Eben Holden

7/27/2019 Eben Holden

1/256

EbenHolden,

A

Tale

of

the

North

Country

IrvingBacheller


2/256


3/256

PREFACE

Earlyin

the

last

century

the

hardy

wood

choppers

began

to

come

west,outofVermont.TheyfoundedtheirhomesintheAdirondackwildernesses and cleared their rough acreswith the axe and thecharcoalpit.Afteryearsof toil ina rigorous climate they left theirsonslittlebesidesastumpyfarmandacoonskinovercoat.Farfromthe centres of life their amusements, theirhumours, their religion,their folk lore, theirviewsof thingshad in them the flavourof thetimberlands,thesimplicityofchildhood.Everysonwasnurturedintheloveofhonourandofindustry,andthehopeofsometimebeing

president.It

is

to

be

feared

this

latter

thing

and

the

love

of

right

living, for its own sake, were more in their thoughts than theimmortal crown that had been the inspiration of their fathers.Leaving the farm for themore promising life of thebig city theywereasmenbornanew,and their second infancywas like thatofHercules.Theyhad thestrengthofmanhood, the tirelessenergyofchildrenandsomehopeofthehighestthings.Thepageantofthebigtown itsnovelty, itspromise, itsart, itsactivity quickened theirhighest powers, put them to their best effort. And in all great

enterprisesthey

became

the

pathfinders,

like

their

fathers

in

the

primevalforest.

Thisbookhasgrownoutofsuchenforcedleisureasonemayfindinabusy life.Chaptersbegun in thepublicityofaPullman carhavebeenfinishedinthecheerlesssolitudeofahotelchamber.Somehavehad theirbeginning in a sleeplessnight and their end in aday ofbronchitis.A certainpious farmer in thenorth countrywhen, likeAgricola,hewasabout todie, requested thedoubtfulgloryof this

epitaph:He

was

apoor

sinner,

but

he

done

his

best

Save

for

the

fact

thatIamanexcellentsinner,inaliterarysense,thewordsmaystandforalltheapologyIhavetomake.

ThecharactersweremostlymenandwomenIhaveknownandwholeftwithme a love ofmy kind that even awide experiencewithknaveryandmisfortunehasneverdissipated.FormyknowledgeofMrGreeleyIamchieflyindebtedtoDavidP.Rhoades,hispublisher,toPhilipFitzpatrick,hispressman,tothefilesoftheTribuneandto

manybooks.

IRVINGBACHELLERNewYorkCity,7April1900


4/256


5/256

EbenHolden,ATaleoftheNorthCountry

1

BOOKONE

CHAPTERI

Ofall thepeople thateverwentwest thatexpeditionwas themostremarkable.

A smallboy in abigbasket on theback of ajolly oldman,whocarriedacaneinonehand,arifleintheother;ablackdogservingasscout,skirmisherandrearguard thatwasthesizeofit.Theywerethe survivorsofa ruinedhome in thenorthofVermont,andweretravelling far into the valley of the St Lawrence, but with no

particulardestination.

Midsummer had passed them in theirjourney; their clotheswerecoveredwithdust;theirfacesbrowninginthehotsun.Itwasaverysmallboy that sat inside thebasket and clung to the rim,his towheadshakingastheoldmanwalked.Hesawwonderfulthings,dayafter day, looking down at the green fields or peering into thegloomyreachesofthewood;andhetalkedaboutthem.

UncleEb

is

that

where

the

swifts

are?

he

would

ask

often;

and

the

oldmanwouldanswer, No; theyaint realsassy this timeoyear.Theylayroundinthedeepdingleseveryday.

Then the smallvoicewould sing idlyorprattlewithan imaginarybeing that had a habit of peeking over the edge of thebasket orwould shout a greeting to somebird orbutterfly and ask finally:Tired,UncleEb?

Sometimesthe

old

gentleman

would

say

not

very,

and

keep

on,

lookingthoughtfullyattheground.Then,again,hewouldstopandmop hisbald headwith abig red handkerchief and say, a littletremorofirritationinhisvoice:Tired!whowouldntbetiredwithabigelephantlikeyouonhisbackallday?IdbeshamedomyselftsetthereanletanoldmancarrymefromDantoBeersheba.Gitoutnowanshakeyerlegs.

IwasthesmallboyandIrememberitwasalwaysagreatrelieftoget

outof

the

basket,

and

having

run

ahead,

to

lie

in

the

grass

among

the

wildflowers,andjumpupathimashecamealong.


6/256


2

UncleEbhadbeenworking formy father five yearsbefore Iwasborn.Hewasnotastrongmanandhadneverbeenabletocarrythewideswathof theotherhelp in thefields,butweall lovedhimfor

hiskindness

and

his

knack

of

story

telling.

He

was

abachelor

who

came over the mountain from Pleasant Valley, a little bundle ofclothes on his shoulder, and bringing a name that enriched thenomenclatureofourneighbourhood.ItwasEbenHolden.

He had a cheerful temper and an imagination that was a verywildernessofoddities.Bearsandpanthersgrowledandwereveryterrible in that strange country.He had invented an animalmoretreacherousthananyinthewoods,andhecalleditaswift.Sumthin

likeapanther,

he

described

the

look

of

it

afearsome

creature

that

lay in theedgeof thewoodsat sundownandmadeanoise likeawomancrying,toluretheunwary.ItwouldlightoneseyewithfeartohearUncleEblifthisvoiceinthecryoftheswift.Manyatimeinthe twilightwhen thebayofahoundorsome farcrycame faintlythrough thewoodedhills, Ihaveseenhim lifthishandandbidushark.Andwhenwe had listened amoment, our eyeswidewithwonder,hewouldturnandsayinalow,halfwhisperedtone:Saswift I supposewe neededmore the fear ofGod,but the young

childrenof

the

pioneer

needed

also

the

fear

of

the

woods

or

they

wouldhavestrayedtotheirdeathinthem.

Abigbassviol, taller thanhimself,had longbeen thesolaceofhisSundays.Afterhehadshaved aceremonysosolemnthatitseemedariteofhisreligion thatsacredviolwasuncovered.Hecarried itsometimestothebackpiazzaandsometimestothebarn,wherethehorses shook and trembled at the roaring thunder of the strings.Whenhebeganplayingwechildrenhadtogetwelloutoftheway,

andkeep

our

distance.

Iremember

now

the

look

of

him,

then

his

thinface,hissoftblackeyes,hislongnose,thesuitofbroadcloth,thestockandstandingcollarand,aboveall,thesolemnityinhismannerwhenthatbigdevilofathingwasleaningonhisbreast

As tohisplaying Ihaveneverheardamore fearful sound inanytimeofpeaceoronelesscreditabletoaChristian.Weekdayshewasaddictedtothemildersinofthefluteand,afterchores,iftherewerenoonetotalkwithhim,hewouldsitlongandpourhissoulintothat

magicbar

of

boxwood.

UncleEbhadanothergreataccomplishment.Hewaswhattheycallinthenorthcountryanaturalcooner.Afternightfall,whenthecorn


7/256


3

was ripening, he spoke in awhisper and had his ear cocked forcoons.Buthelovedallkindsofgoodfun.

Sothis

man

had

aboy

in

his

heart

and

aboy

in

his

basket

that

evening we left the old house. My father and mother and olderbrotherhadbeendrowned in the lake,where theyhadgone foradayofpleasure. Ihad thenasmallunderstandingofmy loss,hat Ihave learned since that the farmwasnotworth themortgageandthateverythinghad tobesold.UncleEband I a little lad,averylittleladofsix wereallthatwasleftofwhathadbeeninthathome.Somewere for sendingme to the countyhouse;but theydecided,finally,toturnmeovertoadissoluteuncle,withsomeallowancefor

mykeep.

Therein

Uncle

Eb

was

to

be

reckoned

with.

He

had

set

his

heartonkeepingme,buthewasafarmhandwithoutanyhomeorvisiblepropertyandnot,therefore, inthemindoftheauthorities,aproperguardian.Hehadmewithhimintheoldhouse,andtheverynightheheardtheywerecomingaftermeinthemorning,westartedonourjourney. I rememberhewasa long time tyingpackagesofbreadandbutterandteaandboiledeggstotherimofthebasket,sothattheyhungontheoutside.Thenheputawoollenshawlandanoilclothblanketon thebottom,pulledthestrapsoverhisshoulders

andbuckled

them,

standing

before

the

looking

glass,

and,

hang

put

onmy cap and coat, stoodmeon the table, and stooped so that Icould climb into thebasket a packbasket, that he had used inhunting, the top a little smaller than thebottom.Once in, I couldstand comfortably or sit facing sideways, my back and kneeswedgedfromporttostarboard.Withmeinmyplaceheblewoutthelanternandgropedhisway to the road,his cane inonehand,hisrifle in theother.Fred,ourolddog ablackshepherd,with tawnypoints cameafterus.UncleEbscoldedhimandtriedtosendhim

back,but

Ipleaded

for

the

poor

creature

and

that

settled

it,

he

was

oneofourparty.

Dunnohowwell feedhim, saidUncleEb. Ourownmouthsarebigenoughttakeallwecancarry,butIhainnohearttleaveimalllonethere.

Iwasoldformyage,theytellme,andhadaseriouslookandawisewayoftalking,foraboysoyoung;butIhadnonotionofwhatlay

beforeor

behind

us.

Now, boy, take a good look at the old house, I remember hewhisperedtomeatthegatethatnightTaintlikelyyelleverseeit


8/256


4

agin.Keepquietnow,headded,lettingdownthebarsatthefootofthelane.Weregoinwestanwemustntletthegrassgrowunderus.GottbepurtyspryIcantellye.

Itwasquitedarkandhefelthiswaycarefullydownthecowpathsinto thebroadpasture.With every step Ikepta sharp lookout forswifts,andthemoonshoneafterawhile,makingmyworkeasier.

Ihadtoholdmyheaddown,presently,whenthetallbrushbegantowhip thebasketand Iheard thebigbootsofUncleEb ripping thebriars.Thenwe came into theblackness of the thick timber and Icouldhearhimfeelinghiswayoverthedeadleaveswithhiscane.I

gotdown,

shortly,

and

walked

beside

him,

holding

on

to

the

rifle

withonehand.Westumbled,often,andwerelonginthetrailbeforewecouldseethemoonlightthroughthetreecolumns.IntheclearingIclimbedtomyseatagainandbyandbywecametotheroadwheremycompanionsatdownrestinghisloadonaboulder.

Pretty hot,Uncle Eb, pretty hot, he said to himself, fanning hisbrowwiththatoldfelthatheworeeverywhere. WevecomethreemileermorewithoutastopanIguesswedbetterrestajiffy.

Mylegsachedtoo,andIwasgettingverysleepy.Irememberthejoltof thebasket as he rose, and hearing him say, Well,Uncle Eb, Iguesswedbetterbegoin.

The elbow thatheldmyhead, lyingon the rimof thebasket,wasalreadynumb;butthepricklingcouldnolongerrouseme,andhalfdeadwithweariness,Ifellasleep.UncleEbhastoldmesince,thatItumbledoutofthebasketonce,andthathehadatimeofitgetting

mein

again,

but

Iremember

nothing

more

of

that

days

history.

