Benijah Ellis's little, tumble-down blacksmith shop was located in the main street of Eastboro, if that hit-or-miss town can be said to possess a main street. Atkins drove up to its door, before which he found Benijah and a group of loungers inspecting an automobile, the body of which had been removed in order that the engine and running gear might be the easier reached. The blacksmith was bending over the car, his head and shoulders down amidst the machinery; a big wrench was in his hand, and other wrenches, hammers, and tools of various sizes were scattered on the ground beside him. “Hello, Benije,” grunted Seth. Ellis removed his nose from its close proximity to the gear shaft and straightened up. He was a near-sighted, elderly man, and wore spectacles. Just now his hands, arms, and apron were covered with grease and oil, and, as he wiped his forehead with the hand not holding the wrench, he left a wide mourning band across it. “Well?” he panted. “Who is it? Who wants me?” One of the loafers, who had been assisting the blacksmith by holding his pipe while he dove into the machinery, languidly motioned toward the new arrival. Benijah adjusted his spectacles and walked over to the wagon. “Who is it?” he asked crossly. Then, as he recognized his visitor, he grunted: “Ugh! it's you, hey. Well, what do YOU want?” “Want you to put a new shoe on this horse of mine,” replied Seth, not too graciously. “Is that so! Well, I'm busy.” “I don't care if you be. I guess you ain't so busy you can't do a job of work. If you are, you're richer'n I ever heard you was.” “I want to know! Maybe I'm particular who I work for, Seth Atkins.” “Maybe you are. I ain't so particular; if I was, I wouldn't come here, I tell you that. This horse of mine's got a loose shoe, and I want him attended to quick.” “Thought you said you'd never trust me with another job.” “I ain't trustin' you now. I'll be here while it's done. And I ain't askin' you to trust me, neither. I'll pay cash--cash, d'ye understand?” The bystanders grinned. Mr. Ellis's frown deepened. “I'm busy,” he declared, with importance. “I've got Mr. Delancey Barry's automobile to fix, and I can't stop to bother with horses--specially certain kind of horses.” This sneer at Joshua roused his owner's ire. He dropped the reins and sprang to the ground.