d another spoke up;
"According t' that, I'll bet four bits if them two yonder ever do
get into double harness, there'll be pieces o' th' outfit strung
from th' parson's clean t' th' buryin' ground."

When the laughter had subsided, Buck turned to see Young Matt
standing just outside the shed, ostensibly doing something with
the belt that led to the burr, but in reality looking up the
creek.

"Law!" ejaculated Buck, under his breath; "what a team THEY'D
make!"

"Who?" said Lem, who was standing near by.

"Them mule colts," returned Buck with a grin.

"They sure will, Buck. There ain't two better in the country;
they're a dead match. I'll come over an' hep you break 'em when
they're big 'nough." And then he wondered why Buck swore with such
evident delight.

One by one the natives received their meal, and, singly, or in
groups of two or three, were swallowed up by the great forest.
Already the little valley was in the shadow of the mountain,
though the sun still shone brightly on the tree tops higher up,
when Ollie and Sammy returned from the Forks. Mr. Matthews had
climbed the hill when the last grist was ground, leaving his son
to cool down the engine and put things right about the mill.

"Come on, Matt," said Ollie, as the big fellow brought out the
meal; "It's time you was a goin' home."

The young giant hung back, saying, "You folks better go on ahead.
I'll get home alright."

"Didn't think nothin' would get you," laughed Ollie. "Come on, you
might as well go 'long with us."

The other muttered something about being in the way, and started
back into the shed.

"Hurry up," called Sammy, "we're waitin'."

After this there was nothing else for the young man to do but join
them. And the three were soon making their way up the steep
mountain road together.

For a time they talked of commonplace things, then Young Matt
opened the subject that was on all their hearts. "I reckon, Ollie,
this is the last time that you'll ever be a climbin' this old
road." As he spoke he was really thinking of the time to come when
Sammy would climb the road for the last time.

"Yes," returned Stewart; "I go to-morrow 'fore sun up."

The other continued; "It'll sure be fine for you to live in the
city and get your schoolin' and all that. Us folks here in the
woods don't know nothin'. We ain't got no chance to learn. You'll
be forgettin' us all mighty quick, I reckon, once you get to
livin' with your rich kin."

"'Deed,