go along with the mail," growled
he.

I turned Darky again, very much to that knowing animal's
dissatisfaction apparently, for my singular proceedings had doubtless
impressed him with the idea that he was to escape his regular trip to
Riverport.

"Aren't you going along to Crofton's?" I called to Ham, as I got into
the wagon.

"A pretty fix I'm in to go to a party," replied he, as he glanced in
disgust at his soiled garments.

"Well, you ought to have thought of that before you began the sport," I
added, consolingly.

Ham made no reply, but fell vigorously to brushing his clothes with his
hands.

"Better come along with me, Ham," I continued, kindly; for I felt that I
could afford to be magnanimous; and I think one ought to be so, whether
he can afford it or not.

"I'm not going to Crofton's in this fix," said he.

"I can help you out, if you like, Ham. I don't bear any ill will towards
you, and just as lief do you a good turn as not," I added, taking from
the box of the wagon-seat a small hand broom, which I kept there to dust
off the cushion, and brush down the mail-bag after a dusty trip.

I jumped down from the wagon again, and moved towards him. He was shy of
me after what had happened, and retreated at my approach.

"Let me brush your clothes, Ham. I won't hurt you."

"You have brushed me about enough already," said he, shaking his head.

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm not afraid."

"Let me brush you, then. I wouldn't hurt you now any more than I would
my own sister."

He stood still, and I brushed and rubbed his garments till he looked as
bright and fresh as if he came out of the bureau drawer.

"There, you are all right now," I added, when I had finished the job.
"Jump into the wagon, and I will take you along to Crofton's."

"You are up to some trick, Buck," said he, suspiciously.

"No, I'm not. I'm not afraid of you. I don't hit a fellow over the head
with a mail-bag," I replied, seating myself in the wagon again.

Half a dozen "fellows and girls" were approaching from the direction of
the village; and, as Ham did not care to see company just yet, he got
into the wagon, and I drove off. He kept one eye on me all the time, and
seemed to be afraid that I intended to continue the battle by some
underhand measures.

"I am sorry this thing has happened, Ham; but I couldn't help it," I
began, after we had ridden a quarter of a mile in silence. "You pitched
in, and I had to defend myself.