"You won't do it, all the same. But what's up?"
The postboy then made the other acquainted with all that had happened, interrupted several times by Mr. Calvert, who finally exclaimed:
"A bad pickle, I should say. But I am glad you have come to me. Of course the only thing for you to do is to get out of it."
"I cannot do that with honor to myself," said Little Snap, who had not expected this from the contractor. "It would look as if I was really to blame for all they have said."
"Better let it look like that than to get your neck in the halter, or a bullet through your head."
The postboy could not help showing his surprise. Was it for this he had ridden so far, and with such high-colored hopes? He had not dreamed of anything other than assistance from the man who was behind him in his undertaking.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING.
"You will go up to Six Roads and see what can be done?" he asked, while his hopes sank lower and lower.
"I can't. Say, tell you what I will do. I am intending to start for Washington to-day; but when I get through there, and it won't take me more than a week. I will come back by way of the Six Roads. I wish I had let the plaguey route alone."
"That will be too late to help me," said Little Snap.