“I’ll have to duck over to the canteen and get out some of the horse medicine and then run him around until he gets over the effects of the green apples,” replied the cavalry captain. “No water for you, Squall old boy, until you have lost the effects of your unexpected meal.”
While Jim was looking after the horse the others walked over to the tents, talking the matter over. All of them were deeply upset by the total unjustness of it all.
“Just because Jim slipped on the springboard and made a dive like Rowen’s!” said Vench. “I can’t understand some fellows.”
“Well, I’ll tell you,” replied Don, slowly. “For a long time Rowen has had a grouch against all of us; for no particular reason at all. He’s the kind of boy who just seems to have trouble wherever he goes.”
It was not until they were preparing for bed that evening that the three boys had an opportunity to further discuss the afternoon’s incident.
“Is your horse OK?” Terry asked, kicking off his shoes.
“Yes,” Jim answered. “As long as he didn’t get a big drink of water he—Oh, golly!”
“What’s the matter?” the other two asked, aroused at the dismay in Jim’s tone.
“I’ve lost my belt,” Jim returned. “I had it on when I went to the corral, and I guess I must have dropped it there. I’ll have to go back and find it.”
“You’ve got to have it for inspection tomorrow,” said Don. “Wait a shake, and I’ll go back with you.”