The road dipped to the covered bridge. The bridge was a long tunnel of soft gloom and golden, dusty twilight. The hoofs boomed on the plank flooring; the roof showed a few pinpoints of sunshine and long shafts of light slanted through cracks between the weather-warped boards of the walls. Amos Hammond looked as agreeable as his peculiar cast of countenance permitted. The road went up steeply a distance of fifty yards or so, reached a level and swung along it to the right, and ran northward between the brown river and the wooded hillside. "I spoke short when I first met you, James," said Hammond, giving young Todhunter a swift glance and a crooked smile. "I was right glad to see you an' welcome you to Racket River--but I ain't no dissembler. A plain, downright man, rough, but honest: that's me an' that's how ye'll always find me, my friend. My anger flared when I seen yer company an' yer occupation, James, but I ain't one to condemn a young feller on sight. Many a good man has been tempted. Aye, an' many a godly man has played about the brink of the Pit of Everlastin' Damnation in the days of his unregenerate youth." This was language new to young Todhunter. His first thought was that it was a joke in a style of humor peculiar to Racket River, but a glance at his companion's profile convinced him of the fact that it was not an intentional joke, at least. Then what was it? "Ah--I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I don't follow you," he said. "What would yer pa say if he knew?" asked Hammond. "My father? What about?" "You were playin' cards with Harvey White: gamblin' with the devil, riskin' everlastin' life for a few minutes of ungodly amusement." "Oh, hold on. White seems a good sort. And as for gambling, there wasn't even a nickel in sight." "James, how were you riz?" "Ah--I beg your pardon?" "Rizzed? Brought up?" "Why, just like most fellows, I guess." "Were you raised in the fear of the Lord?" "I guess so. Yes, of course." "An' yet you risk yer immortal soul for a game of cards!" Jim stared. "Sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about," he said. "I was brought up in what I suppose you call the fear of the Lord, but what have cards to do with it? I was taught not to lie, not to let down another fellow, not to cheat, never to fight a smaller man than myself, or hit a man when he's down. I was also brought up to respect my elders--but I really must ask you to mind your own business, Mr. Hammond." "Hah!" exclaimed Hammond, twitching with astonishment. "What's that you said?" "You heard me, I think," returned Jim calmly. Hammond looked at him with an expression in his dark, close-set eyes that was at once angry and calculating. "It ain't neither civil nor wise to talk to me like that," he said. "If you expect civility from me you must practice it," replied Jim, deliberately meeting and returning the stare.