hen another's is in danger. I ain't sure but I'd rather my frind, Pat
Murphy, would break his neck than mysilf. It's human natur to think of
your silf first, and Master Jasper is got his shere of human natur' I'm
thinkin'!"

Time passed, and still John, as he kept about his work, could not keep
his thoughts off the adventurous youth who had ridden Bucephalus.

From time to time he went outside the stable, and shading his eyes with
his hand, looked up the road, but still nothing was to be seen of
either of the boys.

"If he can manage the ugly baste, he knows how to ride, that's sure,"
said John to himself. "I wish I was certain of that same, I do, by St.
Patrick."

"What are you looking at, John?" asked a voice, near at hand.

John turned suddenly, and perceived that it was Mr. Grey who spoke.

"I was lookin' to see if the boys was comin' back," said John.

"They'll come back in due time. You needn't leave off your work for
that."

"I wish I knowed that, sir."

"Knowed what?" repeated his employer.

"That the young man--Mr. Gilbert--would come back safe."

"Why shouldn't he come back?" inquired James Grey.

"He rode on Bucephalus, sir."

"Suppose he did?"

"I'm afraid the ugly baste will do him some harm."

"I am not afraid. Bucephalus is a spirited horse, I am aware, but he is
used to riding, and doubtless can manage him."

"So is Mr. Jasper used to riding, but you couldn't hire him to ride
Bucephalus."

"He has a horse of his own," said Mr. Grey, impatiently, not liking
John's pertinacity. "Of course he prefers to ride on his own horse."

"Would you ride him yourself, sir?" asked John, shrewdly.

"I have had enough of this," said Mr. Grey, sternly. "It is a good
rule, John, to mind your own business, and I am forced to remind you of
it. Go into the stable, and continue your work. I did not know Gilbert
was going to ride Bucephalus, but as he has chosen to do it, I do not
feel in the least anxious. I have no doubt he will come back safe."

"There he comes, begorra," exclaimed John, suddenly, swinging his hat
in joyous excitement, "alive and kickin', sure, and the ugly brute as
make and quiet as a lamb, too."

"Where?" asked Mr. Grey, sharing John's excitement, but feeling a
wicked disappointment in the failure of his evil plans.

"Don't you see him, sir? He's jist at the turnin'. Shure he looks like
he had mastered the horse, as bowld as a hero."

It was as John had said. Side by side at a