"Marion Calvert, as I live!" exclaimed Jason Warfield.
Little Snap had already seen the horseman, and his countenance had taken on a brighter look.
"I am glad to see you, Mr. Calvert. They have accused me of doing that of which I am innocent, and there don't seem to be any one able to help me out."
"Don't, eh? Well, let me see what I can do," urging his horse forward through the crowd to the post office door as he spoke. "Mr. Brady, what do you think you are doing?"
"I—the fact is, Mr. Calvert, there has been a little irregularity in the boy's business, and we thought it was time to look into it. We didn't mean him any harm, only we did it as a matter of self-protection."
"I see," replied the mail contractor, in a tone which puzzled his hearers. "The boy was down to see me about it, but I answered him rather hastily at the time. Luckily I saw my duty before it was too late, and at the sacrifice of some business obligations I am here. I think I came at a good time, too.
"I learned at Greenbrier that the road had not been fully cleared at Kanawha Narrows yet. The bridge across the Greenbrier is not in passable shape. But I have left word that if the post road is not passable to-morrow morning I will have every official indicted. I should like to know what you have been doing."
"Attending to our own business," retorted Claverton, showing his displeasure.
"I should think you had been doing little else than to make war upon this boy. You seem to forget that if there is any fault to be found I am the one to complain to. I am under bonds to the United States Government to see that the mail is carried on the Kanawha route in a proper manner."
"You can't stand between us and justice," replied Claverton. "My court has found the youngster guilty of high misdemeanors, and if you wish to father them, all right. Otherwise he goes to jail inside of——"