He was not graciously welcomed. The old man scowled, and swore under his
breath. 'The Alien, deuce take it, he will not serve!'

But he stared, and words failed when Christian promptly laid hand on the
load, saying, 'Here's bad balancing, Gaffer; we had best uncord first and
set it right.'

'Ay, it shifted. Have it that way, if so you can and will. My two boys
did the cording, and two fools they be.'

He sidled away, muttering wonderful oaths as curiously he watched the
Alien's tackling. The load was a tree brought down by the recent gale;
protruding roots clawed the mud behind; piled branches nodded to the
fore, orange-red berries bright as coral dangling there. Christian's
great strength made light of the work, and soon the cart went crawling
out of the mire. He snapped off a twig to scrape the mud from his shins,
and the gaffer's mutter then caught his ear.

'He's done it--sure! Be danged if I reckoned he could. Well, well, some
be liars!'

'In your best days, Gaffer, you might have done as much.'

The old face wrinkled with a sour grin.

''Twas said you couldn't abide the rowan.'

'Why?'

'Well, I never asked. May be they lie who swear that never a twig of the
rowan goes in your boat. Some have taken to say so.'

'None, true enough. What then?' said Christian, and he noticed that the
man had thrust a bunch of berries into his belt.

'Well, there, 'tis not I that can give the reason.'

'Can you think mine the only boat that goes without that garnish?'

'I swear the only one.'

Christian did not know how on his very account a prevalent custom had
gained ground. He brought out a string of names.

'Why, most of those from this very tree have had takings. 'Tis an ill
wind that blows nowhere; for I reckon now to get a good price off this
timber--ay, to the last scrap, and 'tis you I owe some thanks for that.
So, look you, I have a mind, after I have made my profit, to open out of
your doing here with me and take the laugh. Hey? Ah! it seems to me that
some of your wits are left, so may be all I heard tell of was lies, when
'twas said you had had games with the Evil One, and had lost to him both
wits and soul.'

Christian said slowly, 'You thought I had no soul?'

'Never thought at all; why should I? Let fools think; I see. You, I see,
but now handle the rowan freely, and pass it to and fro, as never could
you have done had your soul known unholy tampering.'

Christian stood stock-still, with an uns