e Barnabas and Jud sat side by side, pale and
anxious, but upheld by David's confident assurance of victory.

He kept his word. Jud was cleared.

"You're a smart lawyer, Dave," commented Uncle Larimy.

David looked at him whimsically.

"I had a smart client, Uncle Larimy."

"That's what you did, Dave, but he's gettin' too dernd smart. You'd a
done some of us a favor if you'd let him git sent up."

CHAPTER V

"Dave," said Barnabas on one memorable day, "the Jedge hez hed his
innings trying to make you a lawyer. Now it's my turn."

"All right, Uncle Barnabas, I am ready."

"Hain't you hed enough of law, Dave? You've given it a good trial, and
showed what you could do. It'll be a big help to you to know the law,
and it'll allers be sumthin' to fall back on when things get slack,
but ain't you pinin' fer somethin' a leetle spryer?"

"Yes, I am," was the frank admission. "I like the excitement attending
a case, and the fight to win, but it's drudgery between times--like
soldiering in time of peace."

"Wal, Dave, I've got a job fer you wuth hevin', and one that starts
toward what you air a-goin' to be."

David's breath came quickly.

"What is it?"

"Thar's no reason at all why you can't go to legislatur' and make new
laws instead of settin' in the Jedge's office and larnin' to dodge old
ones. I'm a-runnin' politics in these parts, and I'm a-goin' to git
you nominated. After that, you'll go the hull gamut--so 't will be up
the ladder and over the wall fer you, Dave."

So, David, to the astonishment of the Judge, put his foot on the
first round of the political ladder as candidate for the legislature.
At the same time Janey returned from the school in the East, where
she had been "finished," and David's heart beat an inspiring
tattoo every time he looked at her, but he was nominated by a
speech-loving, speech-demanding district, and he had so many
occasions for oratory that only snatches of her companionship were
possible throughout the summer.

Joe came on to join in the excitement attending the campaign. It had
been some time since his last visit, and he scarcely recognized David
when he met him at the Lafferton station.

"Well, Dave," said the ranchman, "if you are as strong and sure as you
look, you won't need my help in the campaign."

"I always need you, Joe. But you haven't changed in the least, unless
you look more serious than ever, perhaps."

"It's the outdoor life does that. Take a fi