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 learn something," Rod went on. "This yaller-backed skate comes to our pastur'—"

"Not havin' paid his board," put in Tedda.

"Not havin' earned his board, an' talks smooth to us abaout ripplin' brooks an' wavin' grass, an' his high-toned, pure-souled horsehood, which don't hender him sheddin' women an' childern, an' fallin' over the dash onter men. You heard his talk, an' you thought it mighty fine, some o' you."

Tuck looked guilty here, but she did not say anything.

"Bit by bit he goes on ez you have heard."

"Iwas talkin' in the abstrac'," said the yellow horse, in an altered voice.

"Abstrac' be switched! Ez I 've said, it 's this yer blamed abstrac' business that makes the young uns cut up in the Concord; an' abstrac' or no abstrac', he crep' on an' on till he come to killin' plain an' straight—killin' them as never done him no harm, jest beca'se they owned horses." "An’ knowed how to manage 'em," said Tedda. "That makes it worse."

"Waal, he did n't kill 'em, anyway,'* said Marcus. "He 'd ha' been half killed ef he had tried."

"Makes no differ," Rod answered. "He meant to; an' ef he had n't—s'pose we want the Back Pasture turned into a biffin'-ground on our only day er rest? 'S'pose ive want our men walkin' round with bits er lead pipe an' a twitch, an' their hands full o' stones to throw at us, same 's if we wuz hogs er hooky keows? More 'n that, leavin' out Tedda here—an' I guess it 's