I had a talk with Little. Horses are in great
demand in New York, and I want an intelligent man who can hurry the
drove through to Harrisburg, where I'll meet them. If we get them to New
York in advance of the other dealers, we should make a profit of one
hundred dollars a head on every good horse. You will have two other men
with you, but I will put you in charge. Don't speak of the five hundred
dollars you're to have; the others are to receive only fifty dollars
each."

The truth is, Billy had contributed four hundred dollars of the sum Dic
was to receive, and four hundred dollars was one-tenth of all Billy's
worldly goods.

Dic completed his arrangements with Sampson, which included the
privilege of taking twenty horses on his own account, and then, as
usual, went to see Billy Little.

"Well, Billy Little," said Dic, joyfully, "I'm going. I've closed with
Sampson. He gives me five hundred dollars, and allows me to take twenty
horses of my own. I ought to get fine young horses at twenty-five
dollars a head."

"Sure," answered Billy, "that would amount to--how many have you of your
own?"

"Four," answered Dic.

"Then you'll want to buy sixteen--four hundred dollars. Here is the
money," and he handed him a canvas shot-bag containing the gold.

"Now, Billy Little," said Dic, "I want to give you my note for this
money, bearing the highest rate of interest."

"All right," responded our backwoods usurer, "I'll charge you twelve per
cent. I do love a good interest. There is no Antonio about me. I'll lend
no money gratis and bring down the rate of usance. Not I."

The note signed, Dic looked upon himself as an important factor in the
commercial world, and felt his obligation less because of the high rate
of interest he was paying.

The young man at once began looking for horses, and within three days
had purchased sixteen "beauties," as Billy Little called them, which,
with his own, made up the number he was to take. His adventurous New
York trip raised him greatly in the estimation of Mrs. Bays. It brought
her to realize that he was a man, and it won, in a degree, her reluctant
respect. The ride over the mountains through rain and mud and countless
dangers was an adventure worthy to inspire respect. The return would be
easier than the eastward journey. Dic would return from New York to
Pittsburg by canal boat and stage. From Pittsburg, if the river should
be open, he would go to Madison by the Ohio boats. From M