HaroldBellWright

Title:TheShepherdoftheHillsAuthor:HaroldBellWrightReleaseDate:July4,2007[EBook#4735]THESHEPHERDOFTHEHILLSBYHAROLDBELLWRIGHTTOFRANCES,MYWIFE INMEMORYOFTHATBEAUTIFULSUMMERINTHEOZARKS,WHEN,everySOOFTEN,WEFOLLOWEDTHEOLDTRAILAROUNDTHERISEOFMUTTONHOLLOWTHETRAILTHATISNOBODYKNOWSHOWOLDitisANDthenFROMSAMMY'SLOOKOUT,WATCHEDTHEDAYGOOVERTHEWESTERNRIDGES."Thatallwithoneconsentpraisenewborngawds,thotheyaremadeandmouldedofthingspast,andgivetodustthatisalittlegiltMorelaudthangiltoferdusted." TROILUSANDCRESSIDA.ACT3;SC.3.CHAPTERI.THESTRANGER.Itwascornplantingtime,whenthestrangerfollowedtheOldTrailintotheMuttonHollowneighborhood.Alldayafinerainhadfallensteadily,andthemistshungheavyoverthevalley.Thelowerhillswerewrappedasinawindingsheet;dankandcold.Thetreesweredrippingwithmoisture.Thestrangerlookedtiredandwet.Byhisdress,themanwasfromtheworldbeyondtheridges,andhiscarefullytailoredclothinglookedstrangelyoutofplaceinthemountainwilderness.Hisformstoopeda

2|P a g e littleintheshoulders,perhapswithweariness,orperhapswithage,buthecarriedhimselfwiththeunconsciousairofonelongusedtoapositionofconspicuouspowerandinfluence;and,whilehiswellkepthairandbeardwerestronglytouchedwithwhite,theclearbrowneyestoldofanintellectuncloudedbytheshadowsofmanyyears.Indeed,itwasafacemarkeddeeplybypride:ofbirth,ofintellect,ofculture.Itwasthefaceofascholarandpoet;butitwasalsothecountenanceofonefairlystaggeringunderaburdenofdisappointmentandgrief.Asthestrangerwalked,helookedsearchinglyintothemistsoneveryhand,andpausedfrequentlyasifquestioningthepropercourse.Suddenlyhesteppedquicklyforward.Hisearhadcaughtthesharpringofahorse'sshoeonaflintrocksomewhereinthemistsonthemountainsideabove.ItwasJedHollandcomingdownthetrailwithaweek'ssupplyofcornmealinasackacrosshishorsesback.Asthefigureofthetraveleremergedfromthemists,thenativecheckedhishorsetogreetthenewcomerwiththecustomarysalutationofthebackwoods,"Howdy."ThemanreturnedJed'sgreetingcordially,and,restinghissatchelonarockbesidethenarrowpath,added,"Iamverygladtomeetyou.IfearthatIamlost.Thevoicewaspure,deep,andmusical,and,likethebrowneyes,betrayedtherealstrengthoftheman.Thetoneswereasdifferentfromthehighkeyed,slurringspeechofthebackwoods,asthegentlemanhimselfwas,andhewasunlikeanymanJedhadevermet.Theboylookedatthespeakerinwideeyedwonder;hehadaqueerfeelingthathewasinthepresenceofaneducatedman;somethingJedhadneverbeforetrulymet.Throwingonethinlegovertheoldmare'sneck,andwavingalongarmupthehillandthentotheleft,Jeddrawledout,"ThattheresDeweyBal';downyondersMuttonHoller."Thenturningalittletotherightandpointingintothemistwiththeotherhand,hecontinued,"ComptonRidgeisoverthere.Hestoppedabitasnothingseemedtoregisterwiththetraveler.FinallyJedasked,Wherewasyoutryingtogetto,Mister?""WhereamItryingtogetto?"ThemanrepeatedJed'squestionasthoughitwasgoodquestion."Wellitdoesn'tmuchmatter,son.IsupposeImustfindsomeplacewhereIcanstaytonight.Doyoulivenearhere?""Nope,"Jedansweredflatly."ItsarightsmartpiecetowhereIliveandmyhorsecouldnotcarryusboth.Thishere'sgrindingday,andI'vebeent'milloveronFallCreek;theMatthewsmill.Itllbeplumbdark'ginIgethome.Iallowedyouwasastrangerintheseparts,soonsIcatchsightofyou,becauseIknoweveryonearoundhere,Jedsaidproudly.WhatmightYERnamebe,Mister?"Theother,lookingbackoverthewayhehadcome,seemednottohearJed'squestion,sothenativecontinuedhopingthatthrowingsomebaitmaycatchhimsomething."Mine'sJedHolland.MyPapandMamcomefromTennessee.Paphe'sdowninthebacknow,andaintrightwell,buthe'llbe'roundinalittle,Ireckon.PreachingBillhe'lowsitsgoodforafellert'bedowningthebackonceinawhile;saysifitwasntforthatwe'dgettostandingsodurnedproudandstraightwe'dgoplumboverbackwards."Abittersmilecrossedthefaceoftheolderman.Heevidentlyappliedthenative'sphilosophyinawayunguessedbyJed."Verytrue,verytrue,indeed,"hemused.ThenheturnedtoJed,andasked,"Isthereahousenearhere?"

3ShepherdintheHills"JimLanelivesupthetrailabouthalfaquarter.EverheartellofJim?""No,asyousaid,Imstrangerthesehereparts.Jednodded."Ithoughtmaybeyou'dheardtellofJimorSammy.There'sthemthathasheardofJimmorethanonesheardaboutoldmanDewey'scave.Jimsplacebeingsonigh.OrareyouonethatsheardofColonelDewey,himtheBal'uptheresnamedfor?Maybeyoucomet'lookforthebigminetheysay'sinthecave?I'llhelpyouhuntit,ifyouwant,Mister.Supposedtoberichesinthere.""No,"saidtheother,"Iamnotlookingforminesofleadorzinc.Iamhereforgreaterwealth,youngman.""Law,youdon'tsay!JimWilsondidsaythattheremustbegoldintheseheremountains,becausetheyresodagburnedroughandthatsthekeyforthem.Lemmehelpyou,Mister.I'dlikemightywellt'getsomeclotheslikethem.""No,nothestrangersmiled.Idonotspeakofgold,myboy,"hecontinuedkindly.ButImustnotkeepyoulonger,ordarknesswillovertakeusandyouhavefartogoandIhavetofindaberth.DoyouthinkthisMr.Lanewouldentertainmeforabit?"Jedpushedahandupunderhistatteredoldhat,scratchinghisheadbeforeheanswered,"Don'tknowabouttheentertaining,Mister,but'mostanybodywouldtakeyouin."Heturnedandlookedthoughtfullyupthetrail."Idon'tguessJim'scomehomethough;becauseIsawSammyafixingtgoovert'theMatthews'swhenIcamepast.YouknowtheMatthews's,Ireckon?"Therewasahintofimpatiencenowinthedeepvoice."No,ItoldyouthatIhadneverbeeninthesemountainsbefore.WillMr.Matthewskeepme,doyouthink?"Jed,whowasstilllookingupthetrail,suddenlyleanedforward,and,pointingintothetimbertotheleftofthepath,saidinanexcitingwhisper,"Lookatthat,Mister;yondertherebythatbigrock."Thestranger,looking,thoughthesawaform,weirdandghostlikeinthemist,flittingfromtreetotree,but,evenashelooked,itvanishedamongthehundredsoffantasticshapesinthegrayforest."Whatisit?"heasked.Thenativeshookhishead."DarnifIknow,Mister.There'smightystrangethingsstirringonthisheremountain,andinthehollerdownyonder.Say,Mister,didyoueverseeahant?"Thegentlemandidnotunderstand."Ahant,aghost,somecalls'em,"explainedJed."BudWilsonhesuresawoldMatt's"Theotherinterrupted."Really,youngman,Imustgo.Itisalreadylate,andyouknowIhaveyettofindaplacetostayforthenight."

4|P a g e "Law,that'salright,Mister!"repliedJed."Thereaintnocallforworry.Juststayanywhere,itsallgood,butwheredoyoucallhome?"AgainJed'squestionwasignored."YouthinkthenthatMr.Matthewswillkeepme?""Law,yes!They'lltakeanybodyin.Iknowtheyrehomebecausetheywasafixingt'leavethemillwhenIleftaboutanhourago.Wastheriverupmuchwhenyoucomeacross?"Jedkeptlookinguneasilyintothewoodsashespoke,veryuneasily."Imsorryson,Ididnotcrosstheriver.HowfarisittothisMatthewsplace,andhowdoIgo?""JustfollowthisOldTrail.Itlltakeyourightthere.Followitforaboutthreemiles,I'dsay.DidyoucomefromSpringfieldorSt.Louis,maybe?"Themanliftedhissatchelfromtherockasheanswered:"No,IdonotliveineitherSpringfieldorSt.Louis.Thankyou,verymuch,foryourassistance.Iwillgoon,now,forImusthurry,ornightwillovertakeme,andIshallnotbeabletofindthepath.""Oh,itsaheaplighterwhenyougetuponthehillabovethefog,"saidJed,loweringhislegfromthehorse'sneck,andsettlingthemealsack,preparatorytomoving."ButI'dratheritwasyouthanmeagoinguponDeweytonight."Hewasstilllookingupthetrail."ReckonyoumustbefromKansasCityorChicago?Iheardtellthey'remightybigtowns."Thestranger'sonlyanswerwasacurt"Goodby,"andhevanishedinthemist.Jedturnedanddughisheelsvigorouslyintheoldmare'sflanks,asheejaculatedsoftly,"Well,I'llbedogdurned!MustbefromNewYork,forsure!"Slowlytheoldmantoiledupthemountain;upfromthemistsofthelowergroundtotheridgeabove;and,asheclimbed,unseenbyhim,ashadowyformflittedfromtreetotreeinthedim,drippingforest.AshecameinsightoftheLanecabin,ayoungwomanonbrownponyrodeoutofthegateandupthetrailbeforehim.Whenhereachedtheopengroundonthemountainabove,hesawthemagain,thistimetheponywasfarahead,lopingeasilyalongthelittlepath,andthenshortlythehorseandriderpassedfromsight.Thecloudstooweredriftingfaraway.Thewesternskywasclearwiththesunstillabovethehillsandinanoldtreethatleanedfaroutoverthevalley,acrowshookthewetfromhisplumageanddriedhimselfinthewarmlight.Farbelowthemistsrolledin,andonthesurfaceofthatgraysea,thetravelersawacompanyofbuzzards,wheelingandcirclingabovesomedeadthinghiddeninitsdepth.WearilythemanfollowedtheOldTrailtowardtheMatthewsplace,andalways,ashewent,intheedgeofthegloomyforest,flittedthatshadowyform.

5ShepherdintheHillsCHAPTERII.SAMMYLANE.PreachingBill,says,"ItsaplumbshamethereaintmoremenintheworldbuiltlikeoldmanMatthewsandthatboyofhis'nbecausemenlikethemoughtt'beascommonasflies,andtheywouldbetooiffolkscaredhalfasmuchaboutbreedingfolksastheydoaboutraisinghogsandhorses."Mr.Matthewswasindeedagiant.Fullysixfeetfourinchesinheight,withbigbones,broadshoulders,andmightymuscles,hetoweredovereveryonehemet.Atlogrollingsorchoppingbeesinthefieldoratthemill,orthemanyChurchgamesnoonehadeversuccessfullycontestedhisplaceasthestrongestmaninthehills.Throughoutthecountryside,theoldfolkstellwithpridetalesofthemarvelousfeatsofstrengthandprowessthat"OldMatt"performedwhenhewasyoung.Hissonor"YoungMatt,"itseemedhewasmadefromthesamecastanddieasthefatherthoughabittaller.Hetoohadamightyframe,softenedbyyoungmanhoodsgrace;butwithapowerfulbullneckandwellpoisedheadcappedwithwavyredbrownhair.Hisblueeyeswerelightlikethatofsummersdayandhiscountenancewasfearlessandfrank,butitwashiseyesthatheldasteadyandstraightgazeandpromisedhisword.Anyonemeetingthepair,astheywalkedwiththelongswingingstrideofthemountaineerupthesteepmillroadthatgrayafternoon,wouldhaveturnedforasecondlookbecausetheyseemedlikeamatchedsetdespitetheirage.WhentheyreachedthebigloghousethatlooksdownupontheHollow,theboywentatoncewithhisaxetothewoodpile,whiletheoldermanbusiedhimselfwiththemilkingandotherchoresaboutthebarn.YoungMatthadnotbeenchoppinglongwhenheheard,comingupthehill,andthesoundofahorse'sfeetontheOldTrail.Thehorsestoppedatthehouseandavoicethatstirredthebloodintheyoungmansveins,called,"Howdy,AuntMollie."Mrs.Matthewsappearedinthedoorway;byherfrankcountenanceandkindlylookanyonewouldhaveknownherataglanceastheboysmother."Landsakes,ifitaintSammyLane!Howareyou,honey?""Iamalright,"answeredthevoice;"I'vecomeovert'stopwithyoutonight;Dad'sawayagain;MandyFordstayedwithmelastnight,butshehadtogohomethisevening."Thebigfellowatthewoodpiledrovehisaxedeeperintothelog."It'sabouttimeyouwasacomingover,"repliedthewomaninthedoorway;"Iwasatellingthemenfolksthismorningthatyouhadn'tbeennighthewholeblessedweek.Mr.Matthewsallowedmaybeyouwassick."Theotherreturnedwithagaylaugh,"Iwasneversickaminuteinmylifethatanybodyeverheardtell.I'mpowerfulhungry,though.You'dbetterputinanotherpanofcornbread."Sheturnedherpony'sheadtowardthebarn."Seemslikeyouarealwayshungry,"laughedtheolderwoman,inreturn."Welljustgoonouttothebarn,andthemenwilltakeyourhorse;thencomerightinandI'llmightysoonhavesomethingtofillyouup."OperationsatthewoodpilesuddenlyceasedandYoungMattwasfirstatthebarnyardgate.

