"What's wrong?" he demanded.
"I'm afire with itching. At this moment I feel as if some dev'lish imps was stickin' needles into me."
The Professor felt his pulse, looked at his tongue, and nodded sapiently.
"You've been drinking the water of that new spring."
"I hev. I helped open it up."
"Did you drink much of it?"
"Oceans!"
"My poor fellow, I am distressed beyond words. I promise you that you shall have every care and attention. I won't leave this ranch till-- till the end."
"The end?"
"You are a remarkable specimen--probably you will make a gallant fight--but I cannot disguise from you--it would be criminal to do so-- that you ought to put your house in order."