"Who didn't love you again," said Theodore. "Of course not, being a well-brought up young Indianess: and I went to the Indian spring, that runs into the pond, just above 'Barker's Landing,' that you all know of." "I never knew that it was an Indian spring," said Young. "Well, it is," replied Bart. "It has a sort of an earthen rim around it, or had a few minutes ago; and the water bubbles up from the bottom. Well, you drop a scarlet berry into it, and if it rises and runs over the rim, the sighed-for loves you, or she don't, and I have forgotten which. I found a scarlet head of ginseng, and dropped the seeds in one after another, and they all plumped straight to the bottom." "Well, what was the conclusion?" "Logical. The berries were too heavy for the current, or the current was too weak for the berries." "And the Indianess?" "She and all else faded out." "Oh, pshaw! how silly!" said Young. "Will you take the spear, or won't you?" "Will you take the spear, or won't you?" replied Bart, mimicking him with great effect. "Have you heard from Henry lately?" asked Uncle Jonah. "A few days ago," answered Bart, who turned moodily away like a peevish child angered with half sleep, and a pang from the thrust he had received. "Henry is the most ambitious young man I ever knew," said the Doctor; "I fear he may never realize his aspirations." "Why not?" demanded Bart, with sudden energy. "What is there that my brother Henry may not hope to win, I would like to know? He will win it or die in the effort." "He will not, if he lives a thousand years," said Young, annoyed at Bart's mimicking him. "It ain't in him." "What ain't in him, Old Testament?" demanded Bart, with asperity. "The stuff. I've sounded him; it ain't there!" "You've sounded him! Just as you are now sounding this bottomless pond, with a tow string six feet long, having an angle worm at one end, and an old hairy curmudgeonly grub at the other." "There, Brother Young," said Uncle Jonah, "stop before worse comes." "Mr. Young," said Bart, a moment later, with softened voice, making way towards him, "forgive me if you can. I've done with coarse and vulgar speeches like that. You believe in Henry, and only spoke to annoy me. I take it all back. I will even spear you some bass, if Theodore will light up the jack. Give me the oars, and let me wake up a little, while we go to better ground below." For a few moments he handled the polished, slender-tined, long-handled spear with great dexterity and success, and told the story of old Leather Stocking spearing bass from the Pioneers. He soon ceased, however, and declared he would do no more, and his companions, disgusted with his freaky humor, prepared to return. Bart, casting down his spear, remained in moody silence until they landed. Theodore picked up his rifle, the fish were placed in baskets, the tackle stowed away, the boat secured, and the party proceeded homeward.