companions.

He lay awake for hours, but dropped into a kind of doze towards
morning. He rose early and moved very quietly, fearful of disturbing
Jeff and Lem after their night's carousal. He went to water the
horses, and to his surprise found one had disappeared.

It had evidently dragged its picket-rope from the pegs that secured it,
doubtless frightened by the noise in camp the previous night. It was
the horse that had been led behind the waggon on account of its sore
shoulder, and it probably was fresher than the other three horses and
more likely to run away. It was not shod, and unfortunately had made
no impression on the short, dry herbage, to show Jack which way it had
gone. He wandered away a short distance from the camp looking for the
fugitive, but, unable to see anything of it, he returned, and began to
prepare breakfast.

Just as it was ready Lem roused up, and came grumbling towards the
fire. Jack deemed it wiser not to speak to him, as he looked very
cross indeed, and the boy could not help wishing his friend Jeff would
also wake up, as he always felt safer in his presence.

They silently ate their breakfast, until Lem, looking over towards the
group of horses, asked suddenly:

'Where's Nigger?'

'He was right enough when I went to bed last night,' returned Jack,
'but I found him gone this mornin'. I expect he dragged his
picket-rope and got away.'

Lem darted an angry look at the boy. 'I believe you loosed him
yoursel',' he exclaimed furiously, 'to pay Jeff and me out for goin'
for a bit of a spree into the village!'

'I didn't,' cried Jack indignantly; 'I wouldn't do such a mean trick
nohow.'

'I don't believe you, there!' declared Lem insultingly. 'I can't abide
kids, an' I wouldn't trust one of 'em anywhere. I was mad when I heard
as Jeff was bent on bringin' you along with us.'

In vain Jack protested he knew nothing about the horse's escape. Lem's
temper was bad from the effects of his drinking bout, and as ill-luck
would have it, the boy was the victim of it.

'Look here, kid,' he said sternly, 'it was your business to see to them
creatures when we were gone away, an' I guess you'll skip out an' find
that there Nigger as quick as you can. Not a step on with us do you
go, till he's brought back again!'

[Illustration: '"YOU'D BETTER NOT COME BACK WITHOUT THE HORSE."']

'I've looked all round the camp this mornin',' said Jack dolefully,
'but I haven't seen no tracks of h