The driver leaped out and came to us, white as a sheet.
"Oh," he said, "just in time! Miss A. saw your white shirt-waist and said, 'Stop: there is something ahead!'"
He was just as good as gold, and when I said if he moved the auto to one side a little I would undertake to lead Ruth by, "No, no," he said, "we must find some other way, the road is too narrow."
I told him of the little bridge and he found it just between us and the auto, and he insisted on leading Ruth over it; turned out his lights and glided past quietly, and then led the wonderfully well-behaved Ruth back into the road, and with hearty handclasps and thanks we proceeded on our way. Very thankful hearts beat within us and the mercy and goodness of the Great Creator seemed to be shouted to us from each brilliant star above.
September 26.
Started the flat off to Gregory for the fertilizer, five tons half lime and half 8-1-4. The river winds so that by water it is twenty-three miles about, while by land it is only fourteen. If everything goes well, they should get back here by Thursday. R. came down to spend three weeks with me, and he is helping me prepare the land for the alfalfa. It is so delightful to have him. He finds the nigs very trying. Yesterday he spent a good deal of time fixing a harrow, which was too light, by wiring on to it securely a long iron bar to make it heavy enough to crush the sods. Finally he got it just the right weight and started Elihu to work with it, and was delighted with the results. To-day when he went down to the plantation he found Elihu harrowing, but without the bar; he had cut every wire which had been securely fastened and taken off the bar. When R. asked him why he had done it, he scratched his head and laughed and answered:—
"Jes' so, Mass' Bob."
September 27.
The corn is all gathered and has done very well—814 bushels of slip-shuck corn on seven acres. Gibbie is very proud; he feels that he and Paul, the single ox, have done it all.
September 28.