In the meantime hundreds of barrels of the precious oil were pouring down the hillside and going to waste, in a yellow stream that fretted and sparkled and tumbled in miniature cascades over the rocks like a runaway mountain brook. Several men from the neighboring farms, attracted by the noise of the explosion and the hoarse roar of the escaping oil and gas, now came hurrying to the spot. Followed by these, Brace Barlow started toward the derrick to see what could be done to check the furious torrent and direct it into the empty tanks.
Colonel Dale was about to join them; but, stopped by a sudden thought, he turned to Arthur and asked him if he could ride to the telegraph office five miles away and send an important despatch.
“Of course I can, sir,” answered the boy promptly, for after his experience of that morning he felt that he could do almost anything.
So a message that had been previously thought out was hastily written. Arthur was charged to make all speed with it and, above all, not to mention a word of what had taken place at the Dale-Dustin well that morning to anybody.
As Colonel Dale had found it necessary to ride about the country a great deal on business connected with the well, he had purchased the horse that Arthur now rode when they first came there. It was a fine animal, and the Colonel valued it highly, besides having grown very fond of it.
Now as, unmindful of Arthur’s light weight, it galloped swiftly and easily along the lonely forest roads, it seemed to fully share its young rider’s happiness and impatience. Faster and faster they flew, the horse tossing his head and pulling at the bit, while the boy’s cheeks became flushed with excitement. His eyes sparkled, and as the fresh morning air whistled past him it seemed filled with happy fancies. It was a glorious ride, and he was enjoying it to the utmost when it was interrupted in a most disagreeable and unexpected manner.
In the very loneliest part of the road, about half way to the village, two ragged, evil-looking men suddenly sprang out from the bushes by which they had been concealed. One of them succeeded in seizing the bridle of Arthur’s horse, and though the startled animal reared and plunged so as to almost unseat his young rider, the man managed to retain his hold. When the horse at last became quiet this man said:
“The walking is good enough for young legs like yours, sonny, so I reckon you’d better light down and lend us this hoss for a bit. My pard here is lame, so that he can’t keep up with the procession very well, and we’re in a hurry to get along.”
“But I am in a hurry too,” answered Arthur, trying to speak bravely and to control the fear that had driven every bit of color from his cheeks. “And I am going to the village on very important business.”
“It must be very important,” said the tramp with a disagreeable laugh.