WhenIwokeinthemorning,Icouldhearthecracklingoffire,andfeltverywarmand cosywrapped in thebig shawl. Igota cheerygreetingfromUncleEb,whowasfeedingthefirewithabigheapofsticks that he had piled together.Old Fredwas lickingmy handswithhis rough tongue,and I suppose that iswhatwakedme.Teawas steeping in the little pot that hung over the fire, and ourbreakfastofboiledeggsandbreadandbutterlayonapaperbeside

it.Iremember

well

the

scene

of

our

little

camp

that

morning.

We

had

cometoastrangecountry,andtherewasnoroadinsight.Awoodedhilllaybackofus,and,justbefore,rananoisylittlebrook,windingbetweensmoothbanks, througha longpasture intoadensewood.


9/256


5

Behind awall on the opposite shore a great field of rustling cornfilledabroadvalleyandstoodhigherthanamanshead.

WhileIwent

to

wash

my

face

in

the

clear

water

Uncle

Eb

was

husking someearsof corn thathe tookoutofhispocket,andhadthemroastingoverthefireinamoment.Weateheartily,givingFredtwo big slices of bread and butter, packing up with enoughremaining for anotherday.Breakfastoverwedoused the fire andUncleEbputonhisbasketHemadeafterasquirrel,presently,witholdFred,andbroughthimdownoutofa treebyhurlingstonesathimandthenthefaithfulfollowerofourcampgotabitofmeatforhisbreakfast.Weclimbedthewall,asheate,andburiedourselvesin

thedeep

corn.

The

fragrant,

silky

tassels

brushed

my

face

and

the

cornhissedatourintrusion,crossingitsgreensabersinourpath.Farin the fieldmy companion heaped a little of the soft earth for apillow,spreadtheoilclothbetweenrowsand,aswelaydown,drewthebigshawloverus.UncleEbwastiredafterthetoilofthatnightandwentasleepalmostassoonashewasdown.Before Idroppedoff Fred came and lickedmy face and stepped overme, his tailwaggingforleave,andcurledupontheshawlatmyfeet.Icouldseenosky in thatgloomygreenaisleofcorn.Thisgoing tobed in the

morningseemed

afoolish

business

to

me

that

day

and

Ilay

along

time looking up at the rustling canopy overhead. I rememberlisteningtothewavesthatcamewhisperingoutofthefurtherfield,nearerandnearer,untiltheysweptoveruswitharoaringswashofleaves, like thatofwater floodingamong rocks,as Ihaveheard itoften.A twinge of homesick ness came tome and the snoring ofUncleEbgavemeno comfort. I remember coveringmyheadandcryingsoftlyasIthoughtofthosewhohadgoneawayandwhomIwastomeetinafarcountry,calledHeaven,whitherweweregoing.

Iforgot

my

sorrow,

finally,

in

sleep.

When

Iawoke

it

had

grown

duskunder the corn. I felt forUncleEb andhewas gone.Then Icalledtohim.

Hush,boy!lielow,hewhispered,bendingoverme,asharplookinhiseye.Fraidtheyreafterus.

Hesatkneelingbesideme,holdingFredbythecollarandlistening.Icouldhearvoices, therustleof thecornand the trampof feetnear

by.It

was

thundering

in

the

distance

that

heavy,

shaking

thunder

that seems to takeholdof theearth,and therewere sounds in thecornlikethedrawingofsabersandtherushofmanyfeet.Thenoisythundercloudscamenearerandthevoicesthathadmadeustremble


10/256


6

werenolongerheard.UncleEbbegantofastentheoilblankettothestalksofcornforashelter.Theraincameroaringoverus.Thesoundof itwas like thatof ahostof cavalry coming at agallop.We lay

bracingthe

stalks,

the

blanket

tied

above

us

and

were

quite

dry

for

atime. The rain rattled in the sounding sheaves and then came

floodingdownthesteepgutters.Aboveusbeamandraftercreaked,swaying,and showingglimpsesof thedark sky.The rainpassed we could hear the lastbattalion leaving the field and then thetumult ended as suddenly as itbegan. The corn trembled a fewmomentsandhushed toa faintwhisper.Thenwecouldhearonlythe drip of raindrops leaking through the green roof. Itwas darkunderthecorn.


11/256


7

CHAPTERII

Weheardnomoreofthevoices.UncleEbhadbroughtanarmfulof

wood,and

some

water

in

the

teapot,

while

Iwas

sleeping.

As

soon

astherainhadpassedhestoodlisteningawhileandshortlyopenedhisknifeandmadealittleclearinginthecornbycuttingafewhills.

Wevegot todo it,hesaid, erwecant takeanycomfort,an themantolmeIcouldhaveallthecornIwanted.

Didyouseehim,UncleEb?Irememberasking.

Yes,he

answered,

whittling

in

the

dark.

I

saw

him

when

Iwent

out

forthewateranitwashetolmetheywereafterus.

He took a look at the sky after awhile, and, remarking that heguessed theycouldnt seehissmokenow,began tokindle the fire.Asitburneduphestucktwocrotchesandhunghisteapotonastickthatlayinthem,soittooktheheatoftheflame,asIhadseenhimdoin themorning.Ourgrotto, in the corn,was shortlyas cheerfulasanyroom inapalace,andour firesent its light into the longaisles

thatopened

opposite,

and

nobody

could

see

the

warm

glow

of

it

but

ourselves.

Well hev our supper, saidUncle Eb, as he opened a paper andspreadout the eggsandbreadandbutter and crackers. Welljesthevoursupperanbynbywheneveryonesabedwellmaketracksinthedirt,Icantellye.

Oursupperover,UncleEb letme lookathis tobaccobox ashiny

thingof

German

silver

that

always

seemed

to

snap

out

aquick

farewell tomebefore itdove intohispocket.Hewasverycheerfulandcommunicative,andjokedagooddealaswe laytherewaitingin the firelight. I got some further acquaintance with the swift,learningamongother things that ithadnoappetite for thepure inheart.

Whynot?Ienquired.

Well,said

Uncle

Eb,

its

like

this:

the

meaner

the

boy,

the

sweeter

themeat.


12/256


8

Hesanganoldsongashesatbythefire,withawhistledinterludebetweenlines,andtheswingofit,evennow,carriesmebacktothatfar day in the fields. I laywithmy head in his lapwhile hewas

singing.

Years after,when I couldhave carriedhim onmybackhewrotedownformethewordsoftheoldsong.Heretheyare,aboutashesangthem,althoughthereareevidencesofrepair,incertainlines,tosupplythelossofphrasesthathaddroppedoutofhismemory:

IwasgointoSalemonebrightsummerday,Imetayoungmaidenagoinmyway;

O,my

fallow,

faddeling

fallow,

faddel

away.

AnmanyatimeIhadseenherbefore,ButIneverdaretellerthelovethetIbore.O,myfallow,etc.

Oh,whereareyougoinmypurtyfairmaid?O,sir,IamgointSalem,shesaid.O,myfallow,etc.

O,whyareyegoinsofarinaday?Ferwarmistheweatherandlongistheway.O,myfallow,etc.

O,sirIveforgorten,Ihev,Ideclare,Butitsnothintoeatanitsnothintowear.O,myfallow,etc.

Oho!then

Ihev

it,

ye

purty

young

miss!

Illbetitisonlythreewordsanakiss.O,myfallow,etc.

Youngwoman,youngwoman,OhowwillitdewIfIgoseeyerlovernbringemtyou?O,myfallow,etc.

Saverylongjourney,saysshe,Iamtold,

Anbefore

ye

got

back,

they

would

surely

be

cold.

O,myfallow,etc.

Ihevemrightwithme,IvumanIvow,


13/256


9

AnifyoudontobjectIlldeliveremnow.O,myfallow,etc.

Shelaid

her

fair

head

all

on

to

my

breast,

AnyewouldntknowmoreifItolyetherestO,myfallow,etc.

Iwent asleep after awhile in spite of all, right in themiddle of astory.ThedroningvoiceofUncleEbandthe feelofhishanduponmy forehead calledmeback,blinking, once or twice,but not forlong.ThefirewasgonedowntoafewemberswhenUncleEbwokeme and the grottowas lit onlyby a sprinkle ofmoonlight from

above.

Mostwelveoclock,hewhispered.Betterbeoff.

Thebasketwas onhisback andhewas all ready. I followedhimthrough the long aisleof corn, clinging to the tallofhis coat.Thegoldenlanternofthemoonhungnearthezenithandwhenwecameout in theopenwecould see into the far fields. Iclimbed intomybasket at the wall and as Uncle Eb carried me over the brook,

stoppingon

aflat

rock

midway

to

take

adrink,

Icould

see

the

sky

in

thewater,anditseemedasifamisstepwouldhavetumbledmeintothemoon.

Hearthecricketsholler,saidUncleEb,ashefollowedthebankupintotheopenpasture.

Whatmakesemholler?Iasked.

O,theyre

jes

filin

their

saws

an

thinktin.

Mebbe

tellin

o

whats

happenedem.Beenaharddayferthemlittlefolks.Terriblefloodintheir country. Everyone on em hed t git up a steeple quick shecould erbedrownded.Theyhev their troubles an they talk boutem,too.

Whatdotheyfiletheirsawsfor?Ienquired.

Well,yeknow,saidhe,wheretheylivethetimbersthickanthey

hevhard

work

clearin

t

mek

ahome.

Iwasgettingtoosleepyforfurthertalk.Hemadehiswayfromfieldtofield,stoppingsometimestolookoffatthedistantmountainsthen


14/256


10

at the sky or towhack the dry stalks ofmullenwith his cane. Irememberheletdownsomebarsafteralongwalkandsteppedintoasmoothroadway.Hestoodrestingalittlewhile,hisbasketonthe

topbar,

and

then

the

moon

that

Ihad

been

watching

went

down

behindthebroadrimofhishatandIfellintoutterforgetfulness.MyeyesopenedonalovelysceneatdaylightUncleEbhadlaidmeonamossyknollinabitoftimberandthroughanopeningrightinfrontofusIcouldseeabroadlevelofshiningwater,andthegreatgreenmountainonthefurthershoreseemedtobeuptoitsbellyinthesea.

Hellothere!saidUncleEb;hereweareatLakeChamplain.

Icould

hear

the

fire

crackling

and

smell

the

odour

of

steeping

tea.

Yefloppedroundlikeafishinthetbasket,saidUncleEb.GuessyemustabeendrearninObears.Jumped soyescairtme.DidntknowbutIhadawilcatonmyshoulders.

UncleEbhadtakenafishlineoutofhispocketandwastyingittoarudepolethathehadcutandtrinmedwithhisjackknife.

Ivefound

some

crawfish

here,

he

said,

an

Im

goin

t

try

fer

abite

onthepintOrocksthere.

Gointgitsomefish,UncleEb?Ienquired.

WouldntsaytIwas,erwouldntsaytIwasnt,heanswered. Jesgointtry.

