"Of course, Mr. Rimmon. But I want to tell you that you are making the greatest mistake of your life."
"That's my lookout. Now go to your homes, every man of you, and when Dix Lewis is wanted I will guarantee he will be on hand, or there will be good reason for his not being there."
Mr. Rimmon had barely finished speaking, when the clatter of a horse's hoofs broke the silence following his words.
The sound came from the road below the crowd, and looking hastily in that direction, one and all saw a riderless horse coming swiftly toward them.
Every one recognized the animal as Fairy, the brown mare so often ridden by the postboy. She was more exhausted than the bay had been, and in addition to the flecks of foam dappling her sides, were clots of blood.
If any evidence of a mishap to Little Snap had been wanting before, it seemed supplied now.
With a cry of anguish the bereaved mother fell in a swoon.
The kind heart of the postmaster was deeply moved by this scene, and he ordered the onlookers to stand back, until she could be restored to consciousness.
"This looks bad for the boy," he said. "Some of you care for the mare and the horse, too. I want half a dozen of you to go with me in search of him as soon as possible."
Mrs. Lewis soon returned to life, when she was taken into the house, and comforted as best she could be, her friends assuring her that everything would be done to find Dix that was possible.