lumpy, it was cold.

"I'll tell you what," he slowly drawled, "in this little world there's
about one chance in a million for a man to make a President of himself,
and about nine hundred and ninety-nine chances in a thousand for him to
make a fool of himself."

"That's what I thought," said Keno.

"All the same, if only I had the resolution I'd leave them boots there
forever!"

"What for?" said Keno.

"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