“Wa’al, ye can’t have ’em.”
“What right have you to retain books belonging to Dan?” asked the blacksmith.
“I’ll keep ’em t’ make up fer all th’ trouble he made me. I may have t’ pay damages fer what th’ bull done, an’ it was his fault.”
“It was not!” exclaimed Dan.
“Hush! Never mind,” advised Mr. Harrison. “Don’t dispute with him now, Dan,” he added in a whisper. “I’ll find a way to get the books.”
Mr. Savage left the courtroom, with a leer on his hard looking face. He felt that he had the best of Dan, though he was somewhat put out that the boy was not coming back with him. It meant that the old farmer would have to do more work himself, and he knew his wife would miss Dan around the house.
“I can’t thank you enough for all you did for me, Mr. Harrison,” said the boy, as he and his friend went out of the Justice’s room, part of the crowd following them.
“Then don’t try, Dan. I only did my duty by you. I am glad I had the opportunity of going on your bond. I could not have done it a week ago.”
“And have you really fallen heir to ten thousand dollars?”
“Yes, strange as it may seem, I have. I was the most surprised man in the world when the lawyer sent me the papers, and the deeds to the property, which is located in the northern part of this township.”