Part 19 (2/2)
”Thanks!” Jack exclaimed ”Now the question is about the shoe Is it so loose that I can't go on?”
”It is a bit loose,” the man said ”But I can fix that for you I carry a spare shoe or two e But I've got a haood bit, and o prepared I'll have this one tightened up in a jiffy”
Jack watched Ryan interestedly The man seemed very capable, and it is often the custoe riders to carry with them spare shoes, nails and a hammer, to reset a shoe of their mounts when far from a blacksht as necessary, and Jack could again ed to you,” he said to Ryan ”It was quite a job, wasn't it?”
”Well, yes Not so hard as soh But it's a warm day, and I think after that we're entitled to a little refreshment What do you say?”
For a moment Jack did not understand
”Refreshment,” he repeated ”There's no place around here where you can get anything to eat No places short of going back to Tuckerton And I'ry? Shucks, no! I' to eat Ito drink”
”Oh,” said Jack, and a queer sort of feeling came over him ”Well, there's no ice cream soda place around here, either,” and he s about a man's drink! And I don't need any one to wait on ency,” and he laughed in what he evidently meant to be taken as a friendly fashi+on
”Here, have a s a pocket flask ”It's stuff I can reco over that shoe Coh there's plenty in that bottle, and more where that came from”
He held out a dark flask to Jack
Jack backed away and shook his head
”No, thank you,” he said, fir surprise ”You don't drink?”
”No,” Jack replied ”It wouldn't do in my business, you know Besides, I wouldn't drink anyhow”
”Oh, shucks! Just one wouldn't hurt you, and there's no one to know Your boss won't find it out, for I won't tell After going through what you have you need a drink”
”Perhaps I do,” said Jack with a s the perspiration from his forehead, ”but I don't want that kind of a drink There's a spring just a few steps on, and it's the coldest and best water for ive the pony some, too Your horse would appreciate it, I think”
”Huht for horses, but I don't care for it,” was the so answer ”Then you won't drink with me, Jack Bailey?”
”No, thank you I'll join you in a tin dipper of spring water, but that's all”
”Well, if you won't you won't, I suppose,” the man said, slowly ”Everybody to their notion I don't take oes”
Jack did not stay to see what the er The pony showed no trace of lalad, as he had a hard ride ahead of hi Sunger get soalloping horse, and looked up in surprise