Part 16 (2/2)
”Why, what else could I do with it?”
”What else? See here, stranger, the hull population of this entire vicinity isn't more than twenty-five persons, but every last one of 'em twenty-five 'ud told you what to do with it. Why didn't you give it to me?”
”Why,” said Shock in a surprised tone, ”I don't know the ways of your country, but where I come from we don't take any man's leavings.”
This was new light upon the subject for the old man.
”Well, now, see here, young man, if ever you're in doubt again about a gla.s.s of whisky like that one there, you just remark to yourself that while there may be a few things you might do with it, there's just one you can't. There's only one spot for whisky, and that's inside some fellow that knows something. Heavens and earth! Didn't know what to do with it, eh?”
He peered curiously into Shock's face as if he found him an interesting study.
”No,” said Shock seriously, ”you see, I couldn't drink it--never did in my life.”
The old man drew nearer to him. ”Say,” touching him with his forefinger on the chest, ”if I could only be sure you'd keep fresh I'd put you in a case. They'd come a mighty long way in this country to see you, you bet.”
Bill Lee's anger and disgust were giving place to curiosity.
”What are you, anyway?” he enquired.
”Well, my boss told me to-day I was a prospector.” Shock's mind reverted, as he spoke, to that last conversation with his Convener.
”Prospector,” echoed the old man. ”What for, land, coal?”
”No, men.”
”What?” The old man looked as if he could not have heard aright.
”Men,” said Shock again simply and earnestly.
Bill was hopelessly puzzled. He tried to get at it another way.
”What's your Company?” he enquired. ”I mean who are you working for?”
Before answering Shock paused, looking far past Bill down the trail and then said solemnly, ”G.o.d.”
Bill started back from his companion with a gasp of surprise. Was the man mad? Putting the incident of the whisky and this answer of his together, he might well be.
”Yes,” said Shock, withdrawing his eyes from the trail and facing Bill squarely. ”That's my business. I am after men.” He drew from his pocket a small Bible and read, ”Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
When Bill saw the Bible he looked relieved, but rather disgusted.
”Oh, I git you now! You're a preacher, eh?”
”Well,” said Shock in a tone almost confidential, ”I'll tell you I'm not much of a preacher. I don't think I'm cut out for that, somehow.”
Here Bill brightened slightly. ”I tried last night in town,” continued Shock, ”and it was pretty bad. I don't know who had the worst of it, the congregation or myself. But it was bad.”
”Thinkin' of quittin'?” Bill asked almost eagerly, ”Because if you are, I know a good job for a fellow of your build and make.”
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