Part 13 (1/2)
”I tried to plow up these bushes with my head, that's all. I guess my ankle is sprained, too.”
”You can't ride that wheel any further,” announced Sam.
”I don't want to ride. I've had enough, for a few days at least.”
It was a good quarter of an hour before Tom felt like standing up.
Then he found his ankle pained him so much that walking was out of the question.
”I'm sure I don't know what I am going to do,” he said ruefully.
”I can't walk and I can't ride, and I don't know as I can stay here.”
”Perhaps d.i.c.k and I can carry you to Hopeton,” said Sam, mentioning a small town just beyond the railroad tracks.
”It will be a big job. If you-- Here comes a wagon. Perhaps the driver of that will give me a lift.”
As Tom finished a large farm wagon rattled into sight, drawn by a pair of bony horses and driven by a tall, lank farmer.
”Hullo, wot's the matter?” asked the farmer, as he drew rein.
”Had a breakdown?”
”No, I've had a smash-up,” answered Tom.
”My brother's ankle is sprained, and we would like to know if you can give him a lift to the next town,” put in d.i.c.k. ”We'll pay you for your trouble.”
”That's all right--Seth d.i.c.kerson is allers ready to aid a fellow-bein' in distress,” answered the farmer. ”Can ye git in the wagon alone?”
Tom could not, and the farmer and d.i.c.k carried him forward and placed him on the seat. Then the damaged bicycle was placed in the rear of the turnout, and Seth d.i.c.kerson drove off, while Sam and d.i.c.k followed on their steeds of steel.
”I see you air dressed in cadet uniforms,” remarked the farmer, as the party proceeded on its way. ”Be you fellers from p.o.r.nell school?”
”No; we come from Putnam Hall,” answered Tom.
”Oh, yes--'bout the same thing, I take it. How is matters up to the school--larnin' a heap?”
”We are trying to learn all we have to.”
”Had some trouble up thar, didn't ye? My wife's brother was a-tellin' me about it. A darkey stole some money an' watches, an'
that like.”
”They think he stole them,” said Tom.
”We can hardly believe it.”
”Why don't Captain Putnam hunt around them air p.a.w.nshops fer the watches?” went on Seth d.i.c.kerson, after a pause.
”The thief would most likely p.a.w.n 'em, to my way of thinkin'.”