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diff --git a/old/54930-0.txt b/old/54930-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index fc7ef31..0000000 --- a/old/54930-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7516 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Little Snap The Postboy, by Victor St. Clair - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Little Snap The Postboy - Working for Uncle Sam - -Author: Victor St. Clair - -Release Date: June 18, 2017 [EBook #54930] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LITTLE SNAP THE POSTBOY *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, readbueno and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - LITTLE SNAP, THE POSTBOY - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - "Looking up with dread expectations of what he was - to witness, the Post Boy reeled back in his saddle." -] - - - - - LITTLE SNAP - THE POSTBOY - OR - Working for Uncle Sam - - BY - VICTOR ST. CLAIR - - AUTHOR OF - "Cast Away in the Jungle," "From Switch to Lever," - "For Home and Honor," "Zip, The Acrobat," etc. - -[Illustration] - - PHILADELPHIA - DAVID McKAY, PUBLISHER - 610 SOUTH WASHINGTON SQUARE - - - - - Copyright, 1903 - By STREET & SMITH - - Little Snap, The Postboy - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I—A Postboy's Courage 7 - - II—The Missing Mail 17 - - III—"I Will Be Back" 28 - - IV—What Little Snap Saw 33 - - V—Close Quarters 42 - - VI—Little Snap's Troubles Increase 50 - - VII—"The Truth in a Nutshell" 59 - - VIII—"I am Standing on My Own Feet" 66 - - IX—A Terrific Trap 75 - - X—Little Snap's Remarkable Ride 83 - - XI—The Ride Through Blazed Acre 92 - - XII—The Postboy's Arrest 99 - - XIII—A Curious Court 106 - - XIV—An Unexpected Climax 113 - - XV—A Long and a Vain Watch 121 - - XVI—A Lonely Night Ride 129 - - XVII—Little Snap's Disappointment 136 - - XVIII—A Perilous Undertaking 143 - - XIX—The Bushbinder's Plans 150 - - XX—A Startling Discovery 157 - - XXI—"What Jack Rimmons Says, Goes" 163 - - XXII—An Underground Race 172 - - XXIII—The Registered Letters Again 181 - - XXIV—Driven to the Wall 187 - - XXV—Startling Surprises 194 - - XXVI—A Life for a Life 201 - - XXVII—Little Snap's Surprise 206 - - XXVIII—The Strange Horseman 213 - - XXIX—A River Let Loose 220 - - XXX—A Race With a Runaway River 225 - - XXXI—A Startling Relic of the Flood 231 - - XXXII—The News That Reached Home 238 - - XXXIII—The Gathering Storm 244 - - XXXIV—Little Snap Finds a Clew 251 - - XXXV—The Truth at Last 257 - - XXXVI—Old Solitaire's Secret 264 - - XXXVII—Conclusion 270 - - - - - LITTLE SNAP, THE POSTBOY. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - A POSTBOY'S COURAGE. - - -"Has my letter come to-day?" - -The dark bay horse—as fine a specimen of equine beauty and worth as ever -came from the famed Blue Grass regions—ridden by the Postboy of the -Kanawha, came to a standstill simultaneously with the utterance of the -earnest, pleading tone, knowing in its almost human intelligence that -its rider would be challenged at this particular spot and the question -repeated which had been asked daily without variation for six months. - -Little Snap had expected it, and on the watch, had discovered, a quarter -of a mile back, a tall, gaunt figure clothed in skins and leaning -heavily on a gnarled staff, standing by the wayside, under the shadows -of a huge live oak. - -An additional wildness was lent to the strange man's figure by the -presence of a gray squirrel on either shoulder, while others gamboled at -his feet, or ran up and down his lank form. - -"Not to-day," replied the postboy, with an unusual softness in his -voice; "not to-day, Uncle Solitaire." - -"Please excuse me for troubling you, but I felt sure she would send me -that letter to-day. I have waited so long. But take this to her, and I -am certain that to-morrow I shall get my letter." - -Then, as he had done so many times before, he handed the postboy a -carefully folded piece of coarse paper, thanked him in a tremulous voice -as he took it, to vanish the next moment into the heart of the -wilderness hemming in the wild landscape. - -"I wonder who he can be," said Little Snap, speaking his thoughts aloud, -moved as he always was by the pathos of the meetings in this lonely -place. "I would give my quarter's salary to know his life secret; but -that is something no one I have ever met knows. It is singular that he -should be able to bury himself in these woods so completely as to defy -all attempts to find his stopping place. I suppose this paper is as -blank as all the others have been." - -Though he could not have told the reason for it, he had always unfolded -these scraps of paper before throwing them away. He always felt, too, a -sort of awed feeling as he gazed on the spotless pages, innocent of -conveying any message, unless outside of the power of pen or pencil. - -His surprise may be imagined on this occasion, therefore, when he -unfolded the sheet to find a few lines of closely written manuscript. - -His astonishment increasing, he read: - -"Keep your eyes open; step lightly on Eagle's Tracks; fly through the -Devil's Wash Bowl!" - -The paper contained no signature, and puzzled over its meaning, Little -Snap read it several times before he crumpled it in the hollow of his -hand. - -"Some foolish whim of his," he said to himself. "Come, Jack, we must -move faster than we have, or we shan't get to Six Roads until midnight." - -As young as he was, Little Snap, whose name, by the way, was Dix Lewis, -though he was seldom addressed thus, had been carrying the mail between -Upper Loop on the Kanawha and Union Six Roads, at the very base of the -backbone of the Alleghany Mountains, for about two years. - -The distance between the two isolated towns was nearer forty than thirty -miles, but he had never lost a trip yet, and he had never felt in better -spirits than on this particular afternoon. - -The valley of the Great Kanawha, as the lower section of this "River of -the Woods" is called, is one of the most fertile regions to be found in -West Virginia; but beginning near the Greenbrier Uplands, the stream -finds its course often through rocky gateways. Particularly is this the -case where a narrow gorge in the Great Flat Top Mountains allow the -water to escape from the rock-bound basin lying between that rugged -ridge of earth and Greenbrier Mountain. - -The gnarled live oak, with its blasted top, where Little Snap had met -Old Solitaire so many times, stood on the west side of the ascent -leading to the Narrows, where the road wound over a spur of the -mountain, to descend into one of the wildest valleys even the hackneyed -landscape of the Old Dominion can show. - -For nearly a mile, a natural shelf of rock formed the roadbed, which -actually hung out over the chasm of the Kanawha, that found its way -along the rocky bottom a hundred feet below. - -Just beyond the Narrows in the first stage of the descent was a place -called "Eagle's Tracks," where a bolt of lightning or some other work of -nature had torn the rocks asunder so as to make the passage more -difficult than at any other spot. - -As he reached this locality the postboy instinctively looked about him, -as if expecting some unseen foe would spring upon him from behind the -bowlders piled one on the other. - -Almost at his feet lay the rock-rimmed valley known by the grewsome name -of "Devil's Wash Bowl." - -The ascent on the opposite side was less abrupt, while in the far -distance, rising high above all the lesser ranges, loomed the Alleghany -Mountains, looking like a mighty wave on the sea of space. - -But Little Snap had passed through this rugged scenery too often for his -gaze to rest upon it now. - -"Pah!" he exclaimed, "I am foolish. Of course, they were but idle words, -though it does——" - -"Hold up, younker!" suddenly broke in a harsh voice, giving an abrupt -ending to his low speech. "We have a word to say to ye." - -Simultaneous with the command, two burly figures sprang from behind a -big bowlder by the wayside, and while he who spoke leveled a -short-barreled shotgun at his head, the second seized hold of Jack's -bit. - -"What do you mean by? stopping me?" demanded the surprised postboy. "Let -go there, Hawk Burrnock, so I can pass on." - -"In a minnit, Dix Lewis; don't git onpatient, fer ye hev got time 'nough -to git to Six Roads on tick. Ye hev a letter we want." - -"Then come along with me and you can get it at the post office." - -"We want it here—now!" and the firearm in the man's hand shook -ominously. - -"But I have no right to open the mail pouch on the road like this. If I -am not mistaken, your mail comes to the Hollow Tree. Mr. Shag will let -you have it there." - -"He won't, younker, 'cos ye air goin' to let us hev it here!" - -Little Snap knew the man by sight, but better by reputation as one of -the most dangerous men living, and belonging to a gang called -"bushbinders." - -"I tell you I am not allowed to open the mail anywhere. Come along——" - -"Mebbe ye air 'fraid we'll rob it; but to show ye thet we air on th' -square, we'll stand back ten feet, while ye git out th' document. It's -sent to dad, Bird Burrnock. Kem, don't keep us waitin' till dark. I -sw'ar no Dan Shag shall open a letter b'longin' to our family." - -"Yas; hurry up," added the other, who was a brother of the first -speaker. - -Little Snap knew that his situation was a desperate one, and that there -was small chance of his getting off without yielding to the ruffians. -Still he quickly decided to baffle them if it lay in his power. - -How to do that was a difficult question. - -"Air ye goin' to do it?" demanded Burrnock, "or shall we hev to take it -from ye? 'Pears to me ye oughter thank us fer bein' perlite 'nough to -let ye handle the ol' sack." - -"I repeat that I cannot do it, as much as I would like to oblige you. It -would be against——" - -"Bah! ye could do yit ef ye felt like yit. Uncle Sam need never know ye -hev tampered with yit, 'less ye air fool 'nough to tell. Kem, once more, -an' fer the las' time, I ax ye to hand over dad's letter. Why, it's -his'n, an' ye hev no bizness to keep yit." - -Little Snap had already formed a plan of action, which, if desperate, -was only in keeping with his situation. - -He said: - -"You say you will stand back ten feet, and will not touch me while I am -finding the letter?" - -"Ye hev coined my idee, only there's to be no foolin'. Shoot ye, true ez -preachin', ef ye show the fust sign o' treachery. D'ye cave?" - -"I'll do all I agree, if you will keep your word. As I dismount, you -must step back, and upon your knees you must promise you will never tell -a living soul I opened that mail pouch." - -As Little Snap spoke he slipped from the saddle into the middle of the -road, the outlaws at the same time falling back a few feet. - -"Rip th' ol' sack open lively, 'cos we an't got enny time to fool 'way," -growled Buzzard Burrnock, as he loosened his hold on the bridle. - -"You promise never to betray me?" questioned the postboy, putting his -hand up to the mail pouch, though not to remove it from its position on -faithful Jack's back, but to be sure that it was securely in place. - -"We promise," declared the outlawed brothers in the same breath. - -"Away, Jack, old boy!" cried Little Snap, sharply, dealing his trained -horse a smart blow with the flat of his hand. "On to Greenbrier!" - -Then, before the surprised twain could recover enough to prevent him, -the gallant Jack leaped forward at the top of his speed, his body -swaying to and fro, striking Buzzard Burrnock in such a way as to send -him headlong down the abyss yawning on the right side of the road. - -Hawk Burrnock uttered a yell of dismay as he witnessed his brother's -fate, and saw the horse dash onward down the descending way. - -"The fiends take——" - -He was raising his gun to fire at Little Snap as he spoke; but, in the -midst of his speech and action, the intrepid postboy snatched his -revolver from under his jacket, and, springing forward, dealt the outlaw -a blow with its butt over the head that caused him to sink to the ground -with a groan. - -"I didn't like to do it," said Little Snap, as he stood over the -prostrate figure, "but he drove me to it. I do not think he is killed. -He will soon come around all right. Wonder how Buzz Burrnock has fared," -stepping at the same time to the edge of the bluff to look into the -depths. - -A dark object caught in a thicket of bushes clinging to the side of the -chasm twenty or thirty feet below soon resolved itself into the figure -of a man. - -"He isn't as bad off as he might be," mused Little Snap. "Well, I will -leave the precious pair to look after themselves." - -The clatter of a horse's hoofs in the Devil's Wash Bowl at that moment -told that Jack had reached the foot of the descent and was beginning to -climb the opposite heights. - -The postboy quickly placed his hand to his lips in such a way as to emit -a short, sharp whistle, which rang up and down the valley with a -peculiar clearness. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - THE MISSING MAIL. - - -No sooner had Little Snap's shrill note rang on the air than the sound -of the hoof strokes suddenly ceased, and a glad whinny answered him. - -"Noble Jack!" exclaimed the postboy; "I wouldn't give you for all the -horses I ever knew, and I love them all. You are the best friend I -have." - -"Quickening his pace, he descended into the huge basin denominated the -Wash Bowl, meeting Jack, who was retracing his course at the bottom. - -"Good Jack!" said the young master, gently, while he patted the head of -the faithful steed affectionately. "But we must tarry here no longer. -On, my boy, to Greenbrier." - -Then Little Snap bounded lightly into the saddle, and, with a hasty -glance backward, urged Jack away from the lonely place, half expecting -to be attacked by some foe springing from behind the frowning rocks at -every moment. - -But, to his relief, the ascent was made without molestation, and from -the summit he looked down upon the little town of Greenbrier in the -valley of the river of that name with a feeling of comparative safety. - -The post office at this lively hamlet was managed by a woman by the odd -name of Budd Grass, who had received her appointment about the time -Little Snap had begun to carry the mail. - -The postboy dashed along the crooked street, lined with its rude -habitations, until he came in sight of the post office, where he saw the -postmistress standing in the doorway, an anxious look upon her handsome -features. - -She was a woman of about thirty, and had won Little Snap's friendship at -the first. - -"You are late," she said, by way of greeting. "I began to get anxious -about you, for I have heard reports of trouble among the bushbinders, -and I was fearful they might molest you. You have had trouble of some -kind." - -Two or three loafers were in the office, and just outside of the door -Little Snap saw a younger brother of the twain he had met so -unceremoniously on Eagle's Tracks, so he did not say what he wished. - -Instead he said: - -"Did you ever know me to run into any trouble I could not get out of, -Budd?" - -"Not a bit, Dix Lewis," replied the postmistress, taking the pouch and -retiring to the little room dignified by the name of "private office." - -While she was sorting the mail, Little Snap returned to the side of -Jack, and caressing the animal's arched neck, began to talk to it in a -way he often did. - -In the midst of his affectionate treatment of his loved horse, the -postboy felt a hand laid on his shoulder, and, turning, he saw Pewee -Burrnock standing by his side. - -"Meet Hawk and Buzz up yonder?" asked