Part 5 (1/2)
Jack's first thought, after assuring hione, was to run for help to the line of settlerove, where soht be obtained
He knew that the road which Mr Wiggett had described could not beforward, he soon found it Then, stopping to give a last despairing look at the billowy line of prairie over which his horse had disappeared, he started to run through the woods
He had not gone far when he heard a cowbell rattle, and the voice of a boy shouting He paused to take breath and listen; and presently with a crashi+ng of bushes three or four horned cattle carowth, into the open road, followed by a lad without a jacket, with one suspender and a long switch
”Boy,” Jack cried, ”how far is it to the nearest house?”
”Our house is jest down through the woods here,” replied the boy, stopping to stare
”How far is that?”
”Not quite so far as it is to Peakslow's house”
”Where is Peakslow's house?”
”Next house to ours, down the river”
Seeing that this line of questions was not likely to lead to anything very satisfactory, Jack asked,--
”Can I get a horse of anybody in your neighborhood,--a good fast horse to ride?”
The boy whipped a bush with his switch, and replied,--
”There ain't any good horses around here, 'thout 'tis Peakslow's; but one of his has got the spring halt, and t' other's got the blind staggers; and he's too o with 'e”
Jack did not stop to question the probability of a span thus afflicted being driven on so long a journey; but asked if Mr Wiggett had horses
”No--yes I believe his horses are all oxen,” replied the boy; ”not very fast or good to ride either”
Thereupon Jack, losing all patience, cried out,--
”Isn't there a decent nag to be had in this region?”
”Who said there wasn't?” retorted the boy
”Where is there one?”
”We've got one”
”A horse?”
”No; a mare”