Part 39 (1/2)
Thus the talk ran on, fro partner the full particulars of his own roving life, and in return Matt had related everything concerning himself, and the two felt as if they had known each other for years; in fact, as Matt once stated later on, they were more like brothers than mere partners in business
Andy was deeply interested in the fact of Mr Lincoln's disappearance, and he wondered nearly as much as did Matt hiain
As for the boy, he could not bring hih he rarely mentioned his father's name, he was constantly on the watch for hio off on what he ter thereby to pick up a stray bit of inforht track to learn of his father's whereabouts
The drive up through Walnut Port to Lehigh Gap was very nice At the latter place they stopped over night, and then pushed on to Lehighton, soh and around the rand!” cried Matt, as they were driving on about ten o'clock in the forenoon ”Just look at that h the valley below here!”
”It is very fine, indeed!” returned Andy ”But I'll tell you what: I would rather be on horseback than in the wagon It seems to me that soerous”
”Oh, I guess not, Andy Why, look, there is a regular wagon road If other wagons can pass along here, I fancy we can do so, too”
”Other wagonscase tied on behind Don't you notice how Billy slips every once in awhile?”
”Well, we on overhauled,” returned Matt slowly, as he noticed for the first time that Billy did slipour stop at Mauch Chunk or at Lehighton, if it becoain”
”Well, certainly this road is groorse instead of better,” said Andy soberly ”Just look at that turn ahead! The road isn't over ten feet wide, and it slopes down to that steep hill----”
”Drive as close to the inside wall as you can,” was Matt's soer ahead ”Steady now, Billy, steady!”
The horseslowly up to the curve which ran around the mountain side As Andy had said, the road at this point was scarcely ten feet wide, and on the other side was a steep doard slope, ter below at a tiny brook filled with loose rocks
The curve was reached, and the tere just congratulating theerous spot in safety, when a large bird, flying frohtened Billy and caused hion was at the very edge of the slope!
CHAPTER xxxII
AN INTERESTING LETTER
To Andy and Matt it looked as if the entire turn-out must slide down the hillside to the bottom, there to be smashed into a hundred pieces
It was save a loud cry of alarht at the lines to lead Billy away froer so imminent
The horse continued tocloser to the inside, he walked upon the very outer edge of the road
”I'll lead him!” cried Andy, and while Matt continued to hold the lines, he sprang out and caught Billy by the bridle
Ordinarily, the faithful anirow obstinate, and pulled back when Andy caught hold The wagon stopped, and then the rear wheels were sent partly down the slope