"I love the land, and call it home.

My withers are unwrung." He rose to his feet, and began to pace the greensward before the door.
My eyes followed his trim figure, richly though sombrely clad, then fell with a sudden dissatisfaction upon my own stained and frayed apparel.
"Ralph," he said presently, coming to a stand before me, "have you ever an hundred and twenty pounds of tobacco in hand?
If not, I"-- "I have the weed," I replied.

"What then ?" "Then at dawn drop down with the tide to the city, and secure for thyself one of these same errant damsels." I stared at him, and then broke into laughter, in which, after a space and unwillingly, he himself joined.

When at length I wiped the water from my eyes it was quite dark, the whippoorwills had begun to call, and Rolfe must needs hasten on.

I went with him down to the gate.
"Take my advice,--it is that of your friend," he said, as he swung himself into the saddle.