the bushbinder, tersely, jerking -his thumb over his shoulder as he spoke, in the direction of the -mountain crossing. - -At first thought the postboy was at a loss how to reply, but he quickly -decided that it was best to tell the truth if he said anything, so he -replied: - -"Yes." - -"Any trouble?" - -"None but what we could settle among ourselves." - -"Good. An' here I want to tell yer it'll be best fer ye to be on the -square with th' boys. Understand!" - -"I think I do. At any rate, I shall try and do my duty, Mr. Burrnock." - -A puzzled look came over the swarthy countenance of the bushbinder, as -he was not fully satisfied with the postboy's reply, but before he could -speak again, Budd Grass appeared upon the scene with the mail bag. As -she handed it to Little Snap, she whispered: - -"Look sharp! you are threatened with trouble." - -Dix Lewis would fain have asked her what she meant, but he could not do -so without arousing the attention of Pewee Burrnock, which he did not -think advisable to do. - -Accordingly, he bade her "good-day," and rode away from the office at a -smart canter. - -Before leaving Greenbrier, however, he called upon one of the leading -citizens, whom he believed he could trust, to give him an account of the -attack of the Burrnock brothers, the other listening to his story with -amazement. - -"By Jones, Dix! I don't like the looks of that. But I don't want to -scare you off the route. You may not hear anything more from them. I -will see that Rimmon goes up that way to find out if they have taken -care of themselves. If there is any further trouble of this kind, let me -know." - -[Illustration: - - "Jack leaped forward, his body striking Buzzard Burrnock and - sending him headlong down the side of the abyss." -] - -Thanking Mr. Drayton for his kind words, Little Snap resumed his -journey, meeting with no adventure until he reached the next office on -his route. - -This was no doubt one of the most singular post offices in the country. -It was called the Hollow Tree, and there was not a house within sight of -the lonely spot. - -As Little Snap reined up at the place, a man with a slouching figure, -and a sort of hangdog look upon his sunburned features, stepped from a -hollow pine to reach for the pouch. - -He was Dan Shag, a notorious character in that vicinity, of whom nothing -very bad was known, though he was a person of few friends. - -This office afforded the mail facility for the inhabitants of "Blazed -Acre," an isolated settlement of lawless people, among whom dwelt the -bushbinders. The place was three miles and a half back from the post -road, and reached only by a bridle path. - -"It's purty light to-day," said the postmaster, as he took the mail -pouch from the postboy and carried it into the Hollow Tree, that had -been fitted up in a rude sort of way with recesses for the few letters -and papers making up the intercourse the people of the Blazed Acre had -with the outside world. - -While Dix waited for Dan Shag to sort the mail, a quartet of ill-looking -men, whom he recognized as representatives of the isolated settlement, -emerged from the growth surrounding the Hollow Tree and shambled up to -the spot. - -"Meet th' boys up yonder?" asked the foremost of the newcomers, jerking -his thumb over his shoulder after the manner of Pewee Burrnock. - -He was Robin, another of the brothers of that name, more -repulsive-looking than any of the others, if that were possible. - -Little Snap nodded. - -"Any trouble?" - -Before the postboy could reply, Dan Shag reappeared upon the scene with -a startled look upon his face. - -"What does this mean, boy?" he demanded, fiercely. - -"I don't understand you," replied Little Snap, in surprise. - -"Where's the package for Hollow Tree? The letters and things, I mean," -he added, seeing Little Snap's look of amazement. - -"In the bag with the rest," said the postboy. - -"There ain't a dratted thing, an' there's alwus a big bundle o' -Wednesdays." - -"You must have overlooked it, Dan. I heard Belmont, at the Salt Works, -say there was a larger package than common. It must be there." - - - - - CHAPTER III. - "I WILL BE BACK." - - -By this time the loafers about Hollow Tree were thoroughly alive to the -situation, and Little Snap imagined that Robin Burrnock was looking on -with great satisfaction. - -"Of course there was!" exclaimed the excited Shag. "What hev ye done -with it, you young scamp?" - -"What do you think I have done with it, Mr. Shag?" demanded Little Snap, -fearlessly. "If it is not there now, I know no more where it is than you -do." - -"Say I have taken it, do yer?" cried Shag, fiercely. "Ye shall eat 'em -words, boy." - -"That's it, Dan!" broke in one of the spectators, a big, red-whiskered -bushbinder. "If ye want enny help, call on me. - -"Reckon I can handle sich a leetle ginger bub es he," replied the -postmaster. "Here's the sack; see if the Hollow Tree package is there -fer yerself." - -Little Snap was standing by the side of Jack, and about six feet from -the entrance to the Hollow Tree. Bidding the horse to remain quiet, he -entered the opening, upon the bottom of which lay the mail pouch. - -Giving this a kick toward him, Shag returned to his retreat behind a -barrier of poles with which the inclosure had been partitioned off. - -"It is not here," said Little Snap, when he had hastily examined the -small amount of mail matter left in the pouch. - -"Then where is it?" - -"I do not know." - -"I should like to know if it isn't your bizness to know? I shall take -the trouble to report yer at headquarters. It isn't th' fust time I have -missed letters, though I hev waited to git dead evidence agin' yer afore -I blowed. - -"Boys, I call on yer to prove thet he 'lows th' Hollow Tree mail ain't -here." - -"P'raps he's got yit 'bout his duds," ventured Robin Burrnock. - -"S'arch him," exclaimed one of the speaker's companions. - -The four started forward as if they would carry out the intention. - -Little Snap had picked up the sack, and, with it lying across his left -arm, stood in the opening answering for a doorway to the "office." - -The quartet stopped suddenly in their advance, either lacking the -courage to attack the determined boy, or waiting for an order from the -postmaster to do so. - -"It's no use for us to git mixed up in th' muss," said the latter, -directly. "He's under Uncle Sam; but ye can count on me to report him in -short meter." - -Without replying, Little Snap threw the pouch over Jack's back and -fastened it to a ring in the pommel of the saddle. Then, while the five -looked on in silence, he sprang into his seat. - -"This is only th' beginnin' o' th' end," said Dan Shag, shaking his fist -after the departing postboy. - -The country, after leaving the Hollow Tree, was less broken, the post -road winding through a desolate region, thinly populated, and often -lonely in the extreme. - -While trying in his mind to solve the mystery of the disappearance of -the Hollow Tree mail, Little Snap allowed Jack to take his own gait, -until the Greenbrier River had been reached and he had passed over the -pole bridge. - -"It is hardly possible that Budd Grass dropped it when she sorted the -mail at her office, though it is not very likely," he thought. "I will -speak to her about it to-morrow. But if she did do that, she has found -it before this and sent it on to Hollow Tree. Of course it will come out -all right, for I can't see as I am to blame. At any rate, I expect more -trouble from those Burrnocks than from the loss of that mail. What can -be on foot among the bushbinders? I have it! Perhaps some of them stole -the missing mail! But, how?" - -Jack quickened his pace, and, naturally light-hearted, his rider was -putting the thoughts of his late adventures from his mind, when a sharp -voice called upon him to stop, while a wild, elfish-looking figure -sprang suddenly into the middle of the road at the imminent risk of -being trampled under the feet of the post horse. - -"Hello!" exclaimed Little Snap, reining in Jack, with an abruptness -which threw the creature back upon its haunches. "What is the trouble? -and how is it you throw yourself under my horse's very feet?" - -"Oh, mister! father is lost! Jim is gone, too! An' we can't find Fenn. -So come with me—quick!" - -The speaker was a girl of thirteen or fourteen, who would not have been -bad looking had it not been for the coatings of tan and dirt masking her -pinched face. She was quite tall for her age, with a slender figure -clothed in a gingham gown several sizes too large for her. Her head and -feet were bare, except for the thick covering of dirt on the latter and -the heavy mat of brown hair on the former. - -She was fearfully excited over something, and while she spoke she sawed -the air with her long arms in a frantic manner. - -"What has happened?" asked the postboy, in genuine alarm. - -"Oh, dad and the boys are gone!" - -"Gone where? Calm yourself, and then tell me what you want." - -"I can't stop. Mebbe they are killing now! They crawled into that dark -place, and they ain't never come out. Ye must go with me!" and she -caught hold of Little Snap's arms, nearly pulling him from his seat. - -I don't understand you. Stop right where you are until you can begin at -the beginning and tell me what has happened. Who are you?" - -I'm Tag Raggles, and me and my folks have jess come from Little Forks, -and was going to the Blazed Acres. We stopped jess ayont here, when, -seeing a big, black hole in the ground, dad 'lowed it mought lead -somewhere. So he crawled inter it; but he ain't come back! Jim went -arter him, and he ain't got back. Fenn, he went arter 'em, and he ain't -come back. Marm got scared well nigh to death, and she sent me down here -to hail the fust person to go past. You'll come with me, mister?" - -"I can't stop. Don't be alarmed about them; they will come back all -right in a short time. No doubt they have come before this." - -"No, no! Marm and me hollered and hollered, but it weren't any good. I -'lowed I weren't afraid to go in there, but marm, she wouldn't let me. -She's erbout crazy. You must go with me. It's only a little way, and you -can ride up there on your hoss if you want ter." - -As much as he disliked to lose the time, Little Snap felt that it was -his duty to go to the assistance of the bereaved family. There could be -no deception in the girl's action. She was too much in earnest for that. - -"You will go?" - -"Yes; lead the way." - -Her face brightened, as with a low exclamation of delight, she bounded -away from the road along a faintly defined path leading into the depths -of the wilderness. - -At intervals Little Snap saw the marks of wheel tracks in the sparsely -grown sward, and the footprints of oxen's feet occasionally were to be -seen. - -Presently, when he had begun to think he had gone far enough, they -entered a clearing in the growth near to the banks of a small stream, -which flowed on toward the Greenbrier. - -On the farther side of this valley the postboy discovered a white-topped -wagon drawn up in the shadows of the forest, while a short distance away -a pair of cattle lazily clipped the long grass. - -But he quickly turned from these, as a tall, slatternly-dressed woman of -uncertain age advanced swiftly from the base of bluff overlooking the -northern side of the opening, saying, in an excited tone: - -"Yer found one, Tag. I'm so glad yer hev come, sir. It's a desprit fix -we air all in." - -Though her explanation was hardly more easily understood than the girl's -had been, Little Snap learned that soon after her family had stopped in -the valley for a rest in their journey, her husband had discovered the -entrance to a cavern, and curious to know where it led, he had crawled -into the opening, but did not return. - -Growing anxious over his long absence, her oldest boy, man grown, had -followed his father, without giving any sign of his fate. In great -excitement by this time, the second son had gone after his father and -brother, and, like the others, nothing more had been seen or heard of -him. - -"It is terrible!" moaned the woman, wringing her hands. "They must be -dead, and I am left here alone in this wilderness with these three -little girls. Isn't there anything you can do?" - -Little Snap had begun to examine the mouth of the cave, but as far as he -could look in he could only see the rugged walls of the narrow passage -leading gradually downward into the earth until lost in the darkness of -the underground retreat. - -The opening was about two by three feet, and had been concealed by -overhanging bushes. - -"I thought a bad smell kem from th' place," said the woman. "Perhaps -they were stifled by gas. I have heard of sich things." - -"Or been eat up by snakes," said Tag Raggles. - -Thrusting his head and shoulders into the gloomy recess, Little Snap -shouted at the top of his voice to the missing men, but only the hollow -echoes of his cries, which seemed to reverberate from a long distance -away, answered him. - -"Thet ain't enny use, fer I hev hollered till I'm hoarse," declared Mrs. -Raggles, the tears coursing down her thin cheeks, while she wrung her -hands in the abandon of her grief. "Durst ye go in there, mister?" - -"Yes; I am going," replied the postboy, preparing to enter the -mysterious place. - -"Do be careful," implored Mrs. Raggles. "You won't be gone long, will -you?" - -"I will be back in a few minutes—if I come at all. I shall——" - -Little Snap's speech ended with a startling exclamation. