f it is a blemish that will
never come out, but I think it is a pearl of some value. I'm goin' to
give it to you; maybe you can sell it or give it to some girl some
day--leastwise, Shawn, we'll put in the spare time boilin' down a few
more of 'em."

Shawn took the pearl, his cheeks were aglow under the stress of the
find. "Oh, Mr. Burney, I'll keep it always for a luck stone."

CHAPTER VI

Shawn was clearing away the supper dishes. Burney tilted his hickory
chair against the wall and puffed at his short pipe. Coaly was asleep in
the corner. "Shawn, when you git through I want you to read me some more
out of your Testament--I'm gittin' to like it."

Shawn carefully wiped his hands before taking up the little book.
Seating himself by the table, and drawing the lamp nearer, he opened the
book at random. The chapter was Revelation, XIII.

Shawn began reading in a halting and uncertain voice: "And I stood upon
the sands of the sea and saw a beast rise out of the sea having seven
heads and ten horns."

"Hold on there, Shawn," said Burney, "Is that in the Bible?"

"Yes, sir, you can see for yourself."

"I can't read to no account," said Burney, "but air you certain that's
in the Bible?"

"Yes, sir."

Burney scratched his head and crossed his legs. "Well, all I've got to
say is, that there must a been a leak some'ers around a distillery when
that feller got to writin'. I don't read much, but I read in the Bible
once about an old feller by the name of Job, who comes up to a feller by
the name of Amasa, and Job pertendin' to be his friend, took him by the
whiskers, like he was going to kiss him, and Job said, 'How's your
health, brother Amasa?' and before Amasa could answer, Job cut him in
the fifth rib with a corn-knife or sunthin'. Maybe times have changed
since them days, but it still pays to watch a man who comes up to you
with his hand behind him, and there ain't no man goin' to take me by the
whiskers when he says _howdy_--I've larn't that much from the Bible--but
you stick to that Book, Shawn, even if some of the stories do make you
set up and take notice, it's a good Book to live by and a better one to
die by. Stick to it, Shawn--I'm goin' to bed."

Shawn went out and sat on the bow of the boat. The night was beautiful.
Along the shore the willows were rustling as the south wind kissed their
foliage. The moon was coming over the hill, a full, round, voluptuous
moon. The tiny reflections of the stars