"Tunk, what's the matter ?"
"Kicked," said he, with growing sadness.
"A horse?" Trove inquired, with sympathy.
Tunk thought a moment.
"Couldn't say what 'twas," he answered presently.
"I fear," said Trove, smiling, "that you came by the Brier Road."
Suddenly there was a quick stir of boughs and a flash of tawny fur above them. Then the young painter landed full on the back of Tunkhannock Hosely. There was a wild yell; the horse leaped and ran, breaking through a fence and wrecking the wagon; the painter spat, and made for the woods, and was seen no more of men. Tunk had picked up an axe, and climbed a ladder that stood leaning to the roof. Trove and Allen caught the frightened horse.
"Now," said the former, "let's try and capture Tunk."
"He's taken to the roof," said Allen.
"Where's that air painter?" Tunk shouted, as they came near.