Part 11 (1/2)
”Yes, but that colored an, more mildly
”If there was a colored man in the case, you can explain ht the horse yourself and wanted to do what you could to keep him”
”How dare you!” cried the blacksesture ”Do you take me for a thief?”
”Neverto take him away”
And undaunted by the blacksmith's manner, Matt marched out into the yard, and untied Billy, as covered with sweat, and still trearuh the blacksmith-shop toward the front door ”I reckon you think you are hty smart”
”One has to be smart to deal with such aat the start, Ithe horse, but as it is, I don't believe you deserve a cent”
And with this parting shot, which, by the as fully deserved by the dishonest blacks upon Billy's back and rode off
When the boy reached the alleyway again he found that the fire departotten the fire under control, and that one on about their business In the space around the wagon several cab out their horses and cabs, all thankful that their turnouts and aniration, which had all but leveled the great stable to the ground
Andy was seated on the wagon, anxiously awaiting his return While the two harnessed Billy into place, Matt told his partner of the trouble he had experienced
”That blacksmith meant to bluff you off and keep the horse,” said the auctioneer ”If you hadn't coone off after you”
”Is the wagon dahtest I have exa carefully And the stock is O K too We can start off just as if nothing had happened”
”But we haven't decided yet as to just where we are to go,” returned the boy
”Oh, that reminds me!” cried Andy ”I meant to tell you before, but the fire drove it clean out ofto strike out up through Harleht out So I was going to propose that we take the ferry over to Jersey City, and strike out through New Jersey first”
”Well, one ill suit me just as well as another,” returned Matt
”So New Jersey it is”
In less than five minutes later they were ready to start The owner of the stable, nearly distracted over his loss, was around, and into his hand they thrust the money they owed hi to be questioned by the police and the firemen any more than was necessary, they drove off
”Not a very favorable start,” was Andy's coration was left behind ”But they say 'a bad beginning ht not to lose heart”
”Lose heart!” cried Matt lightly ”No, indeed! I ah we do look like a couple of trarin
”We'll take a wash-up e are across the ferry We'll have lots of tiet at least twenty or thirty miles from New York before we attempt to open up”
The drive down to Cortlandt street ferry was an uneventful one through the crowded streets A boat had just co the fare, they drove upon this, and were soon on their way to the New Jersey shore
”Do you know the road?” asked Matt, as they tied up upon an open street on the other side, and went into the great ferry-house to wash and brush up
”I know the roads through Newark and Elizabeth,” returned Andrew Dilks ”I think we had better strike along the New Jersey Central Railroad as far as Bound Brook or Soton, and across to the Delaware River, and so on into Pennsylvania”