UncleEbwasalways carefulnot to commithimselfon adoubtful

point.He

had

fixed

his

hook

and

sinker

in

amoment

and

then

we

wentoutonarockypointnearbyandthrewoffintothedeepwater.SuddenlyUncleEbgaveajerkthatbroughtagroanoutofhimandthen let his hook go down again, his hands trembling, his facesevere.

Bymighty!UncleEb,hemurtered tohimself, I thoughtwe hedhimthettime.

Hejerked

again

presently,

and

then

Icould

see

atug

on

the

line

that

mademejump.Abig fishcame thrashing into theair inaminute.Hetriedtoswingitashore,butthepolebentandthefishgotafreshholdofthewaterandtooktheendofthepoleunder.UncleEbgave


15/256


11

italiftthenthatbroughtitashoreandagoodbitofwaterwithit.Irememberhow the fish slappedmewith itswet tailandsprinkledmyfaceshakingitselfbetweenmyboots.Itwasabigbassandina

littlewhile

we

had

three

of

them.

Uncle

Eb

dressed

them

and

laid

themoverthefireonagridironofgreenbirch,saltingthemastheycooked.Iremembertheywentwithafinerelishandthe lastofoureggsandbreadandbutterwentwiththem.

Ourbreakfast over,UncleEbmademepromise to staywithFredandthebasketwhilehewentawaytofindamanwhocouldrowusacross. Inaboutanhour Iheardaboat comingand thedogand IwentoutonthepointofrockswherewesawUncleEbandanother

man,heading

for

us,

half

over

the

cove.

The

bow

bumped

the

rocks

beneath us in aminute. Then the stranger dropped his oars andstoodstaringatmeandthedog.

Say,mister,saidhepresently,cantgonofurther.Theresarewardofferedferyouanthetboy.

UncleEbcalledhimasideandwastalkingtohimalongtime.

Inever

knew

what

was

said,

but

they

came

at

last

and

took

us

into

theboatandthestrangerwasveryfriendly.

When we had come near the landing on the York State side, Irememberhegaveusourbearmgs.

Keeptthewoods,hesaid,tillyoureoutoharmsway.Dontgonearthestageroadferawhile.Yellfindastorealittlewayupthemountain.Gityerprovisionsthereanabouteightyrodfartheryell

strikethe

trail.

Itll

take

ye

over

the

mountain

north

an

t

Paradise

Road. Then take the white church on yer right shoulder an gostraightwest

Iwouldnothaveremembered itsowellbut for the fact thatUncleEbwrote it alldown inhis accountbook and thathashelpedmeovermanya slipperyplace inmymemoryof those events.At thestorewegotsomecrackersandcheese,teaandcoffee,driedbeefandherring, a bit of honey and a loaf of bread that was sliced and

butteredbefore

it

was

done

up.

We

were

off

in

the

woods

by

nine

oclock,according toUncleEbsdiary,andIremember thetrail ledus into thickbrushwhere Ihad togetoutandwalka longway. Itwassmoothunderfoot,however,andatnoonwecametoaslashin


16/256


12

the timber, fullofbriars thatwereallaglowwithbigblackberries.We filledourhatswith themandUncleEb founda spring,besidewhichwebuiltafireandhadamemorablemealthatmademeglad

ofmy

hunger.

Thenwe spread the oilcloth and lay down for another sleep.Wecouldseetheglowofthesettingsunthroughthetreetopswhenwewoke,andbeganourpacking.

Well hev t hurry, said Uncle Eb, erwell never git out o thewoodstnightSboutsixmileermoretParadiseRoad,esImekit.Come,yerslowernatoadinatarbarrel.

We hurried off on the trail and I remember Fred looked verycrestfallenwithtwobigpackagestiedtohiscollar.Hedelayedabitbytryingtoshakethemoff,butUncleEbgavehimasharpwordortwo and thenhewalked alongvery thoughtfully.UncleEbwas alittleoutofpatience thatevening,and I thoughtheboredown tooharshlyinhisrebukeoftheolddog.

Youshiflesscuss,hesaid tohim, yedjesdewnothinbutchase

squirrelsan

let

me

break

my

back

t

carry

yer

dinner.

Itwasglooming fast in the thick timber,andUncleEbalmost ranwithmewhilethewaywasplain.Thelastringingnoteofthewoodthrushhaddied away and in a littlewhile itwas sodark I coulddistinguishnothingbuttheloomingmassoftreetranks.

He stopped suddenly and strained his eyes in the dark. Then hewhistledasharp,slidingnote,andthesoundofitgavemesomehint

ofhis

trouble.

Gitdown,Willie, saidhe, an tekmyhand. Im fraidwere lostherenthebigwoods.

Wegropedaboutforaminute,tryingtofindthetrail.

No use, he said presently, well hev t stop right here.Oughterknownberterntcomethroughsnearsundown.Guessitwasmore

nanybody

could

do.

Hebuiltafireandbegantolayoutasupperforusthen,whileFredsatdownbymetoberelievedofhisbundles.Oursupperwasrather


17/256


13

dry,forwehadnowater,butitwasonlytwohourssinceweleftthespring,sowewerenotsufferingyetUncleEbtookoutofthefireaburning brand of pine and went away into the gloomy woods,

holdingit

above

his

head,

while

Fred

and

Isat

by

the

fire.

Sluckywedidntgonofurther,hesaid,ashecameinafterafew minutes.Theresabigprecpiceoveryender.Dunnohowdeeptis.Guesswedafoundoutpurtysoon.

Hecutsomeboughsofhemlock,growingnearus,andspreadtheminalittlehollow.Thatdone,wecoveredthemwiththeoilcloth,andsatdowncomfortablyby the fire.UncleEbhadaserious lookand

wasnot

inclined

to

talk

or

story

telling.

Before

turning

in

he

asked

me tokneelandsaymyprayeras Ihaddoneeveryeveningat thefeet of my mother. I remember, clearly, kneeling before my oldcompanionandhearingtheechoofmysmallvoicethereinthedarkandlonelywoods.

I remember too,andevenmoreclearly,howhebenthisheadandcovered his eyes in that brief moment. I had a great dread ofdarknessand imaginedmucheviloftheforest,butsomehow Ihad

nofear

if

he

were

near

me.

When

we

had

fixed

the

fire

and

lain

down for thenighton the fragranthemlockandcoveredourselveswiththeshawl,UncleEblayononesideofmeandoldFredontheother,soIfeltsecureindeed.Thenighthadmanyvoicesthereinthedeepwood.Away in thedistance Icouldheara strange,wildcry,and Iaskedwhat itwasandUncleEbwhisperedback, sa loon.Downthesideofthemountainashrillbarkranginthetimberandthatwasa fox,according tomypatientoracle.Anonweheard thecrashand thunderofa falling treeandamurmur that followed in

thewake

of

the

last

echo.

Big tree fallin! saidUncleEb,ashe laygaping. Ithas tbreakaway t theground an itmusthurt.Didyenoticehow thewoodstremble? Ifwewasupabove themwe could see thehole thet treehedmade.Jeslikeanopengravetilltheothershevfileditwiththeirtops.

My ears had gone deafwith drowsinesswhen a quick stir in the

bodyof

Uncle

Eb

brought

me

back

to

my

senses.

He

was

up

on

his

elbow listening and the firelight had sunk to a glimmer. Fred layshiveringandgrowlingbesideme.Icouldhearnoothersound.


18/256


14

Bestill,saidUncleEb,asheboxedthedogsears.Thenheroseandbegantostirthefireandlayonmorewood.Astheflameleapedandthrew its light into the treetops a shrill cry, like the scream of a

frightenedwoman,

only

louder

and

more

terrible

to

hear

brought

me

tomy feet, crying. Iknew the sourceof itwasnearusand ran toUncleEbinafearfulpanic.

Hush,boy, said he as it died away andwent echoing in the farforest. Ill takecareoyou.Dontbescairt.Hesmore fraiduvusthanweareohim.Hesmakinoffnow.

We heard then a great crackling of deadbrush on themountain

aboveus.

It

grew

fainter

as

we

listened.

In

alittle

while

the

woods

weresilent.

Itstheolmanothewoods,saidUncleEb.Esouttakinawalk.

Willhehurtfolks?Ienquired.

Tow!heanswered,jestasharmlessasakitten.


19/256


15

CHAPTERIII

Naturally therewereagoodmany things Iwanted toknowabout

theol

man

o

the

woods,

but

Uncle

Eb

would

take

no

part

in

any

furtherconversation.

SoIhadtoliedownbesidehimagainandthinkouttheproblemasbest I could. My mindwas nevermore acutely conscious and itgatheredmany strange impressions,wandering in the kingdomofFear,asIlookedupatthetreetops.UncleEbhadbuiltafuriousfireandthewarmthof itmademesleepyat last.BothheandoldFredhadbeensnoringalongtimewhenIceasedtohearthem.UncleEb

wokeme

at

daylight,

in

the

morning,

and

said

we

must

be

off

to

find

thetrail.Heleftmebythefirealittlewhileandwentlookingonallsidesandcamebacknowiser.Wewereboththirstyandstartedoffonroughfooting,withoutstoppingtoeat.Weclimbedandcrawledfor hours, it seemed tome, and everywhere the fallen tree trunkswereheapedinourway.UncleEbsatdownononeofthemawhiletorest.

Like theboneso thedead, saidhe,ashe tookachewof tobacco

andpicked

at

the

rotten

skeleton

of

afallen

tree.

We

were

both

pretty

welloutofbreathandofhopealso,ifIrememberrightly,whenwerestedagainunderthelowhangingboughsofabasswoodforabiteof luncheon.Uncle Eb opened the littlebox of honey and spreadsomeofitonourbreadandbutter.InamomentInoticedthathalfadozenbeeshadlitintheopenbox.

LordHarry!hereshoneybees,saidhe,ashecoveredtheboxsoastokeepthemin,andtumbledeverythingelseintothebasket.Make

hastenow,

Willie,

and

follow

me

with

all

yer

might,

he

added.

In aminutehe letoutoneof thebees,and started running in thedirection it flew. Itwentbuta few feetand thenrose into the treetop.

Hesgointgitupintotheopenair,saidUncleEb.ButIvegothisbearinsanIguessheknowsthewayallright.

Wetook

the

direction

indicated

for

afew

minutes

and

then

Uncle

Eb

letoutanotherprisoner.Thebeeflewoffalittlewayandthenroseinaslantingcourse to the treetops.Heshowedus,however, thatwewerelookingtherightway.


20/256


16

Them little fellershevgot agood compass, saidUncleEb,aswefollowed the lineof thebees. Itpintshome evry time, annevermakesamistake.

Wewent further this timebefore releasinganother.He showedusthatwe hadborne out of our course a little and aswe turned tofollow therewere half a dozenbees flying around thebox, as ifbeggingforadmission.

Here theyareback agin, saidUncleEb, an theyve told a lototheircroniesboutthemanantheboywithhoney.

Atlength

one

of

them

flew

over

our

heads

and

back

in

the

direction

wehadcomefrom.

Ah,ha,saidUncleEb, itsabee treeanwevepassed it,but Imgointkeeplettineminanout.Neverhearduvaswarmobeesgoinfurawayansowemusbeneartheclearin.

