Part 13 (2/2)
”Come on!” whispered Saul Mangle, with a scowl, and like magic the trio of villains turned about and disappeared down a side trail, leaving poor exhausted Allen safe in friendly hands at last.
”By the gra.s.shoppers of Kansas, but ye look f.a.gged out, Allen!”
exclaimed old Ike Watson as he sprang down and caught Allen in his arms.
”What's the matter with ye, boy?”
”I've had an awful experience, Ike,” replied the young ranchman as soon as he could recover sufficiently to speak. ”I've been underground several miles, and I haven't had a mouthful to eat since yesterday morning!”
”Gee shoo, Allen! Wall! wall! wall! If I didn't know ye so well I'd be apt ter think ye war tellin' me a fairy tale. But I allow as how Granville Winthrop's son couldn't lie if he tried.”
”I speak the truth, Ike. But where are those villains?”
”Gone, boy, gone. They knowed better nor to stay whar Ike Watson was, ho! ho!”
”They are horse thieves, and ought to be locked up.”
”Thet Saul Mangle ought to be strung up, ye mean. And Darry Nodley and that c.o.o.n, Jeff Jones, ain't much better. But they are gone now.”
”Well, I have Paul's horse and Chet's, too, anyway,” returned Allen, with a slight smile of satisfaction.
”Whar's your own horse?”
”Dead, I reckon. We went off the Upas Pa.s.s bridge together into the river, and I suppose she was drowned. Poor Lilly!”
”Off the bridge! Gee shoo! Then ye war carried down the Black Rock River?”
”Yes!” Allen gave a shudder. ”It was fearful, Ike. But come, let us get to the ranch, and I can tell my story to all at once!”
”That's the best way, sure. But down that air stream! Great snakes and turkey buzzards!”
”I know it hardly can be believed, but that is not the worst or most wonderful part of it. But come; I am nearly famished.”
”Here's a bite I have in my pouch; eat that,” returned Ike Watson, and he pa.s.sed over some crackers and meat which Allen devoured with keen relish.
CHAPTER XII.
The Boys Talk It over
Allen and Ike Watson were soon on the way back to the ranch. Fortunately Ike Watson knew every foot of the ground, and led by the most direct route.
As the reader knows, Paul and Chet heard them approaching and received their elder brother with open arms.
”You look like a ghost!” declared Chet, starting back on catching sight of Allen's pale face.
”And I feel like a shadow,” responded Allen with a weary laugh. ”But a good dinner and a nap will make me as bright as a dollar again.”
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