6|P a g e MissSammyLanewasoneofthoserareyoungwomenwhoseappearanceisnottobedescribed.Onecan,ofcourse,putitdownthatshewastall;beautifullytall,withthetrimnessofayoungpine,deepbosomed,withlimbsfullrounded,fairlytinglingwiththelifeandstrengthofperfectwomanhood;anditmaybesaidthatherfacewasafacetogowithonethroughtheyears,andtolivestillinone'sdreamswhenthesapoflifeisgone,and,witheredandold,onesitsshakingbeforethefire;agenerous,lovingmouth,redlipped,fullarched,withthecornerstuckedinandperfectteethbetween;awomanlychinandnose,withcharacterenoughtosavethemfrombeingpretty;hairdark,showingatouchofgoldwithumberintheshadows;abrow,fullbroad,setoverbrowneyesthathadneverbeentaughttohidebehindtheirfringedveils,butlookedalwayssquareoutatyouwithahealthylookofgoodcomradeship,agleamofmirth,orasudden,wide,questioninggazethatrevealeddepthofsoulwithin.Butwhatistheuse?Whenallthisiswritten,thosewhoknewSammywillsay,"'Tisbutapoorpicture,forsheissomethingmorethanallthis."UncleIke,thepostmasterattheForks,diditmuchbetterwhenhesaidto"PreachingBill,"thenightofthe"Doings"attheCoveSchool,"Bythunders!ThatgalofJimLanesjustplumbfillsthewholehouse.WHAT!Andwhenshecomesaridingupt'theofficeonthatbrownponyofhern,I'llbedagburnedifshedon'tprettynighfillthewholeoutdoors,bythunder!What!"Andthelittleshriveledupoldhillsman,whokeepstheferry,removedhiscobpipelongenoughtoreply,withaltheemphasispossibletohissqueakyvoice,"Shesuredo,Ike.Shesuredo.I'veoftenthoughtitdidntlookjustfairforGod'almightyt'makesuchawoman'thoutarymant'matchher.Makesmefeelplumb'shamedofmyselft'stand'roundinthesamecountywithher.Itsuredo,Ike."Greetingthegirltheyoungmanopenedthegateforhertopass."I'vebeenalookingforyouover,"saidSammy,ateasinglightinhereyes."Didn'tyouknowthatMandywasstoppingwithme?She'sbeenadyingtoseeyou.""I'mmightysorry,"hereplied,fasteningthegateandcomingtothepony'sside."Whydidn'tyoutellmebefore?Ireckonshe'llgetoveritalright,though,"headdedwithasmile,asheraisedhisarmstoassistthegirltodismount.Theteasinglightvanishedastheyoungwomanplacedherhandsonthepowerfulshouldersofthegiant,andasshefelttheplayoftheswellingmusclesthatswunghertothegroundsoeasily,herfaceflushedwithadmiration.Forthefractionofaminuteshestoodfacinghim,herhandsstillonhisarms,herlipspartedasiftospeak;thensheturnedquicklyaway,andwithoutawordwalkedtowardthehouse,whiletheboy,pretendingtobusyhimselfwiththepony'sbridle,watchedherasshewent.Whenthegirlwasgone,thebigfellowledthehorseawaytothestable,wherehecrossedhisarmsuponthesaddleandhidhisfacefromthelight.Mr.Matthewscomingquietlytothedoorafewminuteslatersawtheboystandingthere,andtheruggedfaceofthebigmountaineersoftenedatthesight.Quietlyhewithdrewtotheothersideofthebarn,onlytoreturnlaterwhenthesaddleandbridlehadbeenremoved.Theyoungmanstoodstrokingthepony,asthelittlehorsemunchedhisgenerousfeedofcorn.Theeldermanlaidhishandonthebroadshoulderoftheladsolikehim,andlookedfullintothecleareyes.

7ShepherdintheHills"Isitalright,son?"heaskedgruffly;andtheboyanswered,ashereturnedhisfather'slook,"It'salright,Dad.""Thenlet'sgotothehouse;Mothercalledsuppersometimeago."Justasthelittlecompanywereseatingthemselvesatthetable,thedogintheyardBarkedloudly.YoungMattwenttothedoor.Thestranger,whomJedhadmetontheOldTrail,stoodatthegate.CHAPTERIII.THEVOICEFROMOUTTHEMISTS.WhileYoungMattwasgonetothecorralinthevalleytoseethatthesheepweresafelyfoldedforthenight,andthetwowomenwerebusyinthehousewiththeiraftersupperwork,Mr.Matthewsandhisguestsatonthefrontporch."MynameisHowitt,DanielHowitt,"themansaidinanswertothehost'squestion.But,ashespoke,therewasinhismanneratouchofembarrassment,andhecontinuedquicklyasiftopreventfurtherquestion,"Youhavetworemarkablechildren,sir;thatboyisthefinestspecimenofmanhoodIhaveeverseen,andthegirlisremarkable,sir.Youwillpardonme,Iamsure,butIamanenthusiasticloverofmykind,andIcertainlyhaveneverseensuchapair."ThegrimfaceoftheelderMatthewsshowedbothpleasureandamusement."You'remistaken,Mister;theboy'sminealright,andhe'sallthatyousay,andmore,Ireckon.Idoubtifthere'samaninthehillscanmatchhimtoday;notexceptingWashGibbs;andhe'samightygoodboy,too.Butthegirlisadaughterofaneighbor,andnokinatall.""Indeed!"exclaimedtheother,"youhaveonlyonechildthen?"Theamusedsmileleftthefaceoftheoldmountaineer,asheansweredslowly,"Therewassixboys,sir;thisone,Grant,istheyoungest.Theotherslieoverthere."Hepointedwithhispipetowhereaclumpofpines,notfarfromthehouse,showeddarkandtall,againstthelastredglowinthesky.Thestrangerglancedatthebigmansfaceinquicksympathy."Ihadonlytwo;aboyandagirl,"hesaidsoftly."Thegirlandhermotherhavebeengonethesetwentyyears.Theboygrewtobeaman,andnowhehasleftme."Thedeepvoicefaltered."Pardonme,sir,forspeakingofthis,butmyladwassolikeyourboythere.HewasallIhad,andnowIamverylonely,sir."Thereisabondoffellowshipinsorrowthatknowsnoconventionalities.Asthetwomensatinthehushofthecomingnight,theirfacesturnedtowardthesombergroupoftrees,theyfeltstronglydrawntooneanother.Themountaineer'scompanionspokeagainhalftohimself;"Iwishthatmydearoneshadarestingplacelikethat.Inthecrowdedcitycemeterythegroundisalwaysshakenbythetrampingoffuneralprofessions."Heburiedhisfaceinhishands.Forsometimethestrangersatthus,whilehishostspokenoword.Thenliftinghishead,themanlookedawayovertheridgesjusttouchedwiththelingeringlight,andthevalleybelowwrappedintheshadowymists."IcameawayfromitallbecausetheysaidImust,and

8|P a g e becauseIwashungryforthis."Hewavedhishandtowardtheglowingskyandtheforestcladhills."Thisisgoodforme;itsomehowseemstohelpmeknowhowbigGodis.Onecouldfindpeaceheresurely,sir,onecouldfinditherepeaceandstrength."Themountaineerpuffedhardathispipeforawhile,thensaidgruffly,"Seemsthatway,Mister,tothemthatdon'tknow.ButmanysthetimeI'vewishedtoGodI'dneverseenthesehereOzarks.Iusedtofeellikeyoudo,butIcantnomore.Theymindmenowofhimthatblackenedmylife;heusedtotakeonpowerfulaboutthebeautyofthecountryandallthetimehewasaturningitintoahellforthemthathadtostayhereafterhewasgone."Ashespoke,angerandhatredgrewdarkinthegiant'sface,andthestrangersawthebighandsclenchandthehugeframegrowtensewithpassion.Then,asifstrivingtobenotungracious,thewoodsmansaidinasomewhatsoftertone,"Youcantseemuchofit,thisevening,though,'countofthemists.It'llfairupbymorning,Ireckon.Youcanseealongwayfromhere,ofaclearday,Mister.""Yes,indeed,"repliedMr.Howitt,inanoddtone."Onecouldseefarfromhere,Iamsure.We,wholiveinthecities,seebutalittlefartherthanacrossthestreet.Wespendourdayslookingattheworkofourownandourneighbors'hands.SmallwonderourliveshavesolittleofGodinthem,whenwecomeintouchwithsolittlethatGodhasmade.""Youliveinthecity,then,whenyouareathome?"askedMr.Matthews,lookingcuriouslyathisguest."Idid,whenIhadahome;IcannotsaythatIliveanywherenow."OldMattleanedforwardinhischairasiftospeakagain;thenpaused;someonewascomingupthehill;andsoontheydistinguishedthestalwartformoftheson.Sammycomingfromthehousewithanemptybucketmettheyoungmanatthegate,andthetwowenttowardthespringtogether.Insilencethemenontheporchwatchedthemoonassheslowlypushedherwayupthroughtheleafyscreenonthemountainwall.Higherandhighersheclimbeduntilherraysfellintothevalleybelow,andthedriftingmistsfromridgetoridgebecameaseaofghostlylight.Itwasaweirdscene,almostsupernaturalinitsbeauty.Thenfromdownatthespringayounggirl'slaughroseclearly,andthebigmountaineersaidinalowtone,"Mr.Howitt,you'vegoteducation;it'seasytoseethat;I'vealwayswantedtoasksomebodylikeyou,doyoubelieveinhants?Doyoureckonfolksevercomebackoncethey'redeadandgone?"Themanfromthecitysawthathisbighostwasterriblyinearnest,andansweredquietly,"No,Idonotbelieveinsuchthings,Mr.Matthews;butifitshouldbetrue,Idonotseewhyweshouldfearthedead."Theothershookhishead;"Idon'tknowIdon'tknow,sir;IalwayssaidIdidn'tbelieve,butsomethingsismightyqueer."Heseemedtobeshapinghisthoughtforfurtherspeech,whenagainthegirl'slaughrangclearalongthemountainside.Theyoungpeoplewerereturningfromthespring.Themountaineerrelightedhispipe,whileYoungMattandSammyseatedthemselvesonthestep,andMrs.Matthewscomingfromthehousejoinedthegroup.

9ShepherdintheHills"We'vejustnaturallygottofindsomebodytostaywiththemsheep,Dad,"saidtheson;"thereaintnobodytheretonight,andasnearasIcanmakeoutthere'sthreeewesandtheirlambsmissing.ThereaintabitofuseinustryingtodependonPete.""I'llrideoveronBearCreektomorrow,andseeifIcangetthatfellowBucktoldusabout,"returnedthefather."Youfindithardtogethelpontheranch?"inquiredthestranger."Yes,sir,wedo,"answeredOldMatt."Wehadagood'enoughmantillaboutamonthago;sincethenwe'vebeengettingalongthebestwecould.Butwithsomeastayingoutontherange,andnotcomingin,andthewolvesagettingintothecorralatnight,we'lllosemightynighalltheprofitsthisyear.Theworstofitis,thereaintmuchshowtogetaman;unlessthatoneoveronBearCreekwillcome.Ireckon,though,he'llbeliketherest.Hesatstaringgloomilyintothenight."Istheworksodifficult?"Mr.Howittasked."Difficult,no;thereaintnothingtodobuttendingtothesheep.Themanhastostayattheranchofnights,though."Mr.Howittwaswonderingwhatstayingattheranchnightscouldhavetodowiththedifficulty,when,upfromthevalleybelow,fromoutthedarknessandthemists,cameastrangesound;asoundasifsomeoneweresingingasongwithoutwords.Sowildandweirdwasthemelody;sopassionatelysweetthevoice,itseemedimpossiblethatthemusicshouldcomefromhumanlips.Itwasmoreasthoughsomegenieoftheforestcladhillswanderedthroughthemists,singingashewentwiththejoyofhispossessions.Mrs.Matthewscameclosetoherhusbandsside,andplacedherhanduponhisshoulderashehalfrosefromhischair,hispipefallentothefloor.YoungMattrosetohisfeetandmovedclosertothegirl,whowasalsostanding.Thestrangeralonekepthisseatandhenotedtheagitationoftheothersinwonder.Forsomemomentsthesoundcontinued,nowsoftandlow,withthesweetsadnessofthewindinthepines;thenclearandringing,itechoedandreechoedalongthemountain;nowpleadings,asthoughasoulindarknessprayedagleamoflight;againrising,swellingexultingly,asingladtriumph,onlytodieawayoncemoretothatmoaningwail,seemingatlasttoloseitselfinthemists.SlowlyOldMattsankbackintohisseatandthestrangerheardhimmutter,"Poorboy,poorboy."AuntMolliewasweeping.SuddenlySammysprangfromthestepsandrunningdownthewalktothegatesentaclear,piercingcalloverthevalley:"Oh,Pete."Thegroupontheporchlistenedintently.Againthegirlcalled,andyetagain:"Ohh,Pete."Buttherewasnoanswer."It'snouse,honey,"saidMrs.Matthews,breakingthesilence;itjustaintnouse;"andtheyounggirlcameslowlybacktotheporch.

10|P a g e CHAPTERIV.ACHATWITHAUNTMOLLIE.Whenthestrangerlookedfromhiswindowthenextmorning,thevalleywasstillwrappedinitsgrayblanket.Butwhenheandhishostcamefromthehouseafterbreakfast,thesunhadclimbedwellabovetheridge,and,savealong,looselytwistedropeoffogthathungabovethedistantriver,themistsweregone.Thecitymanexclaimedwithdelightatthebeautyofthescene.Astheystoodwatchingthesheepwhitespecksinthedistanceclimbingoutofthevalleywherethelongshadowsstilllay,tithehigher,sunlitpastures,Mr.Matthewssaid,"We'veallbeenatalkingaboutyouthismorning,Mr.Howitt,andwe'dlikemightywelltohaveyoustopwithusforaspell.IfIunderstoodright,yourejustoutforyourhealthanyway,andyou'llgoalongways,sir,beforeyoufindahealthierplacethanthisrighthere.Weaintgotmuchsuchasyou'reusedto,Iknow,butwhatwehaveisyourn,andwe'dbeproudtohaveyoumakeyourselftohomeforaslongasyou'dliketostay.Youseeit'sbeenagoodwhilesincewemetupwithanybodylikeyou,andwecountitarealfavortohaveyou."Mr.Howittacceptedtheinvitationwithevidentpleasure,and,soonafter,themountaineerrodeawaytoBearCreek,onhisquestforamantoherdsheep.YoungMatthadalreadygonewithhisteamtothefieldonthehillsidewestofthehouse,andthebrownponystoodatthegatereadyforSammyLanetoreturntoherhomeonDeweyBal."I'dlikethebestintheworldtostay,AuntMollie,"shesaid,inanswertoMrs.Matthews'protest;"butyouknowthereisnoonetofeedthestock,andbesidesMandyFordwillbebacksometimetoday."Theolderwomansarmwasaroundthegirlastheywentdownthewalk."Youmustcomeoverrealoften,now,honey;youknowitwon'tbelong'tilyou'llbealeavingusforgood.Howdoyoureckonyou'lllikebeen'afinelady,andlivinginthecitywiththembigfolks?"Thegirl'sfaceflushed,andhereyeshadthatwidequestioninglook,assheansweredslowly,"Idon'tknow,AuntMollie;Iaintneverseenasure'enoughfinelady;Ireckonthemcityfolksareaheapdifferentfromus,butIreckonthey'rejustashuman.Itwouldbenicetohavelotsofmoneyandpretties,butsomehowIfeellikethere'saheapmorethanthattothinkabout.Anyhow,sheaddedbrightly,"Iaintgoingforquiteaspellyet,andyouknow'PreachingBill'says,'Thereaintnousetoworryaboutthechopping'tilthedogshastreedthecoon.'I'llsurecomeovereveryday."Mrs.Matthewskissedthegirl,andthen,standingatthegate,watcheduntilponyandriderhaddisappearedintheforest.LaterAuntMollie,withawomansfondnessforaquietchat,broughtthepotatoesshewaspreparingfordinner,tositwithMr.Howittontheporch."IdeclareIdon'tknowwhatwe'lldowithoutSammy,"shesaid;"Ijustcantbeartothinkofhergoingaway."Theguest,feelingthatsomesortofareplywasexpected,asked,"Isthefamilymovingfromtheneighborhood?"

