wonder, he sure is."

Old Matt and his son glanced quickly at each other, and the boy
shook his head with a smile. This little by-play was lost on the
men who were interested in the efforts of different ones, in
groups of three, to move the wheel. When they had at last given it
up, the young man from the river drawled, "You're right sure hit
weren't after th' boas give you that bottle that Wash lifted her,
are you Joe? Or wasn't hit on th' way home from th' settlement?"

When the laugh at this insinuation had died out, Buck said
thoughtfully, "Tell you what, boys; I'd like t' see Young Matt try
that lift."

Mr. Matthews, who was just starting back to the burr-house, paused
in the doorway. All eyes were fixed upon his son. "Try her, Matt.
Show us what you can do," called the men in chorus. But the young
man shook his head, and found something that needed his immediate
attention.

All that morning at intervals the mountaineers urged the big
fellow to attempt the feat, but he always put them off with some
evasive reply, or was too busy to gratify them.

But after dinner, while the men were pitching horse shoes in front
of the blacksmith shop, Buck Thompson approached the young
engineer alone. "Look a here, Matt," he said, "why don't you try
that lift? Durned me if I don't believe you'd fetch her."

The young giant looked around; "I know I can, Buck; I lifted her