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - WHAT LITTLE SNAP SAW. - - -Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap -had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently -as might be. - -"If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," -he said, speaking as if to a human being. - -The intelligent animal pricked up his ears, and answered with a low -whinny. - -The postboy's body was inside the mouth of the cavern when he had begun -the speech to Mrs. Raggles. - -It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway -descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees. But the moment his -feet touched upon this portion of the rock he suddenly found himself -slipping down the decline at a rapid rate. - -In vain he threw out his hands to stop himself. The surface was like -glass, over which he shot with the rapidity of lightning. - -He may have uttered a cry at the outset, but the shock was so sudden and -thrilling that he was unconscious of it if he did so. His whole -attention was centered upon trying to check his fearful momentum. - -He was carried onward near to the right wall, and he succeeded in -catching upon the rough surface twice during his wild passage. - -The first time his hands slipped upon the wet, slimy rock, the mishap -seemed to give greater impetus to his descent. Profiting by this -failure, he seized upon another projection with a firmer hold, but the -rocky knob broke away beneath his weight, and the piece went flying from -his bleeding fingers ahead of him on the downward course. - -Its collision with the glassy floor caused a dull reverberation to go -through the subterranean recesses, quickly followed by a sharp splash of -water! - -This last sound came from below him, and Little Snap had barely time to -understand that an abyss of great depth yawned at his feet before he was -upon its very brink. - -The warning from the stone came barely in season for him to renew his -efforts to catch on the rugged wall, which he did with more vigor than -before. - -Again he found his hold broken, by the fearful momentum with which he -was carried on, but the shock was such that he was lifted up clear from -the rock and carried completely over the chasm. - -Striking on the very rim of the farther side, he managed to keep from -falling backward into the pit by a herculean effort. - -The next moment, quite overcome by the ordeal, he sank upon the rock in -a sort of stupor. He soon rallied, however, when he tried to penetrate -the gloom around him sufficiently to note his surroundings. - -Though his eyes grew more accustomed to the blinding gloom in a few -minutes, and it was less painful to his gaze, he was unable to see the -nearest object with any certainty. Singularly enough, a dull, gray ring -lay at his feet. - -This he knew marked the abyss which he had so narrowly escaped. The spot -was oblong in shape, and about six feet in width by ten or twelve in -length. - -Not a sound broke the oppressive stillness of the cavern, save a faint -murmur borne up from the depths like the gentle plashing of slowly -moving water. - -By this time Little Snap had come to the conclusion that the unfortunate -Raggles, father and sons, had come to an untimely fate by falling into -the abyss, having been killed outright by the fall. - -With no way to estimate the distance to the bottom of the place, all -that seemed possible for him to do was to return to the outside world. - -But was this possible for him to do? - -He had crossed over the abyss, but how was he to get back? Little Snap, -as fertile as he was in resources, for once was baffled. - -Finding that there was no chance for him to pass over by clinging to the -wall on either side, he concluded to explore the passage beyond, with -the hope that he might find some other way of exit. - -Slowly and carefully he groped his way along for several yards, finding -that the passageway followed a zig-zag course as it penetrated deeper -and deeper into the heart of the earth. - -Its course, however, was no longer downward, but on a comparatively -level plane. This gave him additional courage to press on. - -The walls had been high enough for him to stand upright soon after -passing the entrance. - -With but a faint idea of how far he was going from the mouth of the -cavern, he pursued the winding passage for what seemed a long time to -him, when, suddenly, after turning an abrupt angle, a light flashed in -the space ahead. - -This caused him to stop with surprise, and he was about to shout for -joy, feeling that he had at last found his way to daylight, when his -outburst was checked by the sound of a human voice! - -Naturally of a cautious disposition, he carefully suppressed all sound, -until he should know whom he was to meet in that most unlikely place. - -He soon realized that it was not daylight which had sent such a ray of -hope to his heart, but the flickering glare of a torch stuck in one of -the crevices of the cavern's rocky walls. - -The first voice was quickly followed by another, and unable to see the -speakers, he crept forward as silently as possible on his hands and -knees, until he found himself at the end of the passage, and where it -opened out into a large underground room—larger than he could see by the -feeble light of the resinous pine knot. - -Near the flickering torch, sitting squat upon the rocky floor, he was -amazed to behold four men, evidently holding an earnest conversation. - -Ordinarily, the postboy would have made his presence known at once, but -the words already being spoken by one of the quartet were of such a -nature that he checked the salutation upon his lips and listened, with -bated breath, to the following dialogue: - -"The first person to get out of the way is that postboy." - -The speaker was a man above medium height, judging as he sat upon the -bottom of the cavern, and he spoke in a deep, guttural tone. - -He had small, snakish eyes, and the most prominent feature of his round -face was a heavy, reddish mustache. He had the appearance of being a -military person. - -All of the four were strangers to Little Snap, who was listening -intently for the next utterance. - -The following speaker was a short, thickset man, with a closely-trimmed -gray beard, who said: - -"That won't be a big job." - -"I ain't so sure o' it," remarked a third, younger than the others, and -smaller of stature. "Shag says——" - -A warning gesture from the first spokesman caused him to stop with his -sentence unfinished. - -"No names are allowed to be spoken here," growled he who was evidently -leader of the party. "Don't fergit yourself again, man." - -"I reckon we air safe 'nough here," retorted the other. "I'll warrant -there ain't a soul nearer'n Hollow Tree." - -"Never can be too careful; rocks have ears sometimes. I could have sworn -I heard a man's voice not ten minutes ago. But it's you we came here to -hear talk," nodding his head toward the last person of the quartet, who -had remained quiet so far. "What have you learned?" - -"Much that is mighty pleasing," replied the last, in a tone which caused -the concealed postboy to start with surprise. - -"Hark! I thought I heard some move!" exclaimed the chief, half starting -to his feet. - -"'Pears to me ye air mighty skeery to-day," growled he who had -accidentally spoken the name of the postmaster at Hollow Tree. - -Little Snap crouched closer to the rock in breathless silence, fearful -he had betrayed himself. - -When he had become reassured that such was not the case, he scrutinized -the fourth speaker more closely, but without discovering a familiar -feature. In the midst of his speculative study the man said: - -"Yes; everything is working in our favor. I have seen him at Six Roads, -and he tells me he will back us in all we undertake. He will look after -that end of the route. We have already got at least three of the offices -under our thumb. He says he can cook the goose of that upstart who -thinks he can run the Kanawha any way he chooses. The governor says for -us to keep still until he can carry out a little plan of his, and -then——" - -"Men get rusty lying around in the damp," said the chief. - -"Better get a little rusty than to take too much risk. It's my opinion -we can do no better than to wait his move." - -"What will the Acreites do while we loll around?" - -"Let 'em do what they please; we ain't going to leave a grease spot of -them before we get through. I tell you it is the biggest scheme ever -afoot since the days of old Burr, and when we have carried out our plans -we can snap our fingers at even Uncle Sam." - -"That all sounds well, but I ain't so much confidence in that old duffer -at Six——Hello! what's up?" - -The abrupt appearance of a newcomer upon the fitful scene caused every -man of the four to spring to his feet, and instinctively each sought the -firearm he carried at his side. - -"It is only our guard," said the chief, as he recognized the intruder. -"What is up, Blake? Anything wrong?" - -"There are strangers in the valley!" replied the newcomer. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - CLOSE QUARTERS. - - -"Have we been found?" asked the four in the same breath. - -"Not that I know of. The party that I meant seem to be a family stopped -here for a rest, though I could not see anything of the men folks. They -may be off gunning." - -"If there is no danger, what did you alarm us for?" demanded the chief. - -"I ain't through yet," replied the other, doggedly. "There is some one -else in the valley besides them. Perhaps he came with them." - -"Who is this other? Why don't you pack your ideas up together?" - -"I ain't seen the chap himself," continued the man, in his deliberate -way, "but the postboy of the Kanawha is somewhere around about these -diggings." - -Had a thunderbolt fallen among them the men could not have shown greater -surprise. - -"Where is he?" the four asked, again using the same words. - -"I tell you I don't know. His horse is on the other side of the bluff, -feeding as quietly as you please. The mail sack in on his back. Perhaps -he has throwed his rider." - -"Dix Lewis in this region!" exclaimed the chief, ignoring the last -statement of the messenger. "There is work for us to do, boys! Come——" - -At this juncture, the torch, which, unnoticed by all, had been dying -out, flared up for an instant and then went out, leaving the little -group enveloped in darkness. - -"The furies!" cried one of the men. "Who's got anything to make a -light?" - -"Follow me!" commanded the chief, "and let the light alone. We must find -that boy without any loss of time. His presence here at this——" - -Little Snap failed to catch the rest, but he had heard enough to know -that he must be active, too. From the sounds, he knew the party were -leaving their underground rendezvous. - -Aware that it would not do for these men to capture his horse with the -mail, his mind was filled with conflicting plans of action. His first -impulse was to return the way he had come, but he realized that it would -be impossible for him to cross the chasm, even could he scale the -slippery ascent beyond. Possibly, if he were coming the opposite way, he -might leap the abyss, though that would be extremely doubtful. - -Only one avenue of escape seemed open to him, and that was to follow -upon the heels of his enemies! - -He had not a moment to lose if he did this, and, without further -consideration, he glided across the cavern room in the direction taken -by the five men. - -Guided by the sounds of their advance, while moving as noiselessly as -possible himself, Little Snap threaded the circuitous passage, keeping -but a few yards behind them. - -After a short distance, the way began to ascend by irregular stone -steps, to climb which Little Snap had to exercise great caution not to -betray his presence. Once, as the party suddenly paused, he found -himself within a few feet of the group, but owing to the darkness he was -not discovered. - -"Hang it!" exclaimed the chief, after a moment's stop, "I have dropped -that letter somewhere. I think it must be where we were sitting. Blake, -go back and find it; and then keep a watch over the entrance to the cave -until we return." - -Little Snap held his breath at the sound of this order, and when he -heard the man turning back, he felt that he was lost. - -Without losing his presence of mind, he shrank back as close to the -nearest wall as he could, and silently awaited the approach of the -other. - -He hadn't long to wait, for the next moment Blake's heavy step told that -he was near at hand. Then the postboy felt his bulky form brush against -him! - -"I shall be glad when we get out of this place!" muttered the man, as he -stumbled on past the crouching figure of our hero. - -During this time the others were leaving the cavern, and as soon as he -dared, Little Snap started forward, feeling now that every moment was of -infinite value to him. - -A little farther on a streak of daylight struggling into the dismal -pathway told that they were approaching the end of the passage. - -In fact, the men were already crawling out of the small aperture that -afforded an exit from the cave. - -As closely as he dared, Little Snap followed after them, and when he -could no longer hear their movements he ventured to peer out. As at the -other place of entrance, the mouth of the cavern was overgrown with -stunted bushes, so as to be well concealed from sight. He found, too, -that the spot was nearly twenty-five feet from the ground, it being -midway up the side of the bluff. - -A small stone rattling down the side of the declivity, passing within a -few inches of his head, warned him of the close proximity of his -enemies. - -It also told him that they had ascended to the top of the cliff. In -fact, that seemed the only way of escape from the place, as the rock -descended smooth and perpendicular to the bottom. - -With greater caution than ever, he noiselessly scaled the ascent in the -footsteps of the four men, who were hastening to find him. - -As his head came on a level with the top of the rocky heights, he -discovered them approaching the opposite side, creeping cautiously -toward the edge overlooking the clearing where the Raggles family had -camped, and where he had left Jack. - -A movement below him at that moment warned him of the return of Blake -from his search for the missing letter. Glancing downward, he saw the -head of the other appearing in the mouth of the cave! - -Little Snap began to realize that he was in close quarters. - -To retreat would be to throw himself into the arms of the enemy behind, -while it would be even greater madness to ascend to the summit. - -No sooner had Little Snap taken a hasty survey of his situation than he -decided that by following along the side of the bluff he might reach a -place where he could descend in safety to the valley. - -With an agility belonging to one of his years, he advanced on the side -of the cliff, finding a foothold in some crevice of the ledge or on a -bush, and clinging with a tenacious hold to its precarious support. - -But he had not gone half a dozen yards before a sharp cry from Blake -told that he had been discovered. - -"Here he goes!" shouted the excited man, regardless of all caution now. - -The cries were answered by a great commotion among those on the summit, -and he heard the chief call out some question he did not understand. - -"He's climbin' along th' rock!" cried Blake. "Head him off, an' ye hev -got him!" - -The next instant four heads were thrust over the brink within a rod of -where Little Snap was suspended in midair! - -"Hold up where you are!" commanded the chief, whose sharp eyes had -discovered the fugitive. - -Without stopping to reply, the postboy dropped from the bush supporting -him in a diagonal direction to another several feet below. - -"Don't let him get away!" cried the chief. - -"Hold up there, boy, where you are, and we won't hurt you! Stop, or we -will end your career at once. We hold your life in our hands." - -Little Snap knew enough of the natures of the men menacing his life to -feel that he was running no greater risk in trying to get away from them -than he would in allowing himself to fall into their power. - -Accordingly, without paying any heed to the warning, he swung himself -forward and downward to a narrow shelf on the side of the ledge, where -he found himself in sight of the clearing in front of the bluff. - -Casting a swift glance over the scene, he saw Jack standing nearly where -he had left him. He also saw Mrs. Raggles and her three girls picking up -the rude utensils they had used in getting their lunch, and tossing them -into the wagon. But what surprised him the most was the sight of old man -Raggles and his two boys, in the act of hitching the oxen to the -vehicle! - -He barely took this all in at a glance, without having time to give it a -second thought. - -He was now about fifteen feet from the foot of the ledge, and seeing -that the way was clear beyond, he unhesitatingly dropped from his -precarious perch into the bushes growing near to the mouth of the cave. - -As he did so, the reports of the outlaws' firearms rang out sharply on -the silence of the wild woods. - -Quickly regaining his equilibrium, Little Snap bounded toward the side -of the surprised Jack, who looked up with wonder at his sudden approach. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - LITTLE SNAP'S TROUBLES INCREASE. - - -Though Little Snap was aware that he was running the gantlet of the -rifles of the bushbinders, he kept on undaunted, until he had reached -the side of his horse. - -The next moment he sprang lightly into the saddle, and gathering up the -reins, shouted: - -"Away, Jack! show them a light pair of heels!" - -The faithful steed needed no urging to do this, and with the reports of -the baffled men's firearms and the cries of the startled Raggles family -ringing in his ears, the postboy of the Kanawha dashed furiously down -the path leading to the main road from Greenbrier to Six Roads. - -Not a word escaped his tightly compressed lips, until the highway was -reached, when he patted his horse on the neck, saying, gently: - -"Easy, now, Jack, old boy; the danger is over for the present. It was a -close call, but a miss is as good as a mile, though I don't care to go -through that experience again." - -Slackening his gait to an easy canter, Jack bore his rider on without -further urging. The truth was, the postboy's mind was busy trying to -solve the subject of the meeting in the cave of the four unknown men. He -was also puzzled to understand the actions of the Raggles family. While -he could not believe that their story to get him into the cave had been -a hoax, he was unable to understand their reappearance upon the scene. - -The postboy was still trying to solve these problems, when he reached a -small town called by the singular name of Daring's Diamond. - -He found the postmaster, Mr. Anderson, impatiently awaiting his -appearance. - -"Late again," greeted the official, in a disagreeable tone. - -"I could not very well help it," replied Little Snap, handing him the -mail pouch. - -"That is what you say every time. You are an hour overdue. Mr. Meiggs, -who has just gone out, has been talking pretty loud about you. If I were -in your place, I would not let this happen again. People who are having -mail want it on time. It may not make any difference to the Blazed Acre -cattle, but it does to civilized people, I have noticed." - -It wasn't so much what the postmaster said as the way in which he said -it that nettled Little Snap, though he made no reply. This Mr. Meiggs -referred to was one of the postboy's bondsmen. - -"I suppose you know Dan Shag has gone up to see Jason Warfield about the -Hollow Tree mail?" said the postmaster, as he handed over the sack. "Of -course you know; what a fool I am! He must have passed you 'tween here -and the Tree." - -To this Little Snap made no reply. He knew Anderson was saying these -things to draw him out. The postmaster, for some unknown reason, had -never acted friendly toward him. - -He never could understand why. - -It was never Little Snap's practice to hold much conversation with those -he met on his route, and on this occasion he felt less like talking than -common. - -He was due at Union Six Roads, the end of his route, at eight o'clock, -and it was already past that hour, it having been sunset at the time of -his escape from his enemies at the cave. - -[Illustration: - - "The reports of the outlaws' firearms rang out sharply on the silence - of the wild woods as Little Snap bounded toward Jack." -] - -Thus he took the mail pouch from Mr. Anderson's hands, and throwing it -on its accustomed hook, sprang into his seat before that worthy could -realize he was leaving. - -"Hold up a minnit!" he exclaimed, as the postboy dashed away, but not -loud enough for him to hear. "Go it!" muttered the other, "I shan't -forget it in my report. I reckon you'll wish you hadn't been in so much -of a hurry when you come to meet old Warfield." - -Little thinking of what was in store for him at his home town, the -postboy urged Jack on at greater speed than common, until at last he -dashed up in front of the Six Roads post office, kept by John Rimmon, -who also had a small trade in groceries. - -The postmaster met him at the door, with a troubled look upon his -features. - -"What in the world have you been doing all this time, Dix Lewis? Hold -on! don't dismount. Jason Warfield left word here for me to tell you to -come right up to his house the minute you got in. He wants to see you on -matters of vital importance. Them's just his words." - -"Well, I will run up and see just as soon as I have put Jack in the -stable." - -"But he said you mustn't stop for that. He said for you to be sure and -come the minute you got here. By his looks and actions, it must be -something of very great importance." - -The Honorable Jason Warfield, as that rather pompous gentleman desired -to be known, was considered one of the richest men in Monroe County. In -some way, not easily understood by the easy-going inhabitants of Six -Roads, a large proportion of the property in town was in his name, and -it was doggedly repeated that "he had a mortgage on the rest." - -Be that as it may, no move of any importance was made without consulting -him, and his sanction to any undertaking was deemed sufficient to insure -its success. Of course, such a man had his enemies, but as a rule he was -liked. - -His was the first name on the Postboy of the Kanawha's bond, and it was -generally supposed that he had been principally instrumental in securing -Little Snap his situation. - -It was no wonder then that the postmaster looked surprised when our hero -said that he was going to care for his horse before he visited Mr. -Warfield. - -"I wouldn't take any such chances," declared the worthy minion of the -government, with an ominous shake of his grizzled locks. - -Little Snap's home was but a short distance from the post office, so he -was quickly there, to be met at the door by his mother and two sisters, -both of the latter being younger than he, the three looking very -anxious. - -"Where have you been, my son?" asked his mother. "We have been so -worried about you. And Mr. Warfield has been here, acting very much put -out. He wants you to come up to his house as soon as possible. Something -terrible has happened, I know." - -"Nothing to be alarmed about, mother. But if Bess will take care of -Jack, I will go right up to Mr. Warfield's, though I cannot imagine what -he is so anxious to see me for." - -"He is terribly excited about something. I would go at once, if I were -you, and I will have your supper warm for you when you get back." - -"Is father at home?" asked Little Snap. - -"No; I have not seen him to-day. He stays away more than ever of late. -Why did you ask?" - -"Oh, nothing. Give Jack a good supper, Bess, and see that he is -comfortable for the night. There, mother, don't be worried any more. I -won't be gone long this time." - -It was nothing unusual, as Mrs. Lewis had inferred, for John Lewis, our -hero's father, to be away from home. In fact, it was very seldom he was -there, and when he was he hardly ever did any work or business. He was a -man of a few words and very peculiar habits. His neglect of his family -had made it necessary that Dix do something for their support. - -Kissing his mother, as was his practice when leaving home, Little Snap -turned away to start on his visit to Mr. Warfield's, when he saw a party -of men approaching the house. - -"Why, it's Mr. Warfield in front!" exclaimed his mother. "He got -impatient waiting for you. And there is Mr. Meiggs and Daniel Shag, of -Hollow Tree, and—and Mr. Bardy, the sheriff. Oh, Dix! what does it -mean?" - -"Nothing to be alarmed over, I am sure, mother, so be calm." - -In a louder tone of voice, he greeted the newcomers, saying: - -"Good-evening, gentlemen. I was starting to come up to your house, Mr. -Warfield." - -"Was that the direction I left at the post office for you to follow, -young man?" demanded Mr. Warfield, sternly. - -"No, sir; but Jack was so tired that I thought——" - -"So you put more importance upon the condition of your horse than you do -the affairs of Uncle Sam?" - -"Not exactly that; but I did not know you wished to see me upon -government matters. I——" - -"It seems to me, young man, that you should have been very anxious to -see me, if I was not to see you, after what has happened to-day. Mr. -Shag was so much concerned about it that he rode up here posthaste to -let me know. He tells me you have lost the Hollow Tree packet of mail." - -"Mr. Shag said it was missing, sir, when I got to his office; but I -trust you do not think it any of my fault. Mr. Belmont——" - -"The horse does not seem very badly winded," broke in Sheriff Brady, who -had approached Jack, and was running his hand over the creature's body. -"Ha! Mr. Warfield, I hardly think we shall have to look much farther for -the missing mail. Here it is, fast enough." - -Little Snap uttered a low exclamation of astonishment, as he saw the -sheriff take from the little pouch he had fastened to the saddle for his -convenience in carrying small articles to and fro on his trips, the -missing package of mail matter! - -All feelings imaginable were depicted upon the countenances of the -little group surrounding the postboy. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - "THE TRUTH IN A NUTSHELL." - - -"This explains why he did not wish to come up to your house with his -hoss, squire," said Dan Shag, nodding his head toward the recovered -package. "I thought it was best to git here as soon as possible." - -The sheriff was examining the package more closely, while Mr. Warfield -looked from him to the postboy with a peculiar expression upon his face. - -"What does all this mean?" asked Mrs. Lewis, in an anxious voice. "My -boy has done nothing wrong; I am sure of that." - -"Do not be alarmed, mother," said Little Snap, gently. "Please go into -the house, and I will explain it to these men." - -"So you confess to the theft?" inquired Mr. Warfield, quickly, without -giving Mrs. Lewis time to speak. - -"No, sir. In fact, I do not know as there has been any theft." - -"Don't get excited, my boy," said Mr. Warfield, in a more kindly tone -than he had previously used. "We are all your friends, and are not here -to injure you. Mr. Shag came up to tell me about the missing package, -and I thought it was best for us to see you before it had been noised -all over town. Own up to the truth and we will not be hard with you." - -"I am not going to tell you anything but the truth, Mr. Warfield. How -that package of mail came in my saddle pocket is more than I can -explain. I certainly did not put it there, nor did I know it was there." - -"Ask him if he can explain where he has been the past two hours. I came -straight up here from th' Tree, an' he was sartinly not on th' road. -P'raps he has a cross road by which he carries th' mail. I s'pose thet -would give him more chance to look over th' letters; but is thet the way -Uncle Sam expects him to carry it?" - -"Mr. Warfield," said Little Snap, knowing it was not best for him to -speak too freely before the rest, "I would like to see you alone for a -few minutes. I think I can explain this matter in a satisfactory -manner." - -"Don't be afraid to speak right up before these gentlemen," said Mr. -Warfield. "They are all my friends, and my friends are yours." - -But Little Snap was too crafty to divulge his secret to Dan Shag, whom -he did not dare to trust. - -"I cannot speak here where I am liable to be heard by some one even you -would not care to have hear. If you will come into my house, Mr. -Warfield, I will say what I wish you to know." - -"Don't ye risk yer life in his hands," said Shag. "He is armed an' a -desprit chap." - -"Hadn't I better arrest him now, and then give him his chance to talk?" -asked the sheriff. - -"Arrest my boy?" cried Mrs. Lewis. "You do—you cannot mean it." - -"Be calm, mother. You have nothing to fear. They can arrest me if they -wish, but I am innocent of any charge they can bring against me. On what -complaint did you think you could arrest me, Mr. Brady?" - -"I don't believe I would harm him yet, Jim," Mr. Warfield hastened to -say. "If you have anything you wish to say to me alone, Dix, I am ready -to listen." - -"Come into the house, please, Mr. Warfield. I won't detain you very -long." - -"We'll see he don't git away," said Shag. - -Without noticing Dan Shag's speech, Mr. Warfield followed Little Snap -into the house in silence. - -As soon as they had entered the humble sitting-room, and Mr. Warfield -had sunk into the proffered chair, the postboy said to his guest: - -"What I am going to tell you, Mr. Warfield, is not so much in my defense -as it is to show up a startling discovery I have made. If you will allow -me, I will begin with an adventure I had on Eagle's Tracks, and tell you -just how I came in late to-night." - -"Go ahead, only make your story as short as you can." - -Then Little Snap gave a succinct account of all that had befallen him -after leaving Uncle Solitaire until he had effected his escape from the -cave, often interrupted by his listener with startling exclamations and -puzzling questions. - -"You are romancing, boy! I cannot realize half you say. Why, from your -talk I should say you had unearthed a band of plotters against the -government." - -"I do not know just what they meant, but I do know they are a gang of -evil men, who would hesitate at no means to carry their ends." - -"While I am surprised at what you have said, your statements are lacking -in the elements that would make them valuable as evidence. You say you -did not get the real drift of the talk between the four men, and that -you recognized none of them." - -"I do not think I ever saw them before, though the voice of one sounded -very familiar." - -"Will you describe the party?" - -Little Snap did so, Mr. Warfield listening intently, to say, at his -conclusion: - -"I do not believe we should attribute any harmful meaning to what they -said. The very fact that they were strangers to both of us, and I know -nearly every one in Monroe County, would seem to warrant us in believing -so. By the way, do you realize the error you made in neglecting your -duty to run after those worthless Raggles—I think that was the name you -called those vagabonds?" - -"I am aware, sir, it was a mistake. I——" - -"Mistake? It was criminal neglect of duty, young man. The rules and -regulations laid down by Uncle Sam are very strict. You are to keep all -the mail intrusted to your hands in sight at all times, and here you -went off for an hour and, according to your own story, left the mail -pouch entirely unprotected. Why, that very act was enough to cost you -your situation. Remember I am not upbraiding you, but speaking to you as -a father would to his son." - -"I know I did wrong, Mr. Warfield, but the circumstances were such that -I could scarcely do different. Mrs. Raggles——" - -"Don't mention their names again. From your own words, the worthless -vagabonds could not have been in trouble. It seems they were safe enough -when you got clear of your troubles." - -"I do not understand it, Mr. Warfield. I have carried the Kanawha mail -for two years without failing to do my duty, and I hope you have -confidence in me to think I can fulfill my term." - -"I did at the outset, or I should never have obtained the place for you. -But I must feel that you are attending to your duties. My political -prospects are such that I am expecting piles of mail matter, and I want -to know that it is coming to me safely. My very election to Congress may -depend upon it." - -Mr. Warfield had been a seeker after the nomination as member for -Congress from that district almost as long as our hero could remember, -and he well knew that he was still in the field—"in the hands of his -friends," as he expressed it. - -"Mr. Warfield," said the postboy, in his quiet, determined way, "I am -not going to make any new promise, but I repeat those I have made, and -when you have found me faithless to my duty I will willingly make room -for Mr. Shag or any other man." - -The mention of the name of the postmaster of Hollow Tree made the -politician wince. - -"Bah! he isn't half so competent to carry the mail as your horse, Jack." - -"Still he is making all of this trouble, simply because he is mad with -me for getting the route when he wanted it. There you have the truth in -a