Again the horse tossed his head, as if he understood. Joe, catching hold by the mane, leaped to Charlie’s back, as he had done many times in the dear old days.
He rode slowly down the little hill to the tow-path, turned in the direction from which they had come,—the direction in which home lay,—and galloped away.
Away they went toward the east, with lighter hearts and higher spirits than either had known before for many a day. To Joe it seemed that he was doing no more than his duty in riding away with Old Charlie. He was too inexperienced to know that he had no right to seize the horse in this way, even though the animal was his father’s lawful property. He was too much confused by his sufferings and excitement, moreover, to have a nice sense of propriety in such a matter.
As he passed the boat he had just left, Joe noticed that there was a light in the cabin window. He heard a noise there as of something falling. To his ears came distinctly the sound of angry words from Captain Bill.
[CHAPTER V.]
HOMEWARD BOUND.
The window of the telegraph office on the canal at Ellenville faces the tow-path. Although day was breaking and the sky was cloudless, the telegraph operator was still working by the light of an oil lamp.
He was taking a message, which, when it was reduced to writing, read as follows:—
Stop boy on gray horse going east. Horse stolen from me. Coming at once to claim property.