"Yes," said the manager; "they were their favorite horses."
"They pet them a good deal, do they not?"
"Oh yes," said the manager, "you should see them; they are constantly petting those horses, and the animals seem much attached to them."
"All right," said Jack; "bring out the horses, put on the same saddles they had on yesterday, leave the bridles loose, and throw the reins over the horses' necks."
The horses were saddled and bridled, and brought out, in compliance with Jack's orders. We dismounted, patted the horses on the necks, and endeavored in every way we could think of to show them that we were their friends and the friends of their owners. They were a little shy of us at first, but by talking to them and petting them they quieted down, rubbed their noses against our faces, and became entirely friendly.
When this point was reached Jack said:
"Now, in our saddles again; turn those horses loose, first heading them to the south."
The horses—the loose ones—started off at a brisk trot, as if they knew perfectly well where they were going. We followed a dozen yards or so behind them; and sometimes they went at such a speed that they got a considerable distance ahead. Then they stopped, looked around at us, whinnied, and proceeded again. They seemed to be saying, as plainly as if in so many words: "Come on; we're taking you the way you want to go. We know you're going to get our owners out of trouble, and we'll lead the way."
On and on we went, till we had reeled off at least a dozen miles behind us; then the loose horses paused, and seemed to be a good deal alarmed. They no longer led the way, but appeared to yearn for our close companionship. We spread out so as to inclose them between us, and then they went along with decidedly more boldness. Every little while they stopped, snorted, and pawed the ground; and once one of them started to run back; but he went only a short distance.
"I think we had better take hold of their bridles," said Jack; "I'm afraid they'll get a sudden scare, and start back at full speed."