end of the business, and by degrees the 
 bar became the chief feature of the hotel. Then B. 
 decided not to bother with any hotel, but to run a 
 saloon openly. He had been sinking rapidly in the so- 
 cial and moral scale. His own dissipations increased. 
 He was cruel to his gentle wife. His father's gray 
 hairs went down in sorrow to the grave, whither the 
 delicate mother had preceded him. B. went from bad 
 to worse, but his faithful wife stuck to him, ever try- 
 ing tenderly to lead him away from his evil life. Her 
 own heart was breaking with shame and disappoint- 
 ment, but she never reproached him. One night, as 
 he reeled into the room, drunk and ugly, he found her 
 weeping, and struck her a cowardly blow in the face. 
 She turned her sad eyes full upon him with a look that 
 made him grow weak and sick. He felt as if he had 
 smitten an angel. Without a word she set his supper 
 before him and retired to her bed. He fell into a 
 drunken sleep in his chair and stayed there until morn- 
 ing. Only once, through the fumes of liquor, there
 
 4 i2 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 came to his stupid brain the sound of his wife's voice 
 calling his name with an agony of appeal. He growled 
 and went to sleep again. When daylight and appetite 
 roused him, he went, with an ugly word on his lips, to 
 waken his wife and complain because his breakfast was 
 not ready. He found a babe and its mother, both ly- 
 ing dead." 
 
 The minister's voice had grown strange and husky. 
 He turned a pale face, and eyes glowing with a fierce 
 light, upon Sam, and seized the young man's arm. 
 
 " Sam, have you ever done anything as wicked, as 
 loathsome, as that ? " he cried. " Could the great "God 
 who is angry with the sinner every day ever forgive so 
 foul and cruel a crime ? Was it for such an outcast 
 that God allowed His only Son, His dearly beloved 
 Son, to die in agony on the cross ? Ah, Sam, it was 
 for just such a vile outcast as that; and He stretched 
 down His ever loving, tender, bleeding hands to lift up 
 that outcast from the deep pit into which he had fallen ; 
 and then, just as at other times, He used the hands of 
 one of His servants on earth to do His work. 
 
 B. was then keeper of a low saloon of the most in- 
 famous character. After his wife's death, he had moved 
 into a hovel, and lived in loneliness and filth. One 
 night in winter he was staggering blindly along in the 
 middle of the street through the snow and sleet, ready 
 to end his wretched life in the gutter if he should 
 chance to fall and lie unnoticed until morning. A man 
 saw him and, taking pity on his miserable condition, 
 helped him home, built a fire in the cheerless hovel, 
 made hot coffee and forced him to drink it, and stayed 
 with him until he was sober. Then he spoke words of 
 cheer and encouragement to the outcast, urged him to 
 reform and be a man, and offered to be his friend, not
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 413 
 
 only in secret, but openly, before the world which de- 
 spised him. 
 
 " B. was astonished, almost overcome, by such kind- 
 ness. His better nature was touched; but he cried 
 out despairingly: 'It's too late! I am an outcast! 
 What is the use, now ? ' 
 
 "'It's not too late,' replied his friend. * While you 
 live, you are not an outcast from God's mercy. You 
 are a child of the King. You have an immortal soul, 
 and it's worth saving.' 
 
 " B. began to cry like a baby. Then he almost drove 
 the good man away, declaring that he could not reform ; 
 his only means of livelihood was tied up in his saloon ; 
 that was all his property ; he was committed to it, and 
 must stick to it till the end. 
 
 " But God's hand of mercy was still reaching down 
 for the outcast. The good Samaritan would not de- 
 sert him. Again and again he saw B. and urged him 
 with inspired persuasiveness to turn his steps into the 
 upward path of manliness and honor. The temptation 
 came to B. to sell his saloon, and follow after his friend ; 
 but he could not make himself believe that he would 
 find much satisfaction in a new life haunted by the 
 knowledge that he had freed himself from the *body of 
 this death' only by fastening it upon some other 
 wretched man. If it meant damnation for him, would 
 it not mean the same for another, and could he buy 
 salvation with the price of his neighbor's soul ? 
 
