over to the Gap last fall that you seed me at Uncle Judd's?"

"No," said Hale. "But how did you know that I saw the Red Fox that
day?" The boy laughed unpleasantly.

"So long," he said. "See you agin some day." The way was steep and
the sun was down and darkness gathering before Hale reached the
top of the mountain--so he hallooed at the yard fence of the Red
Fox, who peered cautiously out of the door and asked his name
before he came to the gate. And there, with a grin on his curious
mismatched face, he repeated young Dave's words:

"You've come back agin." And Hale repeated his:

"Yes, I've come back again."

"You goin' over to Lonesome Cove?"

"Yes," said Hale impatiently, "I'm going over to Lonesome Cove.
Can I stay here all night?"

"Shore!" said the old man hospitably. "That's a fine hoss you got
thar," he added with a chuckle. "Been swappin'?" Hale had to laugh
as he climbed down from the bony ear-flopping beast.

"I left my horse in town--he's lame."

"Yes, I seed you thar." Hale could not resist: "Yes, and I seed
you." The old man almost turned.