mforts for wife and
young uns in the wagon; but I thought I'd lug along suthin, or they
wouldn't be glad to see me."

"Is it all right about the horse?"

"I 'low it's all right."

"Is Peakslow up to any trick?"

"Nary, as I kin diskiver; and I pumped him, tew, right smart, a-comin'
over the perairie."

"Did he have much trouble getting back his horse?"

"Not sich a dog-goned sight. Truckman's a straightfor'ard, honest chap.
Says he guv eighty dollars for your hoss; thinks he had him of the thief
himself; and 'lows he knows the rascal. He stuck out a little at fust,
and you should 'a' heard Peakslow talk tew him! 'Twas ekal to gwine to
preachin'."

"What did he say?"

"Said none but a fool or a scoundrel would ca'c'late he could hang ontew
a piece o' prop'ty that had been stole, or traded for what had been
stole. Talked, of course, just t' other way from what he did when he
talked to you. Truckman didn't mind his gab, but when he was satisfied
the hoss he put away had been stole, he guv up Peakslow's, and the
fifteen dollars to boot. Now, how in the name of seven kingdoms
Peakslow's gwine to turn it about to make anything more, beats all my
understandin'!"

Jack thanked the old man warmly for the interest he had taken in the
affair, and asked how he could pay him for his trouble.

"I haven't looked for no pay," replied the old man. "But one thing I
should like to have ye dew for me, if ever ye come my way agin with yer
compass. My woman guv me right smart of her jaw for forgittin' it when
ye was thar before. She wants a noon-mark on our kitchen floor."

"All right," said Jack. "She shall have it."

The old man went on with his bundles, while Jack entered Peakslow's
yard.

Peakslow, who was unharnessing his team, with the help of two stout
boys, looked up and said, in a tone which he meant should be
friendly,----

"How are ye? On hand, I see," with a grim smile at the bridle.

"I was on hand a little before you were," replied Jack. "Your week was
up an hour ago. Though I don't care about that. You've got your horse, I
see."

"That's the main thing I went for; course I've got him. Here's a paper,
with the truckman's name wrote on 't; he wants you to come and see him
when you go to town, pervided he don't come to see you fust."

"Did he say anything about a bridle and a blanket that were on the horse
when he was stolen?"

"He's got 'em," Peakslow coolly replied; "but as no reward was offered
for an