 " One night the sleeping town was roused by wild 
 cries in the street. 
 
 "'Fire! Fire! Fire!' 
 
 "The alarm-bell in the church steeple rang out. 
 Crowds of hurriedly dressed people thronged to the 
 fire. A block of old wooden buildings was burning
 
 4 I4 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 fiercely, and before anything could be done to arrest 
 the flames the entire block was doomed. B.'s saloon 
 was in the fated row, directly in the path of the confla- 
 gration. The red tongues of fire came nearer and 
 nearer, eagerly devouring the dry timber. 
 
 "'Where's B. ? Let's save his liquors ! ' cried voices 
 in the crowd. * Here, boys, lend a hand, and we'll yank 
 some of them kegs of old rye out in the street before 
 they're all burned up ! ' 
 
 " Half a dozen men sprang to the door of B.'s saloon, 
 broke it in, and in a few moments several kegs of 
 liquors of various kinds were on the street, while ready 
 hands were about to tap them for the benefit of the 
 crowd. 
 
 " Just then a cry of furious rage sounded above the 
 roar of the flames and the babel of the crowd. The 
 next moment B. stood in the midst of his kegs and 
 barrels, swinging an axe above his head. 
 
 " ' I want every one here to understand that this is 
 my property, and I'll brain the first man who dares to 
 touch it ! ' he cried, and there was a flash of determina- 
 tion in his eyes which awed the crowd and made them 
 hurry to stand back. They thought the threatened 
 loss of his saloon had bereft him of reason, and that he 
 was about to wreak his insane wrath on the spectators. 
 None were prepared for what he did do. Raising his 
 axe aloft, he brought it down with all his strength again 
 and again upon the kegs and barrels, destroying them 
 utterly and letting their contents flow out into the mud 
 and snow of the street. When this task was finished 
 he looked around at the raging fire, gazed a moment at 
 his saloon, now enveloped in flame, then fell upon his 
 knees in the street, and poured out his heart in thanks- 
 giving to God for having done for him by fire what he
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 415 
 
 could not do for himself remove the obstacle which 
 had hindered him from starting in the right way. 
 
 " Through all the hard struggle which followed, B.'s 
 God-sent friend stood by him, lifting him up, holding 
 him up, encouraging him by word and by deed. Not a 
 single reproach for the past came from his lips. Al- 
 ways it was hope and purpose for the future. Yet he 
 and the one dearest to him ha:l suffered from B.'s 
 wicked life." 
 
 The minister paused, so much overcome by his own 
 recital that for the moment he did not notice how 
 it had affected his companion. 
 
 "Sam," he said at length, "you know some of the 
 persons in the little story I have just told you. The 
 angel wife who died with her babe in the night was 
 your dear mother's sister Ruth. The good Samaritan, 
 who in Christ's name lifted up the wretched outcast, 
 was your own father. The unhappy drunkard, whom 
 God in His great mercy saved from such a depth of sin, 
 is now a redeemed man, and is here to-day pleading with 
 his younger brother to come to the same loving Sav- 
 iour," 
 
 Sam stared at the minister in amazement and unbe- 
 lief. 
 
 " What ! was it you ? " he whispered. 
 
 " Yes, Sam, I travelled the path you have been pur- 
 suing, and now the way of escape by which I came out 
 of darkness into the light is open to you. Will you 
 come ? " 
 
 The minister's arm again tightened lovingly with a 
 persuasive pressure. This time it met no resistance ; 
 and two souls found a bethel in the midst of the pine- 
 forest.
 
