mean to hit his head, but there was where
it struck, in the brown hair just above one eye. I saw the blood trickle
from a cut, as with a sharp cry of pain he ran away and disappeared. I
was shocked at what I had done, but you know there are some conditions
of mind in which self-reproach only makes anger hotter. I did not obey
my impulse to follow the poor fellow, but threw off my jacket and
plunged into the stream to recover the block I wanted. I suppose I had
already been too long in the water, for when about half way over I was
seized with a cramp. In a moment I became helpless, and screamed wildly
as I felt myself going down--down--down. I arose to the surface again
too nearly drowned to scream any more, but with just sense enough left
to feel myself seized by something. That was the last I knew.

"But I was afterward told how my father and some of the farm hands came
rushing down just in time to see Ben panting, almost exhausted, as he
drew me to the shore. There was blood on my face, which added to my
mother's great alarm when I was carried to her. Not my blood, as you may
guess, but poor Ben's--the result of my cruel blow.

"There is not much more to tell. I was in bed several days after it. The
first time Ben came to see me I put my arms around his neck, and begged
him to forgive me."

"What did he say?"

"Not a word. He never was a talker. But I knew by his clear, earnest
eyes that he had never harbored a hard thought of me. I need not tell
you I treated him more kindly after that. We continued, if possible,
closer friends than ever, till I was sent away to school."

"And you say Ben did not live to be a man, uncle?" said Hal, whose
interest in the "little tramp" had greatly increased. "How old was he
when he died? Tell us about it, please."

"His death was a very sad occurrence, taking place the same season I
left home. One night a suspicious-looking person came prowling about Mr.
Washburn's place. Ben was the first to hear him--he always seemed to
have one ear open when the interests of his friends were concerned--and
ran toward him, making all the noise he could to arouse the family. The
brave fellow seized hold of the marauder, who drew a revolver, and beat
him about the head, and as he still held on, shot him."

A murmur of regret and indignation arose from the little audience.

"The man made off, and Ben was found to be not dead, but terribly
injured: a leg was broken, and his head fearfully bruise