"Thatdawgmoughteatadeadsheepbutheneverwouldkillaliveone，andifyoukillhim，by，you'vegottokillmefust。"
Nowthereisnomoreunneighborlyorunchristianactforafarmerthantoharborasheep-killingdog。SotheoldSquireandthecircuit-riderhadcomeovertoshowJoelthegrievouserrorofhisselfish，obstinatecourse，and，sofar，oldJoelhadrefusedtobeshown。AllofhissonssturdilyupheldhimandlittleMelissafiercely——theoldmotherandtheschool-masteraloneremainingquietandtakingnopartinthedissension。
"HavetheygotJack？"
"No，Chad，"saidtheschool-master。"He'ssafe——tiedupinthestable。"Chadstartedout，andnoonefollowedbutMelissa。AjoyousbarkthatwasalmosthumancamefromthestableasChadapproached，forthedogmusthaveknownthesoundofhismaster'sfootsteps，andwhenChaddrewopenthedoor，Jacksprangthelengthofhistethertomeethimandwasjerkedtohisback。Againandagainhesprang，barking，asthoughbesidehimself，whileChadstoodatthedoor，lookingsorrowfullyathim。
"Down，Jack！"hesaidsternly，andJackdroppedobediently，lookingstraightathismasterwithhonesteyesandwhimperinglikeachild。
"Jack，"saidChad，"didyoukillthatsheep？"Thiswasallstrangeconductforhislittlemaster，andJacklookedwonderinganddazed，buthiseyesneverwaveredorblinked。Chadcouldnotlongstandthosehonesteyes。
"No，"hesaid，fiercely——"no，littledoggie，no——no！"AndChaddroppedonhiskneesandtookJackinhisarmsandhuggedhimtohisbreast。
CHAPTER13。ONTRIALFORHISLIFE
BydegreesthewholestorywastoldChadthatnight。NowandthentheTurnerswouldaskhimabouthisstayintheBluegrass，buttheboywouldanswerasbrieflyaspossibleandcomebacktoJack。Beforegoingtobed，ChadsaidhewouldbringJackintothehouse：
"Somebodymightpizenhim，"heexplained，andwhenhecameback，hestartledthecircleaboutthefire：
"Whar'sWhizzer？"heasked，sharply。"Who'sseenWhizzer？"
ThenitdevelopedthatnoonehadseentheDillondog——sincethedaybeforethesheepwasfounddeadneararavineatthefootofthemountaininabackpasture。LatethatafternoonMelissahadfoundWhizzerinthatverypasturewhenshewasdrivingoldBetsy，thebrindle，homeatmilking-time。Sincethen，nooneoftheTurnershadseentheDillondog。That，however，didnotprovethatWhizzerwasnotathome。Andyet，"I'dliketoknowwharWhizzerisnow！"saidChad，and，after，atoldJoel'scommand，hehadtiedJacktoabedpost——anoutragethatpuzzledthedogsorely——theboythreshedhisbedforanhour——tryingtothinkoutadefenceforJackandwonderingifWhizzermightnothavebeenconcernedinthedeathofthesheep。
Itishardlypossiblethatwhathappened，nextday，couldhappenanywhereexceptamongsimplepeopleofthehills。Briefly，theoldSquireandthecircuit-riderhadbroughtoldJoeltothepointofsaying，thenightbefore，thathewouldgiveJackuptobekilled，ifhecouldbeprovenguilty。Buttheoldhuntercriedwithanoath：
"You'vegottoprovehimguilty。"AndthereupontheSquiresaidhewouldgiveJackeverychancethathewouldgiveaman——HEWOULDTRYHIM；eachsidecouldbringinwitnesses；oldJoelcouldhavealawyerifhewished，andJack'scasewouldgobeforeajury。Ifpronouncedinnocent，Jackshouldgofree：ifguilty——thenthedogshouldbehandedovertothesheriff，tobeshotatsundown。Joelagreed。
ItwasastrangeprocessionthatleftthegateoftheTurnercabinnextmorning。OldJoelledtheway，mounted，with"oleSal，"hisrifle，acrosshissaddle-bow。BehindhimcameMotherTurnerandMelissaonfootandChadwithhisrifleoverhisleftshoulder，andleadingJackbyastringwithhisrighthand。BehindthemslouchedTallTomwithhisrifleandDolphandRube，eachwithahugeold-fashionedhorse-pistolswingingfromhisrighthip。Laststrodetheschool-master。Thecabinwasleftdeserted——thehospitabledoorheldclosedbyadeer-skinlatchcaughttoawoodenpinoutside。
ItwasastrangehumiliationtoJackthustobeledalongthehighway，likeacriminalgoingtothegallows。TherewasnopoweronearththatcouldhavemovedhimfromChad'sside，otherthantheboy'sowncommand——butoldJoelhadswornthathewouldkeepthedogtiedandtheoldhunteralwayskepthisword。Hehadsworn，too，thatJackshouldhaveafairtrial。Therefore，theguns——andtheschool-masterwalkedwithhishandsbehindhimandhiseyesontheground：hefearedtrouble。
Halfamileuptheriverandtoonesideoftheroad，aspaceofsomethirtyfeetsquarehadbeencutintoapatchofrhododendronandfilledwithrudebenchesofslabs——infrontofwhichwasaroughplatformonwhichsatahome-made，cane-bottomedchair。Exceptfortheopeningfromtheroad，thespacewaswalledwithacircleoflivinggreenthroughwhichthesundappledthebencheswithquiveringdisksofyellowlight——and，highabove，greatpoplarsandoaksarchedtheirmightyheads。Itwasanopen-air"meeting-house"wherethecircuit-riderpreachedduringhissummercircuitandtherethetrialwastotakeplace。
Alreadyacrowdwasidling，whittling，gossipingintheroad，whentheTurnercavalcadecameinsight——andfortenmilesupanddowntheriverpeoplewerecominginforthetrial"Mornin'，gentlemen，"saidoldJoel，gravely。
"Mornin'，"answeredseveral，amongwhomwastheSquire，whoeyedJoel'sgunandthegunscominguptheroad。
"Squirrel-huntin'？"heaskedand，astheoldhunterdidnotanswer，headded，sharply：
"Airyouafeerd，JoelTurner，thatyouain'ta-goin'togitjusticefromME？"
"Idon'tkeerwharitcomesfrom，"saidJoel，grimly——"butI'ma-goin'toHAVEit。"
Itwasplainthattheoldmannotonlywasmakingnopleaforsympathy，butwasalienatingthelittlehehad：andwhathehadwasverylittleforwhobutaloverofdogscangivefullsympathytohiskind？And，then，Jackwasbelievedtobeguilty。ItwascurioustoseehoweachDillonshrankunconsciouslyastheTurnersgathered——allbutJerry，oneofthegianttwins。
Healwaysstoodhisground——fearingnorman，nordog——nordevil。
Tenminuteslater，theSquiretookhisseatontheplatform，whilethecircuit-ridersquatteddownbesidehim。Thecrowd，menandwomenandchildren，tooktheroughbenches。ToonesidesatandstoodtheDillons，oldTadandlittleTad，Daws，Nance，andothersofthetribe。StraightinfrontoftheSquiregatheredtheTurnersaboutMelissaandChad——andJackasacentre——withJacksquattedonhishanchesforemostofall，facingtheSquirewithgravedignityandlookingatnoneelsesave，occasionally，theoldhunterorhislittlemaster。
Totherightstoodthesheriffwithhisrifle，andontheoutskirtshungtheschool-master。QuicklytheoldSquirechoseajury——givingoldJoeltheopportunitytoobjectashecalledeachman'sname。OldJoelobjectedtonone，foreverymancalled，heknew，wasmorefriendlytohimthantotheDillons：andoldTadDillonraisednowordofprotest，forheknewhiscasewasclear。Thenbeganthetrial，andanysoulthatwastherewouldhaveshudderedcouldhehaveknownhowthattrialwastodivideneighboragainstneighbor，andmeandeathandbloodshedforhalfacenturyafterthetrialitselfwaslongforgotten。
Thefirstwitness，oldTad——long，lean，stooping，crafty——hadseenthesheeprushingwildlyupthehill-side"'boutcracko'day，"hesaid，andhadsentDawsuptoseewhatthematterwas。Dawshadshoutedback：
"ThatdamnedTurnerdoghaskilledoneo'oursheep。Tharhecomesnow。Killhim！"AndoldTadhadrushedin-doorsforhisrifleandhadtakenashotatJackasheleapedintotheroadandlopedforhome。Justthenastern，thicklittlevoicerosefrombehindJack：
"HitwasaGod'sblessin'feryouthatyoudidn'thithim。"
TheSquireglareddownattheboyandoldJoelsaid，kindly：
"Hush，Chad。"
OldDillonhadthengonedowntotheTurnersandaskedthemtokillthedog，butoldJoelhadrefused。
"WharwasWhizzer？"Chadasked，sharply。
