Part 13 (2/2)

But when it was considered that nearly all the valuable h safe, or rather, had been recovered, and that Mr Argent's real letters were still safe, every one said it was a very lucky outcome indeed

Jack's cuts did not amount to much, and he wanted to ride the route the next day after his experience, but Dr Brown and his father would not let hi his own horse, for Jack said Sunger was too tired to be used without some rest The pony had made the trip alone, over the trail, and it was his appearance at the Watson hoood rest, and the knowledge that nothing really serious had happened, didhis experience he was back in the saddle again His cuts had been well bandaged, so he could use his hands He was not actually required to ride the express route, but he would not let any one else do it

”Maybe I'll get a chance to trace those robbers,” he said ”I feel sure I would know at least one of the to be on the watch for him”

The excitement caused by the hold-up of the pony express soon died away In western co on that interest is soon shi+fted to newer events

The posse that went out to seek the robbers had no luck in finding thes were found in the oldat that place for nearly a week, ready to give the alaret the pouches which they had hidden But they did not coain His father, too, ih he was far froain for a long time

Of course, Jennie had to hear the whole story of the hold-up from Jack himself, and she sympathized deeply with him

”Oh, it was just terrible!” she exclaiirlish fashi+on ”I just can't bear to think of your lying out there all alone, in the dark, and tied up with ropes!”

”Well, it wasn't exactly a picnic,” Jack adlass!” she went on, as she looked at his hands, one of which she held gently

”Oh, it ht have lain there a while longer, and in that case I probably would not have found the stolen s, for if I had waited there until the rescuers came I'd never have walked down the trail”

”Perhaps it was all for the best,” Jennie adain”

”Same here!” exclaimed Jack ”Now have you the mail ready?”

And then, for a time, it was business

For teeks orthe ain disturbed, and Mr

Perkfeld gave orders that, except in case of great necessity, he should notent heard no news concerning his us letters tried to locate the rich claim was not disclosed

”But the real letters will co some day--any day now--Jack,” the miner said, ”And when they do--”

”When they do no one shall get the He meant it And you shall see how he kept his promise

Several more attempts were made on the part of those anted Jack's place to supplant him as pony express rider But he had e drivers, as well as with Mr Perkfeld, who said Jack could keep on riding the trail until his father was ready to resus occurred, which, like the loose planks in the bridge, Jack felt were designed to make trouble for him But he avoided thee incident The author of that reh Jack had his suspicions

Jake Tantrell continued to sneer at our hero Heto do the work for less money, but his offer was not accepted

Then came an unpleasant season, when the fall rains set in The sun seeotten how to shi+ne, and Jack fairly lived in his poncho, or big rubber riding blanket that went over his head, protecting his

”How's the Ponto river, Jack?” asked his father one day, when the lad had stopped to speak to the invalid ”Is she rising etting pretty high, Dad”

”Look out for the bridge there It isn't any too strong, and itabout that They've strengthened it within these last teeks, and I guess it will hold Still the water is high in the ”

”Is that so? Well, if that goes out the folks down beloill get a wetting”