farewell gesture. "I hate to leave you when it comes to the pinch, but
if I live I'll make my way somewhere's else. There's other places
beside these mountains where a boy can get on, I know."

He resumed his way, forcing back the tears, and soon found his emotions
subside.

A conviction that he had acted right throughout the altercation with
old Bras, helped him to bear more cheerfully the hard fact that he was
not only homeless but almost moneyless. This last misfortune did not
press on him heavily, as in that secluded region people were
universally hospitable. Ralph had never paid for a meal or a night's
lodging in his life.

As he happened to take an easterly course he kept it merely because it
would lead him to the lowlands and the towns as quickly as any other
route.

He had at once resolved to leave his native mountains. Inexperienced
as he was, he instinctively felt that there were better things in store
for an energetic lad in other parts of the country than he would be apt
to find anywhere near his home.

He struck a lively pace and had walked nearly a mile, with his bundle
under his arm, when he met Jase Vaughn returning from the mill.

"Hello, youngster!" quoth that worthy man as cordially as if Ralph and
himself had been warm friends all along. "Where you carryin' yourself
to? Old man got in good humor yet?"