"Youcan'taxethatquestion，"saidtheSquire。"Hit'ser-er-irrelevant。"
Dawscamenext。Whenhereachedthefenceuponthehill-sidehecouldseethesheeplyingstillontheground。Ashewasclimbingover，theTurnerdogjumpedthefenceandDawssawbloodonhismuzzle。
"Howclosewasyoutohim？"askedtheSquire。
"'Bouttwentyfeet，"saidDaws。
"Humph！"saidoldJoel。
"WharwasWhizzer？"AgaintheoldSquireglareddownatChad。
"Don'tyouaxethatquestionagain，boy。Didn'tItellyouhitwasirrelevant？"
"What'sirrelevant？"theboyasked，bluntly。
TheSquirehesitated。"Why——why，hitain'tgotnothin'todowiththecase。"
"Hitain't？"shoutedChad。
"Joel，"saidtheSquire，testily，"efyoudon'tkeepthatboystill，I'llfinehimfercontempto'court。"
Joellaughed，butheputhisheavyhandontheboy'sshoulder。LittleTadDillonandNanceandtheDillonmotherhadallseenJackrunningdowntheroad。TherewasnodoubtbutthatitwastheTurnerdog。AndwiththisclearcaseagainstpoorJack，theDillonsrested。AndwhatelsecouldtheTurnersdobutestablishJack'scharacterandputinapleaofmercy——auselessplea，oldJoelknew——forafirstoffence？JackwasthebestdogoldJoelhadeverknown，andtheoldmantoldwonderfultalesofthedog'sintelligenceandkindnessandhowonenightJackhadguardedastraylambthathadbrokenitsleg——untildaybreak——andhehadbeenledtothedogandthesheepbyJack'sbarkingforhelp。TheTurnerboysconfirmedthisstory，thoughitwasreceivedwithincredulity。
Howcouldadogthatwouldguardonelonehelplesslamballnightlongtakethelifeofanother？
Therewasnowitnessthathadaughtbutkindwordstosayofthedogoraughtbutwonderthatheshouldhavedonethisthing——evenbacktothecattle-dealerwhohadgivenhimtoChad。Foratthattimethedealersaid——sotestifiedChad，noobjectionbeingraisedtohearsayevidence——thatJackwasthebestdogheeverknew。ThatwasalltheTurnersoranybodycoulddoorsay，andtheoldSquirewasabouttoturnthecaseovertothejurywhenChadrose：
"Squire，"hesaidandhisvoicetrembled，"Jack'smydog。Ilivedwithhimnightan'dayfor'boutthreeyearsan'Iwanttoaxesomequestions。"
HeturnedtoDaws：
"Iwanttoaxeyoueftharwasanybloodaroundthatsheep。"
"Tharwasagreatbigpoolo'blood，"saidDaws，indignantly。ChadlookedattheSquire。
"Well，asheep-killin'dogdon'tleavenogreatbigpoolo'blood，Squire，withtheFUSTonehekills！HeSUCKSit！"Severalmennoddedtheirheads。
"Squire！ThefusttimeIcomeoverthesemountains，thefustpeopleIseedwastheseDillons——an'Whizzer。TheysickedWhizzeronJackhyehandJackwhoopedhim。ThenTadtharjumpedmeandIwhoopedhim。"TheTurnerboyswerenoddingconfirmation。"Sencethattimethey'vehatedJackan'they'vehatedmeandtheyhatetheTurnerspartlyfertakin'keero'me。Nowyousaidsomethin'Iaxedjustnowwasirrelevant，butItellyou，Squire，Iknowasheep-killin'dawg，andjes'asIknowJackAIN'T，IknowtheDillondawgnaturelyis，andItellyou，iftheDillons'dawgkilledthatsheepandtheycouldputitonJack——they'ddoit。They'ddoit——Squire，an'Itellyou，you——ortern't——tolet——thatsheriff——thar——shootmy——dog——untiltheDillonsanswerswhatIaxed——"theboy'spassionatecryrangagainstthegreenwallsandouttheopeningandacrosstheriver——
"WHAR'SWHIZZER？"
TheboystartledthecrowdandtheoldSquirehimself，whoturnedquicklytotheDillons。
"Well，wharisWhizzer？"
Nobodyanswered。
"Heain'tbeenseen，Squire，sencetheevenin'aforethenighto'thekillin'！"Chad'sstatementseemedtobetrue。Notavoicecontradicted。
"An'IwanttoknowifDawsseedsignso'killin'onJack'sheadwhenhejumpedthefence，whythemsamesignsdidn'tshowwhenhegothome。"
PoorChad！HereoldTadDillonraisedhishand。
"AxetheTurners，Squire，"hesaid，andastheschool-masterontheoutskirtsshrank，asthoughhemeanttoleavethecrowd，theoldman'squickeyecaughtthemovementandheadded：
"Axetheschool-teacher！"
EveryeyeturnedwiththeSquire'stothemaster，whosefacewasstrangelyseriousstraightway。
"Didyouseeanysignsonthedawgwhenhegothome？"Thegauntmanhesitatedwithoneswiftglanceattheboy，whoalmostpaledinanswer。
"Why，"saidtheschool-master，andagainhehesitated，butoldJoel，inavoicethatwaswithouthope，encouragedhim：
"Goon！"
"Whatwasthey？"
"Jackhadbloodonhismuzzle，andalittlestrando'woolbehindoneear。"
Therewasnohopeagainstthattestimony。Melissabrokeawayfromhermotherandranouttotheroad——weeping。Chaddroppedwithasobtohisbenchandputhisarmsaroundthedog：thenheroseupandwalkedouttheopeningwhileJackleapedagainsthisleashtofollow。Theschool-masterputouthishandtostophim，buttheboystruckitasidewithoutlookingupandwenton。hecouldnotstaytoseeJackcondemned。Heknewwhattheverdictwouldbe，andintwentyminutesthejurygaveit，withoutleavingtheirseats。
"Guilty！"
TheSheriffcameforward。HeknewJackandJackknewhim，andwaggedhistailandwhimperedupathimwhenhetooktheleash。
"Well，by——，thisisajobIdon'tlike，an'I'mdamnedefI'magoin'toshootthisdawgaforeheknowswhatI'mshootin'himfer。I'mgoin'toshowhimthatsheepfust。Whar'sthatsheep，Daws？"
Dawsledthewaydowntheroad，overthefence，acrossthemeadow，andupthehill-sidewherelaytheslainsheep。ChadandMelissasawthemcoming——thewholecrowd——beforetheythemselveswereseen。Foraminutetheboywatchedthem。TheyweregoingtokillJackwheretheDillonssaidhehadkilledthesheep，andtheboyjumpedtohisfeetandranupthehillalittlewayanddisappearedinthebushes，thathemightnothearJack'sdeath-shot，whileMelissasatwhereshewas，watchingthecrowdcomeon。Dawswasatthefootofthehill，andshesawhimmakeagesturetowardher，andthentheSheriffcameonwithJack——overthefence，pasther，theSheriffsaying，kindly，"Howdy，Melissa。IshorelyamsorrytahavetokillJack，"andontothedeadsheep，whichlayfiftyyardsbeyond。IftheSheriffexpectedtodropheadandtailandlookmeanhewasgreatlymistaken。Jackneitherhungbacknorsniffedatthecarcass。Insteadheputoneforefootonitandwiththeotherbentintheair，lookedwithoutshameintotheSheriff'seyes——asmuchastosay：
"Yes，thisisawickedandshamefulthing，butwhathaveIgottodowithit？
WhyareyoubringingMEhere？"
TheSheriffcamebackgreatlypuzzledandshakinghishead。PassingMelissa，hestoppedtolettheunhappylittlegirlgiveJackalastpat，anditwastherethatJacksuddenlycaughtscentofChad'stracks。WithonemightyboundthedogsnatchedtherawhidestringfromthecarelessSheriff'shand，andinamoment，withhisnosetotheground，wasspeedinguptowardthewoods。WithastartledyellandafrightfuloaththeSheriffthrewhisrifletohisshoulder，butthelittlegirlsprangupandcaughtthebarrelwithbothhands，shakingitfiercelyupanddownandhieingJackonwithshriekaftershriek。AminutelaterJackhaddisappearedinthebushes，Melissawasrunninglikethewinddownthehilltowardhome，whilethewholecrowdinthemeadowwasrushinguptowardtheSheriff，ledbytheDillons，whowereyellingandswearinglikemadmen。Abovethem，thecrestfallenSheriffwaited。
TheDillonscrowdedangrilyabouthim，gesticulatingandthreatening，whilehetoldhisstory。Butnothingcouldbedone——nothing。TheydidnotknowthatChadwasupinthewoodsortheywouldhavegoneinsearchofhim——knowingthatwhentheyfoundhimtheywouldfindJack——buttolookforJacknowwouldbelikesearchingforaneedleinahay-stack。Therewasnothingtodo，then，buttowaitforJacktocomehome，whichhewouldsurelydo——togettoChad——anditwaswhileoldJoelwaspromisingthatthedogshouldbesurrenderedtotheSheriffthatlittleTadDillongaveanexcitedshriek。
