g
time. It's hard luck," he groaned.

The loss was fortunate for Fred and Otto who would otherwise have found
it hard to keep up with the dwarf.

Caesar breathed a deep sigh, and then started on his wearisome journey.
Had the ground been even it would have troubled him less, but there was
a steep upward grade, and his short legs were soon weary. Not so with
his pursuers, both of whom were long limbed and athletic.

We will go back now to the cave and the captors of Rodney. They waited
long and impatiently for the return of their messenger. Having no
knowledge of the loss of the horse, they could not understand what
detained Caesar.

"Do you think the rascal has played us false?" said Roderick.

"He would be afraid to."

"This man Pettigrew might try to bribe him. It would be cheaper than to
pay five thousand dollars."

"He wouldn't dare. He knows what would happen to him," said John grimly.

"Then why should he be so long?"

"That I can't tell."

"Suppose we go out to meet him. I begin to feel anxious lest we have
trusted him too far."

"I am with you!"

The two outlaws took the path which led to Oreville, and walked two
miles before they discovered Caesar coming towards them at a slow and
melancholy gait.

"There he is, and on foot! What does it mean?"

"He will tell us."

"Here now, you black imp! where is the horse?" demanded Roderick.

"I done lost him, massa."

"Lost him? You'll get a flogging for this, unless you bring good news.
Did you see Jefferson Pettigrew?"

"Yes, massa."

"Did he give you any money?"

"No; he gave me this letter."

Roderick snatched it from his hand, and showed it to John.

"It seems satisfactory," he said. "Now how did you lose the horse?"

Caesar told him.

"You didn't fasten him tight."

"Beg your pardon, massa, but I took good care of that."

"Well, he's gone; was probably stolen. That is unfortunate; however you
may not have been to blame."

Luckily for Caesar the letter which he brought was considered
satisfactory, and this palliated his fault in losing the horse.

The country was so uneven that the two outlaws did not observe that they
were followed, until they came to the entrance of the cave. Then, before
opening the door, John looked round and caught sight of Fred and Otto
eying them from a little distance.

He instantly took alarm.

"Look," he said, "we are followed. Look behind you!"

His brother turned and came to the same conclusion.