question to Joe.

"He MUSTER been bit," Joe answered, "'cuz he had the d-death adder in his
hand."

More silence.

"Mush die 'fore shun'own," Dad murmured.

Maloney was thinking hard. At last he spoke. "Bridgy!" he cried, "where's
th' childer?" Mrs. Maloney gathered them up.

Just then Dad seemed to be dreaming. He swayed about. His head hung
lower, and he muttered, "Shen'l'm'n, yoush disharged wish shanksh y'cun'ry."

The Maloneys left.

Dave is still alive and well, and silent as ever; and if any one question
is more intolerable and irritating to him than another, it is to be asked
if he remembers the time he was bitten by deaf-adder.




Chapter X.



Dad And The Donovans.