"If it isn't, you know where the well is," said Mrs. Forest.
"Yas, ought ter. John, is that yo' hoss hitched out thar?"
"Yes."
"'Lowed so. Sorter looks like you—haw! haw! Say, ef you'll go my way I'll ride behind you?"
"I'm not goin' your way; but you shouldn't ride behind me if you was goin' mine."
"Reckon we'd see erbout that."
"Well, I must go," said John, addressing Mrs. Forest and Eva.
"Don't be snatched," Juckles replied.
John gave the fellow a contemptuous look; and then, after shaking hands with the ladies, and especially after listening with gratitude to their sincere declarations that he would ever be a welcome visitor at their house, mounted his horse and rode away. He had not gone far when his saddle-girth broke. He dismounted, and while he was mending it with a string, Bob Juckles climbed over a fence, and approached him.