The horse snorted in terror, and then suddenly swerved to one side, almost running into the fence. He came to a halt and then Tommy acted quickly.
In a flash he had his pocket knife out, with the big blade newly sharpened, and, while the horse stood close to the fence, trembling in fright, the small lad slipped around and cut the lines loose from the foot of Jakie, around which they were caught. And it was done not a moment too soon, for, an instant later, the horse started off again.
CHAPTER XIII
TOMMY GIVES A SHOW
“Are you much hurt, Jakie? How did it happen? Is your head cut?”
Tommy asked these questions of the lad, who lay so still and quiet on the grass at the side of the roadway. He tried to lift Jakie’s head, but it fell back, very limp at the neck.
“I—I guess he’s badly hurt,” murmured Tommy, and then he heard someone running toward him. It was a man, from a nearby farmhouse.
“Say, you did the right thing!” the man exclaimed. “I saw you turn that horse. Who is he?” and he pointed to Jakie.
Tommy told the name, also giving his own.
At that moment Jakie opened his eyes. Then he caught sight of Tommy.
“Did—did you stop that horse?” he asked, slowly.