67 



his usual strong transitions, cut off the discussion with a 

 favorite couplet : 



*'A wink to a blind horse is as good as a nod ; 

 Your faithful servant, Ollapod." 



Jackson turned his flashing eyes on the Doctor, his 

 lids slightly contracted like a man in doubt as to another's 

 meaning; it was evident he was reading the Doctor, 

 and the bland face turned toward him was like an open 

 page with blue marginal illumination. 



"Where do you reside. Doctor Pollock?" he asked, 

 after a moment's pause, and in the indifferent tone 

 assumed by the Doctor. 



" I was born in Virginia, and inherited a plantation of 

 a hundred negroes," replied the Doctor, answering the 

 planter's thoughts, and not his question. 



A long pause followed. We watched the light wood 

 crackle, and the big particles of fire climbing up into the 

 canopy of woods on the current of hot air, reflecting 

 brief circles of light on the foliage above, and then going- 

 out in blackness. The Doctor resumed his pipe. Mike 

 pondered, cross-legged, puffing at his cigarettes, and the 

 boys talked among themselves in under tones. 



" This won't do, gentlemen ! Mike, hand me that 

 bottle," called out Jackson, rousing himself. One drink 

 all around, and now for to-morrow's hunt. What shall 

 it be, deer or turkey ?" 



" Or sheep ?" 



"That's a shame, Mike !" laughed Jackson. 