11ShepherdintheHills"No,sir,thereaintnofamilytomove.JustSammyandherPa,andJimLanewon'tneverleavethiscountryagain.YouseeOllieStewart'suncle,hisfather'sbrotheritis,aintgotnochildrenofhisown,andhewroteforOllietocomeandlivewithhiminthecity.He'stogotoschoolandlearnthebusiness,foundryandmachineshops,orsomethinglikethatitis;andiftheboydoeswhat'sright,he'stogetitallsomeday;OllieandSammyhasbeenpromisedeversincethetalkfirstbeganabouthisgoing;butthey'llwaitnowuntilhegetsthroughhisschooling.It'llbemightyniceforSammy,marryingOllie,butwe'llmissherawful;thewholecountrywillmissher,too.She'sjustthelifeoftheneighborhood,andeverybody'lowsthereneverwasanothergirllikeher.Poorchild,sheainthadnomothersinceshewasalittletrick,andshehasalwayscometomeforeverythinglike,usbeen'suchcloseneighbors,andall.Butlaw!Sir,Iaintablamingheramiteforgoing,withherDaddyarunningwiththatorneryWashGibbsthewayhedoes."Againthemanfeltcalledupontoexpresshisinterest;"IsMr.LaneinbusinesswiththismanGibbs?""Law,no!Thatis,don'tnobodyknowaboutanybusiness;Ireckonit'sallonaccountofthoseoldBaldKnobbers;theyusedtoholdtheirmeetingsontopofDeweyyonder,andfolksdosayamanwasburnedthereonce,becausehetoldsomeoftheirsecrets.Well,JimandWash'sdaddy,andWash,allbelonged,'thoughWashhimselfwasn'tmuchmorethanaboythen;andwhenthegovernmentbrokeupthegang,oldmanGibbswaskilled,andJimwenttoTexas.ItwastherethatSammy'sMadied.WhenJimcomebackitwasn'tlongbeforehewasmightythickagainwithWashandhiscrowddownontheriver,andhe'sbeenthatwayeversince.There'sthemthatsaysit'sthesameoldgang,what'sleftofthem,andsomethinkstoothatJimandWashknowsabouttheoldDeweymine."Mr.Howitt,rememberinghisconversationwithJedHolland,askedencouragaingly,"Isthismineaveryrichone?""Don'tnobodyrightlyknowaboutthat,sir,"answeredAuntMollie."Thisishowitwas:awaybackwhentheInjunswasmakingtroublecausethegovernmentwasmovingthemwesttotheterritory,thisoldmanDeweyliveduptheresomewhereonthatmountain.Hewasamightyqueeroldfellow;didn'tmixupwiththesettlersatall,exceptUncleJoshHensley'sboywhowasn'trightsmart,anddidn'tnobodyknowwherehecomefromnornothing;butallthesame,washimthatwarnedthesettlersofthetrouble,andhelpedthemallthroughit,scoutingandsuch.Andonetimewhentheywasaboutoutofbulletsanddidn'thavenothingtomakemoreoutof,ColonelDeweytookacoupleofmenandsomemulesuponthatmountainyonderinthenight,andwhentheygotbacktheywasjustloadeddownwithlead,buthewouldn'ttellnobodywherehegotit,andaslongashewaswiththem,themendidn'tdaretell.Well,sir,themtwomenwaskilledsoonafterbytheInjuns,andwhenthetroublewasfinallyover,oldDeweydisappeared,andaintneverbeenheardtellofsince.Theysaythemineissomewheresinabigcave,butnobodyaintneverfoundit,thoughthere'sthemthatsaystheBaldKnobbersusedthecavetohidetheirstuffin,andthat'showJimLaneandWashGibbsknowswhereitis;it'sallmightyqueer.YoucanseeforyourselfthatLostCreekdownyonderjustsinkscleanoutofsightallatonce;theremustbeabigholeintheresomewhere."AuntMolliepointedwithherknifetothelittlestreamthatwindslikeathreadoflightdownintotheHollow.

12|P a g e "Itellyou,sir,thesehillsisprettytolookat,butthereaintmuchhereforagirllikeSammy,andIdon'tblameheramiteforwantingtoleave.It'samightyhardplacetolive,Mr.Howitt,anddangerous,too,sometimes.""Thecityhasitshardshipsanditsdangerstoo,Mrs.Matthews;lifetheredemandsalmosttoomuchattimes;Ioftenwonderifitisworththestruggle.""Iguessthat'sso,"repliedAuntMollie,"butitdon'tseemlikeitcouldbesohardasitishere.ItellMr.Matthewswe'vecleanforgotthewaysofcivilizedfolks;altogether,though,Isupposewe'vedoneaswellasmost,andweoughtnottocomplain."Theoldscholarlookedatthesturdyfigureinitsplaincalicodress;atthewornhands,busywiththeirhomelytask;andthepatient,kindlyface,acrosswhichtimehadploughedmanyafurrow,inwhichtoplantthesawsofcharacterandworth.Hethoughtofotherwomenwhohadsatwithhimonhotelverandas,atfashionablewateringplaces;womengownedinsilksandlaces;womenwhosesofthandsknewnoheaviertaskthanthefilmyfancyworktheytoyedwith,andwhosegreatestcare,seemingly,wasthattimeshouldleaveupontheirfacesnorecordofthepassingyears."Andthisisthestuff,"saidhetohimself,"thatmakespossiblethecivilizationthatproducesthem."Aloud,hesaid,"Doyouevertalkofgoingbacktoyouroldhome?""No,sir,notnow;"sherestedherwethandsidlyontheedgeofthepanofpotatoes,andturnedherfacetowardtheclumpofpines."Weusedtothinkwe'dgobacksometime;seemedlikeatfirstIcouldn'tstandit;thenthechildrencome,andeverytimewelaidoneofthemoverthereIthoughtlessaboutleaving,untilnowwenevertalkaboutitnomore.Thentherewasourgirl,too,Mr.Howitt.No,sir,wewon'tneverleavethesehillsnow.""Oh,youhadadaughter,too?IunderstoodfromMr.Matthewsthatyourchildrenwereallboys."AuntMollieworkedafewmomentslongerinsilence,thenaroseandturnedtowardthehouse."Yes,sir,therewasagirl;she'sburiedunderthatbiggestpineyouseeofftherealittletooneside.Wedon'tnevertalkabouther.Mr.Matthewscantstandit.Seemslikeheaintneverbeenthesamesinceithappened.Itaintnaturalforhimtobesoroughandshortwithpeople;hesreallyasgoodandkindinsideasanymaneverwasorcouldbe.He'srealtakenwithyou,Mr.Howitt,andI'mmightygladyou'regoingtostopaspell,foritwilldohimgood.MrsMatthewsstoppedforaminutetoletthatsinkinandthencontinued,Ifithadn'tbeenforSammyLanerunningineverydayortwo,Idon'tguesshecouldhavestooditatall.Isuredon'tknowwhatwe'lldonowthatshe'sgoingaway.ThentheresthatattheranchinMuttonHollow;butIguessI'dbetternottrytotellyouaboutthat.IwishMr.Matthewswould,though;maybehewill.Youknowsomuchmorethanus;Ijustknowthatyoucouldhelpusoutortellusaboutthingsthatwedontunderstand."

13ShepherdintheHillsCHAPTERV."JUSTNOBODY."Afterthemiddaymeal,whilewalkingabouttheplace,Mr.Howittfoundawellwornpath;itledhimtothegroupofpinesnotfarfromthehouse,wherefiveroughheadstonesmarkedthefivemoundsplacedsidebyside.Alittleapartfromthesewasanothermound,alone.Beneaththepinestheneedlesmadeacarpet,firmandsmooth,figuredbythewildwoodbinethatclamberedoverthegraves;mosshadgatheredontheheadstones,andthewind,inthedarkbranchesabove,moanedceaselessly.Aboutthelittleplotofgroundarusticfenceofpoleswasbuilt,andthepathledtoastilebywhichonemightentertheenclosure.Thestrangerseatedhimselfupontherudesteps.Belowandfarawayhesawthelowhills,rollingridgeonridgelikethewavesofagreatsea,untilinthebluedistancetheyweresolostintheskythathecouldnotsaywhichwasmountainandwhichwascloud.Hispoetheartwasstirredatsightofthevastreachesoftheforestallshiftinglightandshadows;thecooldepthsofthenearbywoodswiththesunlightfilteringthroughtheleafyarchesinstreaksandpatchesofgoldongreen;andthewide,wideskywithfleetsofcloudshipssailingtounseenportsbelowthehills.Themansatverystill,andashelookedthewornfacechanged;once,asifatsomepleasingmemory,hesmiled.Agraysquirrelwithbrighteyesfullofcuriousregardpeepedoverthelimbofanoak;aredbirdhoppingfrombushtobushwhistledtohismate;andabobwhitesquickcallcamefromanearbythicket.Thedreamerwasarousedatlastbythemusicaltinkleofabell.Heturnedhisfacetowardthesound,butcouldseenothing.Thebellwascomingnearer;itcamenearerstill.Thenhesawhereandtherethroughthetreessmall,movingpatchesofwhite;anoldewefollowedbytwolambscamefrombehindaclumpofbushes,andthemovingpatchesofwhiteshapedthemselvesintoothersheepfeedinginthetimber.Mr.Howittsatquitestill,and,whiletheoldewepausedtolookathim,thelambstookadvantageoftheopportunity,untiltheirmotherwassatisfiedwithherinspection,andbymovingon,upsetthem.Soonthewholeflocksurroundedhim,and,afterthefirstlingeringlookofinquiry,paidnoheedtohispresence.Thenfromsomewhereamongthetreescamethequick,lowBarkofadog.Themanlookedcarefullyineverydirection;hecouldseenothingbutthesheep,yethefelthimselfobserved.AgaincametheshortBark;andthistimeavoiceagirl'svoice,Mr.Howittthoughtsaid,"It'salright,Brave;goon,brother."Andfrombehindabigrocknotfarawayashepherddogappeared,followedbyayouthofsomefifteenyears.Hewasalightlybuiltboy;abittallforhisage,perhaps,butperfectlyerect;andhiseverymovementwasoneofindescribablegrace,whilehemanaged,somehow,towearhisroughbackwoodsgarmentswithanairofdistinctionasremarkableasitwascharming.Thefacewasfinelymolded,almostgirlish,withthelargegrayeyes,anditsframeofyellow,goldenhair.Itwasasadfacewheninrepose,yetwonderfullyresponsivetoeverypassingthoughtandmood.Buttheeyes,withtheirstrangeexpression,andshiftinglight,proclaimedthelad'smentalcondition.

14|P a g e Astheboycameforwardinashy,hesitatingway,anexpressionofamazementandwondercreptintothestranger'sface;helefthisseatandstartedforward."Howard,"hesaid;"Howard.""Thatainthisname,Mister;hisname'sPete,"returnedtheyouth,inlow,softtones.Inthevoiceandmannerofthelad,nolessthaninhisfaceandeyes,Mr.Howittreadhisstory.UnconsciouslyheechoedthewordsofMr.Matthews,"PoorPete."Thedogliftedhisheadandlookedintothemansface,whilehistailwaggedajoyfulgreeting,and,asthemanstoopedtopattheanimalandspeakafewkindwords,abeautifulsmilebrokeoverthedelicatefeaturesoftheyouth.Throwinghimselfupontheground,hecried,"Comehere,Brave";andtakingthedog'sfacebetweenhishands,saidinconfidentialtones,ignoringMr.Howittspresence,"He'sagoodman,ainthe,brother?"Thedogansweredwithwaggingtail."Wesurelikehim,don'twe?"ThedoggavealowBark."Listen,Brave,listen."Heliftedhisfacetothetreetops,thenturnedhiseartotheground,whilethedog,too,seemedtohearken.Againthatstrangesmileilluminatedhisface;"Yes,yes,Brave,wesurelikehim.Andthetreethingslikehim,too,brother;andtheflowers,thelittleflowerthingsthatknoweverything;they'reallasingingtoPetebecausehescome.Didyouseetheflowerthingsinhiseyes,andhearthetreethingsatalkinginhisvoice,Brave?Andsee,brother,thesheeplikehimtoo!"Pointingtowardthestranger,helaughedaloud.Theoldewehadcomequiteclosetotheman,andoneofthelambswasnibblingathistrousers'leg.Mr.Howittseatedhimselfonthestileagain,andthedog,releasedbytheyouth,cametoliedownathisfeet;whiletheboyseemedtoforgethiscompanions,andappearedtobelisteningtovoicesunheardbythem,nowandthennoddinghisheadandmovinghislipsinanswer.Theoldmanlookedlongandthoughtfullyattheyouth,hisownfacerevealingatroubledmind.ThisthenwasPete,PoorPete.Howard,"whisperedtheman;"theperfectimage;"thenagainhesaid,halfaloud,"Howard."Theboyturnedhisfaceandsmiled;"Thatainthisname,Mister;hisname'sPete.PeteseenyouyesterdayoveronDewey,andPeteheheardthebighillsandthewoodsasingingwhenyoutalked.ButJedhedidn'thear.Jedhedon'thearnothingbuthimself;hecant.ButPeteheheardandallPete'speople,too.Andthegraymistthingscomeoutanddancedalongthemountain,becausetheywassogladyoucome.AndPetewentwithyoualongtheOldTrail.Course,though,youdidn'tknow.DoyoulikePete'speople,Mister?"Hewavedhishandstoincludetheforest,themountainsandthesky;andtherewasanoteofanxietyinthesweetvoiceasheaskedagain:"DoyoulikePete'sfriends?""Yes,indeed,Ilikeyourfriends,"repliedMr.Howitt,heartily;andIwouldliketobeyourfriendtoo,ifyouwillletme.Whatisyourothername?"Theboyshookhishead;"Notme;notme;"hesaid;"doyoulikePete?"Themanwaspuzzled."AreyounotPete?"heasked.

