To his disappointment here, however, he learned that the rocky débris had not been cleared away at the Narrows.
"It will not be your fault if you do not go through," said the postmaster. "I advise you to remain with us until the road has been opened."
But Little Snap did not like to do this if it was possible for him to get to Six Roads. Besides feeling it his duty to carry the mail through, he was anxious to get home on his mother's account.
"I will ride up to the Narrows, and if I find it impossible to go farther I will come back," he replied, starting at once upon his way.
After leaving the noisy settlement of Salt Works, he did not expect to see a person until he should reach Greenbrier, should he be so fortunate as to pass the Narrows, with the exception of Uncle Solitaire. Thus, as he came in sight of the live oak, as he had always done, he looked for the old hermit, wishing that the one from whom he hoped to receive tidings might send the long looked for letter.
As he drew near to the place, the chirping of the squirrels reached his ears, and he saw them running across the road and up and down the tree. As he continued to approach, one of the frisky creatures ran down to meet him, darting to and fro in the road as he advanced.
Something seemed to trouble the little troupe of noisy, uneasy denizens of the forest, which was accounted for when the postboy came to look for the old man in vain.
Uncle Solitaire was not at his post!
Little Snap paused, thinking he might be coming near at hand, and when he failed to appear he shouted his name. Only the chirping of the squirrels answered him.
One of these, as if anxious to tell him why its master was not on hand, actually ran up to the postboy's shoulder, remaining there as he rode on, wondering what had caused the strange man's non-appearance.