"Lookupthar！"
AndupthereattheedgeofthewoodwasChadstandingand，athisfeet，Jacksittingonhishaunches，withhistongueoutandlookingasthoughnothinghadhappenedorcouldeverhappentoChadortohim。
"Comeuphyeh，"shoutedChad。
"Youcomedownhyeh，"shoutedtheSheriff，angrily。SoChadcamedown，withJacktrottingafterhim。Chadhadcutofftherawhidestring，buttheSheriffcaughtJackbythenapeoftheneck。
"Youwon'tgitawayfrommeagin，Ireckon。"
"Well，Ireckonyouain'tgoin'toshoothim，"saidChad。"Leggothatdawg。"
"Don'tbeafool，Jim，"saidoldJoel。"Thedawgain'tgoin'toleavetheboy。"TheSheriffletgo。
"Comeonuphyeh，"saidChad。"Igotsomethin'toshowye。"
TheboyturnedwithsuchcertaintythatwithoutawordSquire，Sheriff，Turners，Dillons，andspectatorsfollowed。Astheyapproachedadeepravinetheboypointedtothegroundwherewereevidencesofsomefiercestruggle——thedirtthrownup，andseveralsmallstonesscatteredaboutwithfadedstainsofbloodonthem。
"Waithyeh！"saidtheboy，andhesliddowntheravineandappearedagaindraggingsomethingafterhim。TallTomrandowntohelphimandthetwothrewbeforetheastonishedcrowdthebodyofablackandwhitedog。"NowIreckonyouknowwharWhizzeris，"pantedChadvindictivelytotheDillons。
"Well，whatofit？"snappedDaws"Oh，nothin'，"saidtheboywithfinesarcasm。"OnlyWHIZZERkilledthatsheepandJackkilledWhizzer。"FromeveryDillonthroatcameascornfulgrunt。
"Oh，Ireckonso，"saidChad，easily。"Lookdhar！"Heliftedthedeaddog'shead，andpointedatthestrandsofwoolbetweenhisteeth。Heturneditover，showingthedeadlygripinthethroatandclosetothejaws，thathadchokedthelifefromWhizzer——Jack'sowngrip。
"Efyouwilljes'rickollect，Jackhadthatsamegripthetimeafore——whenI
pulledhimoffo'Whizzer。"
"By——，thatisso，"saidTallTom，andDolphandRubeechoedhimamidadozenvoices，fornotonlyoldJoel，butmanyofhisneighborsknewJack'smethodoffighting，whichhadmadehimavictorupanddownthelengthofKingdomCome。
Therewaslittledoubtthattheboywasright——thatJackhadcomeonWhizzerkillingthesheep，andhadcaughthimattheedgeoftheravine，wherethetwohadfought，rollingdownandsettlingtheoldfeudbetweentheminthedarknessatthebottom。Andupthereonthehill-side，thejurythatpronouncedJackguiltypronouncedhiminnocent，and，astheTurnersstartedjoyfullydownthehill，thesunthatwastohavesunkonJackstiffindeathsankonJackfriskingbeforethem——home。
AndyetanotherwonderwasinstoreforChad。AstrangehorsewithastrangesaddlewashitchedtotheTurnerfence；besideitwasanoldmarewithaboy'ssaddle，andasChadcamethroughthegateafamiliarvoicecalledhimcheerilybyname。OntheporchsatMajorBuford。
CHAPTER14。THEMAJORINTHEMOUNTAINS
ThequiveringheatofAugustwasgivingwayandthegoldenpeaceofautumnwasspreadingthroughtheland。Thebreathofmountainwoodsbydaywasascoolasthebreathofvalleysatnight。Inthemountains，boyandgirlwereleavingschoolforworkinthefields，andfromtheCumberlandfoothillstotheOhio，boyandgirlwereleavinghappyholidaysforschool。Alongarough，rockyroadanddownashiningriver，nowsunktodeeppoolswithtricklingrifflesbetween——foradrouthwasontheland——rodeatall，gauntmanonanoldbrownmarethatswitchedwithhertailnowandthenatalong-legged，rough-hairedcoltstumblingawkwardlybehind。Wheretheroadturnedfromtheriverandupthemountain，themandidapeculiarthing，forthere，inthatlonelywilderness，hestopped，dismounted，tiedthereinstoanoverhangingbranchand，leavingmareandcoltbehind，strodeupthemountain，onandon，disappearingoverthetop。Halfanhourlater，asturdyyouthhoveinsight，trudgingalongthesameroadwithhiscapinhishand，alongrifleoveroneshoulderandadogtrottingathisheels。Nowandthentheboywouldlookbackandscoldthedogandthedogwoulddrophismuzzlewithshame，untiltheboystoopedtopathimonthehead，whenhewouldleapfriskingbeforehim，untilanotheraffectionatescoldingwasdue。Theoldmareturnedherheadwhensheheardthemcoming，andnickered。Withoutamoment'shesitationtheladuntiedher，mountedandrodeupthemountain。Fortwodaysthemanandtheboyhadbeen"ridingandtying，"asthiswayoftravelfortwomenandonehorseisstillknowninthehills，andoverthemountain，theyweretocometogetherforthenight。Atthefootofthespurontheotherside，boyanddogcameuponthetallmansprawledatfulllengthacrossamoss-coveredbowlder。Thedogdroppedbehind，buttheman'squickeyecaughthim：
"Where'dthatdogcomefrom，Chad？"Jackputhisbellytotheearthandcrawledslowlyforward——penitent，butdetermined。
"Hebrokeloose，Ireckon。Hecometearin'upbehindme'boutanhourago，likeahouseafire。Lethimgo。"CalebHazelfrowned。
"Itoldyou，Chad，thatwe'dhavenoplacetokeephim。"
"Well，wecansendhimhomeaseasyfromuptharaswecanfromhyeh——lethimgo。"
"Allright！"Chadunderstoodnotawhitbetterthanthedog；forJackleapedtohisfeetandjumpedaroundtheschool-master，tryingtolickhishands，buttheschool-masterwasabsorbedandwouldnoneofhim。There，themountain-pathturnedintoawagon-roadandtheschool-masterpointedwithonefinger。
"Doyouknowwhatthatis，Chad？"
"No，sir。"Chadsaid"sir"totheschool-masternow。
"Well，that's"——theschool-masterpausedtogivehiswordseffect——"that'stheoldWildernessRoad。"
Ah，didhenotknowtheold，oldWildernessRoad！Theboygrippedhisrifleunconsciously，asthoughtheremightyetbeasavagelyinginambushinsomecovertofrhododendroncloseby。And，astheytrudgedahead，sidebysidenow，foritwasgrowinglate，theschool-mastertoldhim，asoftenbefore，thestoryofthatroadandthepioneerswhohadtrodit——thehunters，adventurers，emigrants，fineladiesandfinegentlemenwhohadstaineditwiththeirblood；andhowthatroadhadbroadenedintothemightywayforagreatcivilizationfromseatosea。Theladcouldseeitall，ashelistened，wishingthathehadlivedinthosestirringdays，neverdreaminginhowlittlewasheofdifferentmouldfromthestout-heartedpioneerswhobeatoutthepathwiththeirmoccasinedfeet；howlittlelessfullofdangerwerehisowndaystobe；howlittledifferenthadbeenhisownlife，andwashisourposenow——howlittledifferentafterallwasthebourntowhichhisownrestlessfeetwerebearinghim。
ChadhadchangedagooddealsincethatnightafterJack'strial，whenthekind-heartedoldMajorhadturnedupatJoel'scabintotakehimbacktotheBluegrass。Hewastaller，broaderatshoulder，deeperofchest；hismouthandeyeswereprematurelygravefrommuchbroodingandlookedalittledefiant，asthoughtheboyexpectedhostilityfromtheworldandwaspreparedtomeetit，buttherewasnobitternessinthem，andluminousabouttheladwastheoldatmosphereofbrave，sunnycheerandsimpleself-trustthatwonpeopletohim。
TheMajorandoldJoelhadtalkedlatethatnightafterJack'strial。TheMajorhadcomedowntofindoutwhoChadwas，ifpossible，andtotakehimbackhome，nomatterwhohemightbe。Theoldhunterlookedlongintothefire。