15ShepherdintheHillsThedelicatefacegrewsad:"No,no,no,"hesaidinalowmoaningtone;"I'mnotPete;Pete,helivesinhere;"hetouchedhimselfonthebreast."IamIam"Alookofhopelessbewildermentcreptintohiseyes;"Idon'tknowwhoIam;I'mjustnobody.Nobodycanthavenoname,canhe?"Hestoodwithdowncasthead;thensuddenlyheraisedhisfaceandtheshadowslifted,ashesaid,"ButPeteheknows,Mister,askPete."AsuddenthoughtcametoMr.Howitt."Whoisyourfather,myboy?"Instantlythebrightnessvanished;againthewordswereapuzzledmoan;"Iaintgotnofather,Mister;Iaintme;nobodycanthavenofather,canhe?"Theotherspokequickly;"ButPetehadafather;whowasPete'sfather?"Instantlythegloomwasgoneandthefacewasbrightagain."Sure,Mister,Pete'sgotafather;don'tyouknow?Everybodyknowsthat.Look!"Hepointedupwardtoabreakinthetrees,toalargecumuluscloudthathadassumedafantasticshape."Helivesinthemwhitehills,upthere.Seehim,Mister?SometimeshetakesPetewithhimupthroughthesky,andcourseIgoalong.Wesail,andsail,andsail,withthebigbirdthingsupthere,whiletheskythingssing;andsometimesweplaywiththecloudthings,alldayinthemwhitehills.Petesayshe'lltakemeawayuptherewherethestarthingslive,someday,andwewon'tnevercomebackagain;andIwon'tbenobodynomore;andAuntMolliesaysshereckonsPeteknows.'Course,I'dhatemightymuchtogoawayfromUncleMattandAuntMollieandMattandSammy,causethey'remightygoodtome;butIjustgottogowherePetegoes,yousee,becauseIaintnobody,andnobodycantbenothing,canhe?"Thestrangerwasfascinatedbythewonderfulcharmoftheboy'smannerandwords.Asthelad'ssensitivefaceglowedorwascloudedbyeverywaywhichwayhethought,themusicofhissweetvoiceroseandfell.Mr.Howitttoldhimselfthatonemighteasilyfancythechildsomewanderingspiritofthewoodsandhillsandfinallyaloud,heasked,"HasPeteamother,too?"Theyouthnoddedtowardthebigpinethatgrewtoonesideofthegroup,and,loweringhisvoice,replied,"ThatthereisPete'smother."Mr.Howittpointedtothegrave;"Youmeanshesleepsthere?""No,no,notthere;there!"Theboypointeduptothebigtree,itself.Sheneversleeps;don'tyoueverhearher?"Hepaused.Thewindmoanedthroughthebranchesofthepine.Drawingclosertothestranger'sside,theboywhispered,"Shealwaystalksthataway;always,andthatmakesPetefeelbad.Shewantssomebodytohearhercallingbecausesheislookingforhimandhe'llsurecomesomedaytoher,Mister;hesurewill.Say,doyouknowwhereheis?"

16|P a g e Thestranger,startled,drewback;"No,myboy,certainlynot;whatdoyoumean;whoareyou?"Likethemoaningofthepinescamethereply,"Nothing,Mister,nobodycantmeannothing,canthey?I'mjustnobody.ButPetelivesinhere;askPete.""IsPetewatchingthesheep?"askedMr.Howitt,anxioustodiverttheboy'smindtootherchannels."Yes,we'reatending'emnow;buttheycanttrustus,youknow;whentheycallPete,hejustgoes,andcoursethenI'vegottogolong.""WhoisitcallsPete?""Why,they,don'tyouknow?Ithoughtthatyouknewaboutthings.TheycalledPetelastnightwhenthemoonlightwasout,andalltheshadowthingscouldbeseen.Didn'tyouseethem,Mister?Themmoonlightthings,thewind,thestars,theshadowthings,andalltherestthatplayedwithPeteintheshinymists,and,course,Iwasalong.Didn'tyouhearthesinging?Petealwayssings,whenthemoonlightanditsthingsareout.Seemslikehejustcanthelpit.""ButwhatbecomesofthesheepwhenPetegoesaway?"Theboyshookhisheadsadly."SometimestheygetsolostthatYoungMattcantneverfind'em;sometimeswolvesget'em;itsbad,Mister,itsureis."Thenlaughingaloud,heclappedhishands;"Therewasafellerattheranchtokeep'em,buthedidn'tstay;Ho!Ho!Hedidn'tstay,youbethedidn't.Petedidn'tlikehim,Bravedidn'tlikehim,andnothingdidn'tlikehimeither.Thetreeswouldn'ttalkwhenhewasaround,andtheflowersdiedwhenhelookedat'em,andthebirdsallstoppedsingingandwentawayoverthemountains.Hedidn'tstay,though,causehegotthemessaged."Againhelaughed."Youbethedidn'tstay!Peteknows.""Whydidthemango?"askedMr.Howitt,thinkingtosolveapartofthemystery,atleast.Buttheonlyanswerhecoulddrawfromtheboywas,"Peteknowswhy;Peteknowsforsure."Timedrippedbyandthenafterawhilethestrangerreturnedtothehouse,andPetewentwithhim.AtthebiggatetheymetMr.Matthews,returningunsuccessfullyfromhistrip."Hello,boy!"saidthebigman;"How'sPetetoday?"Theladwentwithgladfacetothegiantmountaineer.Itwasclearthatthetwowerethewarmestfriends."Pete'smightygladtoday,becausehe'scome,"hesaidpointingtoMr.Howitt."DoesPetelikehim?"Theboynodded."Yessir,andallofPete'speoplelikehim.Soaskhimtokeepthesheep,UncleMatt.Hewon'tbescaredattheshadowthingsinthenight."

17ShepherdintheHillsMr.Matthewssmiled,asheturnedtohisguest."Petenevermakesamistakeinhisjudgmentofmen,Mr.Howitt.He'sdifferentfromusordinaryfolks,asyoucansee;butinsomethingsheknowsaheapmore.I'mmightygladhe'stookupwithyou,sir.AlldayI'vebeenthinkingI'dtellyouaboutsomethingsIdon'tliketotalkabout;andIfeltthatafterlastnightlikeyou'dunderstandandmaybe,andmighthelpme,withyouhavingeducation.Butstill,Ivebeenalittleafraid,becauseitsahardtopictobroach,withusbeingsuchstrangers.Butnow,IknowIfeelbetteraboutit,becausePetesayssoandthatmakesmefeelgoodtoo.Ifyouweren'tthekindofamanIthinkyouare,thentheboywouldhavenevertakentoyoulikehehas,becausehesmightychoosy,"hesaidwithasmile.Andsothatnight,thebigmountaineertoldthestrangerfromthecitythestorythatIhaveputdowninthenextchapter.CHAPTERVI.THESTORY.Slowlythebigmountaineerfilledhiscobpipewithstrong,homegrowntobacco,watchinghisguestkeenlythewhile,fromunderheavybrows.Behindthedarkpinestheskywasbloodred,andbelow,MuttonHollowwasfastbeinglostinthegatheringgloom.Whenhispipewaslighted,OldMattsaid,"Well,sir,Ireckonyouthinksomethingsyouseenandheardsinceyoucomelastnightaremightyqueer.Iaintsaying,neither,butwhatyougotreasonsforthinkingso."Mr.Howittmadenoreply.And,afterpuffingafewmomentsinsilence,theothercontinued,"Ifitweren'tforwhatyousaidlastnightmakingmefeellikeIwantedtotalktoyou,andPeteatakingupwithyouthewayhehas,Iwouldn'tbeatellingyouwhatIamgoingtonow.There'ssometrails,Mr.Howitt,thataintpleasanttogobackover.Ididn't'lowtoevergooverthisoneagain.DidyouandPetetalkmuchthisafternoon?"InafewwordsMr.Howitttoldofhismeetingwiththestrangeboy,andtheirconversation.Whenhehadfinished,thebigmansmokedinsilence.Itwasasifhefoundithardtobegin.Fromatreeonthemountainsidebelow,ascreechowlsentuphislong,quaveringcall;abatdartedpastinthedusk;andawayoveronComptonRidgeahoundbayed.Themountaineerspoke;"That'sSamWilson'sdog,Ranger;musta'startedafox."Thesounddiedawayinthedistance.OldMattbeganhisstory."OurfolksalllivebackinIllinois.AndifIdosayso,theyareasgoodstockasyou'llfindanywhere.Buttherewasalotofus,andIalwayshadanotiontosettleinanewcountrywheretherewasmoreroomlikeandlandwasn'tsodear;sowhenwifeandIwasmarriedwecomeouthere.IrecollectwecampedatthespringbelowJimLane'scabinonyonsideofOldDewey,there.ThatwasbeforeJimwasmarried,andawildyoungbuckhewas

18|P a g e too,aseveryousee.ThenextdaywifeandIrodealongtheOldTrail'tilwestruckthisgap,andherewe'vebeeneversince."We'vehadourupsanddownslikemostfolks,sir,andsometimesitlookedliketheywasmostlydowns;butwegotalong,andlastfallIboughtintheranchdownthereintheHollow.Theboywasjusteighteenandwethoughtthenthathe'dbemakinghishometheresomeday.Idon'tknowhowthat'llbenow,buttherewasanotherreasontoowhywewantedtheplace,asyou'llseewhenIgettoit."Therewasfiveotherboys,asItoldyoulastnight.Theoldesttwowouldhavebeenmennow.Thegirl"hisvoicebroke"thegirlshecomethird;shewastwentywhenweburiedheroverthere.Thatwasfifteenyearagocomethemiddleofnextmonth."EverybodyallowedshewasamightyprettyBaby,and,beingtheonlygirl,Ireckonwemademoreofherthanwedidoftheboys.Shegrewupintoamightyfineyoungwomantoo;strong,andfulloffireandgo,likeSammyLane.SeemstowifeandmewhenSammysroundthatit'sourowngirlcomebackandwe'vealwayshopedthatsheandGrantwouldtaketheranchdownyonder;butIreckonthat'sallover,nowthatOllieStewarthascomeintosuchafinethinginthecity.Anyway,itaintgotnothingtodowiththis,thatI'matellingyou."Shedidn'tseemtocarenothingatallfornoneoftheneighborboyslikemostgirlsdo;she'dgowiththemandhaveagoodtimealright,butthatwasall.Pearedlikeshe'dratherbewithherbrothersorhermotherorme."Well,oneday,whenwewasoutontherangearidingforstockshe'doftengowithmethatwaywemetastrangeroverthereatthedeerlickinthebiglowgap,comingalongtheOldTrail.Hewasasfinealookingmanasyoueversee,sir;bigandgrandlike,withlightishhair,kind,ofwavy,andabigmustachelikehishair,andfinewitheteethshowingwhenhesmiled.Hewassuregoodlooking,damnhim!Andwithhisfinestoreclothesandasmootheasywayoftalkingandactinghehad,Itaintnowondershetookupwithhim.Wealldid.IusedtothinkGodnevermadeafinerbodyforaman.IknownowthatHelldon'tholdameanerheartthantheoneinthatsamefinebody.Andthat'ssomethingthatbothersmeaheap,Mr.Howitt."AsIsay,ourgirlwasbuiltlikeSammyLane,andsofaraslooksgoshewashisdeadmatch.IusedtowonderwhenI'dlookatthemtogetherifthereeverwassuchanotherfinelookingpair.Iaintagoingtotellyouhisname;thereaintnocallto,asIcansee.Theremightbesomedecentmannamedthesame.Buthewasoneofthesehereartistfellowsandhadcomeintothehillstopaint,hesaid."Asmotheredexclamationburstfromthelistener.Mr.Matthews,notnoticing,continued:"Hesuredidmakealotofpicturesandtheyseemedmightynicetous,'thoughofcoursewedidn'tknownothingaboutsuchthings.TherewasonebigonehemadeofMaggiethatwasasnaturalaslife.Hewasalwaysdrawingofherinonewayoranother,andhadalotoflittlepicturesthatdidn'tamounttomuch,andthathedidn'tneverfinish.Butthisbigoneheworkedatoffandonallsummer.Itwassurefine,withherastandingbytheranchspring,holdingoutacupofwater,andsmilinglikeshewasofferingyouadrink."Itwaswellthatthenighthadfallen.AtOldMatt'swordsthestrangershrankbackinhischair,hishandraisedasiftowardoffadeadlyblow.Hemadeasoundinhisthroatasifhewouldcryout,butcouldnot,whetherfromhorrororfear,butthedarknesshidhisface,andthemountaineer,withmindintentuponhisstory,didnotheed.

