Part 14 (1/2)
Jack laughed, and started to go through the buckwheat He had got about half-hen a hen rose a few feet fro on the wing; and it issuddenly, at rando But good luck made up for what he lacked in skill; and at his fire the hen dropped fluttering in the grass that bordered the buckwheat
[Illustration: SHOT ON THE WING]
”I'll pick her up!” cried Link; and he ran to do so; while Wad carried Jack the powder and shot for another load
”But I ought not to use up your auess you can afford to,” replied Wad ”It was ht withenough to try another shot; and, the piece reloaded, he resumed his tramp
He had nearly reached the fence, when a bird rose between it and hiun to his shoulder, and was about to pull the trigger, when he relance over the fence
Doent the gun, and Jack stood astonished, the bird forgotten, and his eyes fixed on an object beyond
What Wad said of their neighbor having brought out a new horse froether hat the captain of the Heron said of one of Peakslow's span being a light roan, rushed through his thoughts He ran up to the fence, and looked eagerly over; then gave a shout of joy
After all his futile efforts to find hi hand-bills,--there was the lost horse, the veritable Snowfoot, grazing quietly in the amiable Mr Peakslow's pasture!
CHAPTER XIV
SNOWFOOT'S NEW OWNER
Jack left the gun standing by the fence, leaped over, gave a familiar whistle, and called, ”Come, Snowfoot! Co' jock! co' jock!”
There were two horses feeding in the pasture, not far apart But only one heeded the call, lifted head, pricked up ears, and answered with a whinny It was the lost Snowfoot, giving unnition, as he advanced tomaster
Jack threw his ared and patted and I don't know but kissed him; while the Betterson boys went up to the fence and looked wonderingly over
In a little while, as they did not venture to go to him, Jack led Snowfoot by the forelock up to the rails, which they had climbed for a better view
”Is he your horse?” they kept calling to him
”Don't you see?” replied Jack, when he had coh to show the white feet and the scars; and his face glea know each other!”
It was not a Betterson, but a Peakslow style of fence, and Lion could not leap it; but the two aninition, between the rails
”I never expected such luck!” said Jack ”I've not only found my horse, but I've saved the reward offered”
”You haven't got hi to say about that”
”What he says won't make much difference I've only to prove property, and take possession A stolen horse is the owner's, wherever he finds him But of course I'll act in a fair and open way in the o and talk with Peakslow, and if he's a reasonable man--”
”Reasonable!” interrupted Wad ”He holds a sixpence so near to his eye, that it looks bigger to him than all the rest of the world; he can't see reason, nor anything else”
”I'll o and introduce me?”
”You'd better not have one of our fa out of Dud Peakslow!” said Rufe ”We'll wait here”