CHAPTER III
THE GOLD MINER
"Shall we let him help us?" asked Will, in a low tone, of his brother.
"I guess so. I don't see why we shouldn't. He was kind enough to tell us about the horse."
"I know; but he seems like a queer character."
"Oh, I guess he's all right. He said he was from out West, and the folks there are a little different from those in this part of the country. We'll wait for him."
The boys, who had started off at a fast pace, on hearing where their horse was, now slackened their gait, to allow the man to catch up to them.
"You seem to be in pretty much of a hurry, boys," remarked the stranger.
"Well, it means quite a loss to us if that horse gets away," replied Jed. "We were cultivating corn, my brother and I, and Pete took a notion he wanted a vacation. We're afraid he'll get hurt, or stolen, and we only have one other horse."
"Where might you boys live?"