ne hundred and eighty miles long, and forty-five broad, white as
snow, and glittering in the sun? No vegetation grows near it, but a
river of brine runs from its base. I have a chunk of the salt."

"Wonderful, wonderful!" ejaculated Blennerhassett.

"Isn't it wonderful? But not so contrary to nature as the
shoe-and-stocking trees that grow at the headwaters of this Muskingum
River."

"That seems impossible--shoe-and-stocking trees, did you say?"

"It does sound improbable, I admit, but seeing is believing. I've
pulled half-grown shoes off one of those trees with these hands. I
don't expect you to take my word. I didn't believe the story myself at
first, and can't bring my mind to believe what my own brother Virgil
told me he had seen and tasted--the Whiskey Lake in Southern
Kentucky."

Gullible as he was, Blennerhassett looked incredulous. Byle's
expression was serious to solemnity. His big blue eyes vouched for his
perfect sanity.

"Now, I _must_ go," said he, turning away; "I've a heap of things to
do and folks to see before sunset. Good-bye."

Genuine kindness had prompted Plutarch to blurt out unsought counsel,
and he hurried away, congratulating himself on having discharged an
obligation to his conscience. His long, swinging strides propelled him
to Marietta in half an hour. Near the court-house he met a gentleman,
whom he accosted, taking him cordially by the hand and inquiring,
"Isn't this Squire George Hale?"

"George Hale is my name," returned the gentleman, reservedly, and
disengaging his fingers from the strong grip of the tall man.

"Yes, you are the individual I took you to be, and no mistake. I
seldom forget faces, though I get names crooked now and then. Your
name and your corporosity go together; you look hale and hearty! I
never was picked up but once, in shaking hands with a stranger, but
that once was enough. Before I knew what I was about I shook hands,
last May was a year ago, with--I vow I'm ashamed to tell you who
with. Are you going home, Mr. Hale? Is Miss Evaleen in town now? The
first time I met your daughter she was down at Blennerhassett's! The
last time was here in Marietta, out by the big mound. Is she as well
as usual?"

Mr. Hale stared in blank bewilderment. He first surmised that an
escaped lunatic was face to face with him. Yet there was coherence in
the strange man's speech, and nothing wild in his looks. In fact, Mr.
Hale had frequently seen the gaunt, gigantic figure of