"I'll fix him," thought the boy, his face clearing up, as a bright idea came into his mind. "I'll take him the pinter. I was goin' to hide him in the woods somewhar, but pap kin take keer on him as well as not. Don'll pay a dollar or two to get him back, an' I'll give the ole man half. But fust, I must go down to the landin' an' buy them shoes an' tobacker; an' while I'm thar, I'll jest say a good word to Silas fur myself. I'm a nobody about this yere house, am I? Dave wouldn't give me them ten dollars to keep fur him, an' now I'll take somethin' outen his pocket without sayin' a word to him." Dan shook his head in a very wise and knowing manner, and went into the house after his rifle. He did not take it because he expected to find any game while he was on the way to the landing, but because he had fallen into the habit of carrying it with him everywhere he went and felt lonely without it. Knowing that Don and Bert were not at home, Dan did not go around through the fields to avoid the General's barn, as he usually did, but boldly followed the road. There were a few idle men hanging about the store, as there almost always were, but none of them appeared to be doing any trading, and the grocer was ready to attend to Dan's wants at once. The boy bought the articles his father wanted, and having pocketed his change, cleared his throat, preparatory to saying a good word for himself. "Mr. Jones, if you please, sar, Dave done sent me down here this mornin' to ax you would you give me somethin' fur myself, if you please, sar--some shoes an' sich like." "Certainly," replied the grocer, readily, and Dan was surprised to see that he held out his hand as if he expected to receive something. "I hain't got no money," said Dan. "That makes no difference. I don't want any money from David." "Then I'll take a pair of them amazin' fine lookin' shoes of your'n--number nines, please, sar." "All right. Hand out the order." "Sar!" exclaimed Dan, opening his eyes. "Why, if David doesn't come here himself and tell me to give you the things, he must send a written order." "Dave, he done told me to git 'em," faltered Dan. "I don't doubt it; but in order to have things straight, you go home and get an order for such things as you want and I'll give them to you."