must handle the gun that I may please this Criticus."

Morton bridled with indignation.

"He ain't a cuss, Uncle Adam ain't. He's a nice man, and he knows what
he's about too. If you'd see some o' the fools that come down here to
shoot you'd be particular too, I guess. They're a good deal more apt to
hit their guide than the birds, I can tell you."

The young man laughed heartily.

"My boy, I hadn't the slightest intention of calling your relative
names; that was simply a title many men would be proud to bear."

"That's all right." in a mollified tone; "but he isn't any relation to
me. Everybody calls him uncle."

"Ah, I see. You make me feel wonderfully interested in this wise Adam,
and only in a fright for fear I won't hold my weapon to suit him;
couldn't you give me a lesson or two, now?"

Morton looked at the stranger askance; was he making fun of him? then
straightening his boyish shoulders, he said proudly, "I can tell you
something better than that. _I'm_ going gunning with Adam to-morrow
morning at four o'clock, and perhaps I can get him to take you along
too, if he likes your looks."

"Let us hope he may!" observed the other fervently. "What! is this the
place we're bound for?" looking dubiously at the weather-worn cottage
opposite, in whose gable end was a primitive bay-window, through which