19ShepherdintheHills"Hetookanoldcabinatthefootofthehillnearwherethesheepcorralisnow,andfixedituptoworkin.TheshackhadbeenbuiltfirstbyoldmanDewey,himthatthemountainsnamedafter.Itwasdowntherehepaintedthebigpictureofherastandingbythebigspring.Weneverthoughtnothingaboutherbeingwithhimsomuch.Countryfolksisthatway,Mr.Howitt,'thoughweoughttoknowbetter;wesureoughttoknowbetter."Theoldgiantpausedandforsometimesatwithhisheadbowed,hisforgottenpipeonthefloor."Well,"hebeganagain;"hestoppedwithusallthatsummer,andthenonedayhewentoutasusualanddidn'tcomeback.Wehuntedthehillsoutforsigns,thinkingmaybehemetupwithsometrouble.He'dsentallhispicturesawaytheweekbefore,JimLanehaulingthemtothesettlementforhim."Thegirlwasnighaboutwildandrodewithmeallduringthehunt,andoncewhenwesawsomebuzzardscircling,shegavelittlecryandturnedsowhitethatIsuspicionedmaybeshegottothinkingmoreofhimthanweknew.ThenoneafternoonwhenweweredownyonderintheHollow,shesays,allofasuddenlike,'Daddy,itaintnousearidingnomore.Heaintmetupwithnotrouble.Hesleftallthetroublewithus.'Shelookedsopiquedandhereyesweresobigandstaringthatitcomeovermeinaflashwhatshemeant.ShesawinaminutethatIsensedit,andjusthungherhead,andwecomehome."Shejustkeptagettingworseandworse,Mr.Howitt;'pearedtofadeawaylike,likeIwatchedthembiggladeliliesdowhenthehotweathercomes.Abouttheonlytimeshewouldshowanylifeatallwaswhensomeonewouldgoforthemail,whenshe'dalwaysbeatthegateawaitingforus."Thenoneday,alettercome.Ibroughtittoher,myself.ShegivealittlecrywhenIhandedittoher,andrundirectlyintothehousewithoutsayingathing.ItwastheclosestshehadbeeninawhiletoheroldselfandIthoughtthatwasgood.SoIwentonouttothebarntoputupmyhorse.Irememberthinkingmaybethatitwasgoingtobealrightafterallandthatweallhadworriedaboutthisfornothing;butprettysoon,Iheardascreamandthenalaugh.'ForeGod,sir,thatlaugh'saringinginmyearsyet.Shewasraven'madwhenIgottoher,alaughing,andascreeching,andtryingtohurtherself,allthewhilecallingforhimtocome."Ireadtheletterafterwards.Ittoldoverandoverhowhelovedherandhownowomancouldeverbetohimwhatshewas;saidtheywasmadeforeachother,andallthat;andthenitwentontosayhowhecouldn'tneverseeheragain;andtoldaboutwhatagrandoldfamilyhiswas,andhowhisfatherwassoproudandexpectedsuchgreatthingsfromhim,thathedidn'tdaretell,thembeingthelastofthishereoldfamily,andherbeingabackwoodsgirl,withoutanyschoolingornothing.""MyGod!O,myGod!"falteredthestranger'svoiceinthedarkness.OldMatttalkedoninahardeasytone."Courseitwasallwroteoutniceandsmoothlikehetalked,butthat'sthesenseofit.Hefinisheditbysayingthathewouldbeonhiswaytotheoldcountrywhentheletterreachedher,andthatitwouldn'tbenousetotrytofindhim."Thegirlquieteddownafteraspell,buthermindnevercomeback.Shewasn'tjusttosayplumbcrazy,butsheseemedkindofdazedandlostlike,andwouldn'ttakenonoticeofnobody.Actedallthetimelikeshewasexpectinghimtocome.Andshe'dstandouttherebythegateforhoursatatime,watchingtheOldTrailandtalkinglowtoherself.

20|P a g e "Peteisherboy,Mr.Howitt,andasyou'veseenheaintjustright.Seemslikehewasmarkedsomewayinhismindlikeyouveseenotherfolksmarkedintheirbodies.We'vedoneourbestbytheboy,sir,butIdon'tguesshe'lleverbeanybetter.Onceforaspellwetriedkeepinghimtohome,buthegotrightsickandwouldhavediedsure,ifwehadn'tlethimgo;itwaspitifultoseehim.Everybody'lowstherewon'tnothinginthewoodshurthimnohow;sowelethimcomeandgo,ashelikes;andhejuststopswiththeneighborswhereverhehappensin.Folksareallasgoodtohimastheycanbe,becauseeverybodyknowshowitis.Yousee,sir,peopleheredon'tthinknothingofawood'scolt,nohow,butwewasraiseddifferent.Aswifesays,we'vemostforgotcivilizedways,butIguessthere'ssomethingsamanthat'sbeenraisedrightcantneverforget."ShediedwhenPetewasborn,andthelastthingshesaidwas,Hellcome,Daddy,he'llsurecome.'Petesaysthewindsinginginthatbigpineoverhergraveisheracallingforhimyet.Itsmightyqueerhowtheboygotthatnotion,butyouseethat'sthewayitiswithhim."Andthataintall,sir."Thebigmanmovedhischairnearertheother,andloweredhisvoicetoahoarsewhisper;"Folkssayshescomeback.There'sthemthatswearsthey'veseenher'roundtheoldcabinwheretheyusedtomeetwhenhepaintedherpicture,thebigone,youknow.JustbeforeIboughttheranch,itwasfirst;andthat'swhywecantgetnoonetostaywiththesheep."Idon'tknow,Mr.Howitt;Idon'tknow.I'vethoughtaheapaboutit,Iaintneverseenitmyself,andit'pearstomethatifsheCOULDcomebackatall,she'dsurecometoheroldDaddy.ThenagainIfigureitthatbeingtookthewayshewas,partofherded,sotospeak,fromthetimeshegotthatletter,andhermindssetonhiscomingback,thatmaybesomehowyouseethatmaybesheissortawaitingforhimthere.ManysthetimeIhaveprayedallnightthatGodwouldletmemeethimagainjustonce,orthatproudfatherofhis'n,justonce,sir;I'dgladgotoHellifIcouldonlymeetthemfirst.Ifsheiswaitingforhimdownthere,hellcome;he'llsurecome.Hellcouldn'tholdhimagainstsuchasthat,andwhenhecomes"Unconsciously,ashespokethelastsentences,thegiant'svoicetookatoneofterriblemeaning,andheslowlyrosefromhisseat.Whenheutteredthelastwordhewasstandingerect,hismusclestense,andhispowerfulframeshakenwithpassion.Therewasaninarticulatecryofhorror,asthemountaineersgueststartedtohisfeet.Amomenthestood,thensankbackintohischair,acowering,shiveringheap.Longintothenight,thestrangerwalkedthefloorofhislittleroomundertheroof,hisfacedrawnandwhite,whisperinghalfaloudthingsthatwouldhavestartledhisunsuspectinghost."MYboyMYboyMINE!Todosuchathingasthat!Howard.OChrist!ThatIshouldlivetobegladthatyouaredead!Andthatpicture!Hismasterpiece,thepicturethatmadehisfame,thepicturehewouldneverpartwith,andthatwecouldneverfind!Iseeitallnow!JustGod,whatathingtocarryonone'ssoul!"Oncehepausedtostandatthewindow,lookingdownuponthevalley.Themoonhadclimbedhighabovethemountain,butbeneaththefloodofsilverlighttheshadowslaydarkanddeepinMuttonHollow.Thenashestoodthere,fromouttheshadowygloom,camethewild,weirdsongtheyhadheardtheeveningbefore.Themanatthewindowgroaned.Thesongsanktoalow,moaningwail,andheseemedtohearagainthewindinthepineabovethegraveofthemurderedgirl.Shewascalling,callingwouldhecomeback?Backfromthegrave,could

21ShepherdintheHillshecome?Thewordsofthegiantmountaineerseemedburnedintothefather'sbrain;Hellcouldn'tholdhimagainstsuchasthat.Thenthemanwiththeproudface,thefaceofascholarandpoet,drewbackfromthewindow,shakingwithafearhecouldnotcontrol.Hecreptintoacornerandcroucheduponthefloor.Withwideeyes,hestaredintothedark.Heprayed.Andthisishowitcameaboutthatthestranger,whofollowedtheOldTrailalongthehighersunlitground,followed,also,theothertraildownintothevalleywherethegloomyshadowsare;theretoliveattheranchnearthehauntedcabintheshepherdofMuttonHollow.CHAPTERVII.WHATISLOVE?SammyLanerodeveryslowlyonherwayhomefromtheMatthewsplacethatmorningafterthestrangerhadarrived.Shestartedoutatherusualrecklessgait,butthatwasbecausesheknewthatYoungMattwaswatchingher.Onceinthetimber,thebrownponywaspulledtoawalk,andbythetimetheycameoutintotheopenagain,thelittlehorse,unrebukedbyhismistress,wassnatchingmouthfulsofgrassashestrolledalongthetrail.Sammywasthinking;thinkingveryseriously.AuntMollie'spartingquestionhadstirredthegirldeeply.Sammyhadseenfewpeoplewhodidnotbelongtothebackwoods.Thestrangersshehadmetwerehuntersorcattlemen,andthesehadallbeen,indressandmanner,notunlikethenativesthemselves.Thisman,whohadcomesounexpectedlyoutofthemiststhenightbefore,wasunlikeanyonetheyoungwomanhadeverknown.LikeJedHolland,shefeltsomehowasifhewereasuperiorbeing.TheMatthewsfamilyweredifferentinmanywaysfromthosebornandraisedinthehills.AndSammy'sfather,too,wasdifferent.Butthisstrangeritwasquiteasthoughhebelongedtoanotherworld.Comingtothebig,lowgap,thegirllookedfarawaytothebluelineofhills,miles,andmilesaway.Thestrangerhadcomefromoverthese,shethought;andthenshefelltowonderingwhatthatworldbeyondthefarthestcloudlikeridgewaslike.OfallthepeopleSammyhadeverknown,youngStewartwastheonlyonewhohadseeneventheedgeofthatworldtotellheraboutitchierfatherandherfriends,theMatthews's,nevertalkedoftheolddays.ShehadknownOlliefromachild.WithYoungMatttheyhadgonetoandfromthelogschoolhousealongthesameroad.Once,beforeMr.Stewart'sdeath,theboyhadgonewithhisfatherforaday'svisittothecity,

22|P a g e andeverafterhadbeenaherothisbackwoodsschoolmates.Itwasthisdistinction,really,thatfirstwonSammy'sadmiration,andmadethemsweetheartsbeforethegirlsskirtshadtouchedthetopsofhershoes.Beforethewomaninherwasfairlyawakeshehadpromisedtobehiswife;andtheyweregoingawaynow,toliveinthatenchantedland.Spyinganextrachoicebunchofgrassafewstepstoonesideofthepath,Brownieturnedsuddenlytowardthevalley;andthegirlseyesleftthedistantridgeforthelittlecabinandthesheepcorralinMuttonHollow.SammyalwaysspokeofthatcabinasYoungMatt'shouse."And,allunbiddennow,thethoughtcame,whowouldlivewiththebigfellowdownthereinthevalleywhenshehadgonefarawaytomakeherhomewithOllieandhispeopleinthecity?AnimpatienttugatthereinsinformedBrowniethathismistresswasawareofhisexistence,and,foratime,theponywasobligedtopassmanyalusciousbunchofgrass.Butsoonthereinsfellslackagain.Thelittlehorsemovedslowly,andstillmoreslowly,until,bytherelaxedfigureofhisrider,heknewitwassafetoagainbrowseonthegrassalongthepath.So,wondering,dreaming,SammyLanerodedownthetrailthatmorningthetrailthatisnobodyknowshowold.AndonthehillbackoftheMatthewshouseateamwasstandingidleinthemiddleofthefield.Atthebigrockonthemountainside,wherethetrailseemstopauseamomentbeforestartingdowntothevalley,thegirlslippedfromhersaddle,and,leavingBrownietowanderatwill,climbedtoherfavoriteseat.Halfreclininginthewarmsunshine,shewatchedthesheepfeedingnear,andlaughedaloudassheswathelambswithwaggingtails,greedilysucklingattheirmotherssides;nearbyinablackhawbushamotherbirdsatonhernest;agraymare,withaweekoldcoltfollowingonunsteadylegs,cameovertheridge;andnotfaraway;amothersowwithtensquealingpigscameoutofthetimber.Keepingverystilltheyoungwomanwatcheduntiltheydisappearedaroundthemountain.Then,liftingherarmsaboveherhead,shestretchedherlitheformoutuponthewarmrockycouchwiththefreedomandgraceofawildthingofthewoods.SammyLaneknewnothingofthelawsandcustomsofthe,socalled,bestsociety.Hersplendidyoungwomanhoodwasnottheproductofthosesocialtraditionsandrulesthatkilltheinstinctofherkindbeforeitisfairlyborn.Shewasasfreeandasphysicallyperfectasanyofthefreecreaturesthatlivedinthehills.And,keenlyalivetothelifethatthrobbedandsurgedabouther,herwomansheartandsoulrespondedtothespiritoftheseason.Thedroningofthebeesintheblossomsthatgrewinacrannyoftherock;thetinkle,tinkleofthesheepbells,astheflockmovedslowlyintheirfeeding;andthesoftbreathingofMotherEarthwasinherears;whilethegentlebreezethatstirredherhaircameheavywiththesmellofgrowingthings.Lyingso,shelookedfarupintotheblueskywhereabuzzardfloatedonlazywings.Ifshewereuptheresheperhapscouldseethatworldbeyondthehills.Thensuddenlyavoicecametoher,AuntMollie'svoice,Howdoyoureckonyou'lllikebeingafinelady,Sammy,andlivinginthecitywiththebigfolks?"ThegirlturnedonhersideandrisingononeelbowlookedagainatMuttonHollowwithitslittlecabinhalfhiddeninthetimber.And,asshelooked,slowlyherrichredlifecoloredcheek,andneck,andbrow.Withagestureofimpatience,Sammyturnedawayotherownhomeonthesouthernslopeofthemountain,justintimetoseeayoungwomanrideintotheclearinganddismountbeforethecabindoor.Itwasherfriend,MandyFord.Thegirlontherockwhistledtoherpony,and,mounting,madeherwaydownthehill.

23ShepherdintheHillsAllthatdaythestrangeguestattheMatthewsplacewastheonetopicofconversationbetweenthetwogirls."Shucks,"saidMandy,whenSammyhadfinishedaveryminutedescriptionofMr.Howitt;"he'sjustsomerevenuer,like'snot."Sammytossedherhead;"Revenue!Yououghttoseehim!Revenuersdontcomeinnosuchclothesasthem,andtheydon'ttalklikehim,neither.""Canttellaboutrevenuers,"retortedtheother."Don'tyoumindhowthat'nfooledeverybodyoveronthebendlastyear?Hewasjustascommonascommon,andfolksallallowedhewasjustoneof'em.""Butthisoneaintlikeanybodythatweevermetupwith,andthatsjustit,"returnedSammy.Mandyshookherhead;"yousayheainthunting;hesureaintbuyingcattlethistimeofyear;andheaintawantingtlocateacominginonfoot;whatelsecanhebebutarevenuer?"TowhichSammyrepliedwithanunanswerableargument;"Lookahere,MandyFord;youjusttellme,wouldalowdownrevenueraskablessing,likeParsonBigelowdoes?"AtthisMandygaveupthecase,sayingindespair,"well,whatisheadoingherethen?Taintlikelyhe'sdonecomeintothewoodsfornothing.""HetoldOldMattthathewassickandtiredofitall,"answeredtheother."Didhelooklikehewasailing?"Sammyrepliedslowly,"Idon'treckonit'sthatkindofsicknesshemeant;andwhenyoulookrightcloseintohiseyes,hedoespearkindofuseduplike."Inconnectionwiththisdiscussion,itwaseasytospeakofMissLane'sfairyprospects,for,wasnotthestrangerfromthecity?AndwasnotSammygoingtoliveinthatlandofwonders?Thetwogirlswerepreparingforthenight,whenSammy,whowasseatedontheedgeofthebed,paused,withoneshoeoff,toaskthoughtfully,"Mandy,whatislove,anyhow?"Mandylookedsurprised."Ireckonyououghttoknow,"shesaidwithalaugh;"Ollie'sbeenahanging'roundyoueversinceIcanremember."Sammywasstrugglingwithaknotintheothershoelace;"Yes,sheadmittedslowly;"IreckonIoughttoknow;butwhatyousayitis,Mandy?""Why,itsjustacaringforsomebodymore'nforaryoneelseinthewholeworld.""Isthatall?"Theknotwasstillstubborn."No,itaintall.Itsagoingt'livewithsomebodyandalettinghimtakecareofyou,'steadofyourfolks."Sammywasstillstrugglingwiththeknot."Anditsacookingandascrubbingandamendingforhim,andsometimesit'sasplittingwood,andadoingchores,too;andIreckonthat'sall."Justheretheknotcameundone,andtheshoedroppedtothefloorwithathud.Sammysatupright.