"Co'seIknowhit'udbebetterferChad，but，Lawd，howwe'dhatetogivehimup。Still，IreckonI'llhavetolethimgo，butIcanstandhitbetter，ifyoucangithimtoleaveJackhyeh。"TheMajorsmiled。DidoldJoelknowwhereNathanCherrylived？Theoldhunterdid。Nathanwasa"damnedoldskinflintwholivedacrossthemountainonStoneCreek——whostoleotherfolks'farmsandifheknewanythingaboutChadtheoldhunterwouldsqueezeitoutofhisthroat；andifoldNathan，learningwhereChadnowwas，triedtopesterhimhewouldbreakeveryboneintheskinflint'sbody。"SotheMajorandoldJoelrodeovernextdaytoseeNathan，andNathanwithhisshiftingeyestoldthemChad'sstoryinahigh，crackedvoicethat，recallingChad'simitationofit，madetheMajorlaugh。Chadwasafoundling，Nathansaid：hismotherwasdeadandhisfatherhadgoneofftotheMexicanWarandnevercomeback：hehadtakenthemotherinhimselfandChadhadbeenborninhisownhouse，whenhelivedfartheruptheriver，andtheboyhadbeguntorunawayassoonashewasoldenoughtotoddle。AndwitheachsentenceNathanwouldcallforconfirmationonasilent，dark-faceddaughterwhosatinside："Didn'the，Betsy？"or"Wasn'the，gal？"Andthegirlwouldnodsullenly，butsaynothing。Itseemedahopelessmissionexceptthat，onthewayback，theMajorlearnedthattherewereoneortwoBufordslivingdowntheCumberland，andlikeoldJoel，shookhisheadoverNathan'spharisaicalphilanthropytoahomelessboyandwonderedwhatthemotiveunderitwas——buthewentbackwiththeoldhunterandtriedtogetChadtogohomewithhim。
Theboywasrock-firminhisrefusal。
"I'mobleegedtoyou，Major，butIreckonIbetterstayinthemountains。"
ThatwasallChadwouldsay，andatlasttheMajorgaveupandrodebackoverthemountainanddowntheCumberlandalone，stillonhisquest。Atablacksmith'sshopfardowntheriverhefoundamanwhohad"heerdtellofaChadBufordwhohadbeenkilledintheMexicanWarandwhosedaddylived'boutfifteenmiledowntheriver。"TheMajorfoundthatBuforddead，butanoldwomantoldhimhisnamewasChad，thathehad"fitintheWaro'1812
whenhewasnothin'butachunkofaboy，andthathisdaddy，whosename，too，wasChad，hadbeenkilledbyInjunssome'eresaroun'CumberlandGap。"BythistimetheMajorwasaskeenasahoundonthescent，and，inacabinatthefootofthesheergraywallthatcrumblesintotheGap，hehadtheamazinglucktofindanoctogenarianwithanuncloudedmemorywhocouldrecollectaqueer-lookingoldmanwhohadbeenkilledbyIndians——"aolefellerwiththecuriosesthairIeverdidsee，"addedthepatriarch。HisnamewasColonelBuford，andtheoldmanknewwherehewasburied，forhehimselfwasoldenoughatthetimetohelpburyhim。Greatlyexcited，theMajorhiredmountaineerstodigintothelittlehillthattheoldmanpointedout，onwhichtherewas，however，nosignofagrave，and，atlast，theyuncoveredtheskeletonofanoldgentlemaninawigandperuke！Therewaslittledoubtnowthattheboy，nomatterwhattheblotonhis'scutcheon，wasofhisownfleshandblood，andtheMajorwastemptedtogobackatonceforhim，butitwasalongway，andhewasillandanxioustogetbackhome。SohetooktheWildernessRoadfortheBluegrass，andwroteoldJoelthefactsandaskedhimtosendChadtohimwheneverhewouldcome。Buttheboywouldnotgo。Therewasnodefinitereasoninhismind。Itwasastubborninstinctmerely——theinstinctofpride，ofstubbornindependence——ofshamethatfesteredinhissoullikeahornet'ssting。EvenMelissaurgedhim。ShenevertiredofhearingChadtellabouttheBluegrasscountry，andwhensheknewthattheMajorwantedhimtogoback，shefollowedhimoutintheyardthatnightandfoundhimonthefencewhittling。Aredstarwassinkingbehindthemountains。"Whywon'tyougobacknomore，Chad？"shesaid。
"'CauseIHAIN'Tgotnodaddyermammy。"ThenMelissastartledhim。
"Well，I'dgo——an'Ihain'tgotnodaddyermammy。"Chadstoppedhiswhittling。
"Whut'dyousay，Lissy？"heasked，gravely。
Melissawasfrightened——theboylookedsoserious。
"Crossyo'heartan'bodythatyouwon'tNUVERtellNObody。"Chadcrossed。
"Well，mammysaidImustn'tevertellnobody——butIHAIN'Tgotnodaddyermammy。Iheerdhera-tellin'theschool-teacher。"Andthelittlegirlshookherheadoverherfrightfulcrimeofdisobedience。
"YouHAIN'T？"
"IHAIN'T！"
Melissa，too，wasawaif，andChadlookedatherwithawaveofnewaffectionandpity。
"Now，whywon'tyougobackjustbecauseyouhain'tgotnodaddyan'mammy？"
Chadhesitated。TherewasnousemakingMelissaunhappy。
"Oh，I'djustrutherstayhyehinthemountains，"hesaid，carelessly——lyingsuddenlylikethelittlegentlemanthathewas——lyingasheknew，andasMelissasomedaywouldcometoknow。ThenChadlookedatthelittlegirlalongwhile，andinsuchaqueerwaythatMelissaturnedherfaceshylytotheredstar。
"I'mgoin'tostayrighthyeh。Ain'tyouglad，Lissy？"
Thelittlegirlturnedhereyesshylybackagain。"Yes，Chad，"shesaid。
Hewouldstayinthemountainsandworkhard；andwhenhegrewuphewouldmarryMelissaandtheywouldgoawaywherenobodyknewhimorher：ortheywouldstayrightthereinthemountainswherenobodyblamedhimforwhathewasnorMelissaforwhatshewas；andhewouldstudylawlikeCalebHazel，andgototheLegislature——butMelissa！AndwiththethoughtofMelissainthemountainscamealwaysthethoughtofdaintyMargaretintheBluegrassandthechasmthatlaybetweenthetwo——betweenMargaretandhim，forthatmatter；andwhenMotherTurnercalledMelissafromhimintheorchardnextday，Chadlayonhisbackunderanapple-tree，foralongwhile，thinking；
andthenhewhistledforJackandclimbedthespurabovetheriverwherehecouldlookdownontheshadowedwaterandouttothecloudedheapsofroseandgreenandcrimson，wherethesunwasgoingdownunderonefaintwhitestar。Melissawastheglow-wormthat，whendarknesscame，wouldbeawatch-fireathisfeet——Margaret，thestartowhichhiseyeswereliftednightandday——andsorunstheworld。Helaylongwatchingthatstar。Ithungalmostovertheworldofwhichhehaddreamedsolonganduponwhichhehadturnedhisbackforever。Forever？Perhaps，buthewentbackhomethatnightwithatroubleinhissoulthatwasnottopass，andwhilehesatbythefireheawokefromthesamedreamtofindMelissa'sbigeyesfixedonhim，andinthemwasavaguetroublethatwasmorethanhisownreflectedbacktohim。
Stilltheboywentbacksturdilytohisoldlife，workinginthefields，busyaboutthehouseandstable，goingtoschool，readingandstudyingwiththeschool-masteratnights，andwanderinginthewoodswithJackandhisrifle。
AndhehungeredforspringtocomeagainwhenheshouldgowiththeTurnerboystotakeanotherraftoflogsdowntherivertothecapital。Springcame，andgoingouttothebackpastureonemorning，Chadfoundalong-legged，ungainlycreaturestumblingawkwardlyabouthisoldmare——acolt！That，too，heowedtheMajor，andhewouldhaveburstwithpridehadheknownthatthecolt'ssirewasafamousstallionintheBluegrass。Thatspringhedidgodowntheriveragain。HedidnotlettheMajorknowhewascomingand，throughanamelessshyness，hecouldnotbringhimselftogotoseehisoldfriendandkinsman，butinLexington，whileheandtheschool-masterwerestandingonCheapside，theMajorwhirledaroundacornerontheminhiscarriage，and，asontheturnpikeayearbefore，oldTom，thedriver，calledout：
"Lookdar，MarsCal！"AndtherestoodChad。
"Why，blessmysoul！Chad——why，boy！Howyouhavegrown！"ForChadhadgrown，andhisfacewascuriouslyagedandthoughtful。TheMajorinsistedontakinghimhome，andtheschool-master，too，whowentreluctantly。MissLucywasthere，lookingwhiterandmorefragilethanever，andshegreetedChadwithasweetkindlinessthattookthestingfromhisunjustremembranceofher。AndwhatthatfailuretounderstandhermusthavebeenChadbetterknewwhenhesawtheembarrassedawe，inherpresence，oftheschool-master，forwhomallinthemountainshadsomuchreverence。AtthetablewasThankyma'amwaiting。
