Part 12 (1/2)

Nearer ca place

He could hear voices now, but the sound was uncertain It would not do to call out He

Suddenly several men rode into view Jack counted their heads as they were outlined against the faintly-glowing eastern sky There were seven of them

Unless the robbers had co party looking for the pony express rider Yet Jack would take no chances He must be certain

”hello, Jack! Jack Bailey! Pony Express! Where are you?”

This was the cry that echoed on the dying night

Now there was no doubt of it!

Jack leaped to his feet

”Here I am!” he cried ”Be with you in a second! Send some one up to help me carry down the ed to calnite a piece of bark He wanted to indicate his position to the rescuers They saw the flare and soht, Jack! Be with you in a ht?”

It was the voice of Dr Brown

”Yes, I'ht It was a hold-up,” Jack explained ”But I have the mail and express stuff back--that is I hope I have it all,” he added

Another moment and he was surrounded by his friends There were Jed Monty, the stage driver, Dr Brown, Amos Perkfeld, the president of the express coh, the hotel keeper, and one of his stable boys

”Are you all right Jack?” Dr Brown repeated, ”Your father insisted that I coht Just cut a little, where I sawed off the ropes on a piece of jagged glass But doesup to the Watson house, all lathered up, with you and thehad happened, after Mr Watson caanized a searching party at once But what happened to you?”

Jack told everything, down to his unexpected finding of thefro back!” exclaimed Mr Perkfeld ”Well, I call that luck! Of course neither the governood to get it all back”

”And did er ht,” said the hotel keeper ”I had one of my boys look after him He's a bit winded, that's all Smart little horse, that! If ever you want to sell him, Jack--”

”You needn't ask I don't,” was the quick answer ”But what about , ave hiood news He's much better these last few days”

The th about the appearance of the hold-up ive a very clear description No one recognized theet a posse out after theet back to town,”

declared Mr Perkfeld ”We'll show theet aith it”

”They didn't get aith it--that's the joke,” said Mr Argent ”I guess Jack is right They probably feared pursuit, or otten an alarm, so they du to coot ahead of them”