“Bully,” said Jack, as he took the bridle-rein over his arm. “How much did you manage to shove off?”
“About fifteen thousand.”
“And fetched ten?”
“Yes.”
“That’s rippin’ good,” said Jack. “The boys’ll be proud of you.”
“I intend that they shall be,” said the man, as he walked away toward the house. “Give him a good rubbing down and plenty of feed, for I may need him.”
“All right,” said Jack, and led the weary animal to the stables.
As he took the horse into a stall he gave a soft whistle.
A lithe form sprang up from a heap of straw and stood erect.
It was a boy of perhaps fifteen, dwarfed so very much as to appear but a child; his bright eyes were intelligent and full of keen, knowing expression, and his agile movements told very plainly that his deformity did not make a cripple of him.