Aroundthequartersandthestablethepickaninniesandservantsseemedtoremembertheboyinakindlygenuinewaythattouchedhim，andevenJeromeConners，theoverseer，seemedgladtoseehim。TheMajorwasdrawnatoncetothegraveschool-master，andhehadalongtalkwithhimthatnight。Itwasnouse，CalebHazelsaid，tryingtopersuadetheboytolivewiththeMajor——notyet。AndtheMajorwasmorecontentwhenhecametoknowinwhatgoodhandstheboywas，and，downinhisheart，helovedtheladthemoreforhissturdyindependence，andforthepridethatmadehimshrinkfromfacingtheworldwiththeshameofhisbirth；knowingthatChadthoughtofhimperhapsmorethanofhimself。Suchunwillingnesstogiveotherstroubleseemedremarkableinsoyoungalad。NotoncedidtheMajormentiontheDeanstotheboy，andaboutthemChadaskednoquestions——notevenwhenhesawtheircarriagepassingtheMajor'sgate。WhentheycametoleavetheMajorsaid：
"Well，Chad，whenthatfillyofyoursisayearold，I'llbuy'embothfromyou，ifyou'llsell'em，andIreckonyoucancomeupandgotoschoolthen。"
Chadshookhishead。Sellthatcolt？HewouldassoonhavethoughtofsellingJack。Butthetemptationtookroot，justthesame，thenandthere，andgrewsteadilyuntil，afteranotheryearinthemountains，itgrewtoostrong。For，inthatyear，Chadgrewtolookthefactofhisbirthsteadilyintheface，andinhisheartgrewsteadilyaproudresolutiontomakehiswayintheworlddespiteit。ItwascurioushowMelissacametoknowthestrugglethatwasgoingonwithinhimandhowChadcametoknowthatsheknew——thoughnowordpassedbetweenthem：morecuriousstill，howitcamewithashocktoChadonedaytorealizehowlittlewasthetragedyofhislifeincomparisonwiththetragedyinhers，andtolearnthatthelittlegirlwithswiftvisionhadalreadyreachedthattruthandwithsweetunselfishnesshadreconciledherself。Hewasaboy——hecouldgooutintheworldandconquerit，whileherlifewasasrigidandstraightbeforeherasthoughitranbetweenclosewallsofrockassteepandsheerasthecliffacrosstheriver。Onethingheneverguessed——whatitcostthelittlegirltosupporthimbravelyinhispurpose，andtostandwithsmilingfacewhenthefirstbreathofonesombreautumnstolethroughthehills，andChadandtheschool-masterlefttheTurnerhomefortheBluegrass，thistimetostay。
Shestoodinthedoorwayaftertheyhadwavedgood-byfromtheheadoftheriver——thesmilegoneandherfaceinasuddendarkeclipse。Thewiseoldmotherwentin-doors。Oncethegirlstartedthroughtheyardasthoughshewouldrushafterthemandstoppedatthegate，clinchingithardwithbothhands。Assuddenlyshebecamequiet。
Shewentin-doorstoherworkandworkedquietlyandwithoutaword。Thusshedidalldaywhilehermindandherheartached。WhenshewentafterthecowsbeforesunsetshestoppedatthebarnwhereBeelzebubhadbeentied。Sheliftedhereyestothehay-loftwheresheandChadhadhuntedforhens'eggsandplayedhide-and-seek。Shepassedthroughtheorchardwheretheyhadworkedandplayedsomanyhappyhours，andontothebackpasturewheretheDillonsheephadbeenkilledandshehadkepttheSherifffromshootingJack。
Andshesawandnotedeverythingwithapiteouspainanddryeyes。Butshegavenosignthatnight，andnotuntilshewasinbeddidshewithcoveredheadgiveway。Thenthebedshookwithhersmotheredsobs。Thisisthesadwaywithwomen。Afterthewayofmen，ChadproudlymarchedtheoldWildernessRoadthatledtoabig，bright，beautifulworldwhereonehadbuttodoanddaretoreachthestars。Themenwhohadtrodthatroadhadmadethatbigworldbeyond，andtheirlifeChadhimselfhadlivedsofar。Only，wheretheyhadlivedhehadbeenborn——inalogcabin。Theirweapons——theaxeandtherifle——hadbeenhis。HehadhadthesamefightwithNatureasthey。Heknewaswellastheywhatlifeinthewoodsin"ahalf-facedcamp"was。Theirrudesportsandpastimes，theirlog-rollings，house-raisings，quiltingparties，corn-huskings，featsofstrength，hadbeenhis。Hehadthesamelynxeyes，coolcourage，swiftnessoffoot，readinessofresourcethathadbeentrainedintothem。Hisheartwasasstoutandhislifeassimpleandpure。Hewastakingtheirpathand，inthefarWest，beyondtheBluegrassworldwherehewasgoing，hecould，ifhepleased，takeupthesamelifeattheprecisepointwheretheyhadleftoff。Atsunset，Chadandtheschool-masterstoodonthesummitoftheCumberlandfoothillsandlookedovertherollinglandwithlittlelessofathrill，doubtless，thanthefirsthuntersfeltwhenthelandbeforethemwasasmuchawildernessasthewildsthroughwhichtheyhadmadetheirway。Belowthemafarmhouseshrankhalfoutofsightintoalittlehollow，andtowardittheywentdown。
Theoutsideworldhadmovedswiftlyduringthetwoyearsthattheyhadbeenburiedinthehillsastheylearnedatthefarm-housethatnight。Alreadythenationalstormwasthreatening，theairwaselectricallychargedwithalarms，andalreadyhereandtherethelightninghadflashed。Theundergroundrailwaywasbusywithblackfreight，andJohnBrown，fanatic，wasboldlyliftinghisshaggyhead。OldBrutusDeanwasevenpublishinganabolitionistpaperatLexington，thearistocraticheartoftheState。HewasmakingabolitionspeechesthroughouttheBluegrasswithadaggerthrustinthetablebeforehim——shakinghisblackmaneandroaringdefiancelikealion。ThenewsthrilledChadunaccountably，asdidtheshadowofanydanger，butitthrewtheschool-masterintogloom。Therewasmore。AdarklittlemanbythenameofDouglasandasinewygiantbythenameofLincolnwerethrillingtheWest。
PhillipsandGarrisonwerethunderinginMassachusetts，andfierytonguesintheSouthwereflashingbackscornfulchallengesandthreatsthatwouldimperilanation。Aninvisibleair-lineshotsuddenlybetweentheNorthandtheSouth，destinedtodropsomedayandlieadead-lineontheearth，andoneachsideofittwohordesofbrothers，whothoughtthemselvestwohostilepeoples，wereshrinkingawayfromeachotherwiththehalf-consciouspurposeofmakingreadyforacharge。InnootherStateintheUnionwasthefratricidalcharacterofthecomingwartobesomarkedasinKentucky，innootherStatewasthenationaldramatobesofullyplayedtothebitterend。
Thatnighteven，BrutusDeanwasgoingtospeaknearby，andChadandCalebHazelwenttohearhim。ThefierceabolitionistfirstplacedaBiblebeforehim。
"Thisisforthosewhobelieveinreligion，"hesaid；thenacopyoftheConstitution："thisforthosewhobelieveinthelawsandinfreedomofspeech。Andthis，"hethundered，drivingadaggerintothetableandleavingittoquiverthere，"isfortherest！"Thenhewentonandnomandaredtointerrupt。
Andonlynextdaycametherushofwindthatheraldsthestorm。JustoutsideofLexingtonChadandtheschool-masterleftthemareandcoltatafarm-houseandwithJackwentintotownonfoot。ItwasSaturdayafternoon，thetownwasfullofpeople，andanexcitedcrowdwaspressingalongMainStreettowardCheapside。Themanandtheboyfollowedeagerly。Cheapsidewasthronged——thickestaroundaframebuildingthatboreanewspapersignonwhichwasthenameofBrutusDean。Amandashedfromahardwarestorewithanaxe，followedbyseveralotherswithheavyhammersintheirhands。Oneswingoftheaxe，thedoorwascrashedopenandthecrowdwentinlikewolves。
Shatteredwindows，sashesandall，flewoutintothestreet，followedbyshowersoftype，chair-legs，table-tops，andthen，piecebypiece，thebatteredcogs，wheels，andformsofaprinting-press。Thecrowdmadelittlenoise。Infifteenminutesthehousewasashellwithgapingwindows，surroundedwithapileofchaoticrubbish，andthemenwhohaddonetheworkquietlydisappeared。Chadlookedattheschool-masterforthefirsttimeneitherofthemhadutteredaword。Theschool-master'sfacewaswhitewithanger，hishandswereclinched，andhiseyesweresofierceandburningthattheboywasfrightened。
CHAPTER15。TOCOLLEGEINTHEBLUEGRASS
Astheschool-masterhadforetold，therewasnoroomatcollegeforJack。
