"'Pears like I hadn't orter keep it from him," she replied, slowly, watching the expressive and handsome face of the young Southerner closely. "Thems as don't think Phin Dady keers fur his fambly, but they don't know. Reckons he'd jest 'bout lay down his life fur me, pore looker as I am!"
Thad drew a big breath. Really things were rushing forward by leaps and bounds now. For not only had the girl recognized his companion, who wished to keep his identity under cover while in the mountains; but this same Polly, as Bob called her, had now disclosed herself to be the daughter of the moonshiner, Old Phin Dady!
CHAPTER XVIII.
POLLY GIVES HER PROMISE.
"I'm going to ask you a great favor, Polly," said Bob, earnestly.
"Then hit it up right smart, an' tell me," replied the girl, calmly, though Thad could see her dark, expressive face light up.
Polly had her share of the curiosity that is the heritage of her sex.
"You say you feel thankful that we happened along in time to drive that cat off; and you'd be willing to do something for us in return?" Bob went on.