"Now teacher," said Keeler, the prayer over, "you jest set still, an' I'll send Maurice out after your horse."
He glanced around in search of the boy. "Why, bless my soul, he's gone!" he exclaimed. "There's a youngster you'll need to watch close, teacher," he said grimly.
"Well sir, you jest rest easy an' I'll get your horse myself."
CHAPTER IV
THE MESSAGE CROAKER BROUGHT
"Missus Wilson, where's Billy?"
Mrs. Wilson turned to the door, wiped her red face on her apron, and finished emptying a pan of hot cookies into the stone crock, before answering, sternly:
"He's down to the far medder, watchin' the gap, Maurice. Don't you go near him."
"No ma'am, I won't. Jest wondered where he was, that's all."
"I 'low you're tryin' to coax him away fishin' er somethin'."