human
Nothing new happened, then, Jim?
gpt
Naw. I hain't been far from camp the hull blessed day; an' consequently never had no chanct tew run up against Pa Martin, replied the other.
human
But I'm more sot than ever tew see him face tew face, afore I quits this here region. It's jest _gut_ tew be done, else I wudn't hev ther nerve tew face Little Lina agin. She made me promise; an' by thunder! nawthin' hain't agoin' tew skeer me off. If he doan't hunt me out, by ding! I'll take a turn at hit, an' find Cale Martin myself, ef so be I gotter tramp all the way tew his shack, wich I knows on'y tew well.
gpt
Good for you, Jim! said Thad, admiringly;
human
Lot's o' people doan't know Ole Cale like I does. He hain't so black nor they jes' paints him. Them game wardens is afeerd o' him, and they piles all kinds o' things on his shoulders thet he hain't no business to kerry.
gpt
Yes, I've heard before about giving a dog a bad name, and then he has to bear the sins of the whole neighborhood, remarked Thad.
human
There is never a sheep killed but that Dog Tray is the guilty one. And so you think Cale isn't altogether so bad as we've heard?
gpt
He's a big man, and he's gut an' _orful_ temper; but it's them tew critters he goes with thet's the wust cases. They jest draw him inter slick games, Cale, he'd never think o' tryin', left by hisself. But we heerd as haow he's struck a new thing, if so be he on'y knows enuff ter keep it agoin', an' shakes them other fellers. An' if anybody kin make a success o' fox raisin', I jest guess Cale is ther man, 'cause he knows all erbout the slick little varmints from A ter Z.
human
Fox raising? exclaimed Thad, at once deeply interested.
gpt
Tell me about that, Jim. Seems like it ought to be worth while listening to.
human
Why, said Jim, apparently only too well pleased to say something in favor of the big and reckless parent of his little wife;
gpt
Yes, Thad went on, deeply interested.
human
I've understood that tremendous prices were being paid out for that scarce skin; but is Cale meaning to try and raise black or silver foxes for the market? I was told by several people that they considered the silver fox only a freak, and that they would never breed true to species. How about that, Jim?
gpt
I've allers hed an ijee thet way myself, returned the short guide, scratching his head in a reflective manner;
human
But do you suppose he'll stick to those two tough characters, and keep them with him in his new job? Won' they queer his game with the company, Jim?
gpt
Wall, I doan't know, of course, what his plans be, but Cale, he's a great feller tew keep his word; an' if so be he's told this company as he'll run things straight jest believe me they ain't agoin' tew be no place for them two poachers around _his_ fox farm. He'd run 'em off with his gun mighty quick. Yes, Cale keeps his word; an' thet's what makes me a leetle bit shy 'bout bein' able tew convince him tew leave my ears whar they belongs. But Lina, bless her, sez as haow he jest cain't hold aout, when he hears what I gotter tell him; an' Lina, she orter know.