and the like, and even fenced with sticks. I had them going there, and
could teach them things; and they were the willingest pupils a man ever
had--docile and filled with a deep respect for their teacher who knew all
there was to know--or, if he didn't, he never let on. Before night we had
smashed three window-panes, trimmed several faces down considerably, and
got pretty well acquainted. I found out that they weren't so far behind
the old gang at home for wanting all there is in the way of fun, and I
believe they discovered that I was harmless. Before that storm let up they
were dealing cards to me, and allowing me to get rid of the rest of the
forty dollars Rankin had overlooked. I got some of it back.

I went down and bunked with them, because they had a stove and I didn't,
and it was more sociable; Perry Potter and the cook were welcome to the
house, I told them, except at meal-times. And, more than all the rest, I
could keep out of range of Perry Potter's eyes. I never could get used to
that watch-Willie-grow way he had, or rid myself of the notion that he was
sending dad a daily report of my behavior.

The next thing, when the weather quit sifting snow and turned on the balmy
breezes and the sunshine, I was down in the corrals in my chaps and spurs,
learning things about horses that I never suspected before. When I did
something unusually foolish, the boys were good enough to remember my
boxing and fencing and such little accomplishments, and did not withdraw
their favor; so I went on, butting into every new game that came up, and
taking all bets regardless, and actually began to wise up a little and to
forget a few of my grievances.

I was down in the corral one day, saddling Shylock--so named because he
tried to exact a pound of flesh every time I turned my back or in other
ways seemed off my guard--and when I was looping up the latigo I