“'What's the matter?' says I.
“'Nothin',' says he, between his teeth. 'Only, if I ain't some mistaken, that's Tobe Loveland's rig. Wonder if he's got his spunk with him? The Queen's feelin' her oats to-day, and I cal'late I can show him a few things.'
“'Rubbish!' says I, disgusted. 'Don't be foolish, Jonadab. I don't know nothin' about his spunk, but I do know there's a woman with him. 'Tain't likely he'll want to race you when he's got a passenger aboard.'
“'Oh, I don't know!' says he. 'I've got you, Barzilla; so 'twill be two and two. Let's heave alongside and see.'
“So he clucked to the Queen, and in a jiffy we was astern of t'other rig. Loveland looked back over his shoulder.
“'Ugh!' he grunts, 'bout as cordial as a plate of ice cream. ''Lo, Wixon, that you?'
“'Um-hm,' begins Jonadab. 'How's that crowbait of yours to-day, Tobe? Got any go in him? 'Cause if he has, I—'
“He stopped short. The woman in Loveland's carriage had turned her head and was starin' hard.
“'Why!' she gasps. 'I do believe—Why, Jonadab!'
“'HETTIE!' says the Cap'n.