dollars to help out on the trip, and I hope you'll win,
whatever's in the wind."

"When does the train stop?"

"In less than ten minutes."

Jet made his preparations for leaving by removing the coat which one of
the company had contributed for his comfort, but the manager insisted
that he keep it, and when he stepped upon the platform of a small
station while the train continued on, it was with a very decided sense
of loneliness.

His first care was to buy a new hat.

His messenger's cap was too conspicuous, and afforded positive means of
identification in case he met with any one who had read the
advertisement.

Then came the question as to whether he should return by the train at
the expense of his small capital, or walk at the expense of time.

"It ain't certain they stayed in that town after knockin' me down, an'
I stand as good a chance of meetin' 'em on the road as anywhere else,
so I'll tramp it."

After investing twenty cents in crackers and cheese, and consulting
with the station master as to whether it would be advisable for him to
follow the track or the carriage road, Jet set out on his journey.

"Counting ties" was not as easy a job as he had fancied, and after an
hour's steady walking he sat down to rest a short distance from the
road, in the shelter of a shanty which looked as if it might originally
have been intended for a tool-house when that portion of the road was
being built.

He had not yet fully recovered from the effects of the murderous blow,
and the steady traveling tired him to such an extent that it became
necessary to lie down.

The natural result of this indulgence was that he soon fell asleep, and
even the rumbling of the trains as they passed failed to awaken him,
until after some time, when he became aware of a tugging and pulling at
his coat.

Opening his eyes, he saw crouching by his side about as villainous a
looking tramp as one would care to meet.

"What are you up to?" Jet cried angrily, as he attempted to rise to his
feet, but was prevented by the man, who threw one arm around the boy's
body.

"Lay still, sonny, an' nobody shan't hurt you."

"Take your hand out of my pocket!" and Jet cautiously drew up his legs
ready for a sudden dash.

"Now don't get into a fidget; I'm only tryin' to find out if you've got
a license to travel over this 'ere road."

The fellow was now doing his utmost to get at the contents of his
prisoner's pockets, and although the specia