"There hain't nothin' in the world, Sally, thet I prizes like I does thet gun. Hit's got a job ter do ... Thar hain't but one person in the world I'd trust hit with. Thet's you.... I wants ye ter keep hit fer me, an' ter keep hit ready.... They thinks round hyar I'm quittin', but I hain't. I'm a-comin' back, an', when I comes, I'll need this hyar thing--an' I'll need hit bad." He took up the rifle, and ran his hand caressingly along its lock and barrel. "I don't know when I'm a-comin'," he said, slowly, "but, when I calls fer this, I'm shore a-goin' ter need hit quick. I wants hit ter be ready fer me, day er night. Maybe, nobody won't know I'm hyar.... Maybe, I won't want nobody ter know.... But, when I whistles out thar like a whippoorwill, I wants ye ter slip out--an' fotch me thet gun!" He stopped, and bent forward. His face was tense, and his eyes were glinting with purpose. His lips were tight set and fanatical. "Samson," said the girl, reaching out and taking the weapon from his hands, "ef I'm alive when ye comes, I'll do hit. I promises ye. An'," she added, "ef I hain't alive, hit'll be standin' thar in thet corner. I'll grease hit, an' keep hit loaded, an' when ye calls, I'll fotch hit out thar to ye." The youth nodded. "I mout come anytime, but likely as not I'll hev ter come a-fightin' when I comes." Next, he produced an envelope. "This here is a letter I've done writ ter myself," he explained. He drew out the sheet, and read: "Samson, come back." Then he handed the missive to the girl. "Thet there is addressed ter me, in care of Mr. Lescott.... Ef anything happens--ef Unc' Spicer needs me--I wants yer ter mail thet ter me quick. He says as how he won't never call me back, but, Sally, I wants thet you shall send fer me, ef they needs me. I hain't a-goin' ter write no letters home. Unc' Spicer can't read, an' you can't read much either. But I'll plumb shore be thinkin' about ye day an' night." She gulped and nodded. "Yes, Samson," was all she said. The boy rose. "I reckon I'd better be gettin' along," he announced. The girl suddenly reached out both hands, and seized his coat. She held him tight, and rose, facing him. Her upturned face grew very pallid, and her eyes widened. They were dry, and her lips were tightly closed, but, through the tearless pupils, in the firelight, the boy could read her soul, and her soul was sobbing. He drew her toward him, and held her very tight. "Sally," he said, in a voice which threatened to choke, "I wants ye ter take keer of yeself. Ye hain't like these other gals round here. Ye hain't got big hands an' feet. Ye kain't stand es much es they kin. Don't stay out in the night air too much--an', Sally--fer God's sake take keer of yeself!" He broke off, and picked up his hat. "An' that gun, Sally," he repeated at the door, "that there's the most precious thing I've got. I loves hit better then anything--take keer of hit." Again, she caught at his shoulders.