"She never said what hat I had to wear, just so it's a hat.

Honest to gran'ma, my hat's in the creek and I couldn't poke it out with a stick or anything.

It sailed into the swimmin' hole.

I was goin' to go after it," he explained further, "but--a snake was swimmin--and I hated to 'sturb him." Chip drew a sharp breath and for one panicky moment considered imperative the hiring of a body-guard for his Kid.
"You keep out of the pasture, young man!" His tone was stern to match his perturbation.

"And you leave Silver alone--" The Kid did not wait for more.