nutshell." - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - "I AM STANDING ON MY OWN FEET." - - -"I don't know but you are right, Dix. Still, you haven't explained the -worst feature of your case. How came the missing package of mail in your -possession?" - -"I cannot tell. Some one must have put it there, but who or when, I -cannot say." - -"You said it was missing before you got to Hollow Tree?" - -"No, sir. I said it was not in the pouch when I looked for it at the -request of Mr. Shag; but you must remember I did not see the pouch until -after he had examined it, and had had the opportunity to take it out if -he had chosen." - -"Be careful how you make any charges you cannot back up. I must say you -are exceedingly outspoken." - -"I am standing on my own feet, Mr. Warfield, and I am going to tell you -just what I believe is the truth. I will know the mystery of that packet -of mail before I get through. You seem to forget the attack of the -Burrnocks." - -"On the contrary, I have been thinking of them very much, and this leads -me to give you a bit of advice. I advise you to give up this mail route -at once. You were too young to have undertaken it." - -Little Snap looked up with surprise. - -"I hardly expected that from you, Mr. Warfield." - -"Excuse me, I was thinking only of your good. Those Burrnocks are -desperate men, and I fear it will cost you your life to continue. -Perhaps you think you cannot afford to give up so good a job, but you -can better spare it than your life." - -"Our living depends on my work," replied the postboy, with a quivering -lip. "More than that, and what I prize infinitely higher, my honor is at -stake. If I give up now, it will look as if I was guilty of the charge -of taking the mail. I feel it thus my duty to stay where I am, until I -have been able not only to prove my innocence but to show up the guilty -ones." - -"You cannot do this alone, and, of course, if those who have put you in -this place do not think it prudent to back you up in your rashness, you -cannot blame them." - -Little Snap understood more by this statement than the mere words told, -as the speaker intended he should. Drawing his boyish figure to its full -height with an air which made the politician start with surprise, if not -fear, he said: - -"Mr. Warfield, I want to know who my friends are, and you and I might as -well have an understanding at the outset as later. Of course I am very -grateful to you for signing my bond and helping me so far as you have. -Now, if you wish to withdraw, I shall have no ill feeling; but you must -remember that Mr. Marion Calvert owns the contract for this route, and -as long as he has confidence in me to carry the mail I do not expect to -give way." - -Little Snap was bolder in his speech than he might otherwise have been, -as he knew that Mr. Warfield was anxious to keep on friendly terms with -this Mr. Calvert, who had a strong political backing. - -Mr. Warfield's reply, which came after a moment's hesitation, was more -friendly than he had dared to expect. - -"Bravo for you, Dix Lewis! Give me your hand. You are made of just the -stuff to succeed, and I can see that you will do better than nine men -out of ten. Your words have opened my eyes. Go ahead, and count upon me -to lend you all the assistance in my power. Every dollar I have got in -this world and all of my personal influence is enlisted in your behalf. -I don't know how the other bondsmen feel, but you know my state of mind. - -"I suppose the others are anxiously awaiting us, so let's adjourn this -meeting. I will make it all right with Brady." - -Little Snap, after thanking Mr. Warfield for his words, sought his -mother to allay her fears. - -Whatever the politician said to the Hollow Tree postmaster and Sheriff -Brady he did not know, but the entire party went away at once. - -"It's all right, mother," he said to her, as soon as the men had gone, -"so have no further concern." - -"I wish I could think so, my son; but somehow I fear there is trouble in -store for you. Mr. Brady has been telling me about those Burrnocks, and -he says they will kill you at the first opportunity. They are dreadful -men, and I fear they would not hesitate at any crime. I wish you would -give up carrying the mail, Dix; we can live somehow." - -"It isn't all a living, mother; my good name is at stake now." - -"The boy has too much of the blood of old John Lewis in his veins to do -that, Mary," said a new voice, breaking in upon the scene before Mrs. -Lewis could reply, and mother and son turned to see with surprise a -tall, middle-aged man standing in the doorway. - -He was Little Snap's father. - -"Why, John! Where have you been?" asked Mrs. Lewis, starting toward him. -"I have been so worried about you." - -"No need of that, Mary. I think I ought to have shown you by this time -that I am able to take care of myself." - -Mr. Lewis was a man who was a mystery to all who knew him. He was -generally considered mildly insane, but more often spoken of as "the man -without a memory." His past life seemed to be a void to him, except at -rare intervals, when a ray of light would suddenly flash across his -darkened mind, to go as quickly as it had come. Of late years he had -been at home but very little, though where he spent his time not even -those at home knew. Of course his wife worried over his strange conduct, -but as long as he was harmless and seemed, as he had said, able to care -for himself, it was not thought best to keep him at home by force. - -The Lewis family was one of the oldest and most respected in the valley -of the Kanawha, our hero being directly descended from those gallant -pioneers of the dark days of the Old Dominion, John and Samuel Lewis, -well known to the pages of Virginia history. - -"John," said the anxious wife, "I wish you would not be away from home -so much. What is it calls you away so much? You look pale and haggard; -there is some trouble." - -"There is trouble, Mary, and I have been trying to think what it is. For -the present we must wait, though it will all come round in good season. - -"Did I tell you, my son, that you had aroused the snakes of Blazed Acre? -You must carry a level head. Most of all, look out for those who profess -the greatest friendship. There, that is all I can think of now. I must -leave you now, Mary. I will be back again to stop longer next time." - -Then, in spite of their remonstrances, he went out of the house and was -not seen again that night. - -Though it was late before our hero retired, he was on hand at his usual -hour the following morning, and promptly at six he called at the post -office for the mail pouch. - -According to his instructions he was expected to leave Six Roads at six -o'clock and arrive at Upper Loop at eleven in the forenoon; returning, -he was to start from the last office at two in the afternoon, to get -back to the home office at eight in the evening. To do this, he made a -shift of horses at Salt Works, with extra animals at the end of the -route to go every other day. - -This was the day for Jack to rest, Little Snap riding a small, brown -mare that he had named Fairy. Though not as intelligent as the bay, she -was even fleeter of foot and perfectly obedient to the will of her young -master. - -"So you are going to try it again," said the postmaster, as he handed -out the pouch. "I advise you to keep your eyes open, and not to lose -sight of your business again." - -Hardly knowing how to take this speech, the postboy nodded in assent, -and touching Fairy lightly, dashed down the descending road toward -Daring's Diamond. - -It was a beautiful day in early autumn, and it was but natural a -seventeen-year-old boy, full of life and activity, should throw off the -cares and anxieties of his position, to break forth into snatches of -song. - -"I never felt so light-hearted in my life!" he cried, "and I hail it as -a good omen. I can't think that you and I, Fairy, will find any such -hornets' nest to come through as Jack and I did yesterday." - -Thus, with a cheerfulness which puzzled those who knew of his adventures -the previous day, Little Snap kept on without interruption, until he was -about halfway between Hollow Tree and Greenbrier, when he was surprised -to see Tag Raggles spring from the bushes by the wayside into his path. - -"I want to speak to you, mister," she said. - -"Well," said the postboy, reining up Fairy, and waiting for the -elfin-like girl to speak. - -Giving a hurried glance around, as if expecting to see some one in -pursuit of her, she said: - -"Dad sent me, an' he said he did yit for the kindness you tried to do -him yesterday. He said for you not to go on alone. Them bad Burrnocks -are laying in the rock in Devil's Wash Bowl to kill you as you go -erlong! Fact!" seeing Little Snap's look of doubt on his face. - -"Don't tell who told you," and before he could speak she had vanished -into the depths of the woods. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - A TERRIFIC TRAP. - - -It would have been difficult to describe Little Snap's feelings, as he -listened to the sounds of Tag Raggles' retreat, following her strange -warning. - -"It may have been only a scare, after all," he mused, as he resumed his -journey. "I judge the source whence it came is not very reliable. It -would do me no good to speak of the affair at Greenbrier. The mere -mention of the name of Burrnock is enough to give them the fits there. -But I will keep my eyes open if I decide to go it alone." - -Though at first he thought of mentioning the matter to the postmistress, -Little Snap concluded to say nothing of the threatened danger, while -determined not to be caught off his guard. - -Thus he rode into the Wash Bowl that day with uncommon nervousness, and -an ear and an eye trained for whatever might come. The rustling of a -leaf would cause him to start, and once he felt sure he saw the outlines -of a man's form behind one of the bowlders. - -But no manifestation of danger presented itself, and with rising hopes -he ascended the way to the Narrows, expecting now that if he was -attacked at all it would be on Eagle's Tracks, where he had so narrowly -escaped from the desperadoes of Blazed Acre the day before. - -The trepidation on the part of the postboy does not by any means go to -show that he was lacking in true courage, but it was rather the natural -consequence under the circumstances. - -He drew a good, long breath of relief as at last he passed over the -summit and caught a wide view of the broadening valley of the Kanawha. - -"The warning was a scare, or Raggles was mistaken," he said, aloud. "But -I will confess it was trying. Move a little faster, Fairy." - -Little Snap was never accosted by the old hermit on his downward trips, -so he met with no interruption until Salt Works was reached, where he -changed horses and resumed his journey with less than fifteen minutes' -delay. - -"Our future congressman seems to be well favored to-day," remarked the -postmaster at Upper Loop, when Little Snap was ready to start on his -return trip at two o'clock. "He has no less than six registered letters, -and I imagine some of them are valuable." - -The postboy paid little heed to this careless speech, not realizing how -vividly he was to recall it before he got home. - -"Well, well," said the gossipy clerk at the Salt Works office, "the -Honorable Jason is in luck this time. Six registered letters, and a -nomination in each one, I suppose. To speak the truth, I suspicion he -would give all these letters for a seat in Congress." - -Once more borne by a good steed, Little Snap began his tedious ascent -over the mountain forming the huge backbone between the valleys of the -Great and Little Kanawha and Greenbrier. - -He found Uncle Solitaire awaiting him under the live oak, with the usual -question and melancholy message, after which he reached Greenbrier -without adventure. - -"Six registered letters for Mr. Warfield," said the postmistress at -Greenbrier, as if there was a conspiracy to keep this fact fresh in -Little Snap's mind. - -However, he heard nothing further of the precious letters until he had -accomplished his hard day's work and given the mail pouch into the hands -of Mr. Rimmon at Six Roads. - -Nothing unusual had occurred at home during the day, and after supper -the postboy went into the post office, where he found a dozen or more -men gathered. - -Whatever the subject of their conversation had been, it was suddenly -dropped upon his appearance. - -He did not intend to stop, and inquiring if there was any mail for those -at his home, he was turning away, when he heard Mr. Warfield, in his -loud tone: - -"Only three, Mr. Rimmon? I am sure there ought to be more." - -"That is all reaching this office, Mr. Warfield." - -"They may get along to-morrow, but I was expecting three or four others, -and two of them I was certain would come to-day. You must have -overlooked them." - -Little Snap's attention was held by these words, and instantly his mind -reverted to the six registered letters. Had one-half of them failed to -reach their destination? - -In the midst of his speculations Mr. Warfield approached him, to inquire -about his day's trip. - -"Don't fail to let me know if anything unusual happens, Dix, though I -hope you will get along without further trouble. Perhaps you will. By -the way, I do not suppose you know anything about my registered -letters?" - -"I would not be expected to, would I, Mr. Warfield?" replied Little -Snap, answering him with another question. - -"No; I hardly suppose you would. Still you want to keep your eyes and -ears open. I had some letters due to-night which have not come. But -to-morrow will bring them or explain the reason of their not coming." - -At the first opportunity Little Snap inquired of Mr. Rimmon concerning -the letters, to learn that there were really three less than had passed -through the offices on his route as far as Greenbrier to his knowledge. - -"Why, there were six, Mr. Rimmon, started from Loop, and Budd Grass said -there were as many at her office." - -"What! That don't seem possible," replied Mr. Rimmon, in great surprise. -"Who would dare to stop them?" - -"That is what is puzzling me." - -"Say, Dix," cried the postmaster, abruptly, "if I were you I wouldn't -mention this to any one else. Don't you see, it looks bad for you." - -"But I haven't had the handling of them." - -"I know; but at the same time it might cause a suspicion against you. I -hope they will come to-morrow. I won't say anything about them, and we -will see what a day brings forth." - -Not wishing to give his mother any unnecessary alarm, Little Snap said -nothing of the missing letters at home, though he was troubled not a -little in his mind concerning their fate. - -Mr. Rimmon did not mention them the following morning, nor did any of -the other postmasters on his route, so nothing disturbed the even tenor -of his trip, until he was entering the gloomy region of the Devil's Wash -Bowl and thoughts of the Burrnocks of Blazed Acre succeeded those of the -missing letters. - -Naturally enough Little Snap's gaze was fixed upon the rugged scene -ahead, with that intentness born of the intuition of danger. He was -passing that point in the descent into the Bowl where for a few minutes -the craggy heights would be hidden from his view, when he was surprised -to see a white speck appear for a moment upon the dark background. - -Quickly stopping Jack, he soon saw a similar object rise above the -beetling rocks of the Narrows, and after wavering for a moment in the -air sink out of sight. - -At a loss to know what these meant, he watched the place for several -minutes, though he saw nothing further to explain