Inalittlewhileweletonegothattookaroadofitsown.Theothershadgonebackoverourheads;thisoneboreofftotherightinfront

ofus,

and

we

followed.

Iwas

riding

in

the

basket

and

was

first

to

see

thelightoftheopenthroughthetreetops.ButIdidntknowwhatitmeantuntilIheardtheheartyhurrahofUncleEb.

Wehadcometosmoothfootinginagroveofmaplesandthecleantrunksofthetreesstoodupasstraightasagranitecolumn.Presentlywecameoutuponwidefieldsofcornandclover,andaswelookedbackuponthegroveithadaroundedfrontandIthinkofitnowasthevestibuleofthegreatforest

Its a reglar big tomb, said Uncle Eb, looking back over hisshoulderintothegloomycavernofthewoods.

Wecouldseealoghouseintheclearing,andwemadeforitasfastas our legswould carryus.We had amighty thirst andwhenwecame toa littlebrook in themeadowwe laiddownanddrankanddrankuntilwewerefairlygruntingwithfullness.Thenwefilledourteapotandwenton.Menwerereapingwiththeircradlesinafieldof

grainand,

as

we

neared

the

log

house,

awoman

came

out

in

the

dooryardand,liftingashelltoherlips,blewablastthatrushedoverthe clearingand rang in thewoodsbeyond itA loudhalloo camebackfromthemen.


21/256


17

AsmalldogrushedoutatFred,barking,and,Isuppose,withsomelackofrespect,fortheolddoglaidholdofhim inaviolenttemperandsenthimawayyelping.Wemusthavepresentedanevilaspect,

forour

clothes

were

torn

and

we

were

both

limping

with

fatigue.

Thewoman had a kindly face and, after looking atus amoment,cameand stoopedbeforemeandheldmy small face inherhandsturningitsoshecouldlookintomyeyes.

Youpoorlittlecritter,saidshe,whereyougoin?

UncleEbtoldhersomethingaboutmyfatherandmotherbeingdeadandourgoingwestThenshehuggedandkissedmeandmademe

verymiserable,

Iremember,

wetting

my

face

with

her

tears,

that

werequitebeyondmycomprehension.

Jethro,saidshe,asthemencameintotheyard,Iwantyetlookatthisboy.Didyeeverseesuchacunninlittlecritter?Jeslookatthembright eyes! and then she held me to her breast and nearlysmotheredmeandbegantohumabitofanoldsong.

Yer fullomother love, saidherhusband,ashe satdownon the

grassamoment

Lost

her

only

baby,

an

the

good

Lord

has

sent

no

other. I swan,hehasgotputty eyes.JesasblueasaMay flower.Aintyehungry?Comerightin,bothoye,ansetdowntthetablewithus.

Theymaderoomforusandwesatdownbetweenthebareelbowsofthehiredmen.Iremembermyeyescameonlytothetopofthetable.SothegoodwomanbroughtthefamilyBibleandsittingonthatfirmfoundationIatemydinnerofsaltporkandpotatoesandmilkgravy

adiet

as

grateful

as

it

was

familiar

to

my

taste.

Orphan,eh?saidthemanofthehouse,lookingdownatme.

Orphan,UncleEbanswered,noddinghishead.

Godfearinfolks?

Bestintheworld,saidUncleEb.

Wanttbindimout?themanasked.

Couldntspareim,saidUncleEb,decisively.


22/256


18

Whereyegoin?

UncleEbhesitated,gropingforananswer,Isuppose,thatwoulddo

noviolence

to

our

mutual

understanding.

Goin theaven, Iventured tosaypresently ananswer thatgaverisetoconflictingemotionsatthetable.

Thats right, saidUncleEb, turning tome and pattingmy head.Wereontheroadtheaven,Ihope,anyellseeitsomeday,sartinsure,ifyekeepinthestraightroadandbeagoodboy.

Afterdinner

the

good

woman

took

off

my

clothes

and

put

me

in

bed

whileshemendedthem.Iwentasleepthenanddidnotawakeforalongtime.WhenIgotupatlastshebroughtabigbasinofwaterandwashedmewithsuchmotherlytendernessinvoiceandmannerthatIhavenever forgotten it.UncleEb lay sleepingon the loungeandwhenshehadfinisheddressingme,FredandIwentouttoplay inthegarden.Itwassuppertime ina littlewhileandthen,again, thewomanwindedtheshellandthemencameupfromthefield.Wesatdown to eatwith them, aswe had done at noon, and Uncle Eb

consentedto

spend

the

night

after

some

urging.

He

helped

them

with themilking,andas Istoodbesidehimshotajetof thewarmwhite flood intomymouth, that tickled it so I ranaway laughing.Themilkingdone,IsatonUncleEbskneeinthedooryardwithalltherestofthathousehold,hearingmanytalesofthewilderness,andofrobberyandmurderonParadiseRoad.Igottheimpressionthatitwasacountryofunexampledwickednessand ferocity inmenandanimals.Oneman told about the ghost of Burnt Bridge; how thebridgehadburntoneafternoon andhow a certain traveller in the

darkof

the

night

driving

down

the

hill

above

it,

fell

to

his

death

at

thebrinkoftheculvert.

An everynight since then, said theman,verypositively,ye canhear him drivin down thetbill jes as plain as ye can hearmetalkin therattleothewheelsanall.ItstopssuddenanthenyecanhearimhittherockswaydownthereatthebottomOthegulleyangroanangroan.Anfolkssayitsacurseonthetownforleavinthetholeopen.

Whatsaghost,UncleEb?Iwhispered.


23/256


19

Somethinlikeaswift,heanswered,butnotsopowerful.Weheardapantherlasnight,headded,turningtoourhost.Holleredlikesinwhenheseethefire.

Scairt! said theman o thehousegaping. Thatswhat ailedhim.IvelivedtwentyyearonParadiseRoadanitwasallwoodswhenIputupthecabin.Seendeeronthedoorstepanbearsinthegarden,anpanthersinthefields.ButItellyetheresnocrittersoterribleasaman.All the animals know im how he roars, an spits fire ansmokean leadso itgoes throughabodyerbitesoffa leg,mebbe.GuesstheydmadefriendswithmebutthemIdidntkillwentawaysmartingwith holes in em.An I guess they told all theirpeople

boutme

the

terrible

critter

that

walked

on

its

hind

legs

an

lied

awhitefaceandrewupanspitisteethintotheirvitalscrossaten

acre lot.Anputtysoon theyconcluded theydidntwant thevnotruckwithme.Theythoughtthinclearinwasthevalleyodeathanthey got very careful. But the deer they kep peekin in at me.Sumthinfunnyboutadeer theyresocurus.Seemsthoughtheyloved the look ome an the taste o the tame grass.MebbeGodmeantem t serve in theyoke somewayanbe the friendoman.Theyretheoutcastsotheforest thepreyotheotheranimalsan

menlike

em

only

when

theyre

dead.

An

theyre

the

purtiest

critter

aliveanthespryestanthemosgraceful.

Menarethemosterribleofallcritters,anthemeanest,saidUncleEb.Theyretheonlycrittersthatkillferfun.

Bedtime,saidourhost, risingpresently. Got tbeupearly n themorning.

Weclimbed

aladder

to

the

top

floor

of

the

cabin

with

the

hired

men,

ofwhom therewere two.Thegood ladyof thehousehadmadeabedforusonthefloorandIrememberFredcameuptheladdertoo,and lay downbeside us. Uncle Ebwas up with the men in themorningandatbreakfasttimemyhostesscameandwokemewithkisses and helped me to dress. When we were about going shebroughtalittlewagonoutofthecellarthathadbeenaplayingofherdeadboy,andsaid Icouldhave it.Thiswonderfulwagonwasjustthe thing for thejourneyweweremaking.When I held the little

tonguein

my

hand

Iwas

half

way

to

heaven

already.

It

had

four

stoutwheelsandabeautifulredbox.HerbrotherhadsentitallthewayfromNewYorkandithadstoodsolonginthecellaritwasnowmuchinneedofrepair.UncleEbtookittothetoolshopinthestable


24/256


20

andputitinshipshapeorderandmadealittlepairofthillstogoinplaceof the tongue.Thenhemadeabig flatcollarandabackpadoutof the leather inoldbootlegs,and riggedapairof tugsoutof

twopieces

of

rope.

Old

Fred

was

quite

cast

down

when

he

stood

in

harnessbetweentheshafts.

Hehadwaitedpatientlytohavehiscollarfitted;hehadgrinnedandpanted andwagged his tailwith no suspicion of the serious andhumiliatingcareerhewasenteringupon.Nowhestoodwithasoberfaceandhisaspectwasfullofmeditation.

You fightin hound! said Uncle Eb, I hope thisll improve yer

character.

Fred tried to sit downwhenUncle Eb tied a leading rope to hiscollar.Whenheheardthewheelsrattleandfeltthepullofthewagonhelookedbackatitandgrowledalittleandstartedtorun.UncleEbshouted whoa,andheldhimback,andthen thedoggotdownonhisbellyandtrembleduntilwepattedhisheadandgavehimakindword.He seemed tounderstandpresently and came alongwith asteadystride.Ourhostessmetusatthegateandthelookofherface

whenshe

bade

us

goodbye

and

tucked

some

cookies

into

my

pocket,

hasalwayslingeredinmymemoryandputinmeamightyrespectforallwomen.Thesoundofhervoice,thetears,thewavingofherhandkerchief, aswewent away, are among the things that havemademewhatIam.

WestowedourpackagesinthewagonboxandIwalkedafewmilesandthengotintotheemptybasket.Fredtippedhisloadoveronceortwice,butgotasteadygaitinthewayofindustryafterawhileanda

morecheerful

look.

We

had

our

dinner

by

the

roadside

on

the

bank

ofabrook,anhourorsoaftermidday,andcame toa littlevillageaboutsundown.Aswewerenearing it therewas someexcitementamong thedogsandoneof them tackledFred.Hewent intobattlevery promptly, the wagon jumping and rattling until it turnedbottomup.ReenforcedbyUncleEbscanehesoonsawtheheelsofhisaggressorandstoodgrowlingsavagely.Hewaslikethegoalinapuzzlemazeallwoundandtangledinhisharnessandittooksometimetogethisfacebeforehimandhisfeetfree.

Atasmallgrocerywheregroupsofmen,justoutofthefields,weresitting, their armsbare to the elbows,weboughtmorebread andbutter. Inpaying for itUncleEb tookapackageoutofhis trouser


25/256


21

pocket to get his change. Itwas tied in a red handkerchief and Irememberitlookedtobeaboutthesizeofhisfist.Hewasputtingitbackwhenitfellfromhishand,heavily,andIcouldhearthechink

ofcoin

as

it

struck.

One

of

the

men,

who

sat

near,

picked

it

up

and

gave itback tohim.As I rememberwell,hiskindnesshadanevilflavour,forhewinkedathiscompanions,whonudgedeachotherasthey smiledknowingly.UncleEbwas abit cross,when I climbedintothebasket,andwalkedalonginsilencesorapidlyitworriedthedogtokeeppace.TheleadingropewastiedtothestockoftherifleandFredswalkinggaitwastooslowforthecomfortofhisneck.

