.

"Yes, I was, too!" This in a tone that made Ralph tremble. "Your father
was a miserable Britisher. I'd fit red-coats, in the war of
eighteen-twelve, and lost my leg by one of 'em stickin' his dog-on'd
bagonet right through it, that night at Lundy's Lane; but my messmate
killed him though which is a satisfaction to think on. And I didn't like
your father 'cause he was a Britisher. But ef he'd a died right here in
this free country, 'though nobody to give him a drink of water, blamed
ef I wouldn't a been ashamed to set on the platform at a Fourth of July
barbecue, and to hold up my wooden leg fer to make the boys cheer! That
was the selfishest thing I ever done. We're all selfish akordin' to my
tell."

"You wasn't selfish when you took me that night, you know," and Shocky's
face beamed with gratitude.

"Yes, I war, too, you little sass-box! What did I take you fer? Hey?
Bekase I didn't like Pete Jones nor Bill Jones. They're thieves, dog-on
'em!"

Ralph shivered a little. The horse with the white forefoot and white
nose galloped before his eyes again.

"They're a set of thieves. That's what they air."

"Please, Mr. Pearson, be careful. You'll get into trouble, you know, by
talking that way," said Miss Hawkins. "You're just like a man that I
knew at the East."

"Why, do you think an old soldier like me, hobbling on a wooden leg, is
afraid of them thieves? Didn't I face the Britishers? Didn't I come home
late last Wednesday night? I rather guess I must a took a little too
much at Welch's grocery, and laid down in the middle of the street to
rest. The boys thought 'twas funny to crate[20] me. I woke up kind o'
cold, 'bout one in the mornin.' 'Bout two o'clock I come up Means's
hill, and didn't I see Pete Jones, and them others that robbed the
Dutchman, and somebody, I dunno who, a-crossin' the blue-grass paster
_towards_ Jones's?" (Ralph shivered.) "Don't shake your finger at me,
old woman. Tongue is all I've got to fight with now; but I'll fight them
thieves tell the sea goes dry, I will. Shocky, gim me a splint."

"But you wasn't selfish when you tuck me. Shocky stuck to his point most
positively.

"Yes, I was, you little tow-headed fool! I didn't take you kase I was
good, not a bit of it. I hated Bill Jones what keeps the poor-house, and
I knowed him and Pete would get you bound to some of their click, and I
didn't want no more thieves raised; so when your mother hobbled, with
you a-leadin' her, poor blind