When the laughter had subsided, Buck turned to see Young Matt standing just outside the shed, ostensibly doing something with the belt that led to the burr, but in reality looking up the creek. “Law!” ejaculated Buck, under his breath; “what a team _they’d_ make!” “Who?” said Lem, who was standing near by. “Them mule colts,” returned Buck with a grin. “They sure will, Buck. There ain’t two better in the country; they’re a dead match. I’ll come over an’ hep you break ’em when they’re big ’nough.” And then he wondered why Buck swore with such evident delight. One by one the natives received their meal, and, singly, or in groups of two or three, were swallowed up by the great forest. Already the little valley was in the shadow of the mountain, though the sun still shone brightly on the tree tops higher up, when Ollie and Sammy returned from the Forks. Mr. Matthews had climbed the hill when the last grist was ground, leaving his son to cool down the engine and put things right about the mill. “Come on, Matt,” said Ollie, as the big fellow brought out the meal; “It’s time you was a goin’ home.” The young giant hung back, saying, “You folks better go on ahead. I’ll get home alright.” “Didn’t think nothin’ would get you,” laughed Ollie. “Come on, you might as well go ’long with us.” The other muttered something about being in the way, and started back into the shed. “Hurry up,” called Sammy, “we’re waitin’.” After this there was nothing else for the young man to do but join them. And the three were soon making their way up the steep mountain road together. For a time they talked of commonplace things, then Young Matt opened the subject that was on all their hearts. “I reckon, Ollie, this is the last time that you’ll ever be a climbin’ this old road.” As he spoke he was really thinking of the time to come when Sammy would climb the road for the last time. “Yes,” returned Stewart; “I go to-morrow ’fore sun up.” The other continued; “It’ll sure be fine for you to live in the city and get your schoolin’ and all that. Us folks here in the woods don’t know nothin’. We ain’t got no chance to learn. You’ll be forgettin’ us all mighty quick, I reckon, once you get to livin’ with your rich kin.” “’Deed, I won’t!” returned Ollie warmly. “Sammy an’ me was a talkin’ ’bout that this evenin’. We aim t’ always come back t’ Mutton Holler onct a year, an’ be just like other folks; don’t we, Sammy?” The brown pony, stepping on a loose stone, stumbled toward the man walking by his side. And the big fellow put out his hand quickly to the little horse’s neck. For an instant, the girl’s hand rested on the giant’s shoulder, and her face was close to his. Then Brownie recovered his footing, and Young Matt drew farther away. Ollie continued; “We aim t’ have you come t’ th’ city after a while. I’m goin’ t’ get Uncle Dan t’ give you a job in th’ shops, an’ you can get out o’ these hills an’ be somebody like we’uns.”