Notes of tbe 



than a year, and don't want better company than 

 what I find. There 's only two things to bother 

 me: men and lightnin', and which is worst ain't 

 easy to say." 



" I '11 take the hint and move on," I said and 

 stepped to one side. 



" Oh, no, there 's room for both," Bill replied 

 with a suggestive change of tone and manner. 



" Then you contradict yourself," and I made a 

 second move to one side, as if to continue my 

 walk. 



" Did you ever see the man who did n't ? 

 It 's this everlastin' sayin' one thing and meanin' 

 another that made me take to a house-boat for 

 a change, and then to a cabin on shore. I sell 

 my fish or game and get what I want out o' the 

 town, and that 's all the use I have for it. This 

 livin' alone, as you call it, is livin' with more 

 company than you can pay respects to, and you 

 know who you 're talkin' to, which is more than 

 you can say about town gatherin's. When I see 

 a snappin'-turtle and his eyes flash fire, he means 

 all he looks, and you 're a fool to mistake him. 

 We keep clear, or it 's an open fight, if I 'm after 

 his carcass. There 's no underhand work, like 

 your town snappers." 



I knew he was right, but was not disposed to 

 lose my chance of studying the night by idle dis- 

 cussion about savagery and civilization. I am as 

 strong a champion of the former as he, but prefer 

 43 



