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