This reference to Burke recalled the crime I had heard planned in Black Hawk’s cabin, and there being no longer any reason for keeping it to myself, I told Fox about it, omitting nothing, so great was my relief at being able to share the burden with another. When I had finished, he mused over it for a long time, making me repeat what I had said several times. Above all he was most interested in Burke’s companion, but of him I could tell nothing, not having seen his face. Afterward, when I again referred to the object of my journey, he said, cheerfully, and as if to encourage me, that Uncle Job appeared to have escaped one danger only to get into another, in which he hoped I might in some way be able to serve him again. To this I agreed, but in what manner I could not by any means see. When the night was far gone we were shown to our beds, but before I had fairly closed my eyes Fox had hold of my shoulder, saying it was time we were off. This I could by no means believe, as it was still dark and I dead with sleep. Dressing myself without remark, we descended to the main room, where the landlord awaited us with a pot of coffee. Drinking this, Fox mounted his horse, and lifting me up behind him, we set out. The storm had by this time abated, but our progress was slow because of the snow which lay heaped across the road in many places. Fox’s horse being strong and resolute, however, we reached the outskirts of Appletop just as the day was breaking. Here Fox stopped, saying: "I am sorry I can’t go on with you to the Dragon, Gilbert, but it wouldn’t be wise. Not because of anything I’ve done since I saw you, but on account of the Moth matter, which you know about." "Then you’ve quit your old ways?" I asked, slipping to the ground. "Yes, if they were my ways; but I have never harmed anybody greatly, and this I want you to believe." "I know it, and you needn’t have told me; but is there any danger now?" "Yes; Moth has posted me far and near and with a reward to sweeten it, so that to show myself would be to invite arrest." "What have you been doing all this time?" I asked, curious as to his mode of life. "Most anything; but just now I am caring for a drove of hogs belonging to a buyer near the Eagle’s Nest. I’m a swineherd, you see. A prodigal like him of old, only there is no fatted calf for me, nor ever will be," he concluded, half sadly, half in play. "Your work’s not so bad," I answered, remembering the great number of good men my father employed in this way. "Doesn’t the man pay you?" "Yes, of course." "Then you can buy and eat your own calf; that’s better than looking to any one?" I answered, to put a better face on it. "Oh, I live on veal; but it’s the overlooking of what’s past that I mean." "I know, but that will come in time, I’m sure," I answered. "I hope so. Anyway, I am going to keep on in the narrow path here till something turns up elsewhere that will not bring me under Moth’s eye."