“Well, did you ever!” cried Tom, excitedly. “What in thunder——”
Ashe and Witmar sprang to the ground.
“He’ll have to give a good account of himself!” cried the former. “After him, Witmar!”
Their precaution, however, was unnecessary, for the oncoming rider made no effort to change his course.
Not a sound came from the three as they watched him coming nearer and nearer, until at length his figure was clearly in view. Then Tom Clifton uttered a shout of surprise and exultation.
“By George—if this isn’t the greatest piece of luck I ever heard of!” he yelled, almost wildly. “By all that’s wonderful, it’s Larry Burnham!”
CHAPTER XVII
THE WHOLE CROWD
It was, indeed, the big Wisconsin lad. And although Larry felt almost staggered by surprise he overcame it by a tremendous effort.
“Good-evening, Tom,” he exclaimed, pulling up his horse with a jerk; “I thought I’d run over with these things. They seem to belong to you.” Whereupon he lowered to the ground Tom Clifton’s property.
Tom, not to be outdone, controlled his own astonishment.