"In course. I couldn't trust anybody else."

Then, after a pause, he added, slowly:

"I don't know but that I might let you into my secrets if-- What did you
say your name was?"

I repeated my alias, and told my fictitious history.

"So you ain't got nothink to do?"

"Nothing."

"How would you like to work for me?"

"Doing what?"

"Selling my medicines."

"Done!" cried I, joyfully.

"Hold hup!" said he, quickly. "I ain't quite certain. Can you patter?"

"Can I what?"

"Gab, I mean--talk? Are you good on that?"

"I think I am," I answered, modestly.

"And 'ave you got plenty of cheek?"

"Oh, yes! Why?"

"Because you'll need it. You wouldn't be afraid to stand hup before a
big crowd and blow away about the Balsam, or the Powder, nor yet the
Drops--hey?"

I assured him that the prospect did not dismay me in the least.

My companion then brought the conversation to a conclusion very
summarily.

"Then, Jack Wood," said he, "you're my man!"

Then he rolled over and went to sleep, and although somewhat astonished
at the suddenness of the doctor's resolution, I thought his action a
good one, and _I_ rolled over and went to sleep, also.

CHAPTER XVI.

TREATS OF MY EXPERIENCE AS A PHYSICIAN--I REACH THE MISSISSIPPI.

I awoke at sunrise, or rather Doctor Norris awoke me by a vigorous dig
in the ribs with the point of his boot, and told me that breakfast was
ready. I arose at once, washed my face, combed my hair, and then
astonished the doctor by the vigor of my appetite.

During the meal he confided to me his plans for the future. He had laid
out a route through Butler and Beaver counties to the State line, and
thence through Ohio until winter set in.

"I make enough in summer to lay hup in winter," he explained. "It's an
'ealthy and hinvigorating life, and I like it. I've traveled over nearly
all the States between the Atlantic and the Mississippi, 'ave 'ad my
hups and downs, and I wouldn't change places with a king."

I rather doubted whether the doctor knew very much about kings, that he
could afford to speak so positively, but I felt that it would be neither
polite nor prudent to disagree with him.

"I dare say I shall like the life very well," I said, quietly.
"But--what am I expected to do?"

"You'll be my assistant," said the doctor, in a lofty voice, as if he
was announcing my appointment to a cabinet position.

Then he went into details, and explained that I was to assist him i