136 Dreaming Bob 



near as I could get, in an old shanty, and go 

 pokin' round when folks ain't too near to get 

 curious ; and, by thunder !" exclaimed the 

 old man, with great energy, " I'm a fool to 

 give it all away, just because you pestered me 

 out on the ma'sh." 



" I can keep a secret, sir," I remarked, 

 with some show of dignity. 



" 'Course you can, but can and will ain't 

 twin brothers by a jugful, young man. You 

 can keep it, but are you goin' to ?" he asked, 

 with a show of incredulity. 



" Yes," I said, " I'm going to." 



" Well, I can't call 'em back, and if I've 

 thro wed the fat in the fire it's my own 

 fault," he remarked, rather sorrowfully. 



" But you haven't," I assured him, adding, 

 " I said I would keep your secret. Did the 

 people digging clay ever find a chest, or 

 haven't you asked ?" 



" If they did, they never let on, for I 

 sort o* questioned round when I was lookin' 

 at 'em dig," he replied. 



" Can you find any trace of the trees you 

 see in your dreams?" I asked. 



" Only one big chestnut stump, but the 

 ground ain't right round it," he replied. 