the mystery. - -Resolved not to be caught off his guard, if any harm was intended him, -he rode cautiously forward into the valley and on up the Devil's Stairs -leading to Eagle's Tracks. - -Not a sound broke the solemn silence of the wild scene, save the steady -tread of Jack's feet, and Snap began to breathe easier as he approached -the upper edge of the Tracks and drew near the Narrows. - -"In a moment I shall be around the point of rock and——" - -A terrific explosion suddenly cut short his thoughts, and looking -backward, he was startled to see a huge portion of the cliff overhanging -the narrow road topple over and fall with a deafening crash on the spot -he had just passed. - -Jack jumped madly forward at the startling sound, unchecked by his -rider, who was as anxious as the steed to get beyond the frowning wall -of rocks. - -The next moment he reached the Narrows and was almost at the angle where -the way suddenly wound around to the other side of the cliff, when a -second explosion, more startling than the first, broke upon the air. -Looking up with dread expectations of what he was to witness, the -postboy reeled back in his saddle as he saw the whole side of the ledge -falling upon him, while huge blocks of stone were sent flying over his -head into the chasm yawning upon his left hand. - -Too late to reach safety ahead, unable to turn back, a shudder ran -through his frame, as he realized that the next moment he must be -crushed into a shapeless mass by the rending rock! - - - - - CHAPTER X. - LITTLE SNAP'S REMARKABLE RIDE. - - -The thrill of terror which ran through the postboy's form at sight of -the reeling cliff swiftly descending upon him was quickly followed by -the ready decision of action so natural to him. - -Given but an instant in which to think and act, a less level-headed -person must have been caught under the massive block of granite. Not one -in a hundred would have had the nerve to do what Dix Lewis dared in that -awful moment. - -A glance showed him that there was only one way of escape from the -falling slice of ledge, and even that led to what seemed as certain -death in another form. - -But there was one chance in a thousand, and that hope was enough to -nerve him to action. - -The sheer descent to the Kanawha was over a hundred feet at this spot, -but in a wild leap down this fearful chasm lay his sole hope. - -With a sharp cry of encouragement to Jack, he spurred the faithful steed -forward—forward to the brink of the frightful depths, where for a moment -horse and rider seemed suspended in midair. - -Another shout to the trembling horse, a wild glance backward, and the -Postboy of the Kanawha made the flying leap to what seemed instant -death! - -As he was carried downward as if on wings of air, a sharp cry rang on -his ears, while his last look at the cliff had shown him the well-known -figure of Buzzard Burrnock outlined with vivid distinctness on the -uppermost point of the bluff. - -Then his breath almost left him, and a suffocating sensation came over -him, quickly ended by a loud splash of water, and the furious struggling -of the gallant Jack, as he reached the surface of the rolling Kanawha. - -Little Snap seemed to lose his senses for a time, and the battle which -ensued on the part of his noble horse was not fully realized by him. - -Fortunately, the river at this point was clear of the huge bowlders that -strewed its course only a short distance above, and the deep water -flowed sullenly on its way. - -When our hero began to comprehend somewhat where he was, he found -that Jack was swimming with the current in the middle of the stream. - -[Illustration: - - "As Little Snap was carried downward, a sharp cry rang on his ears." -] - -Then it slowly dawned upon him that he had escaped from that wild leap -with his life. - -He found to his joy that the mail pouch was still hanging from its usual -position. - -"Saved, Jack!" he murmured. "What a fearful chance, but you brought me -safely through. Keep up courage, my noble fellow, and we will soon be -safe on dry land again." - -This desperate ride of Little Snap's finds an equal in the mad leap of -McCulloch, the brave pioneer of earlier days in Virginia, who, hunted by -a party of Indians, in the vicinity of Wheeling Hill, was driven upon -the bluff overhanging the creek, and, preferring death in the waters of -the stream, rode off the precipice, the banks of which were higher than -those of the Kanawha, where Little Snap took his fearful choice. Both -the brave McCulloch and his horse escaped, as is verified by the pages -of history. I know of no other instance of this kind on record, though -there may be many. - -Little Snap had passed beyond the point of rocks, so he had lost sight -of the Narrows, though the awful sound of the breaking rock still rang -in his ears. - -Seeing there was no possible place for Jack to gain a foothold on either -side of the river, he allowed the horse to swim on at the steed's own -will. - -He had lifted the mail pouch above the water, and feeling that its -contents were not injured, he calmly waited the end of his adventure. - -Jack must have swum nearly a mile down the stream before his rider saw a -place where a landing could be effected, when he guided the course of -the steed in that direction. - -After a severe struggle, during which Little Snap several times felt -that the attempt must be given up, the brave bay succeeded in gaining a -foothold upon _terra firma_. - -The postboy then sprang to the ground, while Jack shook the water from -his dripping sides. - -When he had found that the mail matter had not suffered from the water, -he remounted and rode on toward Salt Works, finding his way slowly along -the rugged mountain side, until at last he was gladdened by the sight of -the road. - -Jack soon increasing his gait to a smart canter, the distance to Salt -Works was speedily passed, at which place Little Snap told his story to -a wondering circle of listeners, whom it was plain to see failed to -think that his story could be the truth in full. - -"The road will have to be cleared before I can get back," said our hero. -"It must be completely blocked by the rock." - -"It doesn't come in our district," said the postmaster, "but I will -endeavor to get word up to Greenbrier about it. They would never find it -out if I didn't." - -Leaving Jack here, Little Snap continued his journey with his relief -horse, making his trip to Upper Loop and return without adventure. - -To his disappointment here, however, he learned that the rocky _débris_ -had not been cleared away at the Narrows. - -"It will not be your fault if you do not go through," said the -postmaster. "I advise you to remain with us until the road has been -opened." - -But Little Snap did not like to do this if it was possible for him to -get to Six Roads. Besides feeling it his duty to carry the mail through, -he was anxious to get home on his mother's account. - -"I will ride up to the Narrows, and if I find it impossible to go -farther I will come back," he replied, starting at once upon his way. - -After leaving the noisy settlement of Salt Works, he did not expect to -see a person until he should reach Greenbrier, should he be so fortunate -as to pass the Narrows, with the exception of Uncle Solitaire. Thus, as -he came in sight of the live oak, as he had always done, he looked for -the old hermit, wishing that the one from whom he hoped to receive -tidings might send the long looked for letter. - -As he drew near to the place, the chirping of the squirrels reached his -ears, and he saw them running across the road and up and down the tree. -As he continued to approach, one of the frisky creatures ran down to -meet him, darting to and fro in the road as he advanced. - -Something seemed to trouble the little troupe of noisy, uneasy denizens -of the forest, which was accounted for when the postboy came to look for -the old man in vain. - -Uncle Solitaire was not at his post! - -Little Snap paused, thinking he might be coming near at hand, and when -he failed to appear he shouted his name. Only the chirping of the -squirrels answered him. - -One of these, as if anxious to tell him why its master was not on hand, -actually ran up to the postboy's shoulder, remaining there as he rode -on, wondering what had caused the strange man's non-appearance. - -When he had gone a few rods the squirrel jumped to the ground, and with -a louder chirp, ran back to rejoin its mates. - -"It is the first time in six months, rain or shine, he has failed to be -here. I wonder if he is sick?" - -He was still thinking of the old hermit, when he was startled by the -sudden appearance of a gaunt, stooping figure beside his horse as he -began the ascent to the Narrows. - -"Don't be skeert, younker," said a harsh, grating voice from the -stranger. "We kem es friends. I'm Ab Raggles, an' this hyur is my fust -boy, Beeline Raggles." - -As he finished speaking a second figure, very similar to the first, save -for the changes made by the difference in years, suddenly stepped from -the growth by the wayside and unconcernedly stalked on the other side of -the postboy. - -Little Snap, not knowing what to make of such company, stopped Jack, and -facing the older of the singular twain, demanded: - -"What do you want?" - -"To pay off an ol' debt by befriendin' ye. We wuz off our toes 'bout 'em -Burrnocks yesterday, an' we didn't ketch onto their plans in season to -help yer this mornin', but mebbe we can do yer a good turn now. The rock -ain't out o' th' path up yender." - -Notwithstanding the uncouth appearance of the speaker, and his -illiterate speech, there was an evidence of honesty in both that did not -escape the keen perception of Little Snap. - -"In what way can you help me?" he asked. - -"Wull, it's jess like this: I s'pose ye air purty anxious to get on to -Six Roads?" - -"What if I am? I cannot do so if the road is blocked." - -"That's jess whar ye air barkin' up th' wrong tree, es I 'lowed ye -would. I know a path right over through th' growth wot'll bring ye round -to Hollow Tree slick es a coon whistlin' on a stump." - -"I shall miss Greenbrier?" - -"Sart'inly; sorter go round yit. Then, too, ye'll hev to go through -Blazed Acre. Mebbe ye won't care to do thet. Th' Burrnocks think they -scooped ye clean this morn'. It'd open their eyes fit to bustin'. Wot -d'ye say—go?" - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - THE RIDE THROUGH BLAZED ACRE. - - -Little Snap hesitated a moment before replying to this rather broken -speech, during which time Ab Raggles moved restlessly to and fro. - -"Yit's a bit likely to brung ye trubble, I'll 'low, younker, but th' boy -an' I'll stand by ye like fun. Yit's th' only way fer ye to git home." - -"What motive have you, a stranger to me, to offer to do this?" asked the -postboy. - -"Motif? Didn't ye kem to our risky yesterday? The Raggles may be pore -cattle, but they ain't them es fergits their friends." - -"But I did you no service. How was it you escaped from that cave so -easily?" - -"'Twan't easy, younker. Ye see we fell kerslap inter thet sink, but th' -water wuz deep 'nough, so we weren't hurt, an' findin' there wuz chance, -we swum 'way in an underground stream, which kem out lower down in th' -valler. We weren't hurted; hope ye weren't, younker. See?" - -The explanation seemed plausible, and Little Snap knew that if he -decided to accept the proffered assistance of his guides he must not -delay if he wished to get beyond Blazed Acre before dark. Thus he -questioned Ab Raggles more closely in regard to the route, finally -deciding to go that way. - -A short distance above, the mountaineer led the advance into the forest, -following a narrow pathway leading over the mountainside. Little Snap -had often noticed this well-worn track, and wondered where it led. - -It was barely wide enough to admit the passage of a horseman, so our -party was obliged to go in single file, Ab Raggles in front, carrying -his long, rusty-looking firearm slung across his left arm, Beeline -bringing up the rear, his weapon of defense being simply a stout club. - -Not a word was spoken as they slowly wended their way in and out among -the dark clumps of stunted forest growth, or around huge piles of rocks -and steep bluffs of earth and stone, until at last the backbone of the -heights had been reached, and they were in plain sight of the descent -reaching away to the region of the Blazed Acre. - -"Mebbe yit'll be best fer us not to strike the settlement till after -dark," said Ab Raggles, "an' mebbe we sh'n't ef we keep pushin' on." - -"Let us keep moving," replied Little Snap, "but keep our eyes open." - -The country was less rugged on this slope of the mountains, so they -advanced more rapidly, though the shades of night were beginning to fall -as at last the isolated settlement of the Burrnocks and their associates -was seen half a mile away. - -Little Snap had never been in that vicinity before, so he looked with -curious gaze upon the place. The dwellings of these people deserved no -better name than huts, for the most of them were made of sods and boughs -of trees. These rude habitations were arranged in a semicircle, standing -on the north side of the clearing, and facing the south. - -At the farther side could be seen a corral containing such horses as the -community owned; but what struck Little Snap the most forcibly was the -number of dogs running about, yelping at each other and jumping to and -fro in their wild freedom. - -It was getting too dark to see anything with distinctness, even had the -postboy time to watch the scene long. They had stopped on a knob of -earth high enough to look quite over the level land making up the Acre, -but as soon as they resumed their course, all this was lost to their -sight. - -"Our path passes jess to th' right o' th' village," whispered Ab -Raggles, "an' we hev got to move moughty sly to slip by 'em. I don't -s'pose yit'd be bes' fer 'em goslings o' Bird Burrnock to ketch eyes on -me. Yit mought not be healthy fer somebuddy." - -Little Snap had noticed that as they neared the settlement Raggles had -begun to show uneasiness, which increased as they advanced. He no longer -carried his firearm in the hollow of his arm, but held it low upon his -other side, as if wishing to conceal it from the gaze of any chance -person they might meet. He realized that he could depend very little -upon the Raggles in case of an attack from his enemies. - -Suddenly the sound of footsteps fell on their ears, when the older guide -dropped to the ground as quickly as if he had been shot, his son -imitating his example the next moment. - -Little Snap reined in Jack in season to avoid having him step on the -prostrate figure of Ab Raggles, while at the same time the form of a man -burst through the bushes into plain sight. - -"Hello!" exclaimed the stranger. "Who mought ye be who invades these -peaceful regions?" - -"A friend," replied the postboy; "belated in my journey over the -mountains." - -"Who in the name of darkness air ye who knows th' way?" and the speaker -stepped nearer to get a better view of the boyish rider. - -It was too dark for him to distinguish Little Snap's features. At any -rate, he did not seem to recognize him. - -"My name is Lewis, and I live beyond Daring's Diamond." - -"Purty late ridin'," muttered the man, passing on, without further -words, much to our hero's relief. - -Little Snap resolved to get away from that vicinity as speedily as -possible, and he turned to request Raggles to go on, when he was -surprised to find the mountaineer missing! - -Neither was Beeline Raggles to be seen! - -As brief as had been his interview with the stranger, this pair had -managed somehow to get away unobserved by him. He did not think it best -to call to them, and, though at a loss to account for this singular -conduct, he felt that it would make little difference to him. He had -seen enough to know they would be of no real assistance in case he -should meet the Burrnocks. - -Though it was now quite dark in the shades of the growth, he believed he -would have little difficulty in finding his way to Hollow Tree, and he -urged Jack forward without delay. - -Dim lights from the dwellings of the inhabitants of Blazed Acre were -springing up on his left, and he hadn't gone far before a confused sound -of voices was borne to him on the still air. - -"Faster, Jack!" he whispered, as the path swung around a clump of live -oaks to come in full sight of the village. "On, my boy!" - -Breaking into a trot, the horse and his rider quickly gained the cover -of the forest again, where it was difficult to follow the winding course -of the path. - -But anxious to get away before the inhabitants of Blazed Acre, whom he -felt sure would pursue him had they learned he was in the vicinity, he -continued to urge Jack onward at a smart trot, until there came a sudden -ending to his retreat. - -Without the least warning, Jack stumbled and fell headlong to the earth, -Little Snap at the same time being flung over his head and into the -bushes several yards away! - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - THE POSTBOY'S ARREST. - - -Instinctively, as he found himself going, Little Snap tried to catch -upon the saddle, but instead he seized upon the mail pouch, and this he -carried with him on his flying trip through the air. - -Partially deprived of his senses by his fall, as he regained a sitting -posture on the ground, he heard sharp cries from the pathway, and the -dusky figures of half a dozen men appeared about the place where Jack -had tripped and fallen. - -"Don't let him get clear!" he heard some one say, and then a furious -rush was made toward the horse struggling to regain its feet. - -Little Snap's first thought was to rush to Jack's assistance, but the -fact that he still held the mail pouch in his possession caused him to -quickly change his mind. - -While the party were attacking the animal, frantically trying to regain -its feet, in the belief the postboy was somewhere beneath its body, it -was possible he might get beyond their harm. - -Finding their mistake, they would not likely injure Jack, and with this -hope in his heart, Snap dashed lightly away in the direction he expected -the path led. - -He soon proved his good judgment by coming suddenly upon the well-worn -way leading to Hollow Tree. - -The sounds of the struggle had not ended, though he fancied they were -nearly over. In this surmise he was correct, for he had not gone much -farther before he heard the same voice as had spoken before, saying: - -"Th' leetle satan isn't hyur. He's got 'way, boyees! Look clus thet he -don't escape!" - -Anxious to know what had been the fate of poor Jack, the postboy did not -dare to remain a moment where he was. As long as the mail was in his -hands he was in duty bound to look to its safety above everything else. - -Accordingly, he fled along the path at the top of his speed, and he was -a pretty good runner, too. The sounds of his enemies were soon lost to -hearing, and he pursued his way without interruption until he felt -certain he must be near Hollow Tree, when he slackened his gait. - -As he came in sight of the singular post office, he saw that a light was -burning within, by which he knew the postmaster was there. - -Then the sound of voices fell on the stillness of the evening, and -surprised to hear his own name mentioned, he paused just outside the -roughly made door. - -"There is one thing certain," Dan Shag was saying, "he is out o' th' way -now." - -"And there ain't no danger of his taking off being laid to our door," -said another, by whose voice Little Snap recognized Morton Meiggs, one -of his bondsmen. - -"Cert. Them air Acreites hes done us one good turn, an' I feel it is our -duty to pay 'em fer it." - -"I wouldn't advise you to say too much about that. They'll be likely to -ask for more'n we can allow them. "Say, that was an audacious movement. -I wonder how old Warfield felt when he heard of Dix Lewis' fate?" - -"I dunno. Thet man beats me. He hes promised to stand by me, but I ain't -more faith in him than I hev in thet light's burning all night." - -"He's going to get to Congress, all the same, and it's our interest to -stand by him, or pretend so, at least." - -"Guess I know which side my bread is buttered on. What I'm figgerin' on -now is to git my hands on to thet mail bag. I'll make some dollars out'n -thet, bet yer hat." - -"Be crafty," warned the other. "That Calvert is a long-headed dog. But -as it is long past the mail hour, you aren't obliged to keep the office -open any longer. Let's start for Six Roads, to lay our plans for the -next move." - -Little Snap stopped to listen no more, but stepping somewhat heavily, he -advanced toward the office, meeting the twain in the doorway as they -were coming out. - -Dan Shag was ahead, and a yell of terror left his lips, as he beheld the -postboy before him. - -"Good-evening, Mr. Shag; you seem surprised. I am a little late -to-night, but better late than never, you know." - -"Dix Lewis! alive and here!" gasped Morton Meiggs. - -"You seem surprised, Mr. Meiggs, but I am worth a dozen dead men." - -If Little Snap expected to be plied with questions, he was disappointed, -for the postmaster took the sack without another word, and ran through -the mail with uncommon celerity. - -"Hark! I hear a horseman coming," exclaimed Mr. Meiggs. "I think I will -be moving on toward Six Roads." - -Little Snap was about to ask him for help in getting home, but the hoof -strokes of the approaching horse brought a feeling of gladness to his -heart. - -"It's Jack!" he exclaimed, aloud, and even as he spoke the faithful -horse dashed upon the scene. - -The postboy fairly wept for joy, as he caressed the head of his favorite -steed, which seemed as delighted as he. - -"Good Jack!" said Little Snap; "I am so glad you escaped unhurt." - -"Mail!" said Shag, sharply, throwing the pouch at his feet. - -Flinging the sack over its accustomed position, the postboy swung -himself into the saddle and was away before the others could speak. - -As he dashed down the road toward the bridge he heard a body of horsemen -galloping toward Hollow Tree, whom he felt certain were the Burrnocks, -of Blazed Acre. However, he saw nothing further of them, and a little -over an hour later he rode into Union Six Roads, to be met at the post -office by a wondering crowd. - -In his anxiety to get home and thus relieve his mother of the suspense -he knew she must be suffering, Little Snap answered the questions asked -of him as briefly as possible, hurriedly leaving the office as soon as -he had delivered the mail pouch. - -"He acts mighty queer," said one of the bystanders by the name of Clevis -Claverton, who was the third man on the postboy's bond. "Ha! here comes -Meiggs, with Dan Shag and a party from Greenbrier. They will explain the -matter, I imagine." - -Little Snap found his mother nearly distracted with the reports -circulated concerning his fate, but which were happily ended with his -safe appearance. - -Knowing it would be best for him to return to the post office as soon as -possible, to give a more intelligible account of what had befallen him, -he was about leaving the house immediately after eating his supper, when -he was surprised by the appearance of a body of men at the door. - -Foremost of the party was Sheriff Brady, who said, as the postboy opened -the door: - -"I arrest you, Dix Lewis, in the name of the United States Government. -Will you come with me peacefully as my prisoner?" - -"Arrest me? What have I done now, Mr. Brady, to cause my arrest?" - -"Done? I should say there was enough to send you to prison for life. -Will you allow me to handcuff you?" - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - A CURIOUS COURT. - - -For a moment Little Snap could not comprehend the meaning of Sheriff -Brady's order. - -Mrs. Lewis had been standing but a few feet away, and at the officer's -demand she rushed forward to throw herself between Dix and the other. - -"You shall not harm him!" she cried. "I——" - -"Be calm, Mrs. Lewis!" commanded the officer. "It is a painful duty I am -compelled to perform, but you only make it the harder by your nonsense." - -Mrs. Lewis was about to reply, when Little Snap said: - -"Do not mind it, mother; I shall come out all right. There, be calm, and -know that I have done nothing that I am afraid to answer for. - -"Mr. Brady, I will accompany you without opposition, so you will not be -obliged to fasten my hands." - -"I am not so sure of that. 'Safe bind sure to find,' I have always -noticed. Hold out your hands, young man." - -Little Snap was inclined to rebel against this unnecessary treatment, -but, fortunately, his better judgment prevailed, and he held out his -wrists to receive the bonds Sheriff Brady was so anxious to snap upon -them. - -"We were lucky to get him so easily," said the officer. "Now we will -take him before Squire Claverton at once." - -With these words the sheriff marched away from the home he had so -ruthlessly entered, his arm locked in that of the prisoner, the crowd -following in increasing numbers as the procession kept on. - -Mrs. Lewis, without stopping to throw anything over her head, persisted -in keeping close by the side of Dix, though he tried to have her remain -at home, knowing that her presence would be of no avail to him. - -Squire Claverton, who was a brother to Clevis Claverton, prided himself -upon being "the great legal light" of Six Roads. He was a man not -generally liked, being too willing to mix in whatever petty quarrels -came up, without regard to the matter of justice. In fact, he had -little, if any, idea of the fundamental principle of law. He seemed to -labor under the belief that might made right, and that it was his -business to crush the weak. - -He must have been expecting his callers, for he showed no surprise at -their appearance, but chuckled with evident delight at his prospects. - -"I thought it was best to bring him right to your honor," declared the -sheriff. "It seems to me it will be best to settle this matter with as -little delay as possible." - -"Exactly," replied the justice, who looked upon the prisoner with a -malicious smile on his thin lips. - -For some reason known only to himself, he had long cherished a grudge -against the Lewis family, and he fondly believed the time had come for -him "to get even." - -Little Snap looked over the crowd that had filed into the room, until it -was completely packed, without seeing any one who seemed to show him any -favor. He was puzzled to understand this, and began to think his case -might prove more serious than he had anticipated. - -Postmaster Rimmon was there, and his words gave the postboy his first -ray of hope. - -"Isn't this rather premature?" he asked. "It is now nearly nine o'clock -in the evening, and the prisoner will have no chance to call his friends -to his assistance. Why not wait until to-morrow?" - -"You forget, Mr. Rimmon," replied the sheriff, respectfully, but showing -that he did not like this interruption, "that it is necessary to come to -some decision in this matter to-night, so a man can be obtained to fill -his place of duty in the morning. It seems to me we have been very easy -with him, and in return he has shown the greatest contempt. What do you -think of his coming home this evening, and without saying a word of what -he had or had not done, going immediately to his home? This, too, with -the grave charges hanging over him." - -"I think he deserves great credit for what he has done to-day," replied -Mr. Rimmon, warmly. "There is not one in a hundred who would or could -have brought the mail through from Salt Works under the circumstances." - -"How did you learn all this?" - -"From his own lips." - -"So he made you his confidant?" - -"So far as to give me an inkling of his adventures." - -"And you doubtless thought it was sufficient for him to tell you. Were -you the proper person for him to give his excuses to?" - -"Yes, sir; the most proper person in Six Roads. I presume the rest of -you would have learned the truth had you given him time." - -"We propose to learn the truth and the whole truth in our own time," -retorted the officer, sharply. "I would like to ask you if he didn't owe -something of an apology to Mr. Meiggs and Mr. Claverton here, both of -whom have a financial interest at stake in this matter?" - -"Financial fiddlesticks!" exclaimed Mr. Rimmon, impulsively. "If good -reputations were for sale at ten cents apiece, and they had all the -privilege in the world to buy, they couldn't get enough to supply their -own households." - -At this thoughtless speech a murmur of indignation ran over the -spectators, and the postmaster realized that he had said more than he -ought. - -"Excuse me, I do not wish to get mixed up in this affair; but I would -like to see the boy have fair play." - -"Is Mr. Warfield in town?" asked a voice from the crowd. - -"He is not," replied Sheriff Brady, "but his private secretary, Mr. -Jones, is here, prepared to speak for the colonel." - -"Order!" commanded Justice Claverton, at this juncture. "Who prefers the -charges against the prisoner?" - -"I do," replied Morton Meiggs. - -"State them." - -"Criminal neglect of duty, theft of valuable letters, conduct unbecoming -an employee of the United States Government." - -"Hum!" commented his honor. "State your case." - -Mr. Meiggs was then put under oath, when he told how the Hollow Tree -mail had not been found in the mail pouch by its postmaster, but was -later found in the possession of the postboy. He then described the -disappearance of the registered letters, showing that while six could be -traced as far as the Greenbrier office, only three reached the person -for whom they were intended, Mr. Jason Warfield. - -"He has been very irregular in the performance of his duties, coming in -some nights before his time, and on others an hour or more late. To-day -he has capped the climax of his careless handling of the mail by coming -over Greenbrier Mountain, through the woods, going the Lord only knows -where. I forgot to mention that one day this week he actually left his -horse, with the mail sack on its back, at least an hour, alone in the -woods, while he explored a cave or did some such foolish thing, showing -that he hasn't proper regard for the welfare of the property in his -keeping." - -"John Dix Lewis, what have you to say to these charges?" - -"Not guilty, sir," replied the postboy. "I——" - -"Be careful how you put on airs, young man. You should remember that you -are addressing the honorable court of the United States. Call your first -witness, Mr. Meiggs." - -Dan Shag took the stand, confirming Meiggs' testimony in regard to the -loss of the Hollow Tree mail and the finding of it in the postboy's -keeping. - -"We have plenty of witnesses to prove the fact that the mail was in the -pouch at Greenbrier," broke in Sheriff Brady. "I was present at——" - -The sheriff was interrupted at this moment by a great commotion near the -door, and it soon became evident that some one was trying to force an -entrance into the room. