Jase drew forth a greasy leather wallet and extracted a five dollar
bill, which he eyed reflectively as if forcing himself to make up his
mind, then suddenly handed it to Ralph, who thanked him but shook his
head.

"Dang it! Let me loan it to you then. Didn't you as good as save my
life? Look, Clell wants you to take it, don't you, Clell?"

The little fellow laughed, seized the bill from his father's hand, and
tossed it towards Ralph, saying:

"Take it; take it. I like 'oo, Walph."

Ralph felt another rising in his throat as he stooped to pick up the
note; but he could not bring himself to the point of accepting so great
a favor from one of the Vaughns.

"I--I really don't need it," said he. "Hold on! Jase! Do hold up a
minute."

"Can't, old feller," called back Jase, who had suddenly spurred his
mule into a trot when he saw the note in Ralph's hand. "Pay me when
you get back, if you'd rather."

"But I say! I can't keep this money----"

"Good by," came floating back on the breeze. "I don't know nothin'
'bout no money. Take good care of yourself."