I'm dyin'!" Then he staggered into Brackton's place.

A howl went up from the riders and they surged after him.
That evening after supper Bostil stamped in the big room, roaring with laughter, red in the face; and he astonished Lucy and her aunt to the point of consternation.
"Now--you've--done--it--Lucy Bostil!" he roared.
"Oh dear! Oh dear!" exclaimed Aunt Jane.
"Done what ?" asked Lucy, blankly.
Bostil conquered his paroxysm, and, wiping his moist red face, he eyed Lucy in mock solemnity.
"Joel!" whispered Lucy, who had a guilty conscience.
"Lucy, I never heard the beat of it....

Joel's smarter in some ways than we thought, an' crazier in others.

He had the sun figgered, but what'd he want to run through town for?
Why, never in my life have I seen such tickled riders." "Dad!" almost screamed Lucy.

"What did Joel do ?" "Wal, I see it this way.