SeveraltimesMajorBufordtookthedoghomewithhim，butJackwouldnotstay。ThenextmorningthedogwouldturnupatthedoorofthedormitorywhereChadandtheschool-masterslept，andasalastresorttheboyhadtosendJackhome。So，oneSundaymorningChadledJackoutofthetownforseveralmiles，andatthetopofahighhillpointedtowardthemountainsandsternlytoldhimtogohome。AndJack，understandingthattheboywasinearnest，trottedsadlyawaywithaplacardaroundhisneck：
Iownthisdog。HisnameisJack。HeisonhiswaytoKingdomCome。Pleasefeedhim。UncleJoelTurnerwillshootanymanwhosteelshim。CHAD。
ItwasnolittleconsolationtoChadtothinkthatthefaithfulsheep-dogwouldinnosmallmeasurerepaytheTurnersforalltheyhaddoneforhim。
ButJackwastheclosestlinkthatboundhimtothemountains，anddroppingoutofsightbehindthecrestofthehill，ChadcrepttothetopagainandwatchedJackuntilhetrottedoutofsight，andthelinkwasbroken。ThenChadwentslowlyandsorrowfullybacktohisroom。
Itwasthesmallestroominthedormitorythattheschool-masterhadchosenforhimselfandChad，andinitwereonecloset，onetable，onelamp，twochairsandonebed——nomore。Thereweretwowindowsinthelittleroom——onealmostsweptbythebranchesofalocust-treeandoverlookingthebrown-grayslopingcampusandtheroofsandchurch-steeplesofthetown——theotheropeningtotheeastonasweepoffieldandwoodlandoverwhichthesunrosewithadailymessagefromtheunseenmountainsfarbeyondandtowardwhichChadhadsentJacktrottinghome。ItwasaprouddayforChadwhenCalebHazeltookhimto"matriculate"——leadinghimfromonetoanotheroftheprofessors，whoawedtheladwiththeirpreternaturaldignity，butitwasasadblowwhenhewastoldthatineverythingbutmathematicshemustgotothepreparatorydepartmentuntilthesecondsessionoftheterm——the"kitchen，"asitwascalledbythestudents。Heboreitbravely，though，andtheschool-mastertookhimdowntheshadystreetstothebusythoroughfare，wheretheofficialbook-storewas，andwhereChad，withpureecstasy，caughthisfirstnewbooksunderonearmandtrudgedback，bendinghisheadnowandthentocatchthedelicioussmellofthefreshleavesandprint。Itwaswhilehewasstandingwithhistreasuresunderthebigelmattheturnstile，lookingacrossthecampusatthesundownthattwoboyscamedownthegravelpath。HeknewthembothatonceasDanandHarryDean。Bothlookedathimcuriously，ashethought，buthesawthatneitherknewhimandnoonespoke。
Thesoundofwheelscameupthestreetbehindhimjustthen，andacarriagehaltedattheturnstiletotakethemin。Turning，Chadsawaslendergirlwithdarkhairandeyesandheardhercallbrightlytotheboys。Healmostcaughthisbreathatthesoundofhervoice，buthekeptsturdilyonhisway，andthegirl'slaughranginhisearsasitrangthefirsttimeheheardit，wasringingwhenhereachedhisroom，ringingwhenhewenttobedthatnight，andlaysleepless，lookingthroughhiswindowatthequietstars。
Forsometime，indeed，noonerecognizedhim，andChadwasglad。OncehemetRichardHuntridingwithMargaret，andthepiercingdarkeyesthattheboyrememberedsowellturnedagaintolookathim。Chadcoloredandbravelymetthemwithhisown，buttherewasnorecognition。AndhesawJohnMorgan——CaptainJohnMorgan——attheheadofthe"LexingtonRifles，"whichhehadjustformedfromthebestbloodofthetown，asthoughinlongpreparationforthatcomingwar——sawhimandRichardHunt，aslieutenant，drillingtheminthecampus，andthesightthrilledhimasnothingelse，exceptMargaret，hadeverdone。ManytimeshemettheDeanbrothersontheplaygroundandinthestreets，buttherewasnosignthathewasknownuntilhewascalledtotheblackboardonedayingeometry，theonlycourseinwhichhehadnotbeensenttothe"kitchen。"ThenChadsawHarryturnquicklywhentheprofessorcalledhisname。Confusedthoughhewasforamoment，hegavehisdemonstrationinhisquaintspeechwithperfectclearnessandwithoutinterruptionfromtheprofessor，whogavetheboyakeenlookashesaid，quietly：
"Verygood，sir！"AndHarrycouldseehisfingerstracinginhisclass-bookthefiguresthatmeantaperfectrecitation。
"Howareyou，Chad？"hesaidinthehallwayafterward。
"Howdye！"saidChad，shakingtheprofferedhand。
"Ididn'tknowyou——you'vegrownsotall。Didn'tyouknowme？"
"Yes。"
"Thenwhydidn'tyouspeaktome？"
"'Causeyoudidn'tknowME。"
Harrylaughed。"Well，thatisn'tfair。Seeyouagain。"
"Allright，"saidChad。
ThatveryafternoonChadmetDaninafootballgame——anold-fashionedgame，inwhichthereweretwentyorthirtyhowlingladsoneachsideandnobodytouchedtheballexceptwithhisfoot——methimsoviolentlythat，claspedineachother'sarms，theytumbledtotheground。
"Leggo！"saidDan。
"S'poseyouleggo！"saidChad。
AsDanstartedaftertheballheturnedtolookatChadandafterthegamehewentuptohim。
"Why，aren'tyoutheboywhowasoutatMajorBuford'sonce？"
"Yes。"Danthrustouthishandandbegantolaugh。SodidChad，andeachknewthattheotherwasthinkingofthetournament。
"Incollege？"
"Math'matics，"saidChad。"I'minthekitchenfertherest。"
"Oh！"saidDan。"Whereyouliving？"Chadpointedtothedormitory，andagainDansaid"Oh！"inawaythatmadeChadflush，butadded，quickly：
"Youbetterplayonoursideto-morrow。"
Chadlookedathisclothes——foot-ballseemedprettyhardonclothes——"Idon'tknow，"hesaid——"mebbe。"
ItwasplainthatneitheroftheboyswasholdinganythingagainstChad，butneitherhadaskedthemountainladtocometoseehim——anomissionthatwasalmostunforgivableaccordingtoChad'ssocialethics。SoChadproudlywentintohisshellagain，andwhilethethreeboysmetoften，nointimacydeveloped。OftenhesawthemwithMargaret，onthestreet，inacarriageorwalkingwithalaughingcrowdofboysandgirls；ontheporticosofoldhousesorintheyards；and，onenight，Chadsaw，throughthewide-opendoorofacertainoldhouseonthecornerofMillandMarketStreets，apartygoingon；andMargaret，allinwhite，dancing，andhestoodintheshadeofthetreesoppositewithnewpangsshootingthroughhimandwentbacktohisroomindesolateloneliness，butwithanewgriponhisresolutionthathisowndayshouldyetcome。
Steadilytheboyworked，forginghiswayslowlybutsurelytowardtheheadofhisclassinthe"kitchen，"andtheschool-masterhelpedhimunwearyingly。
Anditwasagreathelp——mentalandspiritual——tobenearthesternPuritan，wholovedtheboyasabrotherandwaseverreadytoguidehimwithcounselandaidhimwithhisstudies。IntimetheMajorwenttothepresidenttoaskhimaboutChad，andthataugustdignitaryspokeoftheladinawaythatmadetheMajor，onhiswaythroughthecampus，swishthroughthegrasswithhiscaneingreatsatisfaction。Healwaysspokeoftheboynowashisadoptedsonand，wheneveritwaspossible，hecameintotakeChadouthometospendSundaywithhim；but，beingawisemanandlovingChad'sindependence，helettheboyhavehisownway。Hehadboughtthefilly——andwouldholdher，hesaid，untilChadcouldbuyherback，andhewouldkeeptheoldnagasabroodmareandwoulddivideprofitswithChad——toallofwhichtheboyagreed。
Thequestionofthelad'sbirthwasignoredbetweenthem，andtheMajorrarelyspoketoChadoftheDeans，whowerelivingintownduringthewinter，norquestionedhimaboutDanorHarryorMargaret。ButChadhadfoundoutwherethelittlegirlwenttochurch，andeverySunday，despiteCalebHazel'sprotest，hewouldslipintotheEpiscopalchurch，withaqueerfeeling——littleCalvinistofthehillsthathewasthatitwasnotquiterightforhimeventoenterthatchurch；andhewouldwatchthelittlegirlcomeinwithherfamilyand，afterthequeerwayofthese"furriners，"kneelfirstinprayer。Andthere，withsoulupliftedbythedimrichlightandthepealoftheorgan，hewouldsitwatchingher；risingwhensherose，watchingthelightfromthewindowsonhershininghairandsweet-spiritedface，watchingherreverentlittleheadbendinobeisancetothenameoftheMaster，thoughhekepthisownheldstraight，fornoPoperylikethatwasforhim。
