Morton went to his bed in the loft filled with a contempt for himself. He tried in vain to acquit himself of cowardice--the quality which a border man considers the most criminal. Early in the morning he fed Dolly, and got her ready for Kike; but no Kike came. After a while, he saw some one ascending the hill on the other side of the creek. Could it be Kike? Was he going to walk to Jonesville, twenty miles away? And with his ague-shaken body? How roundly Morton cursed himself for the fear that made him half refuse the horse! For, with one so sensitive as Kike, a half refusal was equivalent to the most positive denial. It was not too late. Morton threw the saddle and bridle on Dolly, and mounted. Dolly sprang forward, throwing her heels saucily in the air, and in fifteen minutes Morton rode up alongside Kike. "Here, Kike, you don't escape that way! Take Dolly." "No, I won't, Morton. I oughtn't to have axed you to let me have her. I know how you feel about Patty." "Confound--no, I won't say confound Patty--but confound me, if I'm mean enough to let you walk to Jonesville. I was a devlish coward yesterday. Here, take the horse, dog on you, or I'll thrash you," and Morton laughed. "I tell you, Mort, I won't do it," said Kike, "I'm goin' to walk." "Yes, you look like it! You'll die before you git half-way, you blamed little fool you! If you won't take Dolly, then I'll go along to bury your bones. They's no danger of the buzzard's picking such bones, though." Just then came by Jake Sniger, who was remarkable for his servility to Lumsden. "Hello, boys, which ways?" he asked. "No ways jest now," said Morton. "Are you a travelin', or only a goin' some place?" asked Sniger, smiling. "I 'low I'm travelin', and Kike's a goin' some place," said Morton. When Sniger had gone on, Morton said, "Now Kike, the fat's all in the fire. When the Captain finds out what you've done, Sniger is sure to tell that he see us together. I've got to fight it out now anyhow, and you've got to take Dolly." "No, Morton, I can't." If Kike had been any less obstinate the weakness of his knees would have persuaded him to relent. [Illustration: GOOD-BYE!]