24|P a g e "No,itaint,Mandy;it'saheapmore'nthat;it'sanursingBabies,andatakingcareof'em'tilltheyregrewup,andthenwhenthey'rebigenoughtotakecareofthemselves,andyou'reoldandintheway,likeGrandmaBowles,itsalookingbackoveritall,andbeinggladyoudonemarriedthemanyoudid.It'saheapmore'nlivingwithaman,Mandy;itsadoingallthat,withouteveroncewishinghewassomebodyelse."ThiswastoomuchforMandy;sheblushedandgiggled,thenremarked,asshegazedadmiringlyatherfriend,"You'lllookmightyfine,Sammy,whenyougetfixedupwithallthemprettiesyoullhavewhenyouandOlliegetmarried.Iwishmyhairwasbrightandshinylikeyourn.Howdoyoureckonyou'lllikebeingafineladyanyhow?"Hereitwasagain.Sammyturneduponherhelplessfriend,with,HowdoIknowifIwouldlikeitornot?Whatisbeingafinelady,anyhow?""Why,beingafineladyislivinginabighousewithcarpetsonthefloor,andlookingglasses,andnothavingnoworkt'do,andwearingprettyclothes,withlotsofringsandthings,and,"shepaused;thenfinishedintriumph,"andaridinginacarriage."ThatwidequestioninglookwasinSammy'seyesasshereturned,Itsaheapmore'nthat,Mandy.Idon'tjustsensewhatitis,butIknowItaintallthemthingsthatmakesasureenoughlady.TainttheclotheshewearsthatmakesMr.Howittdifferentfromthefolksweknow.Hedon'twearnorings,andhewalks.He'sjustdifferentbecausehesdifferent;andwouldbe,nomatterwhathehadonorwherehewas."This,too,wasbeyondMandy.Sammycontinued,asshefinishedherpreparationsforretiring;"Thisherehouseisplentybigenoughforme,leastwiseitwouldbeifithadonemoreroomlikethecabininMuttonHollow;carpetswouldbemightydirtyandunhandytocleanwhenthemenfolkscometrampinginwiththeirmuddyboots;Iwouldn'twanttowearnodressessofineIcouldn'tknockroundinthebrushwiththem;anditwouldbeawfultohavenothingtodo;asforacarriage,Iwouldn'tswapBrownieforawholecityfullofcarriages."Sheslippedintobedandstretchedoutluxuriously."DoyoureckonIcouldbeafinelady,andbeasIamnow,alivinghereinthehills?"ThenextdayMandywentbacktoherhomeonJakeCreek.AndintheeveningSammy'sfather,withWashGibbs,returned,bothmenandhorsesshowingtheeffectsofalong,hardride.CHAPTERVIII."WHYAINTWEGOTNOFOLKS?"PreachingBillsays"There'saheapofdifferenceinmostmen,butJimLanenowhe'smoredifferentthanarymanyoueversaw.Aintnobetterneighbor'nJimanywhere.Rideoutofhiswayanytimet'doyouafavor.ButyoubetthereaintarymanlivescanaskJiminyfoolquestionswhileJim'salookingathim.Trieditoncemyself.Jimwasawaitingatthe

25ShepherdintheHillsferryforWashGibbs,andwewasatalking'longrightpeartaboutcropsandtheweatherandsuch,whenIsays,saysI,likeadumbol'fool,'How'dyoulikeitdowningTexas,Jim,whenyouwastherethattime?'Igonies!Hisjawshutwithaclicklikehe'dcockedapistol,andthatlookofhisn,likehewasaseeingplumbthroughyou,comeintofhiseyes,andhesays,sayshe,quietlike,'D'youreckonthatrainoveronJamesyesterdayraisedtherivermuch?'And'foreIknowit,Iwasatellinghimhowthatol'redbullofminetreedthePerkinsboyswhentheywasapossumhunting."ManystoriesoftheBaldKnobberdays,whenthelawofthelandwasthelawofrifleandrope,weredriftingaboutthecountryside,andalways,whenthesetaleswererecited,thenameofJimLanewaswhispered;whilethebolderoneswonderedbeneaththeirbreathwhereJimwentsomuchwiththatWashGibbs,whosedaddywaskilledbytheGovernment.Mr.Lanewasatallman,wellsetup,withsomethinginhisfaceandbearingthattoldofgoodbreeding;southernblood,onewouldsay,bythedarkskin,andtheeyes,hair,anddroopingmustacheofblack.Hiscompanion,WashGibbs,wasagiganticman;tallerandheavier,even,thantheelderMatthews,butmorelooselyputtogetherthanOldMatt;withcoarse,heavyfeatures,and,asGrandmaBowlessaid,"Thelookofasheepkillingdog."Grandma,beingverynearherjourney'send,couldtellthetruthevenaboutWashGibbs,butothersspokeofthegiantonlyinwhispers,savewhentheyspokeinadmirationofhisphysicalpowers.Asthetwomenswungstifflyfromtheirsaddles,Sammycamerunningtogreetherfatherwithakissofwelcome;thislittleexhibitionofaffectionbetweenparentandchildwasoneofthemanythingsthatmarkedtheLanesasdifferentfromthenativesofthatregion.Yourtruebackwoodsmancarefullyhideseverysignofhisloveforeitherfamilyorfriends.WashGibbsstoodlookingonwithanexpressionuponhisbrutalfacethathadverylittleofthehumaninit.Releasinghisdaughter,Mr.Lanesaid,"Gotanythingtoeat,honey?We'repowerfulhungry.Washallowedwe'dbettertieupattheriver,butIknewyou'dbewatchingforme.Thehorsesareplumbbeat."AndGibbsbrokeinwithacoarselaugh,"Iwouldntmindkillingahossneither,ifIwast'getwhatyoudoattheendoftheride."Tothis,Jimmadenoreply;butbeganlooseningthesaddlegirths,whileSammyonlysaid,assheturnedtowardthehouse,"I'llhavesupperreadyforyoudirectly,Daddy."Whilethehostwasbusycaringforhistiredhorse,thebigman,whodidnotremovethesaddlefromhismount,followedthegirlintothecabin."Cantyoueventellafeller,Howdy?"heexclaimed,asheenteredthekitchen."Ididtellyou,Howdy,"repliedthegirlsharply,stirringupthefire."'Pearslikeyoumightofbeenagrainwarmeraboutit,"growledtheother,seatinghimselfwherehecouldwatchher."IfI'dbeenYoungMattorthatskinnyOllieStewart,you'da'beenkeenenough."Sammyturnedandfacedhimwithangryeyes;"Lookahere,WashGibbs,Idonetold'youlastThursdaywhenyoucomeforDaddythatyoudbetterletmealone.Idon'tlikeyou,andIdon'taimtoeverhaveanythingtodowithyou.YoudonefixedyourselfwithmethattimeattheCovepicnic.I'lltellDaddyaboutthatifyoudontmind.Idon'twanttomakenotrouble,butyoujustgottoquitpesteringme."

26|P a g e Thebigfellowsneered."Iallowedyoumightchangeyourmindaboutthatsomeday.Jimaintgoingt'saynothingt'me,andifhedid,wordsdon'tbreaknobones.I'maheapthebestmaninthisneckofthewoods,andyourPaknowsit.Youknowit,too."Underhislook,thebloodrushedtothegirl'sfaceinaburningblush.Inspiteofherangershedroppedhereyes,and,withoutattemptingareply,turnedtoherwork.Amomentlater,Mr.Laneenteredtheroom;asingleglanceathisdaughtersface,aquicklookatWashGibbs,asthebullysatfollowingwithwolfisheyeseverymovementofthegirl,andJimsteppedquietlyinfrontofhisguest.Atthesamemoment,Sammyleftthehouseforabucketofwater,andWashturnedtowardhishostwithastarttofindthedarkfacedmangazingathimwithalookthatfewmencouldfacewithcomposure.Withoutaword,Jim'srighthandcreptstealthilyinsidehishickoryshirt,whereabuttonwasmissing.ForamomentGibbstriedtoreturnthelook.Hefailed.Somethinghereadinthedarkfacebeforehimsomemeaninglightinthoseblackeyesmadehimtrembleandhefelt,ratherthansaw,Jimshandrestingquietlynowinsidethehickoryshirtnearhisleftarmpit.Thebigmansfacewentwhitebeneaththetan,hiseyeswaveredandshifted,andhehunghisheadandshuffledhisfeetuneasily,likeanovergrownschoolboybroughtsharplytotaskbytemaster.ThenJim,hishandstillinsidehisshirt,drawled,softly,butwithaqueermetallicringinhisvoice,"Doyoureckonitsagoingtstormagain?"Atthecommonplacequestion,thebullydrewalongbreathandlookedaround."Wemighthaveaspellofweather,"hemuttered;butIdon'tguessit'llbetonight."ThenSammyreturnedandtheyhadsupper.Nexttohisdaughter,JimLanelovedhisviolin,andwithgoodreason,fortheinstrumenthadoncebelongedtohisgreatgrandfather,who,traditionsays,wasamusicianofnomeanability.PreachingBill"allowedtherewasaheapofdifferencebetweenaplayingaviolinandjustfiddling.Youwouldn'tknowsomefellerswasamakingmusic,ifyoudidn'tsee'emapattingtheirfoot;butitaintthatawaywithJimLane.Hesuredomakemusic,realmusic."AsnooneeverquestionedBill'sjudgment,itissafetoconcludethatMr.Laneinheritedsomethingofhisgreatgrandfather'sability;alongwithhistreasuredinstrument.Whensupperwasover,andWashGibbshadgoneonhisway;Jimtooktheviolinfromitspegabovethefireplace,and,tuckingitlovinglyunderhischin,gavehimselfuptohisfavoritepastime,whileSammymovedbusilyaboutthecabin,puttingthingsrightforthnight.Whenhereveningtaskswerefinished,thegirlcameandstoodbeforeherfather.Atoncethemusicceasedandtheviolinwaslaidcarefullyaside.Sammyseatedherselfonherfather'sknee."Law',child,butyou'resuregrowingup,"saidJim,withamockgroanatherweight."Yes,Daddy,IreckonI'maboutgrowed;I'llbenineteencomeChristmas.""Oshucks!"ejaculatedtheman."Itwasn'tmore'nlastweekthatyouwaswashingdollclothes,downbythespring."

27ShepherdintheHillsTheyoungwomanlaughed."Ididn'twashnodollclotheslastweek,"shesaid.Thenhervoicechanged,andthatwide,questioninglook,thelookthatmadeonethinksoofherfather,cameintohereyes."There'ssomethingIwanttoaskyou,DaddyJim.YouknowOllie'sgoingaway,andIwasthinkingaboutitalldayyesterday,and,Daddy,whyaintwegotnofolks?"Mr.Lanestirreduneasily.Sammycontinued,"There'stheMatthewss,they'vegotkinbackinIllinois;MandyFord'sgotunclesandauntsoveronLangCreek;JedHolland'sgotagranddadmam,andevenPreachingBilltalksaboutapackofkinfolksoverinArkansas.Whyaintwegotnofolks,Daddy?"Themangazedlongandthoughtfullyatthefreshyoungfaceofhischild;andtheblackeyeslookedintothebrowneyeskeenly,asheansweredherquestionwithanotherquestion,"Doyoureckonyoulovehimrightsmart,honey?Areyousure,deadsureyouaintthinkingofwhathe'sgot'steadofwhatheis?Iknowit'llbemightyniceforyoutobeoneofthefinefolksandthey'rebigreasonswhyyouought,butit'sgoingtotakeamightygoodmantomatchyouamightygoodman.Andit'sthemanyou'vegottolivewith,nothismoney.""Ollie'sgood,Daddy,"shereturnedinalowvoice,hereyesfixeduponthefloor."Iknow,Iknow,"repliedJim."Hewouldn'tdonobodynoharm;hesgoodenoughthatway,andIaintafaultinghim.ButyououghttohaveaMAN,asureenoughgoodman.""Buttellme,Daddy,whyaintwegotnofolks?"Thefaintestglimmerofasmilecameintothedarkface;"Youresuregrewup,girl;yousureare.AndIreckonyoumightaswellknow."Thenhetoldher.CHAPTERIX.SAMMYLANE'SFOLKS.Itbeganonabigsouthernplantation,wheretherewereseveralbrothersandsisters,withagentlemanfatherofnolittlepride,andaladymotherofequalprideandgreatbeauty.Withmuchcarefordetail,Jimdrewapictureofthebigmansionwithitswidelawns,flowergardensandtreeborderedwalks;withitswealthofculture,itsservants,anddistinguishedguests;for,saidhe,"Whenyougettobeafinelady,yououghttoknowthatyougotasgoodbloodasthebestofthethoroughbreds."AndSammy,interruptinghisspeechwithakiss,Badehimgoonwithhisstory.Thenhetoldhowtheoneblacksheepofthatproudsouthernflockhadbeencastforthfromthebeautifulhomewhilestillhardlygrown;andhow,withhishorse,gunandviolin,thewandererhadcomeintotheheartoftheOzarkwilderness,whentheprintofmoccasinfeetwasstillwarmontheOldTrail.Jimsketchedbroadlyhere,andforsomereasondidnotfullyexplainthecauseofhisBanishment;neitherdidhecommentinanywayuponitsjusticeorinjustice.