 CHAPTER XXXI 
 
 PEACE again brooded over village, farm, and forest. 
 The excitement which had disturbed the Red-Keggers 
 during the spring subsided. Farm activity engaged 
 everybody's attention. The four Invincibles no longer 
 occupied a prominent place in the public mind. Tom 
 Moore, acting upon the minister's suggestion, had taken 
 their paroles, only requiring that each man should re- 
 port once a day to him, or other appointed deputies, in 
 order that he might keep posted as to their where- 
 abouts. Sam and Seward found work to do at their 
 homes. Walt and Billy hung about the village, or 
 helped in such affairs as interested them. 
 
 Sam only of the four seemed greatly affected by his 
 position. He went quietly about the farm, working in- 
 dustriously, but seldom speaking to any one, and keep- 
 ing to himself as much as possible. He seemed crushed 
 and ashamed. His father's kindness touched but did 
 not cheer him. Tender, faithful Lettie did her best to 
 bring him brightness and hope. Farmer Hawkins 
 even suggested that she come to the farm at once and 
 make her home in the place that would be hers when 
 he should pass away ; but Sam would not consent to 
 any arrangement of the kind until after his trial. He 
 could not bear the thought of establishing a home cir- 
 cle to be broken by a sentence to a term in prison. 
 Measures had been set on foot by the minister and 
 others to secure a pardon for the young men. If these 
 should succeed but the chance was not great enough
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 417 
 
 to justify anticipating such an outcome. Lettie was 
 compelled to bide her time and hope for the best. 
 
 Early in June two quiet weddings supplied pleasant 
 gossip for several days. At Hal Marthy's farm Axcy 
 and Joseph Waters joined hands before Parson Allen 
 and in the presence of a chosen few of their friends, 
 and then began life together in the modest home which 
 the schoolmaster had provided. A few days later, in 
 the home of John Maloney, a tall, wiry young Irish- 
 man, beaming with pride and joy, claimed his blushing 
 bride. After the ceremony he fairly hugged the stal. 
 wart minister for speaking those " blissed words " which 
 gave him the right to say " my wife " to the happy little 
 woman at his side. 
 
 The skies smiled with unclouded face upon happy 
 and sad alike. As June advanced, men looked more 
 and more anxiously for a cloud to break that unchang- 
 ing smile. A breath as from a furnace swept over the 
 land. Rain came not upon just or unjust. Before 
 July was half over the oldest inhabitants declared it 
 was the hottest and dryest summer ever known in that 
 section Crops withered and died under the blighting 
 fierceness of the sun. Domestic animals suffered from 
 lack of water. The wells on farms and in the villages 
 dried up. Creeks and rivulets, usually well filled until 
 August, became empty channels. Even the preten- 
 tious Tittabawassee and its largest tributaries shrank 
 within their banks to narrow, muddy, sluggish streams. 
 One could walk for miles upon the Sturgeon's clay and 
 gravel bed without wetting the soles of his feet. 
 
 At Red-Keg and Midland the cry for water was uni- 
 versal The scarcity amounted to a famine. Wells 
 heretofore had been not much more than superficial 
 affairs, usually from six to ten feet deep, but supplying
 
 418 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 abundance of water for all purposes. These were now 
 dry as powder-houses It became necessary to strike 
 deeper, and well-diggers were in great demand. So 
 few were available, and their charges became so high, 
 that many farmers undertook to dig new wells for them- 
 selves. More often than not they had their trouble for 
 nothing. 
 
