“Excuse me, but I would prefer getting to High Bridge. I am wet to the skin, and I want to change my clothes.”
“That’s all right, young fellow. We’ve got a fire inside, and you can dry yourself there just as well as not.”
“But my horse——”
“I’ll take care of the horse. I’ve got a shed a bit back of those bushes. Come on in; what are you afraid of?”
Thus urged, Matt sprang from the wagon seat to the ground. As he did so he noted a look of satisfaction gleam upon the man’s dirty face, and he saw the fellow wave his hand toward the shanty’s one window. He turned swiftly in the direction, and was in time to see two equally repulsive heads dodge aside out of sight.
Only for a second did the young auctioneer hesitate. Then something warned him to beware of danger, and he turned again to the wagon and placed one foot upon the shaft step.
“Hi! what are you going to do?” cried the man, in surprise.
“I guess I won’t stop,” returned the boy. “That storm does not seem to be quite over, and I do not wish to catch a second dose.”
“But you will stop, sonny!” exclaimed the man, with a sudden change of manner. “Hi, Jake! Baldy! Come out here and help me manage this young fellow!” he went on, in a louder tone.