"Wal," drawled Jim, "a man can't always tell he comes of a proud family
by the cut of his clothes. But, Keno, you ain't troubled with pride,
so you go back and fetch me the boots."
Then, when he presently drew his cowhide casings on, he sat for a
moment enjoying the comfort of those soles beneath his feet. For the
time that they halted where they were, he held his rescued little boy
to his heart in an ecstasy such as he never had dreamed could be given
to a man.
CHAPTER X
PREPARATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS
When the word spread 'round that Jim and the quaint little foundling
were once more united, the story of the episode at Miss Doc's home
necessarily followed to make the tale complete. Immensely relieved and
grateful, to know that no dire calamity had befallen the camp's first
and only child, the rough men nevertheless lost no time in conceiving
the outcome to be fairly amusing.
"You kin bet that Doc was awake all the time, and listenin', as long as
Jim was there," said Bone, "but six yoke of oxen couldn't 'a' dragged
his two eyes open, or him out of bed, to mingle in the ceremonies."
To prevent a recurrence of similar descents upon his household, Jim
arranged his plans in such a manner that the timid little Skeezucks
should never again be left alone.
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