"What made you leave it?"
"The old man whipped me, and I run away."
"Why don't you go back?"
"I'd rather meet all the painted Injins in the woods than him. He'd whip me all through the town."
"No doubt you deserve it."
"Boo-hoo! you ain't going to lick me too, are you?" plead the man, gouging one eye with his finger.
"No, no; don't make a fool of yourself. What would I wish to hurt you for?"
"I don't know, I'm sure. I'm 'fraid of everybody."
"See here, Zeke, was there any Injins chasing you, just now?"
"Yes—no. I've been clear of them a long time, I run so fast; but I'm just as afeard, as I s'pose the Injins are all over the woods."