Indian Lands," he
said, holding his hand with a grip that squeezed the bones together; "we
will be always thinking of you, and more than all, at the Bible class
and the meetings she will be asking for you and wondering how you are
doing, and by night and by day the door will be on the latch for your
coming; for, laddie, laddie, you are a son to me and more!" The break in
the big Macdonald's voice took away from Ranald all power of speech, and
without a word of reply, he had to let his uncle go.

Yankee's good by was characteristic. "Well, guess I'll git along. Wish
you were comin' back with us, but you've struck your gait, I guess, and
you're goin' to make quite a dust. Keep your wind till the last quarter;
that's where the money's lost. I ain't 'fraid of you; you're green, but
they can't break you. Keep your left eye on the suckers. There ain't no
danger from the feller that rips and rares and gits up on his hind legs,
but the feller that sidles raound and sorter chums it up to you and
wants to pay fer your drinks, by Jings, kick him. And say," Yankee's
voice here grew low and impressive, "git some close. These here are all
right for the woods, but with them people close counts an awful lot.
It's the man inside that wins, but the close is outside. Git 'em and git
'em good; none of your second-hand Jew outfits. It'll cost, of course,
but--(here Yankee closed up to Ranald) but here's a wad; ain't no
pertickaler use to me."

Then Ranald smote him in the chest and knocked him back against a lumber
pile.

"I know you," he cried; "you would be giving me the coat off your back.
If I would be taking money from any man I'd take it from you, but let me
tell you I will have no money that I do not earn;" then, seeing Yankee's
disappointed face, he added, "but indeed, I owe you for your help to
me--and--mi--mine, when help was needed sore, more than I can ever pay
back." Then, as they shook hands, Ranald spoke again, and his voice was
none too steady. "And I have been thinking that I would like you to have
Lisette, for it may be a long time before I will be back again, and I
know you will be good to her; and if ever I need your help in this way,
I promise I will come to you."

Yankee chewed his quid of tobacco hard and spat twice before he could
reply. Then he answered slowly: "Now look-ye-here, I'll take that little
mare and look after her, but the mare's yours and if--and if--which I
don't think will happen--if you don't com