ything but the hoss, I didn't take 'em."

Jack didn't quite see the logic of this remark.

"Never mind; they are trifles," he said. "It's glory enough for one
while, to get my horse again. I've a bridle here for him; I'll slip it
on, Zeph, if you'll slip yours off."

"You can slip your bridle on that hoss, and take him away, when you've
fulfilled the conditions; not before," said Peakslow.

"What conditions? You don't pretend to claim my horse now you've got
your own back?"

"I've got a claim on him," Peakslow replied. "Here's your own handbill
for it. Twenty Dollars Reward! I've got back your hoss for ye, and I
demand the reward."

This, then, after all, was the quirk in Peakslow's head. The boys
grinned. Jack was astounded.

"Peakslow," he exclaimed indignantly, "you know that's an absurd claim!
You didn't find my horse and deliver him to me; I found him in your
hands, and you even refused to give him up! The truckman has a better
claim for the reward than you have, for he had him first; and then I
don't see but the thief himself has a prior claim to either."

"You talk like a fool!" said Peakslow.

"You _act_ like a fool and a knave!" Jack retorted, in a sudden blaze.
"I won't have any more words with you. Sue for the reward, if you think
you can get it. I'm just going to take my horse!"

"Not till the reward is paid, if I live!" said Peakslow, his black eyes
sparkling. "Zeph, step and hand out the old gun!"

CHAPTER XXII.

THE WOODLAND SPRING.

Very pale, with the bridle dangling from his arm, and Lion walking
dejectedly by his side (the sympathetic dog always knew when his master
was in trouble), Jack returned to the "castle."

Lord Betterson, meeting him in the door-yard, touched his hat and bowed.

"Where--is--your--quadruped?" he asked, with a cool, deliberate
politeness, which fell upon Jack's mood like drops of water on red-hot
steel.

"That villain! he claims the reward for him! But I never'll pay it in
the world!"

Betterson smiled and said, "Ah! Peakslow! Highly characteristic!"

"He threatened to shoot me!"

"Very likely. He has threatened to shoot _me_, on one or two occasions.
I said, 'Shoot!'" (Jack wondered whether he said it with that
condescending smile and gracious gesture.) "It isn't agreeable to have
dealings with a person who talks of shooting his fellow-men; but I
imagine there's no danger, if you keep cool."

"I couldn't keep cool," said Jack. "I got as mad as