“It was not a very pleasant surprise to him, Mr. Brush.”
“I didn’t mean it should be when I saw that scoundrel bendin’ over you, and tryin’ to tie your hands and feet. I tell you I felt riled.”
“He thought you were completely in his power, but rascals sometimes do get mistaken, thank the Lord!”
“Yes, I found that was the only way I could overtake you. I followed the stage, a good way behind, but it wasn’t long before I began to gain upon it. I didn’t expect you would get out of the stage, and when I saw you and Dobson alone in this wood, I was surprised.”
“Mr. Burnett”--this name came more natural to Tom--“complained that his limbs ached from riding, and he asked me to get out and walk with him. I suspected nothing. I thought him a rich man, and didn’t think he’d try to rob me of the little money I had with me.”
“Of course you didn’t. Has he paid you any wages?”
“No; the week wasn’t up. He offered to pay me a week in advance.”
“So he might, as he meant to take it from you again.”
“I didn’t think of that,” said Tom, laughing.
“It didn’t take me more’n fifteen minutes to find a horse and buy it,” said Mr. Brush, proceeding with his story. “I didn’t have time to examine it, and find whether it was sound, but I guess I got a good bargain. Anyhow it’s worth sixty dollars, and that’s what I paid for it. And now, Tom, that I’ve told my story, what do you say to hitchin’ horses?”
“I haven’t any horse to hitch, Mr. Brush.”
“I mean,” he explained, “that we might as well go along together, now that you’ve got rid of that swindler.”
“With all my heart, Mr. Brush. I shall be glad of your company.”
“I ain’t goin’ to engage you as my secretary, for I wouldn’t know what to do with one if I had him. I can’t pay you twelve dollars a week, but if your money gives out I won’t see you suffer.”
“There’s one thing in the way, Mr. Brush,” said Tom, “I can’t keep up with your horse.”
“I’ll buy you one, Tom, at the next haltin’ place.”
“No need of that, Mr. Brush; I’ll buy one myself.”
“Then I’ll pick one out for you. I’ll see you don’t get cheated. Now, my lad, it’s gettin’ dark, and we’d better push on. You get on the horse, and I’ll trudge alongside.”
Tom consented to ride a part of the time. But it was ten o’clock, so bad were the roads, before they reached the frontier village, and secured an humble lodging for the night.