Part 30 (1/2)

”It's queer you didn't see that track before,” said the driver slowly

”The reason is because it coht it best to keep on the rocks, I suppose Maybe he thought he would get stuck in the round”

”That's the truth of it, you can depend on it,” said Andy ”Hurry up and follow that track to the end, and we'll soon have our wagon and goods back”

On and on they went, over soft patches of ground, through low bushes, and around rocks and fallen trees Soain they traveled al streao ent, when all of a round had been covered

”Why not?” asked Andy

”There is a big wall of rock just ahead We will have to pull away from the river now”

”No, on't!” shouted Matt ”Look there!”

And he pointed to where the wagon tracks led directly down into the water

”I'll bet all I am worth that he crossed the stream here,” he went on

”Do you not see how shallow it is? He went over to that island, and from there directly to the other side”

CHAPTER XXV

A BITTER MISTAKE

Both Andy and the freight agent saw at once that Matt was right, and the jaw of the driver of the wagon dropped

”Huht after such heavy rains,”

he saidauctioneer ”I will tell you what I' to do--wade across and see if I can't strike the tracks on the other side”

”You'll get pretty wet, especially if you slip into a deep hole,”

returned Andy

”I'll take off part of ,” returned Matt, and he did so without delay

The water was colder than he had anticipated, and he shi+vered slightly as he waded in deeper and deeper

”Can you swim, should you slip?” called out Andy anxiously

”Yes, I can swim,” returned Matt, ”but I hope that won't be necessary!”

Moving along cautiously where the rocks stuck up the highest, the young auctioneer worked his way slowly over to the island he had previously pointed out It was painful work, for he had taken off his shoes, and now he found the bottom in many places cut his feet But at last the island was reached, and he walked out upon the dry ground