probably have gone on; whereas, if he started out now on foot, and walked all
night, he might catch them before they left Lexington next morning. And if he
missed the Squire and the Turner boys, he could certainly find the
school-master there. And if not, he could go on to the mountains alone. Or he
might stay in the "settlemints"--what had he come for? He might--he would--oh,
he'd get along somehow, he said to himself, wagging his head--he always had
and he always would. He could always go back to the mountains. If he only had
Jack--if he only had Jack! Nothing would make any difference then, and he
would never be lonely, if he only had Jack. But, cheered with his
determination, he rubbed the tears from his eyes with his coat-sleeve and
climbed the long hill. There was the Armory, which, years later, was to harbor
Union troops in the great war, and beyond it was the little city of the dead
that sits on top of the hill far above the shining river. At the great iron
gates he stopped a moment, peering through. He saw a wilderness of white slabs
and, not until he made his way across the thick green turf and spelled out the
names carved on them, could he make out what they were for. How he wondered
when he saw the innumerable green mounds, for he hardly knew there were as
many people in the world living as he saw there must be in that place, dead.
But he had no time to spare and he turned quickly back to the
pike--saddened--for his heart went back, as his faithful heart was always
doing, to the lonely graves under the big poplar back in the mountains.

When he reached the top of the slope, he saw a rolling country of low hills
stretching out before him, greening with spring; with far stretches of thick
grass and many woodlands under a long, low sky, and he wondered if this was
the Bluegrass. But he "reckoned" not--not yet. And yet he looked in wonder at
the green slopes, and the woods, and the flashing creek, and nowhere in front
of him--wonder of all--could he see a mountain. It was as Caleb Hazel had told
him, only Chad was not looking for any such mysterious joy as thrilled his
sensitive soul. There had been a light sprinkle of snow--such a fall as may