I can manage him," cried Tom. "But we have got to locate
him first."

Those in pursuit of the horse had to travel the best part of a mile
before they came in sight of the animal, quietly grazing by the roadside.

"Looks as meek as a lamb," observed Fred. "Whoa, there!" he called out.

At the call, the horse pricked up his ears and looked at them curiously.
Then he took half a dozen steps forward.

"He is going to run away again!" came in a warning from Songbird.

"Not to-day!" sang out Tom, and riding forward, he leaned over and
caught the dangling reins. Then, watching his chance, he leaped into
the other saddle.

Scarcely had he done this, than the runaway steed began to prance,
and kicked up his heels as before. But Tom was on guard, and try his
best, the horse could not dislodge the boy.

"Beware, Tom!" cried Sam. "Don't let him throw you, or he may step
on you!"

"I don't intend to let him throw me!" was the panting answer.

Finding he could not throw Tom, the horse adopted new tactics. He
gave a sudden bound forward and was off with the speed of the wind.

"He is running away with Tom!"

On and on went the steed, and Tom did his best to pull him in, but
without result. Then the fun-loving youth smiled grimly and shut his
teeth hard.

"All right, Old Fireworks, if you want to run, I'll give you all you
want of it," he murmured.

On and on they flew, until a bend in the road shut off the others
from view. A mile was covered, and the horse showed signs of slackening
his speed.

"No, you don't," said Tom. "You wanted to run, now keep it up for a
while," and he slapped the animal vigorously.

Away went the horse, and another quarter of a mile was passed. Then
the horse slackened up once more.

"Another run, please," said Tom, and slapped him as before. The horse
went on, but at a reduced speed, and came to a halt before another
quarter mile was passed.

"Had about enough, eh?" questioned Tom. "Well, you can run a little
more, just for good measure."

By the time the next run came to an end, the horse was covered with
foam and tired out, for the road was very rough. Tom now turned him
back and made him journey along at a fairly good rate of speed.

"Well, I declare, here comes Tom back!" cried Fred on catching sight
of the fun-loving Rover. "Are you hurt?"

"Not a bit."

"And the horse?" asked Sam.

"As meek as a lamb--shouldn't wish for a better animal. He wanted a
little run, that's all,