Always，however，hewouldslipoutbeforetheservicewasquiteoverandneverwaiteventoseehercomeoutofchurch。Hewastooproudforthatand，anyhow，itmadehimlonelytoseethepeoplegreetingoneanotherandchattingandgoingoffhometogetherwhentherewasnotasoultospeaktohim。ItwasjustonesuchSundaythattheycamefacetofaceforthefirsttime。Chadhadgonedownthestreetafterleavingthechurch，hadchangedhismindandwasgoingbacktohisroom。Peoplewerepouringfromthechurch，ashewentby，butChaddidnotevenlookacross。Aclatterrosebehindhimandheturnedtoseeahorseandrockawaycomingatagallopupthestreet，whichwasnarrow。
Thenegrodriver，frightenedthoughhewas，hadsenseenoughtopullhisrunninghorseawayfromthelineofvehiclesinfrontofthechurchsothatthebeaststumbledagainstthecurb-stone，crashedintoatree，anddroppedstrugglinginthegutterbelowanotherlineofvehicleswaitingontheothersideofthestreet。Likelightning，Chadleapedandlandedfulllengthonthehorse'sheadandwastossedviolentlytoandfro，butheheldonuntiltheanimallaystill。
"Unhitchthehoss，"hecalled，sharply。
"Well，thatwasprettyquickworkforaboy，"saidavoiceacrossthestreetthatsoundedfamiliar，andChadlookedacrosstoseeGeneralDeanandMargaretwatchinghim。TheboyblushedfuriouslywhenhiseyesmetMargaret'sandhethoughthesawherstartslightly，butheloweredhiseyesandhurriedaway。
Itwasonlyafewdayslaterthat，goingupfromtowntowardthecampus，heturnedacornerandtherewasMargaretaloneandmovingslowlyaheadofhim。
Hearinghisstepssheturnedherheadtoseewhoitwas，butChadkepthiseyesonthegroundandpassedherwithoutlookingup。Andthushewenton，althoughshewasclosebehindhim，acrossthestreetandtotheturnstile。Ashewaspassingthrough，avoicerosebehindhim：
"Youaren'tverypolite，littleboy。"Heturnedquickly——Margarethadnotgonearoundthecorner：she，too，wascomingthroughthecampusandthereshestood，graveanddemure，thoughhereyesweredancing。
"MymammasaysaNICElittleboyalwaysletsalittleGIRLgoFIRST。"
"Ididn'tknowyouwascomin'through。"
"Wascomin'through！"Margaretmadealittlefaceasthoughtosay——"Oh，dear。"
"IsaidIdidn'tknowyouwerecomingthroughthisway。"
Margaretshookherhead。"No，"shesaid；"no，youdidn't。"
"Well，that'swhatImeanttosay。"ChadwashavingahardtimewithhisEnglish。Hehadsnatchedhiscapfromhishead，hadsteppedbackoutsidethestileandwaswaitingtoturnitforher。Margaretpassedthroughandwaitedwherethepathsforked。
"Areyougoinguptothecollege？"sheasked。
"Iwas——butIain'tnow——ifyou'llletmewalkapiecewithyou。"Hewasscarletwithconfusion——atributethatChadrarelypaidhiskind。Hiswayoftalkingwasveryfunny，tobesure，buthadshenotheardherfathersaythat"thepoorlittlechaphadhadnochanceinlife；"andHarry，thatsomedayhewouldbethebestinhisclass？
"Aren'tyou——Chad？"
"Yes——ain'tyouMargaret——MissMargaret？"
"Yes，I'mMargaret。"Shewaspleasedwiththehesitanttitleandtheboy'shaltingreverence。
"An'Icalledyoualittlegal。"Margaret'slaughtinkledinmerryremembrance。"An'youwouldn'ttakemyfish。"
"Ican'tbeartotouchthem。"
"Iknow，"saidChad，rememberingMelissa。
TheypassedaboywhoknewChad，butnotMargaret。Theladtookoffhishat，butChaddidnotlifthis；thenaboyandagirland，whenonlythetwogirlsspoke，theotherboyliftedhishat，thoughhedidnotspeaktoMargaret。
StillChad'shatwasuntouchedandwhenMargaretlookedup，Chad'sfacewasredwithconfusionagain。Butitnevertooktheboylongtolearnand，thereafter，duringthewalkhishatcameoffunfailingly。EveryonelookedatthetwowithsomesurpriseandChadnoticedthatthelittlegirl'schinwasbeingliftedhigherandhigher。Hisintuitiontoldhimwhatthematterwas，andwhentheyreachedthestileacrossthecampusandChadsawacrowdofMargaret'sfriendscomingdownthestreet，hehaltedasiftoturnback，butthelittlegirltoldhimimperiouslytocomeon。ItwasastrangeescortforhaughtyMargaret——thecountry-lookingboy，incoarsehomespun——butMargaretspokecheerilytoherfriendsandwenton，lookingupatChadandtalkingtohimasthoughhewerethedearestfriendshehadonearth。
Attheedgeoftownshesuggestedthattheywalkacrossapastureandgobackbyanotherstreet，andnotuntiltheywerepassingthroughthewoodlanddidChadcometohimself。
"YouknowIdidn'trickollectwhenyoucalledme'littleboy。'"
"Indeed！"
"Notatfust，Imean，"stammeredChad。
Margaretgrewmock-haughtyandChadgrewgrave。Hespokeveryslowlyandsteadily。"IreckonIrickollectever'thingthathappenedouttharasightbetter'nyou。Iain'tforgotnothin'——anything。"
Theboy'ssoberandhalf-sullentonemadeMargaretcatchherbreathwithasuddenvaguealarm。
Unconsciouslyshequickenedherpace，but，already，shewasmistressofanarttowhichshewasbornandshesaid，lightly：
"Now，that'sMUCHbetter。"ApieceofpasteboarddroppedfromChad'sjacketjustthen，and，takingthelittlegirl'scuetoswervefromthepointatissue，hepickeditupandhelditoutforMargarettoread。ItwasthefirstcopyoftheplacardwhichhehadtiedaroundJack'sneckwhenhesenthimhome，anditsetMargarettolaughingandaskingquestions。BeforeheknewitChadwastellingheraboutJackandthemountains；howhehadrunaway；abouttheTurnersandaboutMelissaandcomingdowntheriveronaraft——allhehaddoneandallhemeanttodo。AndfromlookingatChadnowandthen，Margaretfinallykepthereyesfixedonhis——andthustheystoodwhentheyreachedthegate，whilecrowsflewcawingoverthemandtheairgrewchill。
"AnddidJackgohome？"
Chadlaughed。
"No，hedidn't。Hecomeback，andIhadtohidefertwodays。Then，becausehecouldn'tfindmehedidgo，thinkingIhadgonebacktothemountains，too。Hewenttolookferme。"
"Well，ifhecomesbackagainI'llaskmypapatogetthemtoletyoukeepJackatcollege，"saidMargaret。
Chadshookhishead。
"ThenI'llkeephimforyoumyself。"Theboylookedhisgratitude，butshookhisheadagain。
"Hewon'tstay。"
Margaretaskedfortheplacardagainastheymoveddownthestreet。
"You'vegotitspelledwrong，"shesaid，pointingto"steel。"Chadblushed。
"Ican'tspellwhenIwrite，"hesaid。"Ican'teventalk——right。"
"Butyou'lllearn，"shesaid。
"Willyouhelpme？"
"Yes。"
"TellmewhenIsaythingswrong？"
"Yes。"
"Where'mIgoin'toseeyou？"
Margaretshookherheadthoughtfully：thenthereasonforherspeakingfirsttoChadcameout。
"PapaandIsawyouonSunday，andpapasaidyoumustbeverystrongaswellasbrave，andthatyouknewsomethingabouthorses。Harrytolduswhoyouwerewhenpapadescribedyou，andthenIremembered。PapatoldHarrytobringyoutoseeus。Andyoumustcome，"shesaid，decisively。
Theyhadreachedtheturnstileatthecampusagain。
"Haveyouhadanymoretournaments？"askedMargaret。
"No，"saidChad，apprehensively。
"DoyourememberthelastthingIsaidtoyou？"
"Irickollectthatbetter'nanything，"saidChad。
"Well，Ididn'thateyou。I'msorryIsaidthat，"shesaidgently。Chadlookedveryserious。
"That'sallright，"hesaid。"Iseed——IsawyouonSunday，too。"
"Didyouknowme？"
"IreckonIdid。Andthatwasn'tthefusttime。"Margaret'seyeswereopeningwithsurprise。
"Ibeengoin'tochurchever'Sundayfernothin'elsebutjusttoseeyou。"
Againhistonegavehervaguealarm，butsheasked：
"Whydidn'tyouspeaktome？"
Theywerenearingtheturnstileacrossthecampusnow，andChaddidnotanswer。
"Whydidn'tyouspeaktome？"