Youshiflesscuss!Illputakinkinyourneckferyouifyedontwalk

up,said

Uncle

Eb,

as

he

looked

back

at

the

dog,

in

atemper

wholly

unworthyofhim.

Wehadcrossedadeepvalleyandwereclimbinga longhill in theduskytwilight

Willie,saidUncleEb,youreyesarebetternmine lookbackandseeifanyonescomin.

Cantsee

anyone,

Ianswered.

Lookwaybackintheroadasfurasyecansee.

Ididso,but Icouldseenoone.Heslackenedhispacea littleafterthatandbeforewehadpassedthehillitwasgettingdark.Theroadran intowoodsanda rivercut through thema littleway from theclearing.

Suppertime,

Uncle

Eb,

Isuggested,

as

we

came

to

the

bridge.

Suppertime,UncleEb,heanswered,turningdowntotheshore.

I got out of thebasket then and followed him in thebrush. Fredfoundithardtravellinghereandshortlywetookoffhisharnessandleftthewagon,transferring its loadto thebasket,whilewepushedontofindacampingplace.Backinthethicktimberalongwayfromtheroad,webuiltafireandhadoursupper.Itwasadrynookinthe

pinestight

as

ahouse,

Uncle

Eb

said

and

carpeted

with

the

fragrant needles. When we lay on our backs in the firelight Iremember theweary,droningvoiceofUncleEbhadan impressiveaccompanimentofwhispers.Whilehe toldstories1hadaglowing


26/256


22

cinder on the end of a stick andwasweaving fiery skeins in thegloom.

Hehad

been

telling

me

of

apanther

he

had

met

in

the

woods,

one

day,andhowthecreatureranawayatthesightofhim.

Whysapantherfraidofolks?Ienquired.

Wall,ye see, theyused tbe friendly,years nyearsago folks npanthers but theywant eggszacly callated t git along tgethersomeway.Anolshepantherginemoneuvhercubs,agreatwhileago,jestmakefriens.Thecubhegrewbignusedtplaynbevery

gentle.They

wuz

aboy

he

tuk

to,

an

both

on

em

got

very

friendly.

Theboynthepantherwentoffonedaynthewoods guesstwasmore nahundredyearago anwas lost.Walkedallovern finlygot tgomround nround nabigcircle tiltheywasbothon emtiredout.Comenighttheylaydowneshungryestewbears.Theboyhewaskindofraidothedark,sohegotupclustthepanthernlaytweenhispaws.Theboyhethoughtthepanthersmeltfunnyanthepantherhedidntjes like the smello theboy.An theboyhehed the legache nkicked thepanther n thebelly, so thekino

gaggedn

spit

an

they

want

neither

on

em

reel

comfable.

The

sof

pawso thepantherwasjes likepincushions.Hedgreathooks inemsharpernthepintuvaneedle.Anwhenhewasgointsleephedrunemoutjeslikeanolcat kindoplayflil npurrnpull.Alltoncetheboyfeltsumthinlikealotoneedlesprickinhisback.MadehimjumpnhollerlikeSamHill.Thepantherhespitsassynrizupnsmeltotheground.Didntneitheronemknowwhatwasthematter.Bimebyetheylaydownagin.Twantonlyalittlewhilefore theboy felt somethinprickinuvhim.Hehollered nkicked

agin.The

panther

he

growled

n

spit

n

dumb

atree

n

sot

on

alimb

npeeked over at thet queer little critter.Couldnt neither on emunderstan it.Theboycudseetheeyesothepanther n thedark.Shone like tew live coals eggszacly.Thepanther dnever sot natreewhenhewashungry,nseeaboybelowhim.Sumthintolhimt jump. Tail went swish in the leaves like thet. His whiskersquivered, his tongue come out.Cud think o nuthinbut hisbigemptybelly.Theboywasscairt.Heupwithhisgunquickesaflash.Aimedathiseyesnleterflicker.Blewalotosmokenbirdshotn

paperwaddin

right

up

in

t

his

face.

The

panther

he

lost

his

whiskersnoneeyengothishidefilloshotnfelloffthetreelikearipeapple n run ferhis life.Thoughthednever seenuthincudgrowlnspitspowerfulesthetboy.Nevercudbearthesightuva


27/256


23

man after thet.Allwusmade him gag n spit t think o themancritter.Wentoff tewhisown folks n tolo theboy at spit fire nsmoke ngrowled sotalmos torehisearsoffAnnow,whenever

theyhear

agun

go

off

they

allwus

thank

its

the

man

critter

growlin.

Antheygagnspitnlookesifitmadeemsicktthestomach.Anthemanfolks theydidnthevnogoodpimono thepanthersafterthet.Haintneverbeenfriensanymore.Factisaman,hecanbeanykinduvabeast,butapantherhecantbenuthinbutjestapanther.

Then, too, as we lay there in the firelight, Uncle Eb told theremarkablestoryofthegingerbreadhear.Hetolditslowly,asifhisinventionwereseverelytaxed.

Once theywuz aboy got lost.Was goin cross lots t playwithnotherboynliedtgothroughastripowoods.Wentoffthetrailtchase a butterfly n got lost. Hed his kite n crossgun n hewanderedallover tilhewas tired nhungry.Thenhe laydown tcryonabedomoss.Puttyquick theywasabigblackbear comealong.

Whatsthematter?saidthebear.

Hungry,saystheboy.

Tellyewhat Illdew,says thebear.Ifyellscratchmyback fermeIllletyecutapieceomytailoffteat.

Bearstail,yeknow,hesalotomeaton it heamtellitwasgrangood fare.So theboyhe scratched thebearsbackan thebearhegrinnedanmadehispawgopatittypatontheground itdidfeel

sosplendid.

Then

the

boy

tuk

his

jack

knife

n

begun

t

cut

off

the

bearstail.Thebearheflewmadngrowledngrowledsotheboyhestoppedndidntdastcutnomore.

Hurtsawful,saysthebear.Couldntneverstanit.TellyewhatIlldew.YescratchedmybackannowIllscratchyourn.

Geewhiz!saidI.

Yessir,thats

what

the

bear

said,

Uncle

Eb

went

on.

The

boy

he

up

n run like a nailer. Thebear he laughed hearty n scratched thegroundlikeSamHill,nflungthedirthighernhishead.


28/256


24

Lookhere,sayshe,astheboystopped,Ijesswalleredapieceomutton.RunyerhandintmythroatanIllletyehevit.

Thebear

he

opened

his

mouth

an

showed

his

big

teeth.

Whew!Iwhistled.

Thets eggszaclywhat he done, saidUncle Eb. He showed emplain.Theboywas scairternaweasel.Thebearhejumpedup andownonhishindlegsnlaughednhollerednshookhimself

Onlyjes foolin, says he,whenhe see theboywas goin t run

agin.What

ye

fraid

uv?

Cantbear t stayhere, says theboy, lessyellkeepyermouthshet.

Anthebearheshethismouthnpintedtothebigpocketnhisfurcoatnwinkednmotionedttheboy.

Thebearhereelydidhevapocketonthesideuvhisbig furcoat.

Theboy

slid

his

hand

in

up

t

the

elbow.

Wha

dye

spose

he

found?

Durmo,saidI.

Sumthinteat,hecontinued.Boylikeditbestuvallthings.

IguessedeverythingIcouldthinkof,fromcookiestobeefsteak,andgaveup.

Gingerbread,said

he,

soberly,

at

lengrh.

ThoughtyesaidbearscouldnttalkIobjected.

Wall,theboydfellasleepanhedonlydreamedothebear,saidUncleEb. Ye see,bears cantalkwhenboys aredreaminuv em.Comedaylight, theboygotup nketcheda crow.Brokehiswingwiththecrossgun.Thenhetiedthekiteswingontthecrowsleg,anthecrowfloppedalongntheboyfollowedhimnbimebyethey

comeout

acornfield,

where

the

crowd

been

used

t

comin

fer

his

dinner.

Whatcomeotheboy?saidI.


29/256


25

Wenthome,saidhe,gaping,ashelayonhisbackandlookedupatthe treetops. Anheallwussaidabearwasgoodcompny ifhedonlykeephismouthshet jeslikesomefolksIvehearnuv.

Anwhatcomeothecrow?

Wentttheolcrowdoctorngothiswingfixed,hesaid,drowsily.AndinamomentIheardhimsnoring.

WehadbeenasleepalongtimewhenthebarkingofFredwokeus.IcouldjustseeUncleEb in thedim lightof the fire,kneelingbesideme,therifleinhishand.

Illfillyefulloleadifyecomeanynearer,heshouted.


30/256


26

CHAPTERIV

Welistenedawhilethenbutheardnosoundinthethicket,although

Fredwas

growling

ominously,

his

hair

on

end.

As

for

myself

Inever

had amore fearful hour than thatwe sufferedbefore the light ofmorningcame.

Imadenooutcry,butclungtomyoldcompanion,trembling.Hedidnot stir for a fewminutes, and thenwe crept cautiously into thesmallhemlocksononesideoftheopening.

Keepstill,hewhispered,dontmoveerspeak.

Presentlyweheardamove in thebrushand thenquickasa flashUncleEbliftedhisrifleandfiredinthedirectionofitBeforetheloudechohadgoneoffinthewoodsweheardsomethingbreakthroughthebrushatarun.

Saman, saidUncleEb,ashe listened. Heainta losinno timenuther.

Wesat

listening

as

the

sound

grew

fainter,

and

when

it

ceased

entirelyUncleEbsaidhemusthavegottotheroad.Afteralittlethelightof themorningbegan siftingdown through the treetopsandwasgreetedwithinnumerablesongs.

Hedone noble, saidUncleEb, patting the olddog as he rose topoke the fire. Putty good chap I call im!He can hev half omydinneranytimehewantsit.

Whodo

you

suppose

it

was?

Ienquired.

Robbers,Iguess,heanswered,antheyllbelayinferuswhenwego out,mebbe;but, if they are, Fredll frnd em an Ive got OlTrustyherenIguessthetlltakecareuvus.

Hisriflewasalwaysflatteredwith thatnameofOlTrustywhen ithaddonehimagoodturn.

Soonas

the

light

had

come

clear

he

went

out

in

the

near

woods

with

dogandrifleandbeataroundinthebrush.Hereturnedshortlyandsaidhehadseenwheretheycameandwent.


31/256


27

Idakilledemdeadernadoornail,saidhe,layingdowntheoldrifle,iftheydacomeanynearer.

Thenwe

brought

water

from

the

river

and

had

our

breakfast.

Fred

went on ahead of us, when we started for the road, scurryingthroughthebrushonbothsidesofthetrail,asifheknewwhatwasexpectedofhim.He flushedanumberofpartridgesandUncleEbkilledoneofthemonourwaytotheroad.Weresumedourjourneywithout any further adventure. Itwas so smooth and level underfootthatUncleEbletmegetinthewagonafterFredwashitchedtoit The old dogwent along soberly andwithoutmuch effort, savewhenwecame tohillsorsandyplaces,when Ialwaysgotoutand

ranon

behind.

