In little ways they sought to lighten his sorrow or to put his mind away from it.

To this end the Bishop contributed by pouring him drink from a large brown jug.
"Not that I approve of it, boy, but it'll hearten you,--some of the best peach brandy I ever sniffed.

I got it at the still-house last week for use in time of trouble,--and this here time is _it_." He drank the fiery stuff from the gourd in which it was given him, and choked until they brought him water.

But presently the warmth stole along his cold, dead nerves so that he became intensely alive from head to foot, and strangely exalted.

And when they offered him food he ate eagerly and talked.