Part 21 (1/2)

As soon as he felt certain that the sky was brightening to reon once et back to the road just as fast as we can,” he said to the horse ”And I trust that you will never run away again in that fashi+on, old boy”

On all sides arose bushes and rocks, and, although the road ht it best to return the way they had co that it would be the easiest thing in the world to get lost, or to run the turn-out into some hollow or hole from which it would be next to impossible to extricate it

But to return by the route they had coed the heavy vehicle over several very uneven places, full of stumps and rocks, and now the animal, still somewhat exhausted, had all he could do to move back over the trail which had been left

Matt led the horse, and on more than one occasion had to place his shoulder to the rear end of the wagon to help over a particularly bad spot Thus theyhalf an hour to cover a distance which had previously been traveled in less than half that tioodness, we are out of that at last!” exclaiht ”Now to see if any da auctioneer , as well as of the running gear and harness He was overjoyed to find everything still in good order, despite the rough usage to which it had been put The wagon body was scratched in a dozen places, but this could be easily remedied

The rubber blankets were put away, and the lap-robe left fluttering in the rear to dry, and then Matt once e

The heavy rain had left the road deep with , Matt not having the heart to urge hi well that the faithful ani as well as could be reasonably expected of hiood stable for Billy, and change o bad, either Ugh! I aave a shi+ver that was as genuine as it was uncomfortable

The road now led doard and around a bend, where was situated another heavy bit of timber As Matt approached the wood he saw sos and boards, and thatched eather-beaten shi+ngles and bits of old tin and oil-cloth There was a rude chimney upon the outside of the rear of this shanty, and fro

”Huht Matt

”I shouldn't wonder but those inside got a pretty good soaking, by the looks of things”

At first the young auctioneer detero on, satisfied that no accommodations worthy of the na better, I'll keep right on to High Bridge,” was his thought, and he was just about to urge Billy on once more, when the door of the shanty opened and a e, and rough in looks His beard was long, as was also his hair, and both see and his face were dirty, and altogether he presented a decidedly ill-favored appearance

”Hullo, there, stranger!” he called out ”Where bound?”

”Bound for High Bridge,” replied Matt as he drew rein ”How many miles is it?”

”Not ot cotched in that storot the full benefit of it”

”It was a heavy one, no ot there?”

”An auction goods wagon”

”Carrying stuff around the country to sell at auction?”

”Yes”

”I see Say,you would like to sellto some one in the shanty, stepped up closer to the turn-out