28|P a g e Timepassed,andastrong,cleareyed,cleanlimbed,deepbosomedmountainlass,withallthemasteringpassionofherkind,matedthefree,halfwild,younghunter;andtheysettledinthecabinbythespringonthesouthernslopeofDewey.Thenthelittleonecame,andinherveinstherewasmingledthebluebloodoftheproudsouthernersandthewarmredlifeofherwildernessmother.AgainJim'sstorygrewrichindetail.Holdinghisdaughteratarmslength,andlookingatherthroughhalfclosedeyes,hesaid,"You'relikeher,honey;you'remightylikeher;sameeyes,samehair,samemouth,samebuild,samewayofmoving,strong,butsmoothandfreelike.ShecouldruncleantothetopofDewey,orsitahorseallday.Doyouevergettired,girl?"Sammylaughed,andshookherhead;"I'verunfromheretothesignaltree,lotsoftimes,Daddy.""You'reliketheoldfolks,too,"musedJim;"liketheminwhatyouthinkandsay.""Tellmemore,"saidthegirl."SeemslikeIrememberbeinginbigwagon,andtherewasawomantheretoo;wasshemymother?"Jimnodded,andunconsciouslyloweredhisvoice,ashesaid,"ItwasintheoldBaldKnobbertime.Thingshappenedinthemdays,honey.Many'sthenightI'veseenthetopofoldDeweyyonderblackwithmen.Itwaswhenthingswasbrokeup,thatwhichyourmotherandmethoughtwecoulddobetterinTexas;sowewent,andJimwasagainsketchingbroadly."Yourmotherleftusthere,girl.Seemedlikeshecouldn'tstandit,beingawayfromthehillsorsomething,andshejustgiveup.Ineverdidrightlyknowhowitwas.Weburiedheroutthere,wayoutonthebigplains.""Irememberheralittle,"whisperedSammy.Jimcontinued;"Thenafteratimeyouandmecomebacktotheoldplace.YourmothernamedyouSamantha,girl,butbeingastherewasn'tnoboy,IalwayscalledyouSammy.Itseemsrightenoughthatwaynow,foryouvesurebeenmoresasontomesincewe'vebeenalone;andthatsonereasonwhyItaughtyoutorideandshootwiththebestofthem."There'sthemthatsaysIaintdonerightbyyou,bringingyouupwithoutraywomanabouttheplace;andIdon'tknowasIhave,butsomehowIcouldn'tneverthinkofnowomanasIought,afterlivingwithyourmother.AndthentherewasAuntMollietoteachyouhowtocookanddothingsaboutthehouse.Icountedagoodbit,too,ontheoldstock,anditsureshowedupright.Youreliketheoldfolks,girl,inthewayyouthink,butyou'relikeyourmotherinthewayyoulook."Sammy'sarmswentaroundherfather'sneck,"You'reagoodman,DaddyJim;thebestDaddyagirleverhad;andifIaintallBad,itsonaccountofyou."Therewasaqueerlookonthemansdarkface.Hehadsketchedsomepartsofhistalewithabroadhand,indeed.Thegirlraisedherheadagain;"But,Daddy,Iwishyou'ddosomethingforme.Idon'tlikeWashGibbstobeacominghere.Iwishyou'dquitridingwithhim,Daddy.I'mafearedofhim;helooksatmeso.He'sasureBadoneIknowheis,Daddy."Jimlaughedandagaintherewasthatoddmetallicnoteinhisvoice;"I'veknowhimalongtime,honey.Meandhisdaddywastogetherwhenhedied;andyouusedtositonWash'skneewhenyouwasalittletad.Notthathe'ssomightymucholderthanyou,buthewasamanssizeatfifteen.Youdon'tunderstand,girl,butI'vegottogowithhimsometimes.

29ShepherdintheHillsButdon'tyoufret;WashGibbsaintgoingtohurtme,andhewon'tcomeheremoresIcanhelp,either."Thenhechangedthesubjectabruptly."TellmewhatyouvebeendoingwhileIwasaway.Sammytoldof'hervisittotheirfriendsattheMatthewsplace,andofthestrangerwhohadcomeintotheneighborhood.Asthegirltalked,herfatherquestionedhercarefully,andseveraltimesthemetallicnotecreptintohissoft,drawlingspeech,whileintohiseyescamethatpeculiar,searchinglook,asifhewoulddrawfromhisdaughterevenmorethansheknewoftheincident.Onceherose,and,goingtothedoor,stoodlookingoutintothenight.SammyfinishedwithheranswertoMandyFord'sopinionofthestranger;"Youdon'treckonarevenuewouldaskablessing,doyou,Daddy?Seemslikehejustnaturallywouldn'tdast;Godwouldmakethevictualsstickinhisthroatandchokehimsure."Jimlaughed,ashereplied,"Idon'tknow,girl;Ineverheardofarevenue'sdoingsuch.Butafellercanttell."WhenSammylefthimtoretireforthenight,herfatherpickeduptheviolinagain,andplaceditbeneathhischinasiftoplay;buthedidnottouchthestrings,andsoonhungtheinstrumentinitsplaceabovethemantel.Then,goingtothedoorway,helightedhispipe,and,forafullhour,sat,lookinguptheOldTrailtowardtheMatthewsplace,hisrighthandthrustintothebosomofhishickoryshirt,wherethebuttonwasmissing.CHAPTERX.AFEATOFSTRENGTHANDACHALLENGE.Whattheclubistothecityman,andthegeneralstoreorpostofficetothecitizensofthecountryvillage,themillistothenativeofthebackwoods.Madetosawthelittleroughlumberheneedsinhisprimitivebuilding,ortogrindhiscornintotheroughmeal,thatishisstaffoflife,themilldoesmoreforthesettlerthanthis;itbringstogetherthescatteredpopulation,itisthenewscenter,theheartofthesociallife,andthehuboftheindustrialwheel.Ongrindingday,theOzarkmountaineergoestomillonhorseback,hisgristinasackbehindthesaddle,or,indeed,takingplaceofthesaddleitself.Theruleis,firstcome,firstserved.So,whilewaitinghisturn,orwaitingforaneighborwhowillrideinthesamedirection,thewoodsmanhastimetocontributehissharetothegossipofthecountryside,ortotakepartinthediscussionsthatareofmoreorlessvitalinterest.Whenthetalkrunsslow,therearegames;pitchinghorseshoes,borrowedfromtheblacksmithshopthereisalwaysablacksmithshopnearby;runningorjumpingcontests,orwrestlingorshootingmatches.FallCreekMill,ownedandoperatedbyMr.Matthewsandhisson,waslocatedonFallCreekinadeep,narrowvalley,aboutamilefromtheirhome.Alittleoldthreshingengine,oneoftheveryfirsttotaketheplaceofthehorsepower,anditselfinturnalreadypushedtothewallbyimprovedcompetitors,rolledthesawor

30|P a g e theburr.Thisengine,whichhadbeenrescuedbyMr.MatthewsfromthescrappileofaSpringfieldmachineshop,wasacceptedasevidencebeyondquestionofthesuperiorintelligenceandgeniusoftheMatthewsfamily.Infact,FallCreekMillgavethewholeMuttonHollowneighborhoodsuchatoneofuptodateenterprise,thatfolksfromtheBend,orthemouthoftheJames,lookedupontheMuttonHollowpeoplewithnolittleenvyandawe,nottosayevenjealousy.ThesettlerscametotheMatthewsmillfromfarupthecreek,crossingandrecrossingthelittlestream;fromIronSpringandfromGardner,beyondSandRidge,followingfaint,twistingbridlepathsthroughtheforest;fromtheothersideofDeweyBal,alongtheOldTrail;fromtheCoveandfromthePostofficeattheForks,downthewagonroad,throughthepinery;andfromWolfRidgeandtheheadofIndianCreekbeyond,climbingtheroughmountains.Evenfromtheriverbottomstheycame,yellowandshakingwithague,toswaptobaccoandyarns,andtowatchwithneverfailinginterestthecrazyoldengine,asYoungMattpatted,andcoaxed,andflatteredherintodoinghiswill.Theybegancomingearlythatgrindingday,twoweeksafterMr.Howitthadbeeninstalledattheranch.Buttheyoungengineerwasready,withagoodheadofsteamintheoldpatchedboiler,andthesmokewasrisingfromtherustystack,inalong,twistingline,abovethemotionlesstreetops.ItwasagreatdayforYoungMatt;greatbecauseheknewthatSammyLanewouldbecomingtomill;hewouldseeherandtalkwithher;perhapsifhewerequickenough,hemightevenliftherfromthebrownpony.Itwasagreatday,too,becauseOllieStewartwouldbesayinggoodby,andbeforetomorrowwouldbeonhiswayoutofthehills.NotthatitmatteredwhetherOlliewentornot.ItwassettledthatSammywasgoingtomarryyoungStewart;thatwaswhatmattered.AndYoungMatthadgivenherup.And,ashehadtoldhisfatherintheBarnthatday,itwasalright.Butstillitwasagreatday,becauseOlliewouldbesayinggoodby.ItwasagreatdayinYoungMatt'slife,too,becauseonthatdayhewouldissuehischallengetotheacknowledgedchampionofthecountryside,WashGibbs.ButYoungMattdidnotknowthisuntilafterwasds,foritallcameaboutinamuchunexpectedway.Thecompanyhadbeendiscussingthenewarrivalintheneighborhood,andspeculatingastotheprobablelengthofMr.Howittsstayattheranch,andwhileYoungMattwasintheburrhousewithhisfather,theyhadgoneoveryetagainthefamiliarincidentsoftheghoststory;how"BuddWilsonseenherascloseasfromheret'the'shopyonder."How"JoeGardner'smulehadgoneplumbhogwildwhenhetriedtoridepasttheol'ruinsneartheranch."And"howLemWheeler,whileouthuntingthatroansteerofhisn,hadheardamoaningandawailingunderthebluff."UponYoungMatthewsreturningtohisengine,theconversationhadbeenskillfullychanged,toOllieStewartandhisremarkablegoodfortune.FromOllieandhisgoldenprospects,itwasaneasywaytoSammyLaneandhercomingmarriage.BuckThompsonwasjustconcludingaglowingtributetothegirlsbeautyoffaceandformwhenYoungMattreachedforanaxelyingnearthespeaker.SaidBuck,"PreachingBillallowedt'otherdayitdidntmakenodifferencehowmuchmoneythe'ol'manleftOlliehe'dbeapoorsortofamananyhow;andthatthere'saheapbettermenthanhimrighthereinthe'hillsthatSammycouldahadforthe'asking."

31ShepherdintheHills"Howaboutthat,Matt?"calledayoungfellowfromtheriver.Thebigmansfaceflushedatthegenerallaughwhichfollowed,andheansweredhotly,asheswunghisaxe,"You'dbetteraskWashGibbs;Ihearhesayshe'sthebestmaninthesewoods.""IreckonashowWashcanbackhisjudgmentthere,"saidJoe."Washisasuregoodman,"remarkedBuck,"butthere'sanothernotsomightyfarawaythat'llprettynighhold,himlevel."HelookedsignificantlytowhereYoungMattwasmakingthebigchipsfly."Huh,"gruntedJoe."Itellyou,gentlemen,thatthereman,Gibbs,ispowerful;yes,sir,hesureis.TellyouwhatIsawhimdo."Joepulledatwistoftobaccofromhishippocket,andsettleddownuponhisheels,hisbackagainstapost."Washandmewasagoingtothe'settlementlastfall,andjustthissidethe'camphouse,onWildernessRoad,westruckathreshingcrewstuckinthemudwiththeirengine.Hadabreakdownofsomekind.Somethingthematterwiththehindwheel.AndjustasWashandmedroveup,thebossoftheoutfitwasatelling'emt'cutabigpoleforapryt'liftthehindex,sofstheycouldblockitup,andfixthewheel.Washhelookedat'emaminuteandthensays,sayshe,'Holdon,boys;youdon'tneedarypole.'"Whatdoyouknowaboutanengine,youdarnedhillbilly,'saystheoldman,kindofshort."Don'tknownothingaboutanengine,youprairiehopper,'saysWash,'butIknowyoudon'tneednopolet'liftthatthing.'"How'dyouliftitthen?'sayst'other."'WhyI'djustcatchaholdofitandlift,'saysWash."Thegangliket'bustthemselveslaughing.Whyyoublamefool,saystheboys;'doyouknowwhatthatenginewillweigh?""'Don'tcareacussWHATshe'llweigh,'saysWash.'SheaintPLANTEDthere,isshe?'Andwiththatheclimbeddownfromthewagon,anddadburnmeifhedidn'ttakeholdofthatthingfromthebehindandjustliftonewholesideofthatenginecleanofftheground.Themfellersjuststood'roundandlookedathimt'beatthestir.Well,'saysWash,stillakeepinghishold;slideablockunderhereandI'llmoseyalong!"Thatbossdidn'tsayaword'tillhe'dgotabottlefromaboxonthewagonandhanded,ittWash;thenhesayskindofscaredlike,'Whereinhellareyoufrom,Mister?'"'Oh,I'mjustakidfromoveronRoark,'saysWash,handingthebottlet'me.Yououghtt'seesomeoftheMENinmyneighborhood!'Thenwewenton."Whenthespeakerhadfinished,therewasquietforalittle;thentheyoungmanfromtheriverdrawled,"Howmuchdidyousaythatthereenginedweigh,Joe?"

32|P a g e Therewasagenerallaughatthis,whichtheadmirerofGibbstookgoodnaturedly;"Don'tknowwhatshe'dweighbutshewasaboutthesizeofthatonethere,"heanswered.Withoneaccordeveryoneturnedtoinspectthemillengine.Prettygoodlift,Joe.Let'syouandmetakeapullather,Budd,"remarkedLemWheeler.Thetwomenliftedandstrainedatthewheel.Thenanotherjoinedthem,and,amidthelaughterandgoodnaturedrailleryofthecrowd,thethreetriedinvaintoliftoneofthewheelswhileMr.Matthews,seeingsomeunusualmovement,cameintotheshedandstoodwithhisson,amusedattheirefforts."Surethatthisengineaintbigger'nt'other,Joe?"askedoneofthegroup."Don'tbelievesheweighsapoundmore,"repliedthemountaineerwithconviction."Itellyou,gentlemen,thatmanGibbsisawonder,hesureis."OldMattandhissonglancedquicklyateachother,andtheboyshookhisheadwithasmile.Whentheyhadatlasttheboysworkingonthewhilehadjustaboutgivenup,theyoungmanfromtheriverdrawled,"You'rerightsurethatitwasntaftertheboyshadgivenyouthatbottlethatWashliftedher,areyouJoe?Orthatitwasn'tnthewayhomefromthesettlement?"Everyonehowled.Whenthelaughatthisinsinuationhaddiedout,Bucksaidthoughtfully,"Tellyouwhat,boys;I'dliket'seeYoungMattliftthatonerighthereandnow."Mr.Matthews,whowasjuststartingbacktotheburrhouse,pausedinthedoorway.Alleyeswerefixeduponhisson."Tryher,Matt.Showuswhatyoucando,"calledthemeninchorus.Buttheyoungmanshookhishead,andfoundsomethingthatneededhisimmediateattention.Allthatmorningatintervalsthemountaineersurgedthebigfellowtoattemptthefeat,buthealwaysputthemoffwithsomeevasivereply,orwastoobusytogratifythem.Afterdinnerthoughwhilethemenwerepitchinghorseshoesinfrontoftheblacksmithshop,BuckThompsonapproachedtheyoungengineeralone."Lookahere,Matt,"hesaid,"Whydon'tyoutrytoliftthat?DurnedmeifIdon'tbelieveyou'dfetchher."Theyounggiantlookedaround;"IknowIcan,Buck;IliftedheryesterdaywhileDadfixedtheblocking."Bucklookedathiminamazement."Well,thenwhyinthunderdon'tyoushowtheboys,then?"heburstforthatlast."CauseifIdoWashGibbswillhearofitsure,andI'llhavetofighthimtosettlewhichthebestmanis.""GoodLord!"ejaculatedBuck,withagroan."Ifyou'reafraidofWashGibbs,it'sthefirstthingIeverknow,thatyouwouldbeascaredycat'."YoungMattlookedhisfriendsteadily.

