into his, and jest see what's come of it. I hadn't ought to done so, to
be sure."

"That's bad, but that must not stop you. Your life, Bunce, is in danger,
and I have too much regard for you to let you risk it by longer stay
here. Take my nag, there--the second one from the tree, and put him in
the gears in place of your own. He's as gentle as a spaniel, and goes
like a deer. You know the back track to my house, and I'll come after
you, and bring your creature along. I 'spose he's not so stiff but he
can bring me."

"He can do that, lawyer, I guess, without difficulty. I'll move as you
say, and be off pretty slick. Five hundred dollars damage, lawyer--eh!"

"No matter, till I see you. Put your nag in gears quickly--you have
little time to spare!"

The pedler proceeded to the work, and was in a little while ready for a
start. But he lingered at the porch.

"I say, lawyer, it's a hard bout they've given me this time. I did fear
they would be rash and obstropulous, but didn't think they'd gone so
far. Indeed, it's clear, if it hadn't been that the cretur failed me, I
should not have trusted myself in the place, after what I was told."

"Bunce, you have been rather sly in your dealings, and they have a good
deal to complain of. Now, though I said nothing about it, that coat you
sold me for a black grew red with a week's wear, and threadbare in a
month."