“Not I,” replied Robert cheerily. “I came home just as fast as you did. The only difference is I admit it and you don’t.”
The crowd enjoyed this conversation tremendously and was hoping for more of it, but just at this moment Joseph appeared. As the spotted pony trotted into view from behind a clump of trees a murmur of admiration ran through the gathering. “That’s him, all right!” exclaimed a raw-boned pioneer standing next to Robert. Nods of affirmation were seen on all sides and exclamations of envy were heard as well.
Robert looked for Walt to see what he had to say now, but he looked in vain. Walt had disappeared. He had recognized The Swallow instantly, for he had often seen the famous pony and knew him well. Realizing that he was beaten he slipped quietly away in the crowd and hastened to his tent to be alone and unseen.
“Where’s Walt?” cried Joseph, looking in vain for the trapper.
“He had an engagement, I guess,” laughed one of the men, after a vain search had been made for the missing man. “Maybe we can find him though,” suggested one of the others.
“Let him go,” exclaimed Joseph. “All I want to know is whether this pony is The Swallow or not.”
“He certainly is,” cried the whole assemblage with one accord. They gathered about Joseph and his new mount, curiously inspecting this horse that had made itself so famous on the prairies. Everyone now was on Joseph’s side and every man vied with one another in saying pleasant things. Even Robert was pacified and he took great pride in the sudden fame which his brother had acquired.
“What’ll you sell him for?” was the question frequently put to Joseph; but in answer, the young pioneer every time shook his head and merely smiled. “Money couldn’t buy this horse from me,” he exclaimed.
Supper time soon came and the gathering then scattered. The two brothers and Deerfoot were left to themselves, and the Indian was soon busily engaged in preparing the evening meal. When this was over, the three volunteers settled themselves around their fire and discussed all that had happened to them recently. They also talked of what might be in store for them in the approaching days, and wondered what their fortunes would be.
“What do you suppose our next move will be?” inquired Joseph.