"I would give up your company in heaven for hers in hell any day," said Moleskin, as the man with the spade turned into a turnip field by the roadside. "And never look too much into other people's faults or you're apt to forget your own!" roared Joe, by way of a parting shot.

"Don't you think that I had the best of that argument?" Joe asked me five minutes later.

"What was it all about?" I asked.

"I don't know what he was jawin' at half of the time," said Joe. "But his talk about the Christian was a damned good hit against me. However, I got in two good hits myself! The one about her company in hell and the one about lookin' too much into other people's faults were a pair up for me. I think that I did win, Flynn, and between me and you I never like to get the worst of either an argument or a fight."


CHAPTER XVI MOLESKIN JOE AS MY FATHER

"The opinions of a man who argues with his fist are always respected."—Moleskin Joe.

About midday we met a red-faced farmer driving a spring-cart along the road.

"Where are you bound for?" he called to me as he reined up his pony.