 Farmer Hawkins was more fortunate than most of 
 his neighbors in that his well was deeper, and the sup- 
 ply lasted, with careful economy, through the summer. 
 Several times it seemed on the point of failing, but 
 slowly filled again, over night. Barney O'Boyle sank 
 a well on John Maloney's farm near one which had run 
 dry. He dug down through hard-pan about twenty 
 feet until he came to a fiat rock of limestone. No ap- 
 paratus being available for drilling through the rock, 
 poor Barney was well-nigh discouraged at the prospect. 
 The rock covered the whole bottom of the well and 
 was as dry as dust. In desperation, he called for a 
 crowbar and began sounding the stone. It gave back 
 a hollow sound. A few vigorous blows with the crow- 
 bar soon convinced him that he could work his way 
 through the apparently thin layer of rock. He struck 
 still more rapidly, throwing his whole strength into the 
 blows. Suddenly the crowbar slipped from his hands 
 and disappeared through a hole in the rock. Then a 
 column of pure, cold water spouted up, drenching Bar- 
 ney to the skin and nearly drowning him before he 
 could get to the top of the well. The crowbar was 
 never found, but John Maloney was blessed with an 
 ever-flowing well of water, which, springing up in the 
 midst of a parched and burning land, was a veritable 
 godsend to his less fortunate neighbors, who sought in 
 vain to find the meanderings of his subterranean stream.
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 4I9 
 
 The great huckleberry marshes out in the Sturgeon 
 district became so dry that, where the previous year 
 hundreds of bushels of the luscious berries had been 
 picked by men, women, and children, who earned a good 
 income thereby, this summer only a few of the bushes, 
 in the wettest spots, got beyond the flowering stage! 
 Likewise the raspberries and blackberries were blighted 
 by the drouth, and the sand-ridges upon which they 
 throve luxuriously in a moist season became little more 
 than desert wastes. 
 
 In the forests the pitch oozed from the barks of 
 green trees, filling the heated air with a fragrant aroma. 
 The beds of pine-needles and mosses which had lain 
 for years, retaining moisture for the use of the trees, 
 became like tinder-boxes. As a result the earth around 
 the tree-roots grew dry and powdery. 
 
 August passed in panting, shimmering heat. Sep- 
 tember brought a few half-hearted showers which 
 tended only to aggravate conditions, until the people 
 were almost ready to give up hope. By the first of 
 October a general feeling of depression had settled 
 upon the entire section. On every hand praying peo- 
 ple besought God for relief, but still no rain came, and 
 day by day the drouth strengthened its deadly grip. 
 
 Then alarm suddenly took a new turn. The atmos- 
 phere grew hazy and smoke-laden. Disquieting reports 
 began to come from different quarters that the forests 
 were on fire, and that the fires were spreading with 
 great rapidity. Preparations were made to flee, or to 
 fight for homes and lives. All through the section 
 which included Red-Keg large quantities of timber had 
 been cut down during the previous winter, and the 
 dried, pitch-filled limbs and needles which littered the 
 ground would burn like oil. Only those homes which
 
 420 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 stood in the midst of wide clearings could be regarded 
 as comparatively safe. Even then it was necessary to 
 burn away with great care acres of dried grass and 
 grain which might offer means of communication for 
 the onrushing conflagration. Houses and barns closely 
 surrounded by the forest were in imminent danger. 
 As the fires drew nearer many a farmer and lumber- 
 owner made haste to cut down and drag away valuable 
 trees in the hope of saving their homes. 
 
 Farmer Hawkins surveyed his grounds with anxious 
 face. He noted the direction of the wind, and the in- 
 creasing smoke in the sky. His buildings were all far 
 enough away from the limits of the forest for safety, 
 but he hated to sacrifice the beautiful and stately trees 
 in which he took so much delight. Early one morning 
 he shook his head gravely and said to the minister : 
 
 " My old pets have got to go, Robert. Let's have it 
 over with at once." 
 
 Before noon not a single tree was standing within a 
 thousand feet of the house. 
 
 John Maloney had a more difficult task. His clear- 
 ing was not yet so broad. If it were not for the fact 
 that the last winter's cut of timber had been taken 
 from the acres nearest his farm, for the purpose of cul- 
 tivation, his case would have been almost hopeless. 
 He and Barney, with such help as they could get, 
 worked desperately night and day to drive the edge of 
 the forest back beyond the danger line. Ros Whit- 
 more, strong and courageous again, helped Maloney, 
 or Farmer Hawkins, or any others who needed help, 
 with as much energy as though his own home were 
 concerned. 
 
