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The wagon rattled like a bark-mill; it swirled and leaped about, and we finally got the exciting impression that if the whole thing went to pieces, we should somehow go on, such was our impetus. Round corners, over ruts and stones, and uphill and down, we went jolting and swinging, holding fast to the seat, and putting our trust in things in general.
"I was down to the Island a-sellin' clocks, and who should I meet but John Porter; well, I traded with him for one, part cash, part truck and proDUCE, and also put off on him that 'ere bark-mill you heerd me axin' about, and it was pretty considerable on in the evenin' afore we finished our trade.
Birt, however, was beginning to see that a boy to drive that mule around the bark-mill was as essential as the mule himself. As Providence had failed to furnish the tanner with a son for this purpose his family consisting of several small daughters Birt supplied a long-felt want. The boy appreciated that his simple mother was over-reached, yet he could not see that she could do otherwise.
A rude roof sheltered the bark-mill from the weather, and there was the patient mule, with Birt and a whip to make sure that he did not fall into reflective pauses according to his meditative wont. And there, too, was Tennessee, perched on the lower edge of a great pile of bark, and gravely watching Birt. He deprecated the attention she attracted.
There is a constant demand for foot-gear, and a very slight difference in price is felt at once by the purchaser. "This was my reasoning, sir, and fortunately events have justified it. At this time we have five tanyards, each of which has its bark-mill.
He was still cracking his lash at the ground. There was a sudden, half-articulate remonstrance. Birt, who had turned away to the bark-mill, whirled back in a rising passion. "Did ye hit Tennessee?" he asked, with a dangerous light in his eyes. "No I never!" Nate protested. "I hain't seen her till this minute. She war standin' a-hint ye." "Waal, ye skeered her, then," said Birt, hardly appeased.
An' let me know ef Nate ain't thar." Rufe was disposed to parley. He stood first on one foot, then on the other. He cast calculating eyes at the bark-mill and out upon the deep forest. The exact date on which this promise was to be fulfilled had to be fixed before he announced his willingness to set out.
He scanned Birt narrowly. This was the first time the two had met since Birt's ill-starred confidence there by the bark-mill. "What ails ye, ter 'low ez it air ME ez hev got yer grant, Nate Griggs?" Birt asked, steadily meeting the accusation. The excitement had impaired for the moment Nate Griggs's cunning.
Sol'mon say ef ye spare the rod ye spile the child mos' ennybody could hev fund that out from thar own 'sperience; but the wisest man that ever lived lef' no receipt how ter keep a boy's pockets whole in his breeches." Birt Dicey lay awake deep into the night, pondering and planning. But despite this unwonted vigil the old bark-mill was early astir, and he went alertly about his work.
For when Birt Dicey went "yerrands" on the mule through the woods to the Settlement, Tennessee often rode on the pommel of his saddle. She followed in the furrow when he ploughed. She was as familiar an object at the tanyard as the bark-mill itself. When he wielded the axe, she perched on one end of the woodpile.