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There was so that seemed familiar, and I

stopped and stared The lanced in my direction;

but he only scraped his spade and went on, while, as soon as I had seen

his profile I ran up to him and held out my hand

"Why, Ike!" I cried, "is that you?"

He paused for a few moments, ran his hand over his nose, involuntarily,

I', and then the other, after which

he went on digging

"Yes," he said; "it's ruffly, and, turning up a spadeful of earth, he gave

it a bloith the spade, as if he were boxing its ears, and levelled it

smoothly

"I know that," I cried; "but how is it you're here?"

"Got took on"

"Oh! I alad," I cried

He looked up at ain

"No, you ain't," he said gruffly

"Indeed I aood-bye"

"No--now!" he cried; "don't go on that how"

"Did you co?" I said

"Been here 'most a week"

"And I didn't know! But why did you leave Mr Brownsmith?"