 " T would be a waste o' time an' strength to do any- 
 thin' out to Th' Corners," he said. " We're shet in on
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 421 
 
 three sides by pine-woods, an' nothin' short o' twenty 
 men could make a clearin' there big enough ter keep 
 the fire off ef it hed a mine'ter come. Men are scarce 
 now, an' they's too many places where they hev a bet- 
 ter chance. Mebbe the fire'll skip us by. Ef it don't, 
 we'll hev ter skip ourselves an' let the shanty go." 
 
 His friends knew very well that he would not talk 
 with such seeming indifference of his fine new home 
 if he had not canvassed the situation thoroughly and 
 found it absolutely hopeless. Finding no help for it, 
 he bravely concealed his own sorrow and helped those 
 who had some chance of saving their property. An- 
 drew Green was in similar hopeless case, and realizing 
 it at the very beginning, moved his family and goods 
 to Midland, Many others did the same. 
 
 By the end of the first week in October a lurid glow 
 was seen at night in the north and west. The heat 
 and smoke became almost unbearable. Bandages were 
 kept over the eyes and mouth. Refugees came from 
 all directions, hurrying toward Midland. The confla- 
 gration swept on apace, sometimes in wide swath, some- 
 times in long, narrow arms which wormed their way 
 onward, leaving irregular paths of destruction behind. 
 Communities joined together for a common onslaught 
 upon the devouring flames. Bands of men hurried 
 from place to place to beat down the fire wherever it 
 specially threatened. The lack of water greatly ham- 
 pered the work and caused fearful suffering, but the 
 sturdy farmers and woodsmen fought on bravely, des- 
 perately, unceasingly, to save their homes and their 
 loved ones. 
 
 The former Invincibles earned a new title to the 
 name by their unyielding, untiring efforts in the com- 
 mon cause. By tacit agreement they banded them-
 
 422 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 selves together for the fearful work, and in the most 
 dangerous places displayed a reckless valor which 
 earned the admiration as well as the gratitude of those 
 who a few months before had welcomed their downfall. 
 The very air seemed filled with fire. From tree-top 
 to tree-top great balls of flame would pass, often jump- 
 ing over an open space of several hundred feet to a 
 pitch-laden tree, which in a twinkling would burst into 
 a seething column of fire from root to topmost branch. 
 Here again the swirling flames would gather themselves 
 into huge balls to be tossed about by the wind and 
 dropped wherever a waiting tree or building offered 
 food for the ravenous element. 
 
 " From fiery night to morning, 
 
 From flaming dawn to night, 
 Rolled the resistless tide of fire 
 In roaring waves of light." 
 
 Red-Keg and Midland were both threatened with 
 destruction, although both were providentially spared. 
 At the latter place the citizens turned out in relief bri- 
 gades to plough out around the town and in every possi- 
 ble way seek to prevent the flames from getting a hold 
 upon the frame dwellings which composed the town. 
 Church bells were kept ringing and whistles blowing 
 to guide people thither who had been driven from their 
 homes. Landmarks were burned away and there was 
 no visible means by which refugees could tell whether 
 they were going north or south. 
 
 The tide of fire was sweeping over toward the State 
 road from the Big Salt district. Already the woods a 
 few miles above the Hawkins farm to the north and 
 out toward Wilford were blazing. The bands of fire 
 fighters were retreating before the awful foe. Pete
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 423 
 
 Murray, Tom Moore, Barney O'Boyle, Ned Blakely, 
 Dan Underbill, John Maloney, Ros Whitmore, the In- 
 vincibles, and a hundred more were contesting every 
 rod of ground wherever a chance of rescue or home- 
 saving presented itself. Several farmhouses had been 
 saved by heroic efforts. Many others were lying in 
 blackened ruins. The men were nearly exhausted; 
 their eyes were red and swollen, their throats parched, 
 and their hands frightfully burned and blistered ; but 
 there was no thought of surrender. 
 
