'd have a cat fit if he knew you were after him, I'll wager," the boy
answered, nettled by the man's sarcasm. "Suppose I do ride on and let him
know."

John leaned back and slapped his horse's flank. The animal, scarcely more
than a colt, sprang forward at great speed. At the same time the young
rider raised up on his knees, then on his feet and keeping his balance
with seeming ease, standing nearly erect, the horse running its fastest,
he held the reins in one hand, waved his hat in the other, and again
yelled like an Indian.

"That young dare-devil will kill himself one of these days," said the
blacksmith. "That colt of Captain Bowen's is likely to take it into her
head to bring up short at any minute. Better call him back, Kingdom."

Ree had no fear that his friend could not take care of himself, but in
answer to the suggestion, he gave a shrill, peculiar whistle which made
the woodland ring. Like a shot John dropped to a sitting posture as he
heard the call, and in another minute Ree had ridden up beside him.
Before either could speak, a black object loomed up in the narrow road
and they had barely time to rein their horses in before they were upon
it, the animals leaping sidewise to avoid a collision.

"Big Pete's wagon, sure as shooting! It's broken down!" ejaculated Ree.

"Scotland! Where would I have landed if I had been standing up and this
colt had run into it?" John exclaimed. As he spoke the others of their
party came up.

"Here's the wagon, but Pete and the horses are gone," called Ree. "He
can't be far ahead."

"There's no telling. Hurry on," answered the constable who had hastily
sprung off his horse to examine the wreck. "Here are the harnesses, but
Pete is trying to get away with both horses. Keep your wits about you,
boys, there is likely to be some shooting!"

Ree had been the first to start forward, and was one hundred yards in
advance of the others when his quick eye detected the dim outlines of a
man on horseback in the shadow of a low branching oak just before him at
the roadside. He recognized the huge figure of Big Pete and without a
word guided his horse straight toward the fellow. The criminal saw him
and with a yell started off.

Ree's horse with a splendid bound cleared the ditch beside the highway,
and in another moment the boy had seized the bridle of the horse Big Pete
was leading, just as the fellow was getting the animal he bestrode under
rapid way for a race for his liberty.