f deduction. With his eye on Alexander, whose
back was turned to him, he jauntily straightened his shoulders and gave
his long mustache a twirl. Brent thought of the turkey-gobbler's strut
as, with amused eyes, he watched the backwoods lady-killer. Jase had
heard many of the old wives' tales of Alexander and thought of her as
one, ambitious of amorous conquest, may think of a famous and much
discussed beauty. Had she been another woman, Jase would before now
have gone over to the house on a "sparking" expedition, but Old Man
McGivins had discouraged such aspirations--and his daughter had been no
less definite of attitude. Here, however, he had the girl on neutral
ground and meant to seize his opportunity.

So he strolled over to her with an ingratiating smile.

"Aleck," he began in the drawling voice which he himself rather
fancied, "we hed a right norrer squeak of hit back thar didn't we?"

There should have been discouragement in the coolness of the glance
that she turned upon him, but Jase had the blessing of self-confidence.

"Ye war thar yerself--ye ought ter know," said Alexander curtly. Then
she added, "An' don't call me Aleck--my name's Alexander."

Jase Mallows reddened to his temples. There had been moments, even in
the straining activity of these hours, for him to boast to his fellows
that it would be interesting to watch the progress of his campaign for
the affections of Alexander. Now they were watching.

So Jase laughed awkwardly. "Wa'al, thet's reasonable enough," he
handsomely conceded. "A gal's got a rather es ter what name she's ter
be called by an' ef she's es purty es you be she kin afford ter be
high-headed too."

Alexander stood looking the man over from head to foot as though
studying a new species--possibly a species of insect-life. Under that
embarrassing scrutiny Jase fidgeted his hands. Eventually he drew out
a flask and having uncorked it he ceremoniously wiped the bottle's
mouth with the palm of his hand. "Let's take a leetle dram ter better
acquaintances," he suggested. "Thet thar's licker I wouldn't offer ter
nobody but a reg'lar man. Hit's got a kick like a bob-tailed mule."

With features that had not altered their expression, the girl reached
out her hand and accepted the bottle.

She held the thing before her, looking at it for a moment, then with a
swift gesture tossed it sidewise into the river.

Jase Mallows bent forward and his face flamed, but his anger se