 Monday afternoon, October 9th, a company of Red- 
 Keggers, almost ready to drop with weariness, and the 
 pain of their burns, was resting for an hour or so at 
 the Hawkins farm to gather a little fresh strength for 
 the further efforts which they could not avoid. News 
 had just come from the telegraph office at the railroad 
 depot that the whole of Michigan was on fire ; then the 
 same was said of Wisconsin; then that Chicago was 
 burning, after which dreadful news, all communication 
 with the outside world was cut off. 
 
 " Must be the end o' the world's comin'," said Ned 
 Blakely in awe-struck tones. 
 
 No one scoffed. The thing seemed frightfully real, 
 and the same belief had forced itself into many minds. 
 
 " Our times are in His hands," said Allen with quiet 
 but solemn voice. " When He comes, may He find 
 each of us ready, doing his duty to the last, courageous 
 and true. Let us commend ourselves to Him, and ask 
 for strength for the work which lies immediately be- 
 fore us." 
 
 In a few earnest words the minister lifted the brave 
 but fear-laden hearts of that little band to the throne 
 of Him who said to the tempest, " Peace, be still," and 
 who gives peace to meet the direst human need.
 
 424 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 Seward Rathaway, who had been to the village and 
 returned with the latest news, had reported also that 
 the fire was working round to the Sturgeon district and 
 might hem them in if they were not careful. 
 
 Ros Whitmore had spoken several times during the 
 day of returning to his home to take his family out of 
 harm's way. Now he announced his intention of go- 
 ing out to The Corners at once. 
 
 " Not thet they's any immediate danger. I told Jule 
 ter git the kids an' the things in the cart an' go down 
 ter the Keg ef the fire seemed ter be comin' thet way. 
 Jule's set on takin' keer o' the house ter the last ; but 
 she won't run no resk, I reckon, with the kids. I'll 
 run out an' see thet they're all right. Ef the fire's got 
 'round to the Sturgeon, it's time they made tracks out 
 o' there." 
 
 " You may need help ; I'll go with you," said Allen, 
 " and perhaps Sam may like to go ; " but Sam could 
 not be found. No one remembered seeing him since 
 dinner. 
 
 " Never mind, ye may be sure he's needed wherever 
 he is," said Ros, as they started off in a buckboard. 
 
 Driving down past Maloney's farm to a point just 
 above Andrew Green's deserted house, they turned 
 into the narrow winding road which led some five miles 
 out to the Sandy town settlement. Ros Whitmore' s 
 place was about half a mile nearer the State road, and 
 near the intersection of the Sandytown and Wilford 
 roads. It was thus referred to as The Corners. 
 
 Ros and the minister pushed on with all possible 
 speed, alarmed at the smoke which seemed to grow 
 thicker as they advanced. When scarcely a mile from 
 the State road they met Jule with the children and a 
 wagon-load of household goods coming rapidly toward
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 425 
 
 them. The good woman was pale and weeping, and 
 the smaller children huddled to her with frightened 
 faces. 
 
 "The road's cut off, Ros!" cried his wife. "The 
 fire ran around us before we knew it. We'd never got 
 out alive but for Sam Hawkins, who rushed in jest 
 after dinner an' hustled us all into the wagon. Then 
 he came part way to see that we got through. But the 
 woods on both sides of the road jest below The Cor- 
 ners is all afire, an' he had to lead the horses through 
 by the bridle." Ros had been looking hastily over the 
 little group while listening to his wife's excited narra- 
 tive. Suddenly he shouted, a quick note of anxiety in 
 his voice : 
 
 " Where's Tilly ? " 
 
 Jule began to cry hysterically again and wring her 
 hands. 
 
