“I WONDER if they never saw a white boy and a spotted horse before,” thought Bob, who could not bear to have any one stare at him. “I hope they will know me the next time they see me!”
He rode to a rack on the opposite side of the street where the horses belonging to the idlers were hitched, and after dismounting and tying his own animal, he took the valise down from the horn of his saddle, where it had hung during the journey, and crossed over to the sidewalk. He bowed and wished the idlers good-morning, as he passed through their ranks, but they only stared at him the harder; and Bob, wondering at their rudeness, kept on and went into the store. A boy about his own age, who was standing in the door, and whom Bob took to be the clerk, for he had a pen behind his ear, and a pair of scissors sticking out of his vest pocket, made room for him to pass, and one of the men on the sidewalk arose from his box and followed him in. This was the proprietor, as Bob afterward learned.
“Mornin’, stranger,” said he. “What kin I do fur ye?”
“Good-morning, sir,” answered Bob. “Is there any place about here where I can have my horse fed, and get a good breakfast for myself?”
“Been a travellin’ a good piece, I reckon, aint ye?” said the man. “Yer creetur looks kinder leg-weary.”
“Yes, he and I are both tired. We have come from Rochdale since midnight.”
“Came right peart, I reckon, didn’t ye?”
“I didn’t waste any time, for I want to catch the first boat that goes up the river,” replied Bob. “Do you expect one along soon? I see there is a good deal of freight on the bank.”
“Wal, I dunno how soon she’ll come, but we’ll stop her when she does come.”
Hearing the sound of footsteps behind him, Bob, who had thus far stood with his back to the door, turned round, and saw that about half the idlers had followed him into the store, and ranged themselves in front of the counter as if they wanted to hear what passed between Bob and the proprietor, while the other half had crossed to the opposite side of the road and were gathered about his horse, which they appeared to be examining with a great deal of interest. While Bob was looking at them, one of the men pointed to a spot on the horse’s flank and struck his open hand with his fist, as if he were emphasizing something he was saying.