Little Snap was about to ask him for help in getting home, but the hoof strokes of the approaching horse brought a feeling of gladness to his heart.
"It's Jack!" he exclaimed, aloud, and even as he spoke the faithful horse dashed upon the scene.
The postboy fairly wept for joy, as he caressed the head of his favorite steed, which seemed as delighted as he.
"Good Jack!" said Little Snap; "I am so glad you escaped unhurt."
"Mail!" said Shag, sharply, throwing the pouch at his feet.
Flinging the sack over its accustomed position, the postboy swung himself into the saddle and was away before the others could speak.
As he dashed down the road toward the bridge he heard a body of horsemen galloping toward Hollow Tree, whom he felt certain were the Burrnocks, of Blazed Acre. However, he saw nothing further of them, and a little over an hour later he rode into Union Six Roads, to be met at the post office by a wondering crowd.
In his anxiety to get home and thus relieve his mother of the suspense he knew she must be suffering, Little Snap answered the questions asked of him as briefly as possible, hurriedly leaving the office as soon as he had delivered the mail pouch.
"He acts mighty queer," said one of the bystanders by the name of Clevis Claverton, who was the third man on the postboy's bond. "Ha! here comes Meiggs, with Dan Shag and a party from Greenbrier. They will explain the matter, I imagine."
Little Snap found his mother nearly distracted with the reports circulated concerning his fate, but which were happily ended with his safe appearance.