And even now he was not able to start. Though he urged her as much as he
could, he could not make Charity understand that it was absolutely
necessary that he must have his clothes, wet or dry; and he did not get
them until they were fit to put on. And then his shoes were not dry,
but, as he intended to run all the way to Aunt Judy's cabin, that did
not matter so much.

"How far is it to Aunt Judy's?" he asked, when at last he was ready to
start.

"Well, I reckons it's 'bout six or seben miles, Mah'sr Harry," said
Charity.

"Six or seven miles!" exclaimed Harry. "When shall I get there!"

"Now don't hurry and git yese'f all in a heat," said Charity. "Jist keep
along dis path fru de woods till ye strike de road, and that'll take ye
straight to de bridge. Wish I had a mule to len' ye."

"Good-by, Charity," cried Harry. "I'm ever so much obliged." And
hurriedly searching his vest pockets, he found a ten-cent note and a few
pennies, which he gave to the children, who grinned in silent delight,
and then he started off on a run.

But he did not run all the way.

Before long he began to tire a little, and then he settled down into a
fast walk. He felt that he must hurry along as fast as he was able. The
fortunes of the Crooked Creek Telegraph Company depended upon him. If