The shepherd held out his hand, "I understand. Come always, my
boy."

The big fellow, with Pete, skipped away into the timber at the
rear of the cabin, a moment before Sammy appeared at the open door
in front.





CHAPTER XIII.

SAMMY LANE'S AMBITION.


"Law sakes!" cried Sammy, looking at the table. "You don't use all
them dishes, do you, Dad? You sure must eat a lot."

"Oh, I eat enough," laughed Mr. Howitt; "but it happens that I had
company this evening. Young Matt and Pete were here for supper."
He brought two chairs outside the cabin.

"Shucks!" exclaimed Sammy, as she seated herself, and removed her
sunbonnet; "they must've eat and run. Wish'd I'd got here sooner.
Young Matt run away from me this afternoon. And I wanted to see
him 'bout Mandy Ford's party next week. I done promised Mandy that
I'd bring him. I reckon he'd go with me if I asked him."

"There is not the least doubt about that," observed the man; "I'm