"How are ye? On hand, I see," with a grim smile at the bridle.
"I was on hand a little before you were," replied Jack. "Your week was up an hour ago. Though I don't care about that. You've got your horse, I see."
"That's the main thing I went for; course I've got him. Here's a paper, with the truckman's name wrote on 't; he wants you to come and see him when you go to town, pervided he don't come to see you fust."
"Did he say anything about a bridle and a blanket that were on the horse when he was stolen?"
"He's got 'em," Peakslow coolly replied; "but as no reward was offered for anything but the hoss, I didn't take 'em."
Jack didn't quite see the logic of this remark.
"Never mind; they are trifles," he said. "It's glory enough for one while, to get my horse again. I've a bridle here for him; I'll slip it on, Zeph, if you'll slip yours off."
"You can slip your bridle on that hoss, and take him away, when you've fulfilled the conditions; not before," said Peakslow.
"What conditions? You don't pretend to claim my horse now you've got your own back?"
"I've got a claim on him," Peakslow replied. "Here's your own handbill for it. Twenty Dollars Reward! I've got back your hoss for ye, and I demand the reward."