"He fell into the cut, where the plank crosses it," replied Dock, pointing to the place where the accident had occurred.
"Is he much hurt?"
"Yes; I think the old man is putty badly damaged in his timbers. He has taken to his bed, and I shouldn't wonder if he had to stay there a month."
"I am sorry for it," said Levi, with entire sincerity. "How did it happen?"
Dock explained how it happened, taking care to locate himself at a considerable distance from the scene of the catastrophe.
"The old man thinks somebody fixed the plank so as to make him fall," added he, finishing his narrative.
"To make him fall!" exclaimed the attentive listener. "Who does he think did it?"
"Well, Levi, he thinks you did it," answered Dock, softening his tones, so as not to commit himself to this view.
"I!"
"The old man thinks so, but that don't make it so, you know."