“Why, it’s only our old Moses after all!” cried Steve, as though the astounding truth had burst upon him like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
“And he’s trying to founder himself with the whole supply of oats, the rascal!” Toby added, indignantly.
But Moses was not afraid of foundering, apparently. He just gave another contented whinny of delight, whisked that impudent stump of a tail of his, and plunged deeper into the oat sack, which he had succeeded in getting open.
Jack was perhaps the least surprised of the trio, and even he had not more than begun to suspect the true state of affairs when the light was turned on. He doubled up with laughter, for it was really comical to see how eagerly Moses was delving into his oat supply, as though he feared he was now about to be divorced from his feast, and retired in disgrace, wherefore he wished to gobble all he could while the golden opportunity lasted.
After they had all had several convulsions of merriment Steve concluded it was time they took things in hand. Such dreadful liberties could not be allowed, or the offense condoned.
98“We’ve got to make him break away from those oats, that’s all there is about it,” he went on to say, seriously. “A poor old nag of a horse never knows when he’s had enough.”
“Horses don’t happen to be alone in that class, Steve,” chirped Toby.
“Never you mind about that,” snorted the other; “and it doesn’t become you to give me a dig, Toby, because for a fellow of your size you can go me one better when it comes to eating. But, Jack, we ought to put a stop to this midnight feast, hadn’t we? Oats cost money, and even horses have their price in the market.”
“Sure thing, Steve,” chuckled the one addressed, as stepping forward he endeavored to lead Moses away from the tail end of the wagon.
The old horse strenuously objected, and upon finding Jack determined he took one farewell grab at the fine contents of the sack, so that he could have something to munch on for a while afterwards. He gave repeated backward looks toward the wagon, and seemed very unhappy when all his dreams of a glorious feast had been knocked on the head after this rude fashion.