and a man that's did a deed, has did it till the stars
fall. But you CAN imagine this mountain saying, with some sense, too,
'Now, since I HAS erupted, I'll do my best to cover my nakedness with
pretty cedars for to stay green in season and out of season, and I'll
embroider myself with flowers and grasses, and send little
mountain-streams down to make soft water in people's wells so they
won't all-time be fretting because I takes up so much of good
plowing-land,' says the mountain. I may not be a mountain, but I've
got a good top to me which reasons against the future and forgets the
past. I know Red Kimball--and now that he's learned where I live, one
of us is too many, considering the hard times. I mean to keep hiding,
not to be took by surprise; but I 'lows to come forth one of these days
and walk about free and disposed, all danger having been removed."

"What about the law?" demanded Bill. "Do you think IT'S going to let
you walk about free and disposed, after you've removed Red Kimball?"

"I hopes the law and me can get on peaceable together," returned the
other grimly. "I've never had nothing to do with it, and I hopes to be
let alone."

Wilfred spoke with sudden decision: "Brick, I'm with you to the end,
and so is Bill. I have nothing to do with your purposes or plans
except to offer the best advice I know--you've rejected it, but I'm
with you just the same. It strikes me I can help you by going to
Kansas City--for you need only Bill in the cove,--he can bring you
Lahoma's letters. I'll hurry to Lahoma; and if she decides to come
back, as I'm sure she will very soon--well, she'll need a protector.
I'll bring her home. She asks in her letter what I'm here for.
Wouldn't that be a good answer?"

Brick Willock laid his hand on the other's shoulder and stared into his
face with troubled eyes. Gradually his countenance cleared and
something of his old geniality returned. "A first-class answer, son!
I believe you'll do it." He grasped Wilfred's hand. "These are
troublous times, and it's good to feel a hand like this that's steady
and true. Now I ain't going to drag you into nothing that could hurt
you nor Bill, or make you feel sore over past days. I don't need
nobody to lean on--but Lahoma does; and if Red Kimball pops it to me
before I get a chance to keel him over, you two must look out for her."

"I'll look out for her myself, single-handed," said Bill gruffly.

"I know you would, old tap, as