Uncle

Eb

showed

me

how

to

brake

the

wheels

with

alongstickgoingdownhill. Irememberhow ithit thedogsheelsat

thefirstdowngrade,andhowherantokeepoutofthewayofitWewere going likemad in half aminute,Uncle Eb coming after uscalling to thedog.Fredonly lookedoverhisshoulder,withawildeye,attherattlingwagonandrantheharder.Heleapedasideatthebottom and thenwewent all in aheap.Fortunatelynoharmwasdone.

Ideclare!

said

Uncle

Eb

as

he

came

up

to

us,

puffing

like

aspent

horse,andpickedmeupunhurtandbegantountangletheharnessofoldFred,Iguesshemustathoughtthedevilwasafterhim.

Thedoggrowleda little foramoment andbit at theharness,butcoaxingreassuredhimandhewentalongallrightagainonthelevel.Atasmallsettlementthechildrencameoutandranalongbesidemywagon,laughingandaskingmequestions.Someofthemtriedtopetthedog,butoldFredkepttohislabourattheheelsofUncleEband

lookedneither

to

right

nor

left.

We

stopped

under

atree

by

the

side

of anarrowbrook for ourdinner, andone incident of thatmeal Ithinkofalwayswhen I thinkofUncleEb. It shows themannerofman he was and with what understanding and sympathy heregarded every living thing. In rinsing his teapot he accidentallypoured a bit of water on a big bumblebee. The poor creaturestruggled to lift hill, and then anotherdownpour caught him andstill another until hiswings fell drenched. Then hisbreastbeganheavingviolently,his legs stiffenedbehindhimandhe sank,head

downward,in

the

grass.

Uncle

Eb

saw

the

death

throes

of

the

bee

andkneltdownandliftedthedeadbodybyoneofitswings.

Jeslookathisvelvetcoat,hesaid,anhiswingsallwetnstiff.


32/256


28

Theyllnevercarryhimanotherjourney.Itstoobadamanhastkilleverystephetakes.

Thebees

tail

was

moving

faintly

and

Uncle

Eb

laid

him

out

in

the

warmsunlightand fannedhimawhilewithhishat, trying tobringbackthebreathoflife.

Guilty!hesaid,presently,comingbackwithasoberface.Thetsadeadbee.Notellinhowmanywasdependentonhimerwhatplanshebed.Mustaginhimalotopleasuretflyroundinthesunlight,workineveryfairday.Sallovernow.

Hehad

agloomy

face

for

an

hour

after

that

and

many

atime,

in

the

daysthatfollowed,Iheardhimspeakofthemurderedbee.

We lay restingawhileafterdinnerandwatchingabigcityofants.UncleEb toldmehow they tilled thesoilof themoundeveryyearandsowedtheirownkindofgrain asmallwhiteseedlikerice andreapedtheirharvestinthelatesurnmer,storingthecropintheirdrycellarsunderground.Hetoldmealsothestoryoftheantlion abigbeetlethatlivesinthejunglesofthegrainandthegrass ofwhichI

rememberonly

an

outline,

more

or

less

imperfect.

Hereitisinmyownrewordingofhistale:Onabrightdayoneofthelittleblackfolkswentoffonalongroadinagreatfieldofbarley.Hewasgoingtoanothercityofhisownpeopletobringhelpersfortheharvest.Hecameshortlytoasandyplacewherethebarleywasthinandthehotsunlightlayneartotheground.Inalittlevalleyclosebytheroadoftheantshesawadeeppit,inthesand,withsteepsidesslopingtoapointinthemiddleandasbigaroundasabiscuit.Now

theants

are

acurious

people

and

go

looking

for

things

that

are

new

andwonderfulastheywalkabroad,sotheyhavemuchtotellworthhearing after ajourney.The little travellerwasyoungandhadnofear,sohe left theroadandwentdowntothepitandpeepedoverthesideofit.

What in theworld is themeaning of this queer place? he askedhimselfasheranaroundtherim.Inamomenthehadsteppedoverand thesoftsandbegan tocaveandslidebeneathhim.Ouickasa

flashthe

big

lion

beetle

rose

up

in

the

centre

of

the

pit

and

began

to

reachforhim.Thenhis legsflew inthecavingsandandtheyoungantstruckhisbladesinittoholdthelittlehecouldgain.Upwardhestruggled,leapingandflounderinginthedust.Hehadgotnearthe


33/256


29

rimandhadstopped,clingingtogethisbreath,whenthelionbeganflingingthesandathimwithhislongfeelers.Itroseinacloudandfellon thebackof theantandpulledathimas itsweptdown.He

couldfeel

the

mighty

cleavers

of

the

lion

striking

near

his

hind

legs

and pulling the sand from under them. He must go down m amomentandheknewwhatthatmeant.Hehadheardtheoldmenofthetribetelloften howtheyholdonehelplessandslashhimintoadozenpieces.Hewaslettinggo,indespair,whenhefeltahandonhisneck.Lookinguphesawoneofhisownpeoplereachingovertherim,andinajiffytheyhadshuttheirfangstogether.Hemovedlittlebylittleastheothertaggedathim,andinamomentwasoutofthetrapandcouldfeelthehonestearthunderhim.Whentheyhadgot

homeand

told

their

adventure,

some

were

for

going

to

slay

the

beetle.

Thereisneverapitinthepathoduty,saidthewiseoldchiefofthelittleblackfolks.Seethatyoukeepinthestraightroad.

If ourbrotherhadnot left the straight road, said onewho stoodnear,hethatwasindangerwouldhavegonedownintothepit.

Itmatters

much,

he

answered,

whether

it

was

kindness

or

curiosity

that ledhimoutof the road.Buthe that followsa foolhathmuchneedofwisdom, for ifhe save the fooldoyenot see thathehathencouragedfolly?

OfcourseIhadthennoproperunderstandingofthechiefscounsel,nordoIpretendeventorememberitfromthatfirsttelling,butthetalewastoldfrequentlyinthecourseofmylongacquaintancewithUncleEb.

ThediaryofmygoodoldfriendliesbeforemeasIwrite,theleavesturnedyellowandtheentriesdim.Irememberhowsternhegrewofan evening when he took out this sacred little record of ourwanderings andbegan towrite in itwithhis stub of apencil.Hewrote slowly and read and reread each entrywith great care as Iheld the torch forhim. Be still,boy be still,hewouldsaywhensome pressing interrogatory passed my lips, and then he wouldbendtohisworkwhilethepointofhispencilboredfurtherintomy

patience.Beginning

here

Ishall

quote

afew

entries

from

the

diary

as

they cover, with sufficient detail, an uneventful period of ourjourney.


34/256


30

AUGUST 20 Killed a partridge today. Biled it in the teapot fordinner.Wentgood.14mild.

AUGUST21

Seen

adeer

this

morning.

Fred

fit

agin.

Come

near

spilinthewagon.Hedtostopandfixtheex.10mild.

AUGUST22Clumbatreethismorningafterwildgrapes.Comenearfalling.Ginmealittlecrickintheback.Williehesgotastunbruze.12mild.

AUGUST23Wentinswinmun.Ketchedafewfishbeforebreaklus.Gotprovisions an two case knives an one fork, also one tinpie

plate.Used

same

to

fry

fish

for

dinner.

14

mild.

AUGUST 24Got some spirits forWillie to rubonmyback.Bootswearingout.Terriblehot.Lay in the shade in theheatof theday.Gypsiescomeancampedbyustonight.10mild.

I rememberwell the coming of those gypsies.Wewere fishing insightoftheroadandourfirewascracklingonthesmoothcroppedshore.Thebigwagonsofthegypsies therewerefourofthemasred

andbeautiful

as

those

of

acircus

caravan

halted

about

sundown

whilethemencameoveramomenttoscanthefield.Presentlytheywentback and turned theirwagons into the siding andbegan tounhitch.Then a lot ofbarefooted children, andwomenundergayshawls, overran the field gathering wood and making ready fornight. Meanwhile swarthy drivers took the horses to water andtethered themwith long ropes so they could crop thegrassof theroadside.

Onetall,

bony

man,

with

aface

almost

as

black

as

that

of

an

Indian,

broughtabigironpotandsetitupnearthewater.Abigstewofbeefbone, leeksandpotatoesbegan to cook shortly,and I remember ithadsuchagoodlysmellIwasmindedtoaskthemforatasteofit.Alittlecityofstrangepeoplehadsurroundedusofasudden.UncleEbthoughtofgoingon,butthenightwascomingfastandtherewouldbenomoonandwewerefootsoreandhungry.Womenandchildrencame over to our fire, after supper, andmademore ofme than Iliked.IremembertakingrefugebetweenthekneesofUncleEb,and

Fredsat

close

in

front

of

us

growling

fiercely

when

they

came

too

near.Theystoodabout,lookingdownatusandwhisperedtogether,andoneyoungmissofthetribecameupandtriedtokissmeinspiteofFredswarnings:Shehadflashingblackeyesandhairasdarkas


35/256


31

the night, that fell in a curling mass upon her shoulders; but,somehow,Ihadamightyfearofherandfoughtwithdesperationtokeepmyface fromthetouchofherred lips.UncleEb laughedand

heldFred

by

the

collar,

and

Ibegan

to

cry

out

in

terror,

presently,

when,tomygreatrelief,sheletgoandranawaytoherownpeople.Theyallwentawaytotheirwagons,saveoneyoungman,whowastallwithlighthairandafairskin,andwho lookedlikenoneoftheothergypsies.

Takecareofyourself,hewhispered,assoonas theresthadgone.Thesearebadpeople.Youdbetterbeoff

Theyoung

man

left

us

and

Uncle

Eb

began

to

pack

up

at

once.

They

weregoing tobed in theirwagonswhenwecameaway. Istood inthe basket and Fred drew the wagon that had in it only a fewbundles.Amileormore fintheronwe came to a lonely,desertedcabinclosetotheroad.Ithadbegantothunderinthedistanceandthewindwasblowingdamp.

Guess nobody lives here, said Uncle Eb as he turned in at thesagging gate and began to cross the little patch of weeds and

hollyhocksbehind

it

Doors

half

down,

but

Iguess

itll

de

beetern

nohouse.Gointrainsartin.

Iwasnoddingalittleaboutthen,Iremember;butIwaswideawakewhenhe tookmeoutof thebasketTheoldhousestoodonahighhill,andwecouldsee thestarsofheaven through the ruineddoorandoneofthebackwindows.UncleEbliftedtheleaningdooralittleandshoveditaside.Weheardthenaquickstirintheoldhouse aloudandghostlyrattleitseemsnowasIthinkofit likethatmade

bylinen

shaking

on

the

line.

Uncle

Eb

took

astep

backward

as

if

it

hadstartledhim.

Guess itsnuthin tobe fraidof;he said, feeling in thepetofhiscoatHe had struck amatch in amoment. By its flickering light Icouldseeonlyabitofrubbishonthefloor.

Fullowhiteowls,saidhe,steppinginside,wheretherustlingwasnowcontinuous.Theylldousnoharm.

