course of ten minutes or so they again
overtook Jack.

"Mr Deane," said Pearson, "I have fortunately met a friend who knows
the country well, and will prove a good guide to you. He is willing to
return south, that I may ride to the north and make the arrangements
which you were to have done with our friend Jock McKillock, for the
purchase of the cattle. There is no time to be lost, and I assure you
that you may trust my friend as you would me."

Without any further remark, Pearson shook Jack by the hand, and,
wheeling round his horse, galloped away to the north, while the stranger
rode on alongside Jack. As Jack glanced at his companion, it struck him
that he had seen him before, but where, or under what circumstances, he
in vain attempted to discover. He was a strongly-built, active-looking
man, considerably younger than Pearson, with a determined look and
expression in his countenance which Jack did not altogether like. He
did not seem either much inclined for conversation, and answered briefly
all the questions which Deane put to him.

"I think we have met before," said Jack.

"It's very likely," was the reply; "but you have the advantage of me, if
you know where it was, for I see so many people in the course of a day,
that it would be a difficult matter for me to recollect those I have met
once in a way. I will give you a useful piece of advice, however:
remember, the fewer questions you ask, the less likely you will be to
have falsehoods told you. You have a long ride before you, and you will
be wiser if you save your breath, instead of wasting it in talking."

It is hopeless to enter into conversation with one who is determined not
to speak. Jack found this to be the case, his companion generally only
answering in monosyllables to all the remarks he made.

When, at length, they stopped at nightfall at a farm-house, similar to
those which Pearson had selected on their way north, his companion
pursued the same system, exchanging only a few words with the people of
the house, and scarcely speaking to him all the evening. As Pearson had
done, he visited the stables several times to see that the horses were
well cared for, evidently considering it as important as did his friend,
that they should be in a fit condition for a hard gallop. They
travelled, indeed, a couple of days before Jack discovered the name of
his companion. He at length heard him spoken to as Master Burdale.

"Yes, that's my name," h