He whipped up Snowfoot, and presently, riding over a swell of land, discovered a stranger walking on before him in the road.
"No deer or fawn," thought he; "but there's possibly an obliging young man."
As he drove on, fast overtaking the pedestrian, Jack was very much struck by his appearance. He was a slender person; he walked at a loitering pace; and he carried his coat on his arm. There was something also in the jaunty carriage of the head, and in the easy slouch of the hat-brim, which startled Jack.
"I vow, it's my obliging young man himself!" he muttered through his teeth,—"or a vision of him!"
Just then the stranger, hearing the sound of wheels, cast a quick glance over his shoulder. It was the same face, and Jack could almost have taken his oath to the quid in the cheek.
He was greatly astonished and excited. It seemed more like a dream than anything else, that he should again meet with the person who had given him so much trouble, so near the place where he had seen him first, in precisely similar hat and soiled shirt-sleeves, and carrying (to all appearances) the same coat on his arm!
The stranger gave no sign of the recognition being mutual, but stepped off upon the roadside to let the buggy pass.
"How are you?" said Jack, coming up to him, and drawing rein; while Lion snuffed suspiciously at the rogue's heels.
"All right, stranger; how are you yourself?" And a pair of reckless dark eyes flashed saucily up at Jack.
"Better than I was that night after you ran off with my horse!" Jack replied.