As the first strains fell on his ears, Cook started, and regarding Chip with questioning eyes, inquired:
"Who are you fellows anyway; can't you let peaceable travelers alone without shooting their horses?"
"Oh! you were peaceable travelers, were you? Well, now, that's strange, we took you to be some horse thieves that have been skurrying around these parts lately."
"Do you think I look like a horse-thief?" indignantly.
"Is that your own horse?"
"Not exactly. I hired—"
"Ah! yes, you hired it—they all say that—you hired it some time ago and have forgotten to pay the bill—"
"Well, I didn't either, I hired it for a week, and—"
"Really, Mr. Cook, you were going to make quite a visit—"
"My name ain't Cook."