"Let's hear 'bout it; an' talk fast," said Jack.
"Buck James is a horse dealer at Rawdon, so they let him in on the thing provided he would supply the ponies. Pete and Jimmy traveled on foot—took them nearly all night—but they managed to reach Wild Oak, where they encountered Slater's men. And do you know—"
"What?" asked Tim, impatiently.
"They actually made Buck James pony up with a pair of ponies."
"Whew! There's nerve for you," commented Tim.
"Yes; and Jimmy was boasting about it to beat the band—said that Pete threatened to blow the whole thing to people in Rawdon, an' that scared 'em. They thought everybody in town 'ud be tagging at their heels."
"Well, I'm glad Pete got taken down a peg or two," growled Jack.
"Say, Dick, did you find out why they brought our packhorse back?" asked Tom, abruptly.
"That's an easy one, son; the jacks knew well enough that we had to have grub—thought perhaps we might get discouraged and skip back, if packy didn't turn up; see?"
"Guess that's the idea. Shows how much they have to depend 'pon following us."