ord and myself walking and leading the colt,
while Frank drove our horse and buggy.

When we reached the young farmer's place above-mentioned, he came out to
the gate; and after we were several rods past the house, called to the
landlord, who went back.

I noticed that the farmer talked in a very loud tone till the landlord
got close to him, when he then spoke very low.

Just then Frank came driving up, when I said:

"There's something in the wind. I'll bet that farmer has talked with
some one since we went up there, who has told him about the patent-right
deal."

I then explained the actions of the farmer. Frank said it did look a
little suspicious, but thought it might possibly be a mistake. As a
matter of caution Frank drove on to the hotel, where he unhitched the
horse, and prepared to start on horseback as soon as we arrived with
the colt, which I was to ride.

[Illustration: A FOUR MILE CHASE.--PAGE 234.]

As soon as the landlord returned to where I was, he showed considerable
anxiety and nervousness, which convinced me more than ever that I was
correct in my surmises.

He talked but little, on our way to the hotel. When we arrived there his
wife came out and had a private talk with him, I then said:

"Well, landlord, we will allow you one dollar for the carriage repairs
and you can have it done yourself."

At that I reached out for the halter-strap, to take possession of the
colt.

"Well, see here," said he, excitedly, "there is something wrong. Two men
have been here looking for you."

"Where are they?" I asked.

"Well," said he, "they have no doubt gone one mile too far west, in
trying to get to my father's farm, and have missed us."

I stepped to the middle of the road, and looking west, saw in the
distance a team with two men coming. I called for Frank to hitch up
again, at once, fully realizing the uselessness of trying to take the
colt and leave the buggy, and that there was no time to argue or
explain matters to the satisfaction of the landlord.

When I had paid our hotel bill, and gotten the valise containing our
_shirts_--(which we clung to with a bull-dog tenacity, owing to our late
shirtless experience)--I hurried to the barn, where I found Frank had
the horse between the shafts, and we hitched him up in a space of time
that would have done credit to an expert Fire-engine Company.

Only one side of the shafts was supported by the harness, and we did not
stop to fasten the hold-back