Part 19 (1/2)
Jack realized that he would have a good excuse to offer for not getting back to Rainbow Ridge on ti in the , which was still some miles away
”They can't expect me to do two oes lame,” Jack mur where it had beco along very fast,” Jack went on, as he sat down to rest, for the day was hot, and, in spite of being in the shade, he felt the heat very much
”I don't want to loosen your shoe too much, or it will come off, and then I'd be in a worse pickle than ever,” he continued, talking aloud, as he frequently did when on the trail ”And yet if I don't, I can't see how I'et at that stone Well, we'll have another try in a an quietly cropping grass by the wayside when Jack let down the hoof in which the stone was iht on that foot he was all right It hen he walked or galloped with Jack and the sacks ofpressure to bear, that the la express rider busied himself with the task He shook his head over the work, for it seeet the stone out without taking off the shoe, and that wouldback to the blacksular nuisance, having this happen,” said Jack ”But of course I know it isn't your fault, Sunger”
The sound of hoof-beats on the trail caused Jack to look up as he was bending over the shoe He saw riding toward hier The latter drew up his horse, nodded in friendly fashi+on, and re soone laet it out”
”A bad thing in your business, I should judge,” the man went on ”Pony express rider, aren't you?”
That could be told by a glance at the mail sacks
”Yes,” Jack answered, for the man see and Rainbow Ridge”
”Sort of out of your way here, aren't you?”
”Yes I had to ride out to get thenow, and then on to the Ridge That is, I aet this stone out”
”Say, if you don'toff his horse with an ease that showed he was accusto about sot a better hook than the one you're using”
”Well, if you don'tup his bent and aching back ”It seeer patted Sunger, who sniffed at hiainst the er did not do this with every one, either, and Jack felt more interest in the newcomer on that account
”Now, let's see e have here,” the man went on, as he lifted the pony's laht
”Andthe introduction
”Glad to o on with you after I get you fixed up, or, rather, your pony
”Think you can do it?” Jack asked
”Oh yes, I'll soon have this out You al way”
He proved that he knehat he was talking about a few :
”There it is!”
He held up the stone that had caused all the trouble It was of peculiar shape, which accounted for the ed fast