"Well, I reckon too much praise will spoil the boy. But where is he?"
"Why, he stayed to take supper with Squire Grundy. It's customary for the winner, you know. He will probably not be back to-night."
"Won't you step into the house?"
"No, I reckon not," answered Stayford. "I'm waiting for Jerry. I rode ahead to bring the good news. You see, Owen beat Jerry, too; but the old trapper didn't care as long as Coon-Hollow Jim lost the prize. He's in Tom Barn's hay-wagon with Sisco, Bechem, Brown, Craycroft and half a dozen others. I reckon he's coming now."
Far down the road could be heard the notes of Jerry's fiddle.
Suddenly with a wild shout two horsemen dashed up. They were Martin and Owen. The latter had declined the Squire's invitation to dine; hence the boys had arrived sooner than was expected.
"So David returns with the head of Goliath," said Father Byrne, grasping the boy's hand.
"Yes, Father, I have won," replied Owen. "But to your kindness and Martin's help belongs more than half the victory."
Bertha was not there. She had gone away to weep for very joy.