gratitude for the present, and Rose
unconsciously curtsied, much as she must have thirteen years before. Her
lips and eyes smiled her shy thanks, but it appeared to Donald that
mischievous amusement struggled with appreciation in her look.

"Something seems to be amusing you, little lady. Let me into the
secret," said Donald.

Her silvery laughter broke from her lips, as she answered, "I'm shor'
obleeged fer the compliment yo' paid thet basket. I made hit myself."

"_You_ did? Why, it's wonderful, but it looks as though I'd been
carrying coals to Newcastle. Newcastle is the name of a town in England
where a great deal of coal comes from," he hastened to add, in
explanation.

"Like kerryin' water ter the river. I makes them leetle baskets odd
times, an' sells 'em ter the storekeeper in Fayville, but I never hev
none fer myself, somehow, an' I haint never a-goin' ter part with this
hyar one, leastwise ef I kin keep hit."

"Of course you may. It's my present to you just the same; but don't be
afraid that it is meant to take the place of the other things I have
promised you."

While he had been talking to the child, Big Jerry had picked up Donald's
rifle, and now stood caressingly running his hand down the blue-black
barrel, and over the polished black walnut stock.

Its owner watched him with inward amusement, yet fully understanding the
woodman's love for a perfect weapon. As an ordinary man would lift a
child's airgun, the giant tossed the rifle to a firing position,
snuggled the butt against his shoulder, and leaned his gray-bearded
cheek on it affectionately. Finally he lowered it regretfully to the
ground, and remarked, with the suggestion of a sigh, "This hyar shor'
air a mighty purty weepon, doctor. I reckon she'll drap a bullet purty
nigh whar hit's aimed ter go."

"Try it," encouraged Don, catching a look of almost boyish delight cross
the old man's face.

"Air she loaded? I haint right familiar with these hyar repeatin' guns,
with thar leevers an' sich."

The other threw a cartridge into the breech, and handed the weapon over,
with the remark, "She shoots a trifle high, compared with the average
rifle, I've found--perhaps an inch at a hundred yard range."

"Thank ye, sir," replied Jerry, and added simply, "I reckon I'll jest
chip the top off'n thet big rock erfore the oak tree, yonder." With the
last word came the gun's flash, and to Donald's amazement he saw a tiny
cloud of white dust rise from th