He was still cracking his lash at the ground. There was a sudden,
half-articulate remonstrance.

Birt, who had turned away to the bark-mill, whirled back in a rising
passion.

"Did ye hit Tennessee?" he asked, with a dangerous light in his
eyes.

"No--I never!" Nate protested. "I hain't seen her till this minute.
She war standin' a-hint ye."

"Waal, ye skeered her, then," said Birt, hardly appeased. "Quit
snappin' that lash. 'Pears-like ter me ez ye makes yerself powerful
free round this hyar tanyard."

"Tennie air a-growin' wonderful fast," the sly Nathan remarked
pleasantly.

Birt softened instantly. "She air a haffen inch higher 'n she war
las' March, 'cordin' ter the mark on the door," he declared,
pridefully. "She ain't pretty, I know, but she air powerful peart."

"What war the word ez ye war layin' off ter say ter me?" Nate asked,
curiosity vividly expressed in his face.

Birt leaned back against the pile of bark and hesitated. Last night
he had thought Nate the most desirable person to whom he could
confide his secret whose aid he could secure. There were many