out over the wheels into the road, where, for the second time in
his life, he proceeded to fetch Mr. Blount a smack in the jaw.
This he followed up with other smacks variously distributed about
his countenance.

"You'll sweat for this, Bob Yancy!" cried Blount, as he vainly
sought to fend off the blows.

"I'm sweating now--scandalous," said Mr. Yancy, taking his
unhurried satisfaction of the other. Then with a final skilful
kick he sent Mr. Blount sprawling. "Don't let me catch you
around these diggings again, Dave Blount, or I swear to God I'll
be the death of you!"

Hannibal rode home through the pine woods in triumph on his Uncle
Bob's mighty shoulders.

"Did you get yo' ground-hog, Nevvy?" inquired Mr. Yancy presently
when they had temporarily exhausted the excitement of Hannibal's
capture and recovery.

"It weren't a ground-hog, Uncle Bob--it were a skunk!"

"Think of that!" murmured Mr. Yancy.




CHAPTER IV