"He has turned me out, lock, stock, and barrel," replied the boy, swallowing his pride in this humiliating confession. "W-h-a-a-t?" ejaculated Jase thoroughly amazed, while Clell smiled at Ralph in a most amiable manner. "Grandpa was so provoked because I declined to obey him," said Ralph, "that he told me to pack up and get out." "For good and all?" "Yes, for good. At least I sh'an't go back any more--unless--he was to send for me." "Bully for you! I wouldn't either. Give you the shake 'cause you wouldn't let him put a bullet hole through me! Well, I swow!" Jase stared at Ralph in mingled admiration and compassion. "The dadburned old fool!" he continued. "'Scuse me, Ralph, no reflections on your fambly, but hit kind o' teches my feelin's to see you fired in this shape, long o' your actin' the gentleman with me. Where be you goin'?" "Somewhere's down below; I don't know exactly where." "Got any money?" "A little. I'm going to hunt work; then I'll soon make more. I sha'n't stay in the mountains." Jase drew forth a greasy leather wallet and extracted a five dollar bill, which he eyed reflectively as if forcing himself to make up his mind, then suddenly handed it to Ralph, who thanked him but shook his head. "Dang it! Let me loan it to you then. Didn't you as good as save my life? Look, Clell wants you to take it, don't you, Clell?" The little fellow laughed, seized the bill from his father's hand, and tossed it towards Ralph, saying: "Take it; take it. I like 'oo, Walph." Ralph felt another rising in his throat as he stooped to pick up the note; but he could not bring himself to the point of accepting so great a favor from one of the Vaughns. "I--I really don't need it," said he. "Hold on! Jase! Do hold up a minute." "Can't, old feller," called back Jase, who had suddenly spurred his mule into a trot when he saw the note in Ralph's hand. "Pay me when you get back, if you'd rather." "But I say! I can't keep this money----" "Good by," came floating back on the breeze. "I don't know nothin' 'bout no money. Take good care of yourself." Then Jase, boy, and mule, whipped round a crook of the road and were seen no more. Ralph's first impulse was to throw the bill away. But sober second thoughts prevailed, and somewhat reluctantly he placed it with the rest of his slender stock of cash. "Jase means well," thought he, resuming his tramp. "I don't know that either of us are to blame 'cause our families have been at outs for so long. When I get to making something I'll send it back." All that day Ralph trudged manfully on. At times grief would be uppermost in his heart when he thought of the way in which his grandfather had treated him. Once, as he passed a cabin where a boy of about his own age stood washing his hands on the porch, and he caught a glimpse of a cheerful interior, with dinner smoking on the table, he felt very homesick. He wished he was back, preparing his grandpa's noonday meal.