all my time lookin' fur him,
kase I was down to the landin' to-day, an' I seed a notice stuck up
thar sayin' that Don'll give ten dollars fur him an' ax no questions.
What's the matter of you?" demanded Dan, as David turned quickly
about and walked toward the door. "Hain't goin' off mad, be you?"

"I don't know what to make of you, Dan," replied David. "A little
while ago you gave me to understand that the reason why you wanted to
bring the dog back to Don, was because you wanted to make everything
square between you and him; and now you say you want to do it because
Don has offered a reward for him."

"An' I told you the gospel truth both times," exclaimed Dan. "That
thar animile is wuth every cent of fifty dollars; an' if I bring him
back, it'll be that much in Don's pocket an' ten dollars in mine. I
kin afford to work fur that, can't I?"

"Very well," said David. "If you will produce the dog, safe and
sound, I'll take him to his master for you, and bring back the reward
if he gives it to me."

This interview had a perceptible effect upon both the boys. It took
away all Dan's industry, and all David's peace of mind. The former
had gained his point. He had made his brother promise to take Dandy
to his owner and bring back the reward, and that was happiness for
one day. He didn't chop any more wood or take any more interest in
the supper. He seated himself on the bench again and resumed the
agreeable occupation in which he had spent the most of the
afternoon--that of building air-castles.

David walked up and down the floor, with his hands in his pockets,
thinking busily. He told himself over and over again that if it were
not for his mother, he would not care if he should never see his home
again. He was cheerful and happy when he was away from it, but it
almost always happened that as soon as he crossed the threshold
something transpired to make him miserable and gloomy. His
conversation with Dan had confirmed a suspicion that had been lurking
in his mind ever since the pointer disappeared. He had all the while
held to the belief that Dan knew where the dog was, and Dan might as
well have confessed it, for his face and his actions constantly
betrayed him. David believed, too, that his father had not left the
country, as a good many people in the settlement seemed to think, but
that he was hiding in the woods somewhere in the immediate
neighborhood. Of this he had received proof that was almost positive.
He kne