"What's the matter with you?"

"I don't know--only I get sharp, shooting pains now and then across my
back."

Whopper and Shep looked at each other. They had no desire for the
companionship of such a disreputable looking person, yet they did not
wish to see the tramp suffer.

"What's your name?" questioned Whopper. "And where do you belong?"

"My real name is Kidlaw Leech, but most of my friends call me Kiddy
for short. I came from--er--New York, but I have been up to Fairview
and other places looking for work. Yesterday I started to walk to the
next town, but I reckon I got lost on the road, and I fetched up
here."

"You must have tramped a good distance," answered the doctor's son. He
was far from being favorably impressed by the tramp.

"I did," answered Kiddy Leech. "But, say, you'll help me to your camp,
won't you?"

"Yes. I have some medicines over there, and one of them may do you
good. I'm a doctor's son."

"Got any liquor? That's the best medicine for my back."

"No, but I can give you some peppermint and some ginger."