e arm.

"Yes, shadow dearie!" said the big fellow whimsically, "what is't?"

"Aren't you going to cut this stuff out, Jim?"

"What? Man alive, do ye want to make a mock o' me? Me!--cut it out and
this just the first week. You managed that once, Phil, to my eternal
disgrace. Don't ye know that when I start, it means a month on the
calendar--and has always meant that and always will mean----"

"No, it won't," put in Phil. "Not if I know it!"

"But, Phil, the folks expect it. Ye could never disappoint the
people."

"Disappoint be-damned! Are you going to quit this right now, or not?"

"Man, ye shouldna put it like that to me," expostulated Jim, swaying
slightly as he threw his arm round by way of emphasis.

Phil held out his hand to him.

"All right, Jim! I'm sorry. Good-bye! Good-bye for good!"

Almost a haunted look came into the bloodshot eyes of the big fellow.

"Phil,--Phil,--ye don't mean that? Ye wouldna throw me doon?"

"But I do mean it. I thought you and I were going to make a good
partnership some day."

"And aren't we?"

"Not this way! Good heavens, Jim!--what's the matter with you, anyway?
Haven't you got the courage to stand a little disappointment now and
again without flying to this? You can't go on being a fool all your
life.

"I tell you, I came here to make good. I am making good and I'm going
to make better. So can you, if you get down to it. We can turn this
town round our thumbs, if we go to it together. If you haven't the
grit to quit this damnable foolishness--then I'm through with you for
keeps and I'm going to find somebody with sense to go at it with me.
If I can't, then I'm going to go at it alone."

With bent head, Jim stood in silence under the tirade.

"Where did you get this rig?" asked Phil, referring to the team and
wagon.

Jim shook his head.

"What did you do with the horses you took from Mrs. Clunie's barn?"

Jim shook his head again.

"They were your own horses;--where did you get them?"

Jim's shock of auburn hair waggled a negative.

"And that's what the booze is doing for you, old man. You won't know
your own name pretty soon."

Suddenly Phil's voice changed and he slipped his arm across his
friend's shoulder.

"Jim,--Jim,--we've been good pals. Won't you quit this crazy
behaviour, and we'll stay good pals right to the finish?"

"When do you want me to start?" asked Jim quietly.

Phil's face lit up.

"Right now!"

"Give me to-night;--two or thr