his desk, and Coaly lay down, as
peacefully accepting the new turn of affairs. Mrs. Wingate, the teacher,
came over to Shawn's desk and quietly said: "Shawn, you must put your
dog outside."

"Can't he stay if he keeps quiet?"

"No, we cannot have any dogs in the school-room."

Shawn gazed out upon the river and then down at Coaly.

"Come on, Coaly," he said as he started to the door. He passed out into
the hallway, Coaly following. Just as Coaly started through the doorway,
a boy gave him a vicious kick, which set him to howling. Shawn sprang
into the room.

"Who kicked my dog?"

A little girl said, "Henry Freeman did it!"

Good resolutions and books were forgotten. Farewell to every ambition.
Freeman tried to free himself from the enraged boy by climbing over the
desks and calling to the teacher. The little girls were screaming and
books and slates were scattered all about the room. Mrs. Wingate finally
succeeded in getting her hands on Shawn and drew him away as he planted
a parting blow on Freeman's nose. Shawn turned and facing the school,
tragically exclaimed, "Where I go, Coaly goes. Where Coaly goes, I go!"

Henry Freeman followed Shawn to the door. Shawn turned for battle
again, but Freeman used a more malicious weapon by saying, "Who's your
daddy? Who's your daddy?"

And then Shawn burst into tears.

The next morning a servant found on Mrs. Alden's porch a bundle
containing the books and clothes which she had given Shawn. Pinned to
the bundle was a note. In a scrawling hand was written, "I am much
abliged. I tride to keep my promise. I am going away. I have kept the
little testament. Shawn."

CHAPTER IV

"Oh sing your praise of the bounding craft;
And the merry sloops afloat,
But for easy space, both fore and aft,
I'll bunk on the shanty-boat."

"Jump out there, Shawn, and take a hitch around that cottonwood with
that line--we're at the mouth of Salt River, an' no better fishin' on
the Ohio."

John Burney was standing on the bow of his shanty-boat, with a long
steering-oar in his hand.

"Jump, Shawn!" Shawn leaped to the shore and made the line fast to the
tree.

"Haul out that aft gang-plank and stake her deep on the shore, there,
steady, boy; she lays good and snug an' weather-shape--now git to your
breakfast."

Inside of the boat a wood fire was burning in the stove. The fragrant
aroma of coffee and fried fish came over the morning air. Shawn took
off one of the