 " We had to hurry so ! " she wailed. " We all thought 
 she was in the wagon. She wasn't in the house when 
 we left. We were sure she was in the wagon. We 
 were all so excited, and had to start all in a minute. 
 Sam went back to find her he swore an oath he'd find 
 her an' bring her to me this very afternoon he went 
 back through the fire." 
 
 Ros groaned in an agony of fear. Here were his 
 "ninety-and-nine," saved almost by a miracle; but his 
 father's heart yearned for the one wee lamb that was 
 missing. Bidding Jule drive on at once to the village, 
 Ros and the minister lashed their horse forward in the 
 hope that they might pass the burning barrier across 
 the road and reach the threatened road. Before they 
 had gone two miles farther, however, they were stopped 
 by a fiery wall, advancing toward them, which made 
 progress in that direction utterly impossible. Ros
 
 426 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 looked at the minister in mute and hopeless anguish. 
 Without a moment's hesitation, Allen sprang out of 
 the buckboard and bade Ros do the same. Then he 
 turned the horse around, fastened the reins to the seat, 
 and with a slap and a quick word sent the animal gal- 
 loping back down the road. 
 
 "This arm of the fire is coming around from the 
 cast," he said. "It may not have reached the Wilford 
 road. You know the logging path through to there. 
 We may get around to The Corners that way. I doubt 
 if the fire has got to your place yet." 
 
 While he spoke, the two men were hurrying to a 
 little path which led from the road zigzag through the 
 forest. Apparently a temporary shift of the wind had 
 driven a narrow tongue of fire out from the main con- 
 flagration in a westerly direction. This puff of wind had 
 now died out, and the fire was probably working south 
 again rather than continuing to the west. It was upon 
 this theory, at least, that Allen based his calculations. 
 There was no time for weighing chances. He had 
 seized the first that suggested itself. Through the for- 
 est, already stifling with smoke and heat, they plunged. 
 Before they had gone a furlong the place at which 
 they had entered was in flames. In half an hour they 
 reached the Wilford road and hastened on. As they 
 neared The Corners, the smoke became more dense, 
 and showers of sparks fell around them. The father's 
 heart sank in his breast. The minister was troubled 
 with another fear, also. 
 
 " Look ! " cried Ros, pointing through the woods to a 
 red glare which grew nearer and brighter each moment. 
 
 " Look ! " cried the minister, pointing to a terrible 
 figure which came staggering down the road holding 
 something in its arms.
 
 I DES LOVE HIM, I DOl'
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 427 
 
 Ros looked ; then with a glad cry he sprang forward. 
 
 "Tilly! my baby! mydarlin'!" he shouted. 
 
 Without a word the terrible, staggering figure laid 
 the child unhurt in her father's arms. Tnen he reeled 
 as if about to fall. 
 
 " Sam I my hero! " cried the minister, supporting the 
 burned and exhausted man. " You must not give out 
 now. We need you. Come, Ros, hurry ! We'll cut 
 through at the first orening to the Hawkins farm. 
 There's no place any safer than that." 
 
 "Let me run, papa, I'm all right," begged little 
 Tilly, "I went to find my kitty an' when I corned 
 back, mama an' ev'ybody was gone. I was des goin' 
 to cry when my teacher's Mister Hawkins corned an' 
 said he'd take me to mama Oh, my ! but he was aw- 
 ful burned an' sore, an' I wanted to get him some water, 
 an' some o' mama's mutton tallow an' cream, but he 
 wouldn't wait for the leastest thing, but des grabbed 
 me up an' run. An' we had to go fru a dre'ful fire. I 
 was afraid, but he said he couldn't help it, an' it was 
 the on'y way to get to mama. He took off his coat 
 an' wrapped it all roun' me, even my head, so's I 
 couldn't hardly breave, till we got fru the fire ; but his 
 hair an' eyes an' han's got more burned poor man ! 
 He must be awful good. I des love him, I do most 
 as much as I do my teacher," 
 
 The little girl wriggled herself out of her father's 
 restraining arms, and running to Sam caught one of 
 his hands in hers and kissed it tenderly. Then she 
 gazed at it a moment in silent pity, and the tears ran 
 down ner cheeks. 
 
