“It’s mighty kind o’ yeou tew say thet, an’ I feel it, I swan,” he finally stammered, as he managed to thrust out his brown hand, and take that of the boy which had been so impulsively offered to him.
“Why,” Thad went on, heartily, “you know, Jim, I’m as much interested in this matter between you and Cale Martin as can be. And I’m just bound to see you through. I heard what one of those men told you about Cale going off to his cabin, so’s to try and keep away from temptation, while Jim Hasty was around the neighborhood. He’d sworn to pin your ears to a tree, and feared that he’d up and do it, if he had the chance. Something better inside Old Cale was a tuggin’ away at his hard old heart; and Jim; you and I know what it is.”
The short guide nodded his head violently, while his eyes glittered.
“Pore ole dad, he wants tew see his leetle gal ther wust kind, an’ it’s jest his consarned pride as keeps him frum knucklin’ right down, an’ ownin’ he war wrong. Thet’s what I sez in ther fust place. I jest knowed he dassen’t raise a hand tew hurt me, as he threatened, ’cause Lina keers fur even ther leetle finger o’ my hand; an’ she war ther apple o’ his eye. An’ shore I feels as it’s agoin’ tew be awl right, ef so be I kin on’y git a few words wid ther ole man, face tew face.”
“And you shall, if I can help you out, Jim,” declared the boy, with emphasis. “Perhaps some day, I might even see the Little Lina that all this fuss has been about. I’d sure like to, the worst kind. But about when do you think we’d better hike out across country for the Martin cabin, Jim?”
“I’d like tew start inside o’ an hour,” returned the other, quickly, as his eye instinctively turned upwards toward the heavens, with the idea of gauging what the weather might have in store for the State of Maine during the next twenty-four hours.
“I see, you’re afraid of a heavy snowfall, that would make the going and coming a hard job; is that it, Jim?”
“It shore is, Thad,” replied the guide, promptly. “Yew see, it’s long past due. The woods is as dry as tinder, and we need a big fall o’ snow er rain ther wust kind. D’ye think we mout git away by thet time?”
“I don’t see why not,” answered the young scoutmaster “I’m feeling in apple pie condition this morning, myself; and you’re just wild to make the venture. So we’ll call it a go in an hour, Jim. By that time breakfast will be done with, and the boys have their plans arranged for the day. Eli will take charge with Allan; and there ought to be no trouble. Both Bumpus and Giraffe are too tired after what they went through with the day before yesterday, to want to wander; the game warden is well on his way with his two prisoners; and everything looks just fixed to carry out your little plan.”
“It does thet,” returned the other, eagerly. “Seems like things happened jest tew suit me. I calls it ‘Little Lina luck,’ fur they nigh allers turn thetaways when I’m tryin’ tew please her. I worried a heap over them tew critters, Si Kedge an’ Ed Harkness; thinkin’ thet w’ile I mout convince dad, they was apt tew give me a lot o’ trouble. An’ see haow they was kerried off tew jail tew clar ther field fur me! Oh! sumpin’ tells me hit’s goin’ tew be awl rite yit.”