themselves into an exceedingly knowing grin.

"You talked like you thought you were going to die right off,"
said Hannibal gravely, as he resumed his chair. The judge was
touched. It had been more years than he cared to remember since
he had launched a decent emotion in the breast of any human
being. For a moment he was silent, struck with a sense of shame;
then he said:

"You are sure you are not running away, Hannibal? I hope you
know that boys should always tell the truth--that hell has its
own especial terrors for the boy who lies? Now, if I thought the
worst of you, I might esteem it my duty to investigate your
story." The judge laid a fat forefinger against the side of his
nose, and regarded him with drunken gravity. Hannibal shook with
terror. This was what he had feared. "That's one aspect of the
case. Now, on the other hand, I might draw up a legal instrument
which could not fail to be of use to you on your travois, and
would stop all questions. As for my fee, it would be trifling,
when compared with the benefits I can see accruing to you."

"No, I ain't running away. I ain't got no one to run away from,"
said the boy chokingly. He was showing signs of fatigue. His
head drooped and he met the judge's glance with tired, sleepy
eyes. The latter looked at him and then said suddenly:

"I think you'd better go to bed."

"I reckon I had," agreed Hannibal, slipping from his chair.