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Updated: June 23, 2025
"Git on that thar mule, Birt, an' ride over ter Nate's, an' find out what ails him, ef so be ye hanker ter know. I don't want nobody workin' in this hyar tanyard ez looks ez mournful ez ye do like ez ef ye hed been buried an' dug up. But hurry back, 'kase there ain't enough bark ground yit, an' I hev got other turns o' work I want ye ter do besides 'fore dark."
But this fellow's eyes were not so close together; his hair was less sandy; there were no facial indications of extreme slyness. It was only Nathan's humble likeness, his younger brother, Timothy. He had Nate's coat thrown over his arm, and he shouldered his brother's rifle. Tim came slouching slowly into the tanyard, a good-natured grin on his face.
"Waal," the small boy began alertly, "we-uns hed the deedie behind the smoke-house thar, an' I seen HIM" Rufe pointed at Byers with disfavor "a-comin' powerful slow inter the tanyard, an' I whispered ter Pig-wigs Griggs ter be quiet, an' not let HIM know ez we-uns war thar, 'kase he war always a-jawin' at me, 'thout the tanner war by ter keep him off'n me.
"It's something they give me for learning my lessons good." He tore it up, and says: "I'll give you something better I'll give you a cowhide." He set there a-mumbling and a-growling a minute, and then he says: "AIN'T you a sweet-scented dandy, though? A bed; and bedclothes; and a look'n'-glass; and a piece of carpet on the floor and your own father got to sleep with the hogs in the tanyard.
This would save us a longish detour and lessen the danger of being observed. Arrived at the tanyard gate, I tried the wicket. It was unbolted, as I had anticipated, and we were soon in the quiet and obscurity of the tanyard. The far side of the yard was separated by a low stone wall from the end of a blind alley leading into Eastgate Street.
Convinced that his friend was playing a false part, Birt went at once to the bark-mill in the morning, confident that he would not find Nate at work in the tanyard according to their agreement. It was later than usual, and Jubal Perkins swore at Birt for his tardiness.
Byers, perturbed and indignant, was instantly ready to accuse Birt. "Ye hev been hyar an' got the grant an' sneaked it off agin, hev ye!" he cried, scowling at the boy. Then he turned to the tanner. "I hope I may drap dead, Jube," he said earnestly, "ef that grant warn't right hyar" he pointed at the spot "las' night whenst I lef' the tanyard.
There was a good deal of inquiry made about the houghing of Squire Winthorpe's horses, and there was a great deal of excitement before the poor beasts were skinned, for their hides to go to town to the tanyard and their carcasses were carted away.
Rufe was roused to defend himself. "Hain't teched 'em, now!" he cried, acrimoniously. "Waal, sometimes ye air sorter loose-jointed in yer jaw, an' ain't partic'lar what ye say," rejoined his mother, politely. "I'll waste a leetle yerb-tea on ye, ennyhow." She started back into the room, and Rufe rose at once. This cruelty should not be practiced upon him, whatever might betide him at the tanyard.
Towse had followed his master to the tanyard, and was lying asleep beside the woodpile, with his muzzle on his forepaws. He roused himself suddenly at the sound of munching, and came and sat upright, facing Rufe, and eyeing the papaw gloatingly. He wagged his tail in a beguiling fashion, and now and then turned his head blandishingly askew.
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