nd to find a way out of it if
he could. His father would be compelled to hunt up a new hiding-place
now--there was no way to prevent that--and in order to leave the
island he would probably be forced to swim the bayou, for he would
have no time to build a raft. That would, of course, make him angry,
and he never could breathe easily again until he had taken
satisfaction out of somebody. That somebody Dan knew was certain to
be himself, unless--

"I'll fix him," thought the boy, his face clearing up, as a bright
idea came into his mind. "I'll take him the pinter. I was goin' to
hide him in the woods somewhar, but pap kin take keer on him as well
as not. Don'll pay a dollar or two to get him back, an' I'll give the
ole man half. But fust, I must go down to the landin' an' buy them
shoes an' tobacker; an' while I'm thar, I'll jest say a good word
to Silas fur myself. I'm a nobody about this yere house, am I? Dave
wouldn't give me them ten dollars to keep fur him, an' now I'll take
somethin' outen his pocket without sayin' a word to him."

Dan shook his head in a very wise and knowing manner, and went into
the house after his rifle. He did not take it because he expected to
find any game while he was on the way to the landing, but because he
had fallen into the habit of carrying it with him everywhere he went
and felt lonely without it.

Knowing that Don and Bert were not at home, Dan did not go around
through the fields to avoid the General's barn, as he usually did,
but boldly followed the road. There were a few idle men hanging about
the store, as there almost always were, but none of them appeared to
be doing any trading, and the grocer was ready to attend to Dan's
wants at once. The boy bought the articles his father wanted, and
having pocketed his change, cleared his throat, preparatory to saying
a good word for himself.

"Mr. Jones, if you please, sar, Dave done sent me down here this
mornin' to ax you would you give me somethin' fur myself, if you
please, sar--some shoes an' sich like."

"Certainly," replied the grocer, readily, and Dan was surprised to
see that he held out his hand as if he expected to receive something.

"I hain't got no money," said Dan.

"That makes no difference. I don't want any money from David."

"Then I'll take a pair of them amazin' fine lookin' shoes of
your'n--number nines, please, sar."

"All right. Hand out the order."

"Sar!" exclaimed Dan, opening his eyes.

"Why, if D