Chadstoppedsuddenly，andMargaretlookedquicklyathim，andsawthathisfacewasscarlet。Thelittlegirlstartedandherownfaceflamed。Therewasonethingshehadforgotten，andevennowshecouldnotrecallwhatitwas——onlythatitwassomethingterribleshemustnotknow——oldMammy'swordswhenDanwascarriedinsenselessafterthetournament。Frightenedandhelpless，sheshranktowardtheturnstile，butChaddidnotwait。Withhiscapinhishand，heturnedabruptly，withoutasound，andstrodeaway。
CHAPTER16。AGAINTHEBARSINISTER
Andyet，thenexttimeChadsawMargaret，shespoketohimshylybutcordially，andwhenhedidnotcomenearher，shestoppedhimonthestreetonedayandremindedhimofhispromisetocomeandseethem。AndChadknewthetruthatonce——thatshehadneveraskedherfatherabouthim，buthadnotwantedtoknowwhatshehadbeentoldshemustnotknow，andhadproperlytakenitforgrantedthatherfatherwouldnotaskChadtohishouse，iftherewereagoodreasonwhyheshouldnotcome。ButChaddidnotgoeventotheChristmaspartythatMargaretgaveintown，thoughtheMajorurgedhim。HespentChristmaswiththeMajor，andhedidgotoacountryparty，wheretheMajorwasdelightedwiththeboy'sgraceandagilitydancingthequadrille，andwheretheladoccasionednolittleamusementwithhisimprovisationsinthewayofcuttingpigeon'swingsandshuffling，whichhehadlearnedinthemountains。SotheMajormadehimacceptaloanandbuyasuitforsocialpurposesafterChristmas，andhadhimgotoMadamBlake'sdancingschool，andpromisetogotothenextpartytowhichhewasasked。AndthatChaddid——tothebiggrayhouseonthecorner，throughwhosewidespreaddoorshislongingeyeshadwatchedMargaretandherfriendsflittinglikebutterfliesmonthsbefore。
Itintoxicatedtheboy——thelights，music，flowers，thelittlegirlsinwhite——andMargaret。Forthefirsttimehemetherfriends，NellieHunt，sistertoRichard；ElizabethMorgan，cousintoJohnMorgan；andMissJennieOverstreet，who，youngasshewas，wrotepoems——butChadhadeyesonlyforMargaret。Itwaswhilehewasdancingaquadrillewithher，thathenoticedatall，paleyouthwithblackhair，glaringathim，andherecognizedGeorgieForbes，achampionofMargaret，andtheoldenemywhohadcausedhisfirsttroubleinhisnewhome。Chadlaughedwithfearlessgladness，andMargarettossedherhead。ItwasGeorgienowwhoblackenedandspreadtheblotonChad'sgoodname，anditwasGeorgietowhomChad——fastlearningthewaysofgentlemen——promptlysentapompouschallenge，thatthedifficultymightbesettled"inanywaythegentlemansawfit。"Georgieinsultinglydeclinedtofightwithonewhowasnothisequal，andChadboxedhisjawsinthepresenceofacrowd，flooredhimwithoneblow，andcontemptuouslytwistedhisnose。
Thereafteropencommentceased。Chadwasmakinghimselfknown。Hewastheswiftestrunneronthefootballfield；hehadthequickestbraininmathematics；hewaselectedtothePericleanSociety，andastonishedhisfellow-memberswithafierydenunciationofthemenwhobanishedNapoleontoSt。Helena——sofierywasit，indeed，thathisopponentsthemselvesbegantowonderhowthatcrimehadevercometopass。Hewouldfightatthedropofahat，andhealwayswon；andby-and-bytheboybegantotakeafiercejoyinbattlinghiswayupwardagainstablockthatwouldhavecrushedaweakersoul。
ItwasonlywithMargaretthatthatsoulwasinawe。Hebegantoloveherwithapurereverencethathecouldneverknowatanotherage。EverySaturdaynight，whenduskfell，hewasmountingthestepsofherhouse。EverySundaymorninghewaswaitingtotakeherhomefromchurch。Everyafternoonhelookedforher，hopingtocatchsightofheronthestreets，anditwasonlywhenDanandHarrygotindignant，andafterMargarethadmadeapassionatedefenceofChadinthepresenceofthefamily，thattheGeneralandMrs。Deantookthematterinhand。Itwasachildishthing，ofcourse；agirlishwhim。Itwasrightthattheyshouldbekindtotheboy——forMajorBuford'ssake，ifnotforhisown；buttheycouldnothaveeventhepretenceofmorethanafriendlyintimacybetweenthetwo，andsoMargaretwastoldthetruth。Immediately，whenChadnextsawher，herhonesteyessadlytoldhimthatsheknewthetruth，andChadgaveupthen。Thereafterhedisappearedfromsportsandfromhiskindeveryway，exceptintheclassroomandinthedebatinghall。Sullenlyhestucktohisbooks。Fromfiveo'clockinthemorninguntilteno'clockatnight，hewasatthemsteadily，inhisroom，oratrecitationexceptforanhour'swalkwiththeschool-masterandthethreehalf-hoursthathismealskepthimaway。HegrewsopaleandthinthattheMajorandCalebHazelweregreatlyworried，butprotestfrombothwasuseless。Beforetheendofthetermhehadmountedintocollegeineverystudy，andwasholdinghisown。Attheendheknewhispower——knewwhatheCOULDdo，andhisfacewasset，forhisfuture，dauntless。Whenvacationcame，hewentatoncetotheMajor'sfarm，butnottobeidle。InaweekortwohewastakingsomeofthereinsintohisownhandsasavaluableassistanttotheMajor。Heknewagoodhorse，couldguesstheweightofasteerwithsurprisingaccuracy，andwasapastmasterinknowledgeofsheep。Byinstincthewascannyatatrade——whatmountaineerisnot？——andheastonishedtheMajorwiththeshrewddealshemade。Authorityseemedtocomenaturallytohim，andtheMajorsworethathecouldgetmoreworkoutofthe"hands"thantheoverseerhimself，whosullenlyresentedChad'sinterference，butdarednotopenhislips。NotoncedidhegototheDeans'，andneitherHarrynorDancamenearhim。TherewaslittleintercoursebetweentheMajorandtheGeneral，aswell；for，whiletheMajorcouldnot，underthecircumstances，blametheGeneral，inconsistently，hecouldnotquiteforgivehim，andthelineofpolitecoolnessbetweentheneighborswasneveroverstepped。AttheendofJuly，ChadwenttothemountainstoseetheTurnersandJackandMelissa。Heworehisroughestclothes，putonnoairs，and，toalleyes，saveMelissa's，hewasthesameoldChad。Butfemininesubtletyknowsnosocialorgeographicallines，andwhileMelissaknewwhathadhappenedaswellasChad，sheneverlethimseethatsheknew。ApparentlyshewasgivingopenencouragementtoDaveHilton，atawnyyouthfromdowntheriver，whowashanging，dog-like，aboutthehouse，andfoolishChadbegantolethimselfdreamofMargaretwithalightheart。OnthethirddaybeforehewastogobacktotheBluegrass，aboycamefromoverBlackMountainwithamessagefromoldNathanCherry。OldNathanhadjoinedthechurch，hadfallenill，and，fearinghewasgoingtodie，wantedtoseeChad。Chadwentoverwithcuriouspremonitionsthatwerenotinvain，andhecamebackwithastrangestorythathetoldonlytooldJoel，underpromisethathewouldnevermakeitknowntoMelissa。ThenhestartedfortheBluegrass，goingoverPineMountainanddownthroughCumberlandGap。Hewouldcomebackeveryyearofhislife，hetoldMelissaandtheTurners，butChadknewhewasbiddingalastfarewelltothelifehehadknowninthemountains。AtMelissa'swishandoldJoel's，heleftJackbehind，thoughhesorelywantedtotakethedogwithhim。Itwaslittleenoughforhimtodoinreturnfortheirkindness，andhecouldseethatMelissa'saffectionforJackwasevengreaterthanhisown：andhowincomparablylonelierthanhislifewasthelifethatshemustlead！ThistimeMelissadidnotrushtotheyardgatewhenhewasgone。Shesankslowlywhereshestoodtothestepsoftheporch，andthereshesatstone-still。OldJoelpassedheronthewaytothebarn。Severaltimestheoldmotherwalkedtothedoorbehindher，andeachtimestartingtospeak，stoppedandturnedback，butthegirlneithersawnorheardthem。Jacktrottedby，whimpering。Hesatdowninfrontofher，lookingupatherunseeingeyes，anditwasonlywhenhecrepttoherandputhisheadinherlap，thatsheputherarmsaroundhimandbentherownheaddown；butnotearscame。