CHAPTER XVI.

A LONELY NIGHT RIDE.

During this long, anxious night how has it fared with Little Snap? Is the return of Jack without him a good or an evil omen?

Let us see.

His most direct course to Volney was by the post road to Greenbrier, after which he must take a more southerly direction by following the left bank of the Little Kanawha to the Blue Stone River. From this junction he was to ride ten miles within sound of this stream, when he must leave the river road for one leading over the hills to the east.

Though there was no moon, the night was made pleasant by a myriad of stars in the mellow autumn sky, so he rode on with a hopeful heart that he should have no trouble in finding his way.

Not a light was to be seen at Daring's Diamond, but quite unexpectedly a dim blaze shone from Hollow Tree, though he had not supposed the postmaster had had time to get home from Six Roads.

But every moment was of value to him, so he dashed past the lonely place without slackening his pace, until he reached the homely village of Greenbrier.

Even then he was rushing on at the same headlong pace he had followed since leaving home, when suddenly a familiar voice arrested his flight.

"What in the name of George Washington are you riding like that for, Dix Lewis?"

The speaker was a Mr. Renders, whom Little Snap had always considered friendly to him, so he reined in Fairy and quickly explained the object of his long ride.

"I am afraid it will prove a wild-goose ride, Dix, but I wish you success. Say, I'll tell you how I can help you. I have a brother living at the corner of the Blue Stone and Mountain roads, and he has a horse you can get to finish your journey with, and leave yours there to rest till you come back. I think it is about ten miles from my brother's to Volney. A shift of horses will come in mighty handy about that time. Let me write a line to Joe, which will make your chances doubly sure."

Mr. Renders wasn't long in carrying out his intentions, and, thanking him for his kindness, the postboy again urged Fairy on, the trusty Jack keeping beside his mate without attention from his master.

The Little Kanawha road was an extremely lonely one, but being nearly level, Little Snap sped on with unabated speed.

Thus he had swung around a sharp bend in the highway, when he was surprised by a beseeching voice calling out:

"Hold up, mister, a minute! Don't be scart, for I ain't a highwayman, but I want a ride!"

The speaker rose so nearly from the middle of the road that Jack had to shy in order to avoid running over him.

"I can't go no farther, mister! so please have pity on me."

Owing to the thick growth by the roadside, it was too dark for the boy rider to distinguish the features of the stranger. He was a burly framed man, and seemed to be shabbily dressed. He carried a short, heavy stick, whether for a cane or a weapon of defense Little Snap had no time to consider.

"You have a spare horse," continued the other, without giving the postboy opportunity to reply to him. "Let me ride him, and you'll do the greatest favor of your life. It is a case of got to with me, or I would not ask it. I am on my way to see a dying mother, and I have walked till I can't get one foot ahead of the other any longer."

He had caught hold of Jack's rein, for Little Snap had put a bridle on the horse before starting, and he was in the act of climbing into the saddle.

"Hold on, sir!" exclaimed Dix Lewis, sharply. "I do not doubt your honesty——"

"It's a case of must, mister! Let me ride him if for only a mile. He's doing you no good."

"I have got a long journey ahead—so long that I must have him fresh to help me get there. I am sorry to refuse you."

"It's such a small thing I ask of you, and you can do it just as well as not. Think if your mother was dying and you were thirty miles from her, and you should ask a man to let you ride a spare horse he had to see her. I will give you a hundred dollars if you will let me ride ten miles."

Uttered in a pleading, earnest tone, the words touched the postboy's heart.

"Where do you wish to go?"

"To the town of Volney. If you are any acquainted there you may know Marion Calvert. He is my cousin. My name is Atwin, and I live in Frankfort."

"You know Marion Calvert? I am going to see him!"

"You don't say so! Perhaps you are a relation of his?"

"No, sir. I am going to see him on business. Every moment is precious to me, too, for I must get back before morning."

"I am sorry to have bothered you, but it was a case of necessity. You are going to let me ride?"

Little Snap was never so puzzled in his life. While not wishing to refuse the man, he still knew it would jeopardize his chances of getting back to Six Roads in season.

While he hesitated a moment, the stranger moved nearer Jack, and gathering himself to spring into the seat, said:

"I shall never—whoa! Stand still, you brute!"

Jack had begun to step backward, and flinging up his head, broke the man's hold from the bridle.

Then uttering a snort, Jack darted forward to Little Snap's side.

"What sort of a confounded hoss have you got here?" cried the unknown, again seizing the bridle, this time leaping nimbly into the saddle.

"What is the trouble, Jack, old boy?" asked his master, wondering at the creature's singular and unusual action.

No sooner had the stranger gained the seat than the horse sprang abruptly to one side, and rearing into the air, sent the man flying heels over head into the bushes by the roadside.

All of this was done so suddenly that Little Snap had not found time to express his amazement.

As if impelled by a newborn fear, Jack bounded up the road, with a whinny of terror.

"Hi, there! help—quick—he'll get away from me!" cried the man, staggering to his feet and bursting through the bushes into the road.

Though startled by this unexpected turn in affairs, the postboy had presence of mind enough to see that the stranger was no longer a supplicant for favors, but that a fierce determination to gain his ends was apparent on his features and in his voice.

He started to catch hold of Fairy's bridle, but with a snort of defiance the creature threw back her head, and Little Snap, reading the other's purpose, touched her smartly with the spur.

At that moment the tramp of feet came from the growth, and the burly figures of three or four men sprang into sight.