The truth was that I did not, but kindness is not always the truth; so I said: "Everything looks that way. Conkwright is as sharp as a thorn and he'll be in their flesh from the beginning to the end." "By jings, jest say that again. That ought to settle it right now, hah? Stay with 'em till they git through, and you'll find us waitin' for you when you git back." I nodded, waved my hand at him and galloped away, and from a hill-top I looked back and saw him still standing there in the road. Parker caught up with me and we in turn overtook a man whom I did not care to encounter--Etheredge. I had seen him every day during the trial, had caught his blurred eye as I was giving my testimony on the stand, had heard him tell his damaging story. "Ho, there," he said, as I was about to pass him. "Haven't forgotten me, have you?" "My memory is unfortunately so good that it retains many objectionable things," I answered. "Glad to hear it; pleased to know that you haven't forgotten our little engagement." He rode along with me. The way was just broad enough for two horses abreast, and the deputy dropped back. "We need not wait for the termination of the trial," I replied. "That so? Strikes me that you are pretty keen, especially as there is an officer right behind you. Say, you seem to blame me for the interest I am taking in this affair. Have you stopped to think of the interest you are taking in it? Jucklin's no relation of yours and probably never will be. Did you hear what I said? Probably never will be." "Unfortunately I haven't an apple tree sprout with me to-day, Mr. Etheredge." "And it's a good thing for you that you haven't. Do you reckon I'd let you lash at me while so many people are riding along the road?" "I don't suppose you would let me do so at any time if you could help yourself." "Oh, I don't know. Might let you amuse yourself if there were no one in sight. But I've got nothing against you, young man. I've lived long enough to forgive an over-grown boy's impulses." He could not have cut me deeper; and his sleepy old eyes saw the blood and he laughed. "Got under your hide a little that time, eh? We've all got a thin place somewhere in our skin, you know. You needn't look back; the officer is right behind us." "I wish he were not in sight," I replied. "You don't like him, eh? Why, I always thought, he was a pretty good fellow. But, of course, I am willing to accept your judgment of him. But if you don't like him why do you wait for him to come up?" "I am waiting for you to go on, sir," I replied. "And if you don't I will knock you off that horse." "Very well. I see a man on ahead who is doubtless better company. I trust, though, that I shall have the pleasure of a closer association with you at some future time. Good-morning." I waited until Parker came up. "Did you get enough of him?" he asked, laughing. "I knew you would--nearly everybody does. Under the circumstances it was an insult for him to offer to ride with you."