"I'll give it up," he said heartily. "You're a better man than I am, stranger, wherever you come from." Dan took the offered hand while the men cheered lustily. But the light of battle still shone in the minister's eyes. "Perhaps," he said, "pitching is not your game. I'll match you now, tonight, for anything you want--wrestling, running, jumping, or I'll go you at any time for any work you can name." John slowly looked him over and shook his head, "I know when I've got enough," he said laughing. "Perhaps some of the boys here--" He turned to the group. The men grinned as they measured the stranger with admiring glances and one drawled, "We don't know where you come from, pardner, but we sure know what you can do. Ain't nobody in this outfit hankerin' to tackle the man that can work John Gardner down." At the barn the farmer drew the minister to one side. "Look here, Brother Matthews," he began. But the other interrupted sharply. "My name is Dan, Mr. Gardner. Don't go back on the bargain." "Well then, Dan, I won't. And please remember after this that my name is John. I started to ask if you really meant to stay out here and work for me this harvest?" "That was the bargain, unless you are dissatisfied and want me to quit tonight." The other rubbed his tired arms. "Oh I'm satisfied all right," he said grimly. "But I can't understand it, that's all." "No," said the other, "and I can't explain. But perhaps if you were a preacher, and were met by men as men commonly meet preachers, you would understand clearly enough." Tired as he was, the big farmer laughed until the tears came. "And to think," he said, "all the way home last night I was wondering how you could stand it. I understand it all right. Come on in to supper." He led the way to the house. For three days Dan fairly reveled in the companionship of those rough men, who gave him full fellowship in their order of workers. Then he went back to town. John drove him in and the two chatted like the good comrades they had come to be, until within sight of the village. As they drew near the town silence fell upon them; their remarks grew formal and forced. Dan felt as if he were leaving home to return to a strange land where he would always be an alien. At his door the farmer said awkwardly, "Well, goodbye, Brother Matthews, come out whenever you can." The minister winced but did not protest. "Thank you," he returned, "I have enjoyed my visit more than I can say." And there was something so pathetic in the brown eyes of the stalwart fellow that the other strong man could make no reply. He drove quickly away without a word or a backward look.