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The unambitious Hickie at once applied himself to his duty. He went out, and in due time returned with two sufficient iron pokers. The weapons were examined, approved of, and carefully laid aside. Doolan, Redding, and Hickie ate their suppers, and retired to their several couches to sleep, peacefully enough no doubt.
Rachael knew what doctors said to each other, when they gathered, and used those quick, low monosyllables. She knew why Miss Redding was speeding the arrangements for the improvised operating-room with such desperate hurry.
She had hair like golden-rod and eyes as blue as flax, and a complexion of such health and cleanliness and dewiness as blooms only on trained nurses. She was so lovely that Redding swung his hooded camera at her as swiftly as a cowboy could have covered her with his gun.
Most of the logs floated down the river were carried through to the village at the lake coast, where, strung up the river for eight or ten miles, stood a dozen or so big saw-mills, with concomitant booms, yards, and wharves. Morrison and Daly, however, had built a saw and planing mill at Redding, where they supplied most of the local trade and that of the surrounding country-side.
The servants, however, with one exception, had been transferred to Redding, and Mark Twain and I remained alone, though not lonely, in the city house; playing billiards most of the time, and being as hilarious as we pleased, for there was nobody to disturb. I think he hardly mentioned the new home during that time.
"We owe you many thanks, kind sirs," said the lady, "for your opportune assistance." "Pardon me, madam," said Redding, hastening forward in some confusion as he recovered from his rather rude stare of surprise, "I dwell in the wilderness and have been so unaccustomed of late to the sight of ladies that that allow me to assist you into the sleigh!"
By the way, I am to meet her to-night at a dinner, and I think we shall have a mutual subject for conversation. I must get to work, now. Clear away the dishes. And finish the rest of this toast and coffee. It would be wicked to waste it." Amarilly substituted a work apron for the little white covering, and was soon engaged in "redding."
The world had neglected nothing in its redding up. At her elbow Ellen spoke shyly. "Richard's come down at last. May I go in to him, Mrs. Yaverland?" "Of course you may. You can do anything you like. From now onwards he's yours, not mine." Ellen ran in and Richard came to the window to meet her. As he drew her over the threshold by both hands he called down the garden, "Good morning, mother."
"Close call," said Orde briefly. "Bet you," replied Marsh. Neither referred to the tug's escape; but to the fortunate closing of the opening. Orde now took steps to deflect into the channel recently dredged to Stearn's Bayou the mass of the logs racing down stream from Redding. He estimated that he had still two hours or so in which to do the work.
Mary took a long look at the pretty garden just budding with spring, and burst into tears. Mr. Forcythe chirruped to the horse; they were off, and that was their good-by to Valley Hill. Redding was certainly very different. It was an old-fashioned town with narrow streets, which smelt of fish. Most of the people were sailors, or had something to do with ships.
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