 "Oh, it's so sore!" she said. "I must wrap it up 
 des like my mama does in soft rags with plenty of 
 mutton tallow and cream."
 
 428 THE RED-KEGGERS 
 
 "'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least 
 of these, ye have done it unto Me,' " said Allen, close 
 to Sam's ear. " Those words of the Saviour are spoken 
 to you, Sam." 
 
 The little party hurried along with as much speed as 
 the suffering man could maintain, and soon came to 
 another path which took them through the woods to 
 the Hawkins farm. There Sam's burns were dressed 
 and he was put to bed, while others fought the fire- 
 fiend for two days longer, until the pitying heavens 
 poured down the blessed rain and stopped the carnival 
 of destruction. 
 
 Several days passed, and the telegraph lines were re- 
 stored. Among the first to use them in the little Red- 
 Keg railroad office was Robert Allen. Ros Whitmore, 
 Tom Moore, Justice Frost, Pete Murray, and several 
 other men were with him. Their business required an 
 unusual amount of ticking on the little instrument. 
 Then Robert Allen suddenly disappeared without tell- 
 ing Sam or Farmer Hawkins where he was going. He 
 might be gone a week, perhaps longer, he said ; but he 
 hoped to be back in time to help Sam through his or- 
 deal at the United States District Court. 
 
 The date fixed for the sitting came all too soon. 
 Even the great fire caused no postponement. Parson 
 Allen had not returned, and Sam, who was barely able 
 to go to Midland, both hands still swathed in bandages, 
 nerved himself to take the punishment he had earned. 
 Every influence possible was exerted in behalf of him 
 and his companions, and their services to the commu- 
 nity during the fire were urged as an offset to their 
 offenses; but the clemency of the court could not 
 grant more than a lightening of the sentence. After 
 that had been pronounced, Sam was given an hour to
 
 THE RED-KEGGERS 439 
 
 be alone with his father and Lettie; then he must go 
 away. The: minister came just in time to join the sor- 
 rowful little group. He appeared to notice nothing 
 amiss and advanced with a pleasant greeting. 
 
 " How are the burns, Sam ? Healing nicely ? " 
 
 "Better, thank you," replied Sam, adding sadly: 
 " You came too late for the trial. I suppose you know 
 the result." 
 
 " Yes, I know ; but perhaps I am not too late. You 
 still have a few minutes left to read this," and he placed 
 a long envelope in the bandaged hand. 
 
 Sam looked at it helplessly a moment, and his hand 
 trembled. He held the envelope toward his father, who 
 removed the paper, opened it, and tried to read, but his 
 eyes were dimmed with tears. Lettie could not wait. 
 She leaned over Farmer Hawkins's shoulder and took 
 one long look. Then she snatched the paper excitedly. 
 
 " A pardon ! " she cried. " Look, Sam, it's a pardon ! 
 Oh, it's all over, Sam, it's a pardon ! " and she fell on 
 her knees and spread the paper on Sam's lap. 
 
 The young man gazed at the paper a moment, then 
 at the happy, excited face of his wife, and into the 
 quiet, strong, tender face of the minister. At last his 
 eyes rested again upon the paper in his lap. 
 
 " Pardoned ! " he whispered. After a pause, he add- 
 ed, softly, " by God and man ! " 
 
 "Yes, Sam," said Robert Allen, "and may the Lord 
 bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make His face to 
 shine upon thee and be gracious to thee ; the Lord lift 
 up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace." 
 
 And the deep bright glow in the young man's eyes 
 as he lifted them once more to those of the minister 
 his friend his brother testified eloquently that the 
 prayer for blessing was already answered.
 
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