en up presently and we have a surprise for you; but do not get too
excited."

The preacher could not imagine what the surprise was, but he had to
possess his soul in patience. He had not to wait long for he presently
heard the sound of wheels. He and Viola stepped out on the piazza.

What did he see? Reader, can you guess? No. He saw Velox. The noble
horse was on the near side of the carriage and Prince on the off side.

Very cried out: "Of all things, if there isn't Velox! George, you
naughty boy, why didn't you tell me? Where did you find him?"

The preacher ran to the splendid creature, proud, sleek and glossy as
ever, and put his arm over his neck, and stroked and patted his face.
"George you must tell me all about the way you succeeded in getting
your horse back to the plantation."

George said: "Hold your horses, pastor, and when we are speeding in the
carriage I will the tale relate."

The six were soon seated in the vehicle. George spoke to the willing
horses and they were off, through the plantation grounds, along the
county road to the river highway up which they were to travel twenty
miles. It was a charming day in June and the road now was in fine
condition. A gentle shower the night before had laid the dust and
brightened the face of nature. The leaves on the stately forest trees
were full grown and in perfection. The river to their right sparkled in
the bright sunlight.

Presently George began his tale for the special benefit of the
preacher, the rest having heard it in more or less detail:

"A few days ago I went down to Paducah to sell a large part of our
abundant hay crop. I went to the big warehouse of Youtsey and Fry on
one of the principal streets and was talking to Mr. Sydney Youtsey on
the sidewalk, when I saw a splendid carriage drawn by two fine bay
horses coming along the street. A Sambo, black as the ace of spades,
was driving with a high sense of his importance; and in fact he handled
the reins and whip like a professional. In the back seat reclined a
portly gentleman, dressed in faultless style, and by his side his wife
of ample proportions, also garbed in the height of fashion.

"While the turnout was some distance away I was sure that the near
horse was Velox. As luck would have it the man in the carriage had some
business with Youtsey and Fry and ordered Sambo to drive up to the
curb. Greatly excited I cried out to Sydney Youtsey: 'That bay on the
left is my Velox.' I hastened to