Icouldsee themnow flyingaboutunder the lowceiling.UncleEbgatheredangatheredanarmfulofgrassandclover,inthenearfield,and spread it in a corner well away from the ruined door and


36/256


32

windows. Coveredwith ourblanket itmade a fairly comfortablebed.Soonaswehadlaindown,therainbegantorattleontheshakyroofandflashesoflightningliteverycomeroftheoldroom.

Ihavehad,ever,acuriousloveofstorms,and,fromthetimewhenmemorybeganitsrecordinmybrain,ithasdelightedmetohearatnighttheroarofthunderandseetheswiftplayofthelightning.IlaybetweenUncleEband theolddog,whobothwentasleep shortly.LessweariedIpresumethaneitherofthem,forIhaddonenoneofthecarrying,andhadsleptalongtimethatdayintheshadeofatree,Iwasawakeanhourormoreaftertheyweresnoring.Everyflashlittheold room like the fullglareof thenoonday sun. I remember it

showedme

an

old

cradle,

piled

full

of

rubbish,

arusty

scythe

hung

in the rotting sashofawindow,a few lengthsof stovepipeandaploughinonecomer,andthreestaringwhiteowlsthatsatonabeamabove the doorway. The rain roared on the old roof shortly, andcamedrippingdownthroughthebareboardsaboveus.Abigdropstruck inmy faceand Imoveda little.Then I sawwhatmademeholdmybreath amoment and covermy headwith the shawl.Aflash of lightning revealed a tall, ragged man looking in at thedoorway.IlayclosetoUncleEbimaginingmuchevilofthatvision

butmade

no

outcry.

Snugged inbetweenmy two companions I felt reasonably secureandsoonfellasleep.Thesun,streaminginattheopendoor,rousedme in themorning.At thebeginningof eachdayofourjourney IwoketofindUncleEbcookingat thefire.Hewas lyingbesideme,thismorning,hiseyesopen.

FraidImhardsick,hesaidasIkissedhim.

Whatsthematter?Ienquired.

Hestruggledtoasittingposture,groaningsoitwenttomyheart.

Rheumatiz,heansweredpresently.

Hegottohisfeet,littlebylittle,andeverymovehemadegavehimgreatpain.Withonehandonhiscaneandtheotheronmyshoulder

hemade

his

way

slowly

to

the

broken

gate.

Even

now

Ican

see

clearly the fair prospect of that high place a valley reaching todistant hills and a river winding through it, glimmering in thesunlight;alongwoodedledgebreakingintonaked,grassyslopeson


37/256


33

onesideofthevalleyandontheotheradeepforestrollingtothefarhorizon; between them big patches of yellow grain and whitebuckwheat and greenpasture land and greenermeadows and the

straightroad,

with

white

houses

on

either

side

of

it,

glorious

in

adoublefringeofgoldenrodandpurpleasterandyellowJohnswort

andthedeepblueoftheJacobsladder.

Looksagooddeal like thepromised land, saidUncleEb. Haintgotmuchfurthertgo.

HesatontherottingthresholdwhileIpulledsomeoftheweedsinfront of thedoorstep andbrought kindlings out of the house and

builtafire.

While

we

were

eating

Itold

Uncle

Eb

of

the

man

that

Ihadseeninthenight.

Guessyouwasdreamin,he said,and,while I stood firm for therealityofthatIhadseen,itheldourthoughtonlyforabriefmoment.My companionwas unable towalk that day sowe layby, in theshelter of the old house, eating as little of our scanty store aswecoulddowith. Iwent to a springnearby forwater andpicked agoodmessofblackberriesthatIhidawayuntilsuppertime,soasto

surpriseUncle

Eb.

A

longer

day

than

that

we

spent

in

the

old

house,

afterourcoming, Ihaveneverknown.Imade theroomabit tidierandgatheredmoregrassforbedding.UncleEbfeltbetterasthedaygrewwarm.Ihadabusytimeofitthatmorningbathinghisbackinthespiritsandrubbinguntilmysmallarmsached.Ihaveheardhimtelloftenhowvigorously Iworked thatdayandhow Iwouldsay:Illtakecareoyou,UncleEb wontI,UncleEb?asmylittlehandsflewwith redoubledenergyonhisbare skin.That finishedwe laydownsleepinguntilthesunwaslow,whenImadereadythesupper

thattook

the

last

of

everything

we

had

to

eat.

Uncle

Eb

was

more

like himself that evening and, sitting up in the corner, as thedarkness came, toldme the story of Squirreltown and Frog Ferry,whichcametobesogreatastandbyinthosedaysthat,evennow,Icanrecallmuchofthelanguageinwhichhetoldit

Once, he said, therewas aboy thet hed two grey squirrels in acage.TheykepthinkinothetimetheyusedtscamperinthetreetopsanmakenestsaneatallthenutstheywantedanplayIspyin

thethick

leaves.

An

they

grew

poor

an

looked

kind

o

ragged

an

sicklyandownhearted.Whenhebroughtemoutdoorstheyusedtlookupinthetreesanruninthewirewheelasiftheythoughttheycouldgettheresometimeiftheykepgoin.Astheboygrewolderhe


38/256


34

see itwascruel tokeep emshet inacage,buthedhedema longtimeancouldntbeartgiveemup.

Oneday

he

was

out

in

the

woods

alittle

back

o

the

clearin.

All

t

onceheheardaswiftholler.Twasnearbyanechoedsohecouldnttellwhichwayitcomefrom.Herunferhomebutthecritterketchedimbeforehegotoutothewoodsantookimintoacave,angiveimtthelittleswifistplaywith.Theboycriedterrible.Theswiftstheylaughedannudgedeachother.

Oainthecute!saysone.Hesabeauty!saysanother.Curushowhecangitalongwithoutanyfur,saysthemotherswift,asshe

runer

nose

over

is

bare

foot.

He

thought

of

is

folks

waitin

fer

him

anhebeggedemtletimgo.Thentheycomeansmeltimover.

Yersechacunincritter,saysthemotherswift,wecouldntspareye.

Wanttoseemymother,saystheboysobbing.

Couldntaffordtletyego yersocutesaystheswift.Bringthe

poorcritter

abone

an

abit

o

snake

meat

Theboycouldnteat.Theyfixedabedferhim,buttwantclean.Thefeeluvitmadehisbackacheanthesmelluvitmadehimsicktohisstomach.

Whentheswiftshedcompnytheydbringemovertlookathimtherenhisdarkcomer.Saboy,saidthemotherswiftpokinhimwith a long stick Wouldnt ye like t see im run? Then she

punchedhim

until

he

got

up

an

run

round

the

cave

fer

his

life.

Happenedonedayetaverybenevolentswiftcomeintthecave.

Sapitytkeeptheboyhere,saidhe;helooksbad.

Buthemakesfunferthechildren,saidtheswift.

Funthatmakesmiseryisonlyfitferafool,saidthevisitor.

Theylet

him

go

thet

day.

Soon

as

he

got

hum

he

thought

o

the

squirrelsanwastickledtfindemalive.Hetakemofftoanisland,in themiddleof abig lake, thetveryday, an set the cage on theshorenopeneditHethoughthewouldcomebacksometimeansee


39/256


35

howtheywasgininalong.Thecagewasmadeoflightwireanhedatinbottomfastenedtoabigpieceoplank.Atfusttheywasfraidtleaveitanpeekedoutothedooranscratchedtheirheadssifthey

thoughtit

aresky

business.

After

awhile

one

stepped

out

careful

an

thentheotherfollowed.Theytriedtclimbatree,buttheirnailswasworeoffantheykepfallinback.Thentheywentoffnthebrushtfindsomenuts.Therewasonlypinesanpoppiesanwhitebirchana fewberrybushesonthe island.Theywent t thewatersedgeoneveryside,buttherewasnuthinthereasquirreludgiveaflirtuvhistailfer.Twasneardarkwhentheycomebacktthecagehungryastewbears.Theyfoundafewcrumbsobreadinthecupandividedemeven.Thentheywenttbedntheirolnest.

Ithedbeenraininaweekinthemountins.Thetnightthelakeroseafootermoreanforemorninthecagebeguntrockateentybitasthewater lifted theplank.Theyslepall thebetter fer thetan theydreamedtheywasupinatreeattheenduvabigbough.Thecagebegun t sway sideways and then it let go o the shore an spunroundonceer twiceansailedout n thedeepwater.Therewasalightbreezeblowin offshore an purty soon itwas pitchin like ashipinthesea.Butthetwosquirrelswasverytiredanneverwoke

uptil

sunrise.

They

got

aterrible

scare

when

they

see

the

water

round emanfeltthemotionotheship.Bothon emran intothewirewheel an thatboredown the stern o the ship so theunderwirestouchedthewater.Theymadeitspinlikeabuzzsawangottheir clothes allwet. The shipwent fasterwhen theyworked thewheel,anbimebye theygot tiredancomeouton themaindeck.Thewaterwashedoveritalittlesotheyclimuptheroofthetwasakinuvahurricanedeck.Itmadetheshipswayanrockfearfulbuttheyhungonmidships,anclungtthehandlethatstuckuplikea

topmast.

Their

big

tails

was

spreadover

their

shoulders,

an

the

windroseantheshipwentfasternfaster.Theycouldseethemainshorewherethebigwoodscomedowntthewaternallthewhileitkepacominnearernnearer.Buttheywassohungrydidntseempossibletheycouldlivetogitthere.

Ye know squirrels are a savin people. In the day o plenty theythinkothedayopovertyan laybyfer it.Allatonceoneuv emthought uv a few kernels o corn, he hed pushed through a little

crackin

the

tin

floor

one

day

along

time

ago.

It

happened

there

was

quiteaholeunderthecrackaneachuvembadstoredsomekernelsunbeknownttheother.Sotheyhedagoodsuppernsomeleftferabitenthemornin.Foredaylighttheshipmadeherpottnlayto,


40/256


36

sidelivaloginalittlecove.Thebullfrogsjumpedonhermaindeckanbegun tholler soon as shehove to:all ashore! all ashore! allashore!The two squirrelswokeupbut layquiet til the sun rose.

Thenthey

come

out

on

the

log

et

looked

like

along

dock

an

run

ashorenfounsomeotheirownfolksinthebush.Anwhentheybed tol their story the ol father o the tribe got up n a tree anholleredhimselfhoarsepreachinbouthowtpaidtbesavin.

Anweshouldlearntsaveourwisdomeswellesournuts,saidasassybrother;fereachneedshisownwisdomferhisownaffairs.

An the little shipwentback n forth cross the cove as thewin

blew.The

squirrels

hed

many

afine

ride

in

her

an

the

frogs

were

the

ferrymen.AnalllongthetshoretwasknownesFrogFerrymongthesquirrelfolks.

Itwasverydarkwhenhefinishedthetaleanaswelaygapingafewminutes aftermy last query about those funnypeople of the lakemargin Icouldhearnothingbut thechirpingof thecrickets. IwasfeelingabitsleepywhenIheardtheboardscreakaboveourheads.UncleEliraisedhimselfandlaybraceduponhiselbowlistening.Ina

fewmoments

we

heard

asound

as

of

someone

coming

softly

down

the ladderat theotherendof the room. Itwassodark Icouldseenothing.

