off Jimmy"--and he gestured toward the rooster--"and the
evidence would 'a' been in your favor, seein' as you was wise to show
me the coyote. I got some candy put by for--for later, if she likes
it, but we're goin' to bust open that box of candy and celebrate. Got
to see if I can repair Jimmy fust, though, or else use the axe. I
dunno."

Jimmy was a sad spectacle. His tail-feathers were about gone and one
leg was maimed, yet he still showed the fighting spirit of his New
England sires, for, as Sundown essayed to pick him up, he pecked and
squawked energetically.

They returned to the house, where Sundown examined the bedraggled bird
critically. "I ain't no doc, but I have been practiced on some meself.
Looks like his left kicker was bruk. Guess it's the splints for him
and nussin' by hand. Here, you! Let go that button! That ain't a
bug! There! 'T ain't what you'd call a perfessional job, but if you
jest quit runnin' around nights and take care of your health, mebby
you'll come through. Don' know what them hens'll think, though. You
sure ain't no Anner Dominus no more. If you was a lady hen, you could
pertend you was wearin' evenin' dress like--low-neck and suspenders.
But bein' a he, 't ain't the style. Wonder if you got your crow left?
You ain't got a whole lot more to tell you from jest a hen."

With Jimmy installed in a box of straw in the kitchen, the pigs fed,
and Gentle Annie grazing contentedly, Sundown felt able to relax. It
had been a strenuous day for him. He drew a chair to the stove, and
before he sat down he brought forth from beneath the bed a highly
colored cardboard box on which was embossed a ribbon of blue sealed
with a gold paster-seal. Chance watched him gravely. It was a
ceremony. Sundown opened the box and picking out a chocolate held it
up that Chance might realize fully that it was a ceremony. The dog's
nose twitched and he licked his chops. "Tastes good a'ready, eh?
Well, it's yourn." And he solemnly gave Chance the chocolate. "Gee
Gosh! What'd you do with it? That ain't no way to eat candy! You
want to chew her slow and kind o' hang on till she ain't there. Then
you get your money's worth. Want another?"

Later Sundown essayed to smoke, but found the flavor of chocolate
incompatible with the enjoyment of tobacco. Chance dozed by the fire,
and Jimmy, with neck stretched above the edge of the box, watched
Sundown with beady, blinking eyes.

Sundown slept lat