He struck a lively pace and had walked nearly a mile, with his bundle
under his arm, when he met Jase Vaughn returning from the mill.
"Hello, youngster!" quoth that worthy man as cordially as if Ralph and
himself had been warm friends all along. "Where you carryin' yourself
to? Old man got in good humor yet?"
"He has turned me out, lock, stock, and barrel," replied the boy,
swallowing his pride in this humiliating confession.
"W-h-a-a-t?" ejaculated Jase thoroughly amazed, while Clell smiled at
Ralph in a most amiable manner.
"Grandpa was so provoked because I declined to obey him," said Ralph,
"that he told me to pack up and get out."
"For good and all?"
"Yes, for good. At least I sh'an't go back any more--unless--he was to
send for me."
"Bully for you! I wouldn't either. Give you the shake 'cause you
wouldn't let him put a bullet hole through me! Well, I swow!"
Jase stared at Ralph in mingled admiration and compassion.
"The dadburned old fool!" he continued. "'Scuse me, Ralph, no
reflections on your fambly, but hit kind o' teches my feelin's to see
you fired in this shape, long o' your actin' the gentleman with me.
Where be you goin'?"
"Somewhere's down below; I don't know exactly where."
"Got any money?"
"A little. I'm going to hunt work; then I'll soon make more. I
sha'n't stay in the mountains."
Jase drew forth a greasy leather wallet and extracted a five dollar
bill, which he eyed reflectively as if forcing himself to make up his
mind, then suddenly handed it to Ralph, who thanked him but shook his
head.
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