Whosthere?UncleEbdemanded.

Dontpintthetgunatme,somebodywhispered.ThisismyhomeandIwarnyetleaveiterIlldoyeharm.


41/256


37

CHAPTERV

Here Ishallquoteyouagain from thediaryofUncleEb. Itwasso

darkIcouldnt

see

ahan

before

me.

Dont

pint

yer

gun

at

me,

the

man whispered. Thought twas fimny he could see me when Icouldntseehim.Saidtwashishomeanwedbetterleave.TolhimIwas sick (rumatiz) an couldnt stir. Saidhewas sorry an comeovernearus.TolhimIwasanolmangoinwestwithasmallboy.Stopped in therain.Gotsick.Outopurvisions. Boutready tdie.Didn knowwhat t do. Started t stike amatch an theman saiddontmakenolightcosIdontwanttohevyeseemyface.Neverletnobodyseemyface.Saidheneverwentoutlesstwasadarknight

untilfolks

was

abed.

Said

we

looked

like

good

folks.

Scairt

me

alittle

coswecouldntseea thing.Alsohesaiddontbe fraidofme.DowhatIcanferye.

IrememberthemancrossedthecreakingfloorandsatdownnearusafterhehadparleyedwithUncleEbawhileinwhispers.YoungasIwasIkeepavividimpressionofthatnightand,aidedbythediaryofUncleEb,Ihavemadearecordofwhatwassaidthatis,inthemain,accurate.

Doyouknowwhereyouare?heenquiredpresently,whisperingashehaddonebefore.

Ivenoidee,saidUncleEb.

Well,downthehillisParadiseValleyinthetownshipoFaraway,he continued. Its the end o Paradise Road an a purty country.Beensettledalongtimeanthefarmsarebiganprosperous kind

uvaland

o

plenty.

That

big

house

at

the

foot

o

the

hill

is

Dave

Browers.Hestherichestmaninthevalley.

Howdoyouhappentbelivinhere? ifyedontmintellinme,UncleEbasked.

Crazy, saidhe; fraiduveverybodyaneverybodys fraidome.Livedagoodlongtimeinthisway.WintersIgointothebigwoods.Gotacamp inabigcaveanwhen Im there Iseea littledaylight.

Heren

the

clearin

Im

only

up

in

the

night

time.

Thets

how

Ive

cometoseesowellinthedark.Itsgivemecatseyes.

Dontyegitlonesome?UncleEbasked.


42/256


38

Awful sometimes,heansweredwithasadsigh,anitseemsgoodttalkwithsomebodybesidesmyself.Igetenoughtoeatgenerally.There are deer in thewoods an cows in the fields, ye know, an

potatoesan

corn

an

berries

an

apples,

an

all

thet

kind

o

thing.

Then Ivegotmy traps in thewoodswhere Iketchpartridges,ansquirrels an coons an all themeat Ineed. Ive got aplace in thethicktimbertdomycookin allIwanttdo inthemiddleofthenight Sometimes I come here an spend aday in the garret if ImcaughtinastormorifIhappentostayalittletoolateinthevalley.Once inagreatwhile Imeetamansomewhere in theopenbuthealways gits away quick ashe can.Guess they think Im a ghost dunnowhatIthinkothem.

Ourhostwentontalkingasifheweregladtotellthesecretsofhishearttosomecreatureofhisownkind.Ihaveoftenwonderedathisfrankness;but therewas a fatherly tenderness, I remember in thevoiceofUncleEb,and Ijudge it temptedhisconfidence.Probablythe loveofcompanionshipcanneverbesodead inamanbut thatthevoiceofkindnessmaycallitbacktolifeagain.

Illbringyouabiteteatbeforemorning,hesaid,presently,ashe

roseto

go.

leet

me

feel

o

your

han,

mister.

UncleEbgavehimhishandandthankedhim.

Feelsgood.FirstIvehedholdofinalongtime,hewhispered.

Whatsthedayothemonth?

Thetwentyfifth.

Imustremember.Wheredidyoucomefrom?

UncleEbtoldhim,briefly,thestoryofourgoingwest

Guessyoudneverdomenoharm wouldye?themanasked.Notabit,UncleEbanswered.

Thenhebadeusgoodbye,crossedthecreakingfloorandwentaway

inthe

darkness.

Singlarcharacter!UncleEbmuttered.


43/256


39

Iwasgettingdrowsyandthatwas the last Iheard. In themorningwe found a smallpail ofmilk sittingnearus, a roastedpartridge,twofriedfishandsomeboiledpotatoes.Itwasmorethanenoughto

carryus

through

the

day

with

afair

allowance

for

Fred.

Uncle

Eb

wasabitbetterbutverylameatthatandkepttohisbedthegreaterpartoftheday.ThetimewentslowwithmeIremember.UncleEbwasnotcheerfulandtoldmebutonestoryandthathadnolifeinit.Atduskhe letmegoout in theroad toplayawhilewithFredandthewagon,butcametothedoorandcalledus inshortly.Iwenttobed in a rather unhappy flame ofmind. The dog rousedmebybarking in themiddle of the right and I heard again the familiarwhisperofthestranger.

Shhh!bestill,dog,hewhispered;butIwasuptomyearsinsleepandwentundershortly,soIhavenoknowledgeofwhatpassedthatnight.UncleEbtellsinhisdiarythathehadatalkwithhimlastingmorethananhour,butgoesnofurtherandneverseemedwillingtotalkmuchaboutthatintervieworothersthatfollowedit.

Ionlyknow themanhadbroughtmoremilkand fishand fowl forus.Westayedanotherday intheoldhouse,thatwent likethe last,

andthe

night

man

came

again

to

see

Uncle

Eb.

The

next

morning

my

companionwasabletowalkmorefreely,butFredandIhadtostopandwait forhimveryoftengoingdown thebighill. Iwasmightygladwhenwewere leaving themustyoldhouse forgoodandhadthe dog hitchedwith all our traps in thewagon. Itwas abrightmorningandthesunlightglimmeredonthedewinthebroadvalley.Themenwerejust coming frombreakfastwhenwe turned in atDavidBrowers.Abarefooted littlegirlabitolder than I,with redcheeksandblueeyesandlongcurlyhair,thatshonelikegoldinthe

sunlight,came

running

out

to

meet

us

and

led

me

up

to

the

doorstep, highly amused at the sight of Fred and the wagon. Iregarded herwith curiosity and suspicion at first,whileUncleEbwas talkingwith themen. I shallnever forget thatmomentwhenDavidBrowercameand liftedmeby theshoulders,highabovehishead,andshookmeasiftotestmymettle.Heledmeintothehousethenwherehiswifewasworking.

Whatdoyouthinkofthissmallbitofaboy?heasked.

Shehadalreadykneltonthefloorandputherarmsaboutmyneckandkissedme.


44/256


40

Amnohome,saidhe.ComeallthewayfromVermontwithanolman.Theyrewornoutbothuv em.Guesswedbetter take em inawhile.

O yes, mother please, mother, put in the little girl who washoldingmy hand. He can sleepwithme,mother. Please let himstay.

She kneltbesideme andputher arms aroundmy little shouldersanddrewmetoherbreastandspoketomeverytenderly.

Pleaselethimstay,thegirlpleadedagain.

David,saidthewoman,Icouldntturnthelittlethingaway.Wontyehandmethosecookies.

And soour lifebegan inParadiseValley.Tenminutes later IwasplayingmyfirstgameofIspywithlittleHopeBrower,amongthefragrantstooksofwheatinthefieldbackofthegarden.


45/256


41

CHAPTERVI

The lone pine stood in Browers pasture,just clear of thewoods.

Whenthe

sun

rose,

one

could

see

its

taper

shadow

stretching

away

to the footofWoodyLedge,andat sunset it lay likea fallenmastathwartthecowpaths,itslongtoparmaflyingpennantonthesideofBowmansHill.Insummerthisbarofshadowmovedlikeaclockhandonthegreendialofthepasture,andthehelpcouldtellthetimebytheslantofit.LonePinehadamightygirthatthebottom,anditsbarebodytaperedintotheskyasstraightasanarrow.UncleEbusedtosaythatitsonelong,nakedbranchthatswungandcreakednearthe topof it, likeasignofhospitalityon thehighwayof thebirds,

wastwo

hundred

feet

above

ground.

There

were

afew

stubs

here

andthereuponitsshaft theroostofcrowsandowlsandhenhawks.It must have passed for a low resort in the feathered kingdombecauseitwasonlytherobbersoftheskythathaltedonLonePine.

ThistoweringshaftofdeadtimbercommemoratedtheancientforestthroughwhichthenorthernYankeescuttheirtrailsinthebeginningof thecentury.Theywerea tall,big fisted,brawny lotofmenwhocameacrosstheAdirondacksfromVermont,andbegantobreakthe

greencanopy

that

for

ages

had

covered

the

valley

of

the

St

Lawrence.Generallytheydroveacowwiththem,andsuchgameastheycouldkillon thejourneysupplemented theirdietof puddingandmilk.Somesettledwhere thewagonbrokeorwhere theyhadburiedamemberofthefamily,andtheretheyclearedtheforeststhatoncecoveredthesmoothacresoftoday.GraduallytheroughsurfaceofthetrailgrewsmootheruntilitbecameParadiseRoad thewellwornthoroughfareofthestagecoachwithitsinnsandouts,asthedriversusedtosay theinnswherethemenfolkssatinthefirelight

ofthe

blating

logs

after

supper

and

told

tales

of

adventure

until

bedtime,whilethewomensatwiththeirknittingintheparlour,andtheyoungmenwrestled in the stableyard.Themenofmiddleagehadstoopedandmassiveshoulders,anddeepfurrowedbrows:Tellone of them he was growing old and he might answer you byholding hiswhip in front of him and leaping over itbetween hishands.

Therewas a little clearing around thatbig pine treewhenDavid

Browersettled

in

the

valley.

Its

shadows

shifting

in

the

light

of

sun

andmoon, like thearmofacompass,swept thespreadingacresofhisfarm,andhebuilthishousesomefortyrodsfromthefootofitonhigherground.Davidwastheoldestofthirteenchildren.Hisfather


46/256


42

haddiedtheyearbeforehecametoStLawrencecounty,leavinghimnothingbut heavy responsibilities. Fortunately, his great strengthandhiskindlynaturewereequaltotheburden.Motherandchildren

werelanded

safely

in

their

new

home

on

Bowmans

Hill

the

day

that

Davidwaseighteen. Ihaveheard theold folksof thatcountry tellwhatasplendidfigureofamanhewasthosedays sixfeetone inhisstockingsandbroadattheshoulder.Hiseyesweregreyandsetunderheavybrows.Ihaveneverforgottenthebigmanthatlaidholdofmeandthebroadcleanshavenseriousface,thatlookedintominetheday I came toParadiseValley.As Iwrite I can seeplainlyhisdimpledchin,hislargenose,hisfirmmouththatwasthekeytohischaracter. Openorshet, Ihaveheardtheoldfolkssay, itshowed

hewas

no

fool.

AftertwoyearsDavidtookawifeandsettledinParadi

Eben Holden

Documents

Transcript of Eben Holden