pinch, but
if I live I'll make my way somewhere's else. There's other places
beside these mountains where a boy can get on, I know."

He resumed his way, forcing back the tears, and soon found his emotions
subside.

A conviction that he had acted right throughout the altercation with
old Bras, helped him to bear more cheerfully the hard fact that he was
not only homeless but almost moneyless. This last misfortune did not
press on him heavily, as in that secluded region people were
universally hospitable. Ralph had never paid for a meal or a night's
lodging in his life.

As he happened to take an easterly course he kept it merely because it
would lead him to the lowlands and the towns as quickly as any other
route.

He had at once resolved to leave his native mountains. Inexperienced
as he was, he instinctively felt that there were better things in store
for an energetic lad in other parts of the country than he would be apt
to find anywhere near his home.

He struck a lively pace and had walked nearly a mile, with his bundle
under his arm, when he met Jase Vaughn returning from the mill.

"Hello, youngster!" quoth that worthy man as cordially as if Ralph and
himself had been warm friends all along. "Where you carryin' yourself
to? Old man got in good humor yet?"

"He has turned me out, lock, stock, and barrel," replied the boy,
swallowing his pride in this humiliating confession.

"W-h-a-a-t?" ejaculated Jase thoroughly amazed, while Clell smiled at
Ralph in a most amiable manner.

"Grandpa was so provoked because I declined to obey him," said Ralph,
"that he told me to pack up and get out."

"For good and all?"

"Yes, for good. At least I sh'an't go back any more--unless--he was to
send for me."

"Bully for you! I wouldn't either. Give you the shake 'cause you
wouldn't let him put a bullet hole through me! Well, I swow!"

Jase stared at Ralph in mingled admiration and compassion.

"The dadburned old fool!" he continued. "'Scuse me, Ralph, no
reflections on your fambly, but hit kind o' teches my feelin's to see
you fired in this shape, long o' your actin' the gentleman with me.
Where be you goin'?"

"Somewhere's down below; I don't know exactly where."

"Got any money?"

"A little. I'm going to hunt work; then I'll soon make more. I
sha'n't stay in the mountains."

Jase drew forth a greasy leather wallet and extracted a five dollar
bill, which he eyed reflectively as if forcing hims