d to spare the
lad what was evidently a painful recital.

"No, I'd better tell," responded Batters. "It's just this way. Bug is
big brother to me and Joe, only he's about six years older than us. You
see when he was a little chap dad an' mammy lived down near Middlesex,
an' Bug he got in bad company. When dad moved up to the Gap, Bug was
toler'ble bad, an' since then he's been gittin' worse.

"He was in Carlisle jail twict fer stealin', an' in summer he jest lives
shiftless like along the creek, helpin' hisself to the farmers' stuff.
Now he dassent come home no more, for dad says he won't own him fur a
son. Mammy cries heaps an' says her heart's broke.

"You see dad an' mammy are honest, if they are poor, an' they made me
an' Joe promise we'd never take nothin' what don't belong to us. Mammy
says she wants us ter grow up the right way, an' not be bad an'
wuthless like--like Bug--."

Here Batters broke down and began to cry softly. His sad little
tale--alas! only too common in all walks of life!--had deeply moved his
hearers, and more than one of the boys had tears in their eyes.

Ned walked over and threw his arm around the weeping lad.

"Don't cry, Batters," he said softly. "Some day Bug will find out his
mistake and begin to do better. We don't think any the less of you and
Joe on his account. Stick to your mother, and do what she says, and
you'll be sure to grow up the right kind of men."

Batters was consoled by this boyish sympathy. He wiped his eyes and
looked gratefully at Ned.

"Here, take this," said Nugget, holding out a handsome pocket knife.
"It's got four blades, and a corkscrew, and a file."

Batters looked doubtfully at the treasure. Randy had just lighted a
lantern, and the rays flashed on the mother of pearl handle.

"I want you to have it," said Nugget, "my father will send me plenty
more from New York."

The temptation was too much. Batters took the knife with a smile, and
incoherently tried to thank the donor.

All at once the creaking of oars was heard, and a moment later Joe
joined the party.

"They've gone," he announced. "T' other fellow got tired pickin' the
salt out. Bug tole him he ought to be glad cause now he was well
seasoned. Then the fellow jabbed at Bug with a knife. Missed him
though."

"Well, I'm 'glad the affair is over," said Ned. "We'll be able to get
some sleep now. Batters, suppose you and Joe come in our tent? There is
room enough."

Batters hesitated and gave