“Seems to,” replied the captain.
“Who is ’e?”
“Don’t know ’im. He’s a runaway.”
The bow-legged man advanced and looked at the boy more closely.
“Bless my eyes an’ ears!” he exclaimed, drawing hastily back.
He recognized Joe as the boy who had visited the stable the morning on which the horse was stolen.
“Good-by, Bill!” he said to the captain. “I’m goin’!”
But at that moment Joe, running quickly, intercepted him.
“[Where’d you get that horse?]” he demanded, panting with excitement. “Where’d you get him?”