re the
provisions? We may as well sit down and lunch."

"Jest as you say, Joe. I most generally have an appetite."

There was a mountain spring within a stone's throw. Joshua took a
tin pail and brought some of the sparkling beverage, which he offered
first to Hogan.

Hogan drank greedily. His throat was parched and dry, and he needed
it.

He drew a deep breath of relief.

"I feel better," said he. "I was in search of a spring when that
cursed beast spied me and gave me chase."

They sat down under the shade of a large tree and lunched.

"What sort of luck have you had since you tried to break into my
restaurant, Mr. Hogan?" asked Joe.

Hogan changed color. The question was an awkward one.

"Who told you I tried to enter your restaurant?" he asked.

"The man you brought there."

"That wasn't creditable of you, Hogan," said Joshua, with his mouth
full. "After my friend Joe had given you a supper and promised you
breakfast, it was unkind to try to rob him. Don't you think so
yourself?"

"I couldn't help it," said Hogan, who had rapidly decided on his
defense.

"Couldn't help it?" said Joe in a tone of inquiry. "That's rather a
strange statement."

"It's true," said Hogan. "The man forced me to do it."

"How was that?"

"He saw me comin' out of the restaurant a little while before, and
when he met me, after trying to rob me and finding that it didn't
pay, he asked me if I was a friend of yours. I told him I was. Then
he began to ask if you slept there at night and if anybody was with
you. I didn't want to answer, but he held a pistol at my head and
forced me to. Then he made me go with him. I offered to get in,
thinking I could whisper in your ear and warn you, but he wouldn't
let me. He stationed me at the window and got in himself. You know
what followed. As soon as I saw you were too strong for him I ran
away, fearing that he might try to implicate me in the attempt at
robbery."

Hogan recited this story very glibly and in a very plausible manner.

"Mr. Hogan," said Joe, "if I didn't know you so thoroughly, I might
be disposed to put confidence in your statements. As it is, I regret
to say I don't believe you."

"Hogan," said Joshua, "I think you're one of the fust romancers of
the age. If I ever start a story-paper I'll engage you to write for
me."

"I am sorry you do me so much injustice, gentlemen," said Hogan, with
an air of suffering innocence. "I'm the victim of ci