Part 21 (2/2)
”Perhaps I have, but it's pretty well packed up,” returned Matt, as not at all taken by the , or to- happens”
”We? Got soon, but I have a partner”
”I see What line of goods do you carry?”
Matt nahtened as he listened
”Let me have a pair of suspenders,” he said ”I need theood pocket-knife I'll patronize you so much more
Drive up in the back of the house and tie fast anywhere”
”Excuse e I ae ot a fire inside, and you can dry yourself there just as well as not”
”But ot a shed a bit back of those bushes Coed, Matt sprang froround As he did so he noted a look of satisfaction gleam upon the man's dirty face, and he saw the felloave his hand toward the shanty's oneHe turned swiftly in the direction, and was in tiht
Only for a second did the young auctioneer hesitate Then soain to the wagon and placed one foot upon the shaft step
”Hi! what are you going to do?” cried the uess I won't stop,” returned the boy ”That storm does not seem to be quite over, and I do not wish to catch a second dose”
”But you will stop, sonny!” exclaie of e this young fellow!” he went on, in a louder tone
The other men at once rushed from the shanty, and in a trice Matt was surrounded
CHAPTER XIX
OUT OF A BAD ScrapE
It did not take the young auctioneer long to understand the true nature of the situation in which he now found hi ht shelter in the shanty frohly unscrupulous , and it must be confessed that Matt's heart sank within hier in which he was placed
”Let go of me!” he said sternly to the first o, I say!”
”Don't you do it, Crabs!” put in the traht to him while I tie up the hoss”