Part 30 (2/2)
It did not take Matt long to discover the wagon tracks for which he was searching They were close at hand, and led alht line across the little patch, which was not over two hundred feet in width
”Here they are!” he shouted back to the others ”He went right across just as I supposed”
”Huent, with a perplexed look upon his face
”We must cross and follow him,” replied Andy deteron across?”
”Why not? The thief took that heavily loaded wagon over I guess this light affair will go over all right”
The agent was doubtful about this, and rubbed his chin reflectively
”I e, or turn back to one,” he suggested
”That would take too long,” returned Matt's partner impatiently ”Weis”
”Coht over and you will be all right”
”Well, we can make the venture, but I aent, and with a face full of the concern he felt for his turn-out he headed his trotter toward the water
At first the horse was inclined to shy to one side He pranced up and down a bit and dug into the sand and loose stones with his hoofs
”You can see he don't want to go,” said the driver ”I really think we had better find a bridge”
”Oh, nonsense! givethat the felloas altogether too easily frightened ”I will take hient in alar!”
But Andy would not listen to hi them firmly, tapped the trotter with the whip
The horse made a rush into the water, and in less than ten seconds the wagon was in up to the axles
”We will be drowned! We will be drowned!” cried the agent in sudden terror ”I can't swim!”
”We won't be drowned Just you hold on and keep quiet,” returned Andy shortly
”But--but we are going deeper!”
”Notwe should slip--or Flip should slip?”
”Or we had an earthquake,” added Andy, utterly disgusted with the freight agent's actions ”Don't you want to get back those cases, or do you prefer to pay for them?”
This last re to the seat looking badly scared, but he offered no estions
With due caution, but as rapidly as possible, Andy drove the horse over the rocks, carefully avoiding such spots as he thought ht be extra deep or slippery Matt, on the island, shouted several directions to him; and thus the journey was safely acco auctioneer, when the horse was once h”