He was awful put out at not findin' you. He thought you was
in bed, but you wasn't, and I told him mebbe you'd gone up to the
Warden's to lend a hand with Weston."
For the first time Tip eyed me inquisitively.
"I was up the road," I said evasively. "But tell me about Tim--did he
leave no word?"
"He left me," said Tip, grinning. "He hadn't time to leave nothin'
else. We figgered he'd just cover that twelve mile and make the train.
That's why I'm here. As we was hitchin' he told me particular to wait
till you come; to tell you good-by; to tell you he'd watched all
night--waited and waited till he fell asleep."
"And overslept in the morning so he had no time to drop me even a
line--I understand," said I. "And now, Tip, having performed your
duty, you are going over the mountain?"
"To Happy Walley," Tip cried, lifting the stick he always carried in
these nights and pointing away toward Thunder Knob. "I'm done with
Black Log. I'm goin' where there is peace and quiet."
"You lead the life of a hermit?" I suggested.
Pages:
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250