" said John earnestly, and then was
silent for a moment or two. "I will make the venture," he said at
length, "and thank you very much."

"You are under no special obligations to the Careys, are you?" asked the
general.

"No, I think not," said John with a laugh. "I fancy that their business
will go on without me, after a fashion," and he took his leave.

CHAPTER XII.

And so it came about that certain letters were written as mentioned in a
previous chapter, and in the evening of a dripping day early in November
John Lenox found himself, after a nine hours' journey, the only traveler
who alighted upon the platform of the Homeville station, which was near
the end of a small lake and about a mile from the village. As he stood
with his bag and umbrella, at a loss what to do, he was accosted by a
short and stubby individual with very black eyes and hair and a round
face, which would have been smooth except that it had not been shaved
for a day or two. "Goin' t' the village?" he said.

"Yes," said John, "that is my intention, but I don't see any way of
getting there."

"Carry ye over fer ten cents," said the man. "Carryall's right back the
deepo. Got 'ny baggidge?"

"Two trunks," said John.

"That'll make it thirty cents," said the native. "Where's your checks?
All right; you c'n jest step 'round an' git in. Mine's the only rig that
drew over to-night."

It was a long clumsy affair, with windows at each end and a door in the
rear, but open at the sides except for enamel cloth curtains, which
were buttoned to the supports that carried a railed roof extending as
far forward as the dashboard. The driver's seat was on a level with
those inside. John took a seat by one of the front windows, which was
open but protected by the roof.

His luggage having been put on board, they began the journey at a walk,
the first part of the road being rough and swampy in places, and
undergoing at intervals the sort of repairs which often prevails in
rural regions--namely, the deposit of a quantity of broken stone, which
is left to be worn smooth by passing vehicles, and is for the most part
carefully avoided by such whenever the roadway is broad enough to drive
round the improvement. But the worst of the way having been
accomplished, the driver took opportunity, speaking sideways over his
shoulder, to allay the curiosity which burned within him, "Guess I never
seen you before." John was tired and hungry, and generally low in