It seemed as if he were going back instead of leaving his home. Every
one he met looked at him compassionately. Finally he saw Jase Vaughn,
and remembered that he owed Jase five dollars. He put his hand in his
pocket and drew out--a rattlesnake.

Even this did not waken him, though he thought he was back at the shack
by the tar kiln. The ground seemed to be covered with snakes. He ran
ever so far, then all at once he was with Jase just as if he had been
with him all the time.

"I haven't got no money," he said sorrowfully.

"Never mind," replied Vaughn. "You run home. Poor fellow; I'm sorry
for you."

Much perplexed, he kept on until he stood before his grandfather's
cabin. He thought his Aunt Dopples was there, with her eyes red with
weeping.

"Go in; go in," she urged, pushing him through the doorway. "He's been
waiting for you till he's about give out."

Ralph dreamed that the first thing he saw was his grandfather propped
up in bed, with a ghastly pallor on his face. When he beheld his
truant grandson, the scowl upon his brow deepened, and he shook a
warning finger.

"Wretched boy!" hissed the old man, while Ralph cowered like one in the
presence of a ghost, "you are no Granger. There never was a Granger
that acted the coward. You are a Vaughn--a Vaughn--a Vaughn!"