int a little,
if I had to."

"Too late now to dream of heading off Colon, who has kept on the jump
right along, while we took things easy. But I always like to be with
you, Fred. You're a cheery sort of a feller, you know; and I feel better
every time I chat with you."

Poor Fred,--who was secretly nursing deep anxiety to his heart, not
willing to confide in even his best friends, lest in some way Squire
Lemington get wind of the fact that they had heard from Hiram
Masterson,--winced, and then smiled. Well, if he could put on a
cheerful front, in spite of all that tried to weigh his spirits down, so
much the better.

"We must turn at the crossroads, Bristles," he remarked. "The course
heads into the northwest from there, up to Afton's pond; then due east
two miles to Watch Hill; where we turn again and follow the turnpike
home again."

"Oh! I guess I can stand for it, if you keep me company all the way,
Fred; though I never was built for a runner, I reckon. But listen to all
that shouting; would you? Some feller is excited, it sounds like. There,
just what I expected was the matter; there's a horse taken the bit
between his teeth, and is running away. I can see a boy sprinting after
him, and that's his voice we get. Now, I wonder what it's up to us to
do; step aside and let the runaway nag pass by; or try something to stop
him? What say, Fred; can we block the road, and make him hold up,
without taking too much risk?"

CHAPTER II

A STRANGE SOUND FROM A WELL

"Hi! there! Stop that horse! Head him off!"

The excited boy who was chasing wildly along in the rear of the runaway
shouted these words as he waved his arms to the two lads coming so
suddenly on the scene.

"Why, it's Gabe Larkins, as sure as you live!" ejaculated Bristles,
recognizing the boy who drove the butcher's cart, and who had been
concerned in the affair of Miss Muster's vanishing opals.

"Never mind who the boy is!" Fred called out; "if we want to head that
runaway off we've got to be moving. Stand over there, wave your arms and
shout 'Whoa!' as loud as you can. I'll try to cover this side of the
road and do the same. The beast has just taken a notion to bolt home,
that's all, and isn't badly frightened. We may be able to stop him right
here."

"How far do we go, Fred?" cried Bristles, who was always ready and
willing to do his share of any exciting business.

"Be careful, and keep ready to jump aside if he refuses to let up on h