33ShepherdintheHillsIaintafraidofWashGibbs;I'mafraidofmyself.Mr.Howittsays,'Nomanneedn'tbeafraidofnobodybuthimself.'I'vebeenathinkinglately,Buck,andIseesomethingsthatIneverseebefore.IfigureitthatifIfightWashGibbsoranybodyelsejusttoseewhichoneofus,isthebestman,thenIaintnobetter'nthanheis,youknow?IreckonI'llhavetowhiphimsomeday,anddontcarecaringhowsoonitcomes;butthenagain,IaintgoingrushitalongandhurtsomebodyjustbecauseIcan.Doesntrightmakesense,doesit?"Buckmadenoreplytothis.SuchsentimentwasalittletoomuchforhisprimitivenotionsandhewasnotsurehefollowedYoungMattslogic.Insteadhewentbacktothemenbytheblacksmithshop.Itwasnotlong,however,untiltheplayerslefttheirgame,togatheroncemoreabouttheengine.LemWheelerapproachedYoungMattwithaseriousairandmadethedeclaration:"LookahereMatt,"hesaid;"weallhavedecidedthatwewantt'seeyoutrythatlift.""Iaintgotnotimeforfooling,"repliedtheyoungman;"Dadsjustpushingtogetdonebeforedark.""Shucks!"retortedtheother;"Itwonttakeaminutet'try.Justcatchholdandshowuswhatyoucando.""Whatareyouallsokeenaboutmyliftingfor,anyhow?"demandedthebigfellow,suspiciously."Iaintneversetmyselfupasthestrongmanofthisherecountry.""Well,sinceyouasked,yousee,Iseeitthisway:Buckdonebetmehismulecoltagainstmine,thatyoucouldlifther;andwewantyoutosettlethebet!exclaimedLem.YoungMatthewsshotaglanceatthemountaineer,whogrinned."Yep,"saidBuck,"that'showitis;I'mabackingyou.NowIdon'twantyout'hurtyourselfforme,butIsuredoneedthatcoltofLem'sbecauseitsadeadmatchformine."Mattlookedathisfriendamomentinsilence,thenburstintolaughteratBuck'shint."Seeingashowyourebackingme,Buck,IguessI'llhavet'getyouthatmuleifIcan."Heshutoffsteam,and,astheenginecametoastop,stooped,and,withapparentease,liftedtherearwheelafullfourinchesfromtheground.Loudexclamationsofadmirationcamefromthelittlegroupofmenintheshed.Lemturnedwithalongface,"Thosecoltswillmakeafineteam,Buck;"hesaid."Youbet;comeoverandhelpmebreak'em,"repliedBuck,withanothergrinofdelight."Wait'tillWashGibbshearsaboutthis,andhe'llsurebeforbreakingYoungMatt,"putinanother."Bettergetyourfightingclotheson,Matt;Washwillneverresteasyuntilyou'vedoneshowedhimwhatyoucando."Similarremarkscamefromallaround,revealingageneralviewofthesituation.Whilethemenwerediscussingthematter,athin,highpitchedvoicefromtheedgeofthecrowd,brokein,"Thatthere'sagoodliftalright,butitaintnothingt'whatIsawwhenIwast'thecircusinthecity."

34|P a g e YoungMatt,whohadstartedtheengineagain,turnedquickly.ItwasOllieStewartsittingonahorsenearby,andathisside,onthebrownpony,wasSammyLane.Theyhadevidentlyriddenupjustintimetowitnesstheexhibitionofthegiant'sstrength.CHAPTERXI.OLLIESTEWART'SGOODBY.Besidethesplendidlydevelopedyoungwoman,OllieStewartappearedbutaweakling.Hisshouldersweretoonarrowandhewasstooped;hislimbswerethinandgangly;hishairblack,straightandalittletooshinywhetherfrombarbershopoilorhisown;hiseyesweredullandlistless.YoungMattsteppedforward,andOlliedismountedquickly,butthebigfellowwasfirstatthepony'sside.Sammy'seyesshonewithadmiration,and,asthestrongmanfelttheirlight,hewasnotsorrythathehadwonthemulecoltforBuck."No,"shesaid,declininghisofferedassistance;shedidnotwishtogetdown;theyweregoingtothepostofficeandwouldcallforamealontheirwayhome.YoungMattliftedthesackofcornfromBrownie'sbackandcarrieditintotheshed.Whenhereturnedtothegroup,Olliebeganregalingthecrowdwithhisstory,"Inthe'circusIseeninthecitytherewasfellerthatliftedaman,bigasJedhere,cleanabovehisheadwithonehand."Buckturnedtohisbigfriend.Hislookwasmetbyagrimsmilethatjusttouchedthecornersofthelad'smouth,andtherewasagleamintheblueeyesthatbetrayedthespiritwithin.Theleanmountaineeragainturnedtothecompany,whiletheboyglancedatSammy.Thegirlwaswatchinghimandhadcaughtthesilentexchangebetweenthetwofriends."Shucks!"saidBuck;"Mattcoulddothateasy.""Tryit,Matt.""TryJedhere.""Comeon.Tryitonce,"calledthechorus.Thistimethebigfellowneedednourging.WithSammylookingon,hecouldnotresisttheopportunitythatOlliehadpresentedhimandwithoutaword,butaquicktighteningofthelips,hesteppedforwardandcaughtJedbythebeltwithhisrighthand;andbeforeanyonecouldguesshispurpose,hereachedoutwithhisotherhand,andgraspedOlliehimselfinthesamemanner.Therewasashortstepforward,aquickupwardswing,andthegiantheldamanineachhandatfullarm'slengthabovehishead.Amidtheshoutsofthecrowd,stillholdingthemen,hewalkeddeliberatelytotheblacksmithshopandback;thenloweringthemeasilytotheirfeet,returnedtohisengine.OllieandSammyrodeawaytogether,upthegreenarchedroad,andthelittlecompanyinthemillshedstoodwatchingthem.AsSammyandhernowmuchembarrassedescortpassedfrom

35ShepherdintheHillssight,atallmountaineer,fromtheothersideofComptonRidge,remarked,"IdoneheardPreachingBillsayt'otherday,thatmightynighallthisheregeehawing,ballingandkickingamongstthemarriedfolkscomesbecausetheteamsaintmatchedupright.'BillsaidthathefiguredthattheLordalmighty'dfixeditsothatthebirdsandvarmintsdon'tmakemistakes,butheleftitplumbeasyformenandwoment'makedurnedfoolsoftheirselvesmighteasily."Everybodygrinnedattheimplicationandsomejustoutrightlylaughed.Finallyanotherspokeupandsaidloudly;Accordingtofthat,I'llbetfourbitstoanyonestwo,thatthetwoyondereverdogetintodoubleharness,thatthere'llbepiecesoftheoutfitstrungfromtheparson'scleant'theburyingground."Whenthelaughterhadsubsided,BuckturnedtoseeYoungMatstandingjustoutsidetheshed,ostensiblydoingsomethingwiththebeltthatledtotheburr,butinrealitylookingupthecreek."Law!"ejaculatedBuck,underhisbreath;"whatateamTHEY'Dmake!""Who?"saidLem,whowasstandingnearby."Themmulecolts,"returnedBuckwithagrin."Theysurewill,Buck.Thereainttwobetterinthecountry;theyreadeadmatch.I'llcomeoverandhelpyoubreak'emwhentheyrebigenough."AndthenhewonderedwhyBucksworewithsuchevidentdelight.Onebyonethenativesreceivedtheirmeal,and,singly,oringroupsoftwoorthree,wereswallowedupbythegreatforest.Alreadythelittlevalleywasintheshadowofthemountain,thoughthesunstillshonebrightlyonthetreetopshigherup,whenOllieandSammyreturnedfromtheForks.Mr.Matthewshadclimbedthehillwhenthelastgristwasground,leavinghissontocooldowntheengineandputthingsrightaboutthemill."Comeon,Matt,"saidOllie,asthebigfellowbroughtoutthemeal;"It'stimeyouwasagoinghome."Theyounggianthungback,saying,"Youfolksbettergoonahead.Illgethomealright.""Didn'tthinknothingwouldgetyou,"laughedOllie."Comeon,youmightaswellgo'longwithus."Theothermutteredsomethingaboutbeingintheway,andstartedbackintotheshed."Hurryup,"calledSammy,"we'rewaiting."Afterthistherewasnothingelsefortheyoungmantodobutjointhem.Andthethreeweresoonmakingtheirwayupthesteepmountainroadtogether.Foratimetheytalkedofcommonplacethings,thenYoungMatopenedthesubjectthatwasonalltheirhearts."Ireckon,Ollie,thisisthelasttimethatyou'lleverbeaclimbingthisoldroad."AshespokehewasreallythinkingthatthetimehadjustaboutcomewhenSammywouldbeclimbingtheroadforthelasttime.

36|P a g e "Yes,"returnedStewart;"Igotomorrow'foresunup."Theothercontinued;"It'llsurebefineforyoutoliveinthecityandgetyourschoolingandallthat.Usfolkshereinthewoodsdon'tknownothing.Weaintgotnochancetolearn.Youllbeforgettingusallmightyquick,Ireckon,onceyougetolivine'withyourrichkin.""No,Iwon't!"returnedOlliewarmly."SammyandIweretalkingaboutthatthiseveningthatweaimtocomebackt'MuttonHolleraboutonceayearandseeeveryonethatwegrewupwithandthatwaywewouldbejustlikeotherfolksandseetheirkin;don'twe,Sammy?"Thebrownpony,steppingonaloosestone,stumbledtowardMattwhowaswalkingbyhisside.Quickly,thebigfellowputouthishandtothelittlehorse'sneckandforjustaninstant,thegirl'shandrestedonthegiant'sshoulder,andherfacewassoclosetohisshecouldwhisperandnooneelsewouldhear.ThenBrownierecoveredhisfooting,andYoungMattdrewaway.Olliecontinued;"Weaimt'haveyoucomet'thecityafterawhile.I'mgoingtgetUncleDant'giveyouajobintheshops,andyoucangetoutofthesehillsandbesomebodylikeus.HowboutthatMatt?"Thetonewasunmistakablypatronizing.Thebigmountaineerliftedhisheadproudly,andturnedtowardthespeaker;butbeforehecouldreply,Sammybrokeineagerly,"Law!Butthatwouldsurebefine,wouldn'tit,Matt?I'dknowyou'ddosomethingbigifyouonlyhadthechance.Ijustknowyouwould.You'resokindofbigeveryway,"shelaughed."It'saplumbshameforyoutobeburiedaliveinthesehills."Therewasnothingsaidafterthis,until,comingtothetopoftheridge,theystoppedasfromOllieandSammywouldtaketheOldTrailtothegirl'shomeandMattwouldgoontheother.Hiseyestookinthevastsweepofforestcladhillsandmountainvalleys.Helookedatthebluehazeaheadwasfastchangingtopurpleinthelevelraysofthesun,andthenYoungMattspoke."Idon'tguessyou'dbetterfigureonthatOllie.Somefolksaremadetoliveinthecity,andsomeaint.Ireckon,Iwasbuilttoliveinthesehills.Idon'tfeellikeIcouldgetalongwithoutthem;andthenIwouldalwaysbeknockingandhittingagainstsomethingthere."Helaughedgrimly,andstretchedouthishugearms."Ivegottohaveroom.Citiesaresmall,madeforsmallfolks."Heturnedhisfacetowardtheloghousewherehelived,justshowingthroughthetrees."Youknowhowitis,mebeingtheonlyoneleft.DadisgettingoldandIwouldnotfeelrightleavinghimbehind.No,Idon'tguessyouneedtocountonmebeingmorethanIamandjustseeingmeonceayearwhenyoucomevisit."Thensuddenly,wheelingabout,helookedOlliesquareandfinished;"No,yousee,Igotanidea,too,thatthebackwoodsneedmensameasthecitiesandIdon'tseehowthereevercouldBEacityeven,ifitwasn'tforthemenwhatclearedthebrush,choppedtheforestandmadethetimber.Andthenofcourse,somebody'sgottolickWashGibbssomeday,ortherejustnaturallywon'tbenodecentlivinginthishereneighborhoodever."

37ShepherdintheHillsHehelduphisbighandtothemanonthehorse;"Goodbyall,andgoodlucktoyou,Ollie."ThehorsesturneddowntheOldTrailandwiththeirriders,passedfromsight.ThatnightSammyLanesaidfarewelltoherlover,and,withmanypromisesforthefuture,Ollierodeawaytohiscabinhome,toleavethenextmorningforthatworldthatliessofarawayfromtheworldofYoungMattandhisfriendsandhewentintotheworldthatissoeasytogetinto,butsoimpossibletogetoutof,ever.CHAPTERXII.THESHEPHERDANDHISFLOCK.AllthatspringandsummerthingswentsmoothlyintheMuttonHollowneighborhood.Thecornwasreadytogather,andnothinghadhappenedattheranchsinceMr.Howitttookcharge.Whilethetravelerhadappearedsostrangelyintheirmidst,hehadalsomadesoquicklyalargeplaceforhimselfintheheartsofthemountaineers.Atfirsttheyweredisposedtoregardhimwithsomedistrust,asoneapart;hewassounlikethemselves,butwhenhehadchangedhisfancydressfortheroughgarbofthehillspeoplebegantoslowlyacceptthem.YetMr.Howittcontinuedwinningfriendsashemethisneighbors,talkedtothemkindlyandenteredreadilyintotheirlife,thepeoplebycommonconsentdroppedthedistinguishingtitle"Mister"forthemorefamiliaroneofthebackwoods,"Dad.Itwasnotthattheylackedrespectforhim,itwasmorebecausethatwashowtheypaidit,bestowinganameofcountryelderuponhim,andthetraveler,nomore,butnowtheircountryshepherd.MrHowittacceptedthetitlewithapleasedsmileandseemedtoacceptitinthemanneritwasgiven:asanhonorandnothingsomethingthatwasbestowedlightlybutasagiftwelcomingintotheflock.Despitethat