this. Land knows, I hope so; for a few more such doses 'ull jest
lay me up."

He gathered himself together at last, set the gun over the fence,
and climbing after it, caught Nancy, who had feasted to plethora
on young corn. He fastened up the trace-chains, and climbing to
her back, laid the gun across his lap and rode to the barn. He
attended the mare with particular solicitude, and bathed his face
and hands in the water trough to make himself a little more
presentable to Maria. He started to the house, but had only gone
a short way when he stopped, and after standing in thought for a
time, turned back to the barn and gave Nancy another ear of corn.

"After all, it was all you, ol' girl," he said, patting her
shoulder, "I never on earth could a-made it on time afoot."

He was so tired he leaned for support against her, for the
unusual exertion and intense excitement were telling on him
sorely, and as he rested he confided to her: "I don't know as I
ever in my life was so riled, Nancy. I'm afraid I was a little
mite fierce."

He exhibited the gun, and told the story very soberly at supper
time; and Maria was so filled with solicitude for him and the
bird, and so indignant at the act of the hunter, that she never
said a word about Abram's torn clothing and the hours of patching
that would ensue. She sat looking at the gun and thinking
intently for a long time; and then she said pityingly:

"I don't know jest what you could a-said 'at 'ud make a man go