It was two hours past midnight, as he knew by the stars.
All was still, and the only sound he could hear was the heavy panting of the exhausted mustang.
He pulled a pistol from his pocket, and with the iron-bound butt rapped loudly on the door of the tavern.
“Awake!” he cried. “Haste! for life or death hangs on speed. Awake!”
And he rapped loudly.
Down came the landlord and one or two servants, lights flashed about the place, and the door was flung open with a bang.
“What’s the matter?” demanded a man who stood there half-dressed.
“A case of life or death,” excitedly replied the boy; “on my speed depends the fate of a man and woman. Give me the fleetest mustang in your stable, take my tired one, and I will pay you what you please. But, for God’s sake lose no time.”
The man had a heart.
He caught up a lantern, rushed to his stable, and ran back with a wiry-looking mustang.