Then he began a laborious effort to duplicate the signature.
Needless to say, his attempt was a rank failure, but still, a handwriting expert might have been able to testify to its genuineness.
“Come down here, Jack,” said Prawle, “and witness his signature. You’d better come, too, Charlie.”
The boys dismounted in a twinkling and signed their names as witnesses.
As soon as this formula was completed Prawle pulled out a wad of bills, representing money advanced by Jack Howard and Dr. Fox, counted out $200, and passed it over to Sanders.
“Count it, Jim, and see that it’s all right.”
“I reckon it’s all right, pard,” replied the scarecrow, stuffing it into one of his pockets.
“You seem to be going to Rocky Gulch,” said Prawle, as he put the rest of the money away, and the boys started to remount to their seats.
“Thet’s whar I’m bound,” grinned Sanders, backing toward his horse, which had meekly stood with his head down and his ears back, the position in which he had been left by his master.
“Well, be good to yourself. Don’t blow all that money in at once. Remember there’s $200 in that wad.”