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - AN UNEXPECTED CLIMAX. - - -"Order!" thundered "his honor." - -The command of the court received but slight attention, as one and all -turned to see what the commotion meant. - -To the intense surprise of the onlookers, a tall, gray-bearded man, with -long, white hair falling about his shoulders, was trying to force his -way through the excited throng. Seeming to tower above those around him, -the wild grandeur of the new arrival was given an additional -picturesqueness by the presence of a gray squirrel standing boldly -upright on either shoulder! - -Few in the room had ever seen the newcomer, though all had heard of Old -Solitaire, the mysterious hermit of the Kanawha range. - -Squire Claverton looked upon him with dismay, demanding: - -"What means this intrusion?" - -"I have come to speak for the boy!" cried the strange man. "There is a -conspiracy afoot to put him down, but, by the Great Kanawha! it shall -not be done. He has——" - -"Order!" cried Justice Claverton, turning very red in the face. - -"Order and justice and equal rights!" cried the hermit. "These stories -they have told are all false." - -"Stop!" yelled Claverton. "Are we to be interrupted by a crazy man?" - -"Put him down!" some one shouted. - -"Silence!" commanded the sheriff, his words bringing the desired effect. -"I will look after this madman," pushing his way through the crowd to -the stranger's side. - -"I am here only in the cause of justice," said the old man, trembling in -every limb as he spoke. "The boy has done nothing wrong." - -"Then he will not be injured," replied Sheriff Brady. "You can go on -with your examination if you wish, your honor." - -Amid a profound silence, Leonard Jones, the private secretary of Mr. -Warfield, was asked to tell what he knew about the case, when he stated -that his employer, expecting so many letters and not getting them, had -sent him to ascertain if they had not been delayed on the route, and -that he had learned that three more than he had received had really got -as far as the Greenbrier office, after which no trace of them could be -found. - -Mr. Rimmon at this juncture seemed about to speak, but he remained -silent, knowing that he had not helped the postboy any by his previous -hasty words. - -Following Mr. Jones' evidence, Dan Shag and two or three others were -called upon the stand to testify to such circumstances as they knew in -regard to the postboy's last trip. - -"If it please your honor," said Mr. Rimmon at this juncture, "I think -the boy should be given a chance to show why he was late and how he came -in as he did." - -"He shall have the opportunity to speak for himself, Mr. Rimmon. -Prisoner at the bar, what have you to say to coming in here an hour -after you were due on Wednesday?" - -"It was unavoidable, sir." - -"Was it a part of your duty to go off gunning after caves and leaving -your mail unprotected for a full hour?" - -"No, sir." - -"I thought not." - -"If it please your honor, I would like to tell how I came to do so." - -"Your admission that you did so is sufficient. You acknowledge the -package of Hollow Tree mail was found in your possession?" - -"It was taken from the pocket I have on my saddle, but I——" - -"That is sufficient, sir. You acknowledge that you came in to-night an -hour late, in a condition unfitting an employee of the government?" - -"I was late, sir, on account of coming over a path through the -wilderness of the Greenbrier district." - -"Does Uncle Sam say that you are to carry his treasures through the -wilderness?" - -"No, sir. But I want to explain how I was obliged to come that way if I -got here at all." - -"It is not necessary." - -"It seems to me," said Mr. Rimmon, "and I have more interest in that -matter than any one present, that it is not only necessary, but an act -of justice to the court itself that your honor listen to Mr. Lewis' -account. He came over the mountains by a tedious footpath, not from -choice, but from necessity. He deserves our praise rather than our -condemnation for his heroic conduct. If our road surveyors had done -their duty, his duty would have been easy." - -"Let me speak," cried the hermit, at this juncture. "It was all an -infamous scheme——" - -"Order!" thundered the court. "We can't be broken into by a mad fool. -Put him out if necessary, Mr. Brady." - -"Another word, and I'll pitch you into the road," said the sheriff. - -Old Solitaire showed that he was laboring under great excitement, though -he did not offer to speak. - -"This is no place for senseless stories told by boys," said "his honor." -"If you have any reasonable excuse to offer for your folly, Dix Lewis, -you will have plenty of opportunity to give it in the higher court. You -have admitted enough to condemn you to prison for the rest of your days, -and I can do no different than to place you under indictment on at least -three charges, which I now do." - -"Sheriff Brady, you will please take the prisoner to a safe place, until -you are called upon to deliver him up by a higher authority." - -By this time great confusion was reigning in the room. - -Mrs. Lewis was weeping and wringing her hands in wild abandon of grief, -while Little Snap was trying to speak an encouraging word. - -"They shan't take my boy off to jail! He has done nothing wrong!" - -In vain Justice Claverton called for order, until the voice of Mr. -Rimmon silenced the babel of sounds. - -"Your honor, you cannot ignore the rights of the prisoner thus. He has -certain privileges you cannot and shall not deny him. He is at least -entitled to bail, as no capital charge has been made against him." - -"Yes, I might do it as a matter of form, but it would make no difference -in the result, for who is there would go on his bonds?" - -"Fix the sum." - -"Five thousand dollars." - -"An outrageous amount; but how will the names of Jason Warfield and -myself do?" - -"Mr. Warfield is not in town, Mr. Rimmon." - -"I understand he has just returned. Make out the papers, and I will see -that he signs them with me." - -A deep silence now hung over the scene. - -"Bah! this makes it all a farce!" exclaimed the rasping tone of Morton -Meiggs. "I give notice here and now that I withdraw from the prisoner's -mail bond." - -"So do I!" echoed Clevis Claverton. - -"I appoint Daniel Shag as mail carrier between Six Roads and Upper Loop -offices, with all the privileges and responsibilities that pertain to -the route. He is to begin his duties to-morrow at six o'clock," declared -Justice Claverton. - -Immediately following this announcement renewed confusion began, the -excited words ensuing proving that the postboy had many friends present, -though they were not in a position to help him. - -Without much delay, the signature of Jason Warfield was secured for the -bail, which, with that of Mr. Rimmon, gained Little Snap his freedom -until the convening of the court. - -"Have good courage, Dix," said Mr. Rimmon, as Little Snap left the -building, accompanied by his mother, "and we will hope you will come out -all right. I hardly think the road authorities will get the way clear -for you to go through to-morrow, but you had better be on hand to go. -Don't let it be any fault of yours if the mail does not go through." - -"But Mr. Claverton appointed Mr. Shag to go in my place." - -"Come to the office at six in the morning for the mail and you will get -it. I don't know anything of Dan Shag in that capacity. Justice -Claverton's appointment seems to me very irregular, to put it mildly." - -After thanking the postmaster for his kindness, Little Snap sought his -home in better spirits than he had felt before the ending of the scene -at Lawyer Claverton's office. - -Though no one seemed to notice it, not even the postboy, Old Solitaire -had disappeared immediately after the discharge of the prisoner. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - A LONG AND A VAIN WATCH. - - -Mrs. Lewis was still very nervous concerning the trouble, though she -grew calmer as Little Snap spoke so confidently of his ultimate success. - -"I have it, mother. I'll tell you just what I am going to do. I am going -to see Mr. Calvert. - -"I would, my son." - -"He is just the man for me to find. He has the contract for carrying the -mail on this route, and when he sublet it to me, he told me if I had the -least bit of trouble to let him know. He ought to know it, too." - -"Mr. Calvert can clear up the affair, if any one can. I wish he was here -now." - -"I'll have him here before long, and then we shall have no further -reason to worry. I wonder I hadn't thought of him before." - -"Well, don't let the matter trouble you any longer. It is getting late, -and you had better retire. You will need all the rest you can get." - -"Rest, mother? I am not going to sleep until I have seen Mr. Calvert, -and explained the matter to him." - -"But you cannot see him to-night." - -"I must." - -"Why, he lives fifty miles from here. Didn't Mr. Rimmon ask you to be at -the office in the morning?" - -"Yes, and so I will. I know it is a long ride to Volney, Mr. Calvert's -home, but I shall take both Jack and Fairy, and I will fetch around -before six in the morning, never fear." - -"I am afraid you cannot. What if you shouldn't?" - -"I will not fail, mother, so please do not object any longer. Every -moment is precious to me. The horses have had their supper, and I will -be away in less than three minutes." - -It was little wonder if Mrs. Lewis looked with anxious foreboding upon -this movement, for it certainly did seem a hopeless undertaking. Little -Snap, in his boyish enthusiasm, did not stop to count the cost. Neither -did he realize the possible consequence of his absence at that time. -Whoever may be inclined to censure him for such a rash attempt must -remember that he acted upon the impulse of the moment, and not with the -clear judgment he would have shown a few years later. I speak of this -now in slight extenuation of the startling result to follow. - -Losing no further time in talk, the postboy threw the saddle on Fairy's -back, and when she was in readiness for a start, he led Jack out of his -stall, and slipped the bridle on his head. - -"I wouldn't do it, Jack, old fellow, only I must. We have a long ride -before us, and a strange one." - -The next moment he was in the saddle and ready for a start. - -"Don't get worried, mother, whatever happens. I can look out for myself. -I count on getting to Volney about one o'clock; then I shall rest an -hour and a half before starting back. I will get home, if nothing -happens, at half-past five." - -"I wish you weren't going. But you must speak to Mr. Rimmon as you go -past his house. You will, won't you?" - -Promising that, Little Snap bent over to give his good-by kiss, and the -following moment he was speeding swiftly away on his long journey. - -"I have done wrong, I know I have, in letting him go," she said, to -herself, as she watched him out of sight. - -With no thought of sleep, she returned to the house to begin her lonely -vigil. - -Dix had not been gone more than fifteen minutes before a loud thumping -upon the door startled her from her unhappy reverie. - -Looking out of the window, she was still further terrified by the -appearance of half a dozen men in front of the house. - -"What is wanted?" she asked, in a tremulous voice. - -"We want that precious scamp, Dix Lewis!" came the reply in the -well-known voice of Sheriff Brady. - -"Oh, dear! what does this mean?" she exclaimed. - -"Are you going to open the door, or shall we have to break it down?" - -"My son is not here—he is gone!" she cried. "He has——" - -Renewed thumping on the door drowned the conclusion of her sentence. - -"Gone?" demanded the furious tone of the sheriff. "Woman, what do you -mean? Stave in the door, men!" - -"No—no! I am opening it. How my hand does shake. Wait a moment, please." - -Trembling so she could hardly stand alone, Mrs. Lewis soon threw open -the door, saying: - -"What has happened now?" - -"Happened? Jason Warfield has decided not to stand on your son's bail, -and Judge Claverton has found out that Rimmon is no good there, as he is -already in the employ of the government. So we want the body of the boy. -Where is he hiding?" - -It was useless for Mrs. Lewis to try and make the sheriff and his posse -believe Little Snap had gone away as she had said, until they had -searched the house from top to bottom. Then they unanimously decided -that he had run away! - -In the midst of the excitement Mr. Rimmon appeared on the scene, when -the distracted mother appealed to him. - -"He told you that he was going to Volney, didn't he, Mr. Rimmon?" - -The postmaster shook his head. - -"I have not seen him since we parted after the trial. I am sorry this -has happened." - -"Well, it puts me in a hard place," said the sheriff, "and I tell you -what I shall be obliged to do. If he don't turn up before morning, I -shall raze this house to the ground and put every one of you in jail! So -if you know where the precious scamp is hiding, bring him forth, or the -worst will be your own." - -In vain Mrs. Lewis explained, pleaded with the obdurate men. The only -hope she could have was in the promise that nothing should be done until -six o'clock in the morning. If Little Snap failed to come then, no mercy -would be shown to the family. - -"He will! he will! I am sure of that!" - -"Then be calm and wait. We must keep a guard about the house." - -At daylight it seemed that every inhabitant of Six Roads was astir, and -anxious, excited groups began to collect here and there. - -Excepting Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Rimmon was perhaps the most anxious person, -and he kept an almost continual watch up and down the road. - -"It was the height of folly for him to have started off in that way. It -is utterly impossible for him to get here by six, and if he don't, God -have mercy on his home. I am powerless to help them. What! Can it be so -near six? Here comes Shag for the mail bag." - -Mounted upon a tall, raw-boned horse, the postmaster of Hollow Tree rode -up in front of the post office. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Rimmon. I s'pose ye heerd what th' judge sed las' -evenin' thet I'm to carry th' mail arter this. I hev resigned the Tree -office, so it's all regular. Seein' I'm new to th' bizness, I thought -mebbe ye wouldn't object to lettin' me start a leetle arly th' fust -time." - -"I shall object, most decidedly, Mr. Shag." - -"Hev yit yer own way, Mr. Rimmon, though ye'll find I ain't a boy to be -run over. Ye'll let me hev it at six sharp, or thar'll be war in th' -United States camp." - -To this the postmaster made no reply, while one and all waited the -outcome of this trying scene. - -In the midst of the fearful ordeal the sun rose above the crest of the -distant mountains, and then a murmur ran along the expectant crowd. - -"It's six o'clock!" cried Sheriff Brady, consulting his watch. "The time -is up, Mrs. Lewis, and the boy has not come, as I knew he wouldn't. I -have kept my word, and you cannot expect any more." - -"It's six!" exclaimed Dan Shag, moving uneasily in his saddle. "Hand -over thet mail bag, Mr. Rimmon, fer ye can't hol' it enny longer." - -The postmaster cast a last, anxious gaze down the road before he -replied, and then a cry of great relief left his lips. - -"He is coming!" - -Eagerly the spectators looked down the road, and a murmur of joy arose -on the air, as they saw the figure of a horse galloping rapidly toward -the town. But the look of relief on the faces of all turned to one of -dread expectancy, as they discovered that the creature was riderless! - -It was Jack, the postboy's favorite steed, his sides covered with foam, -and his breath coming in quick, short gasps, as he sped like the wind -toward his home, but Little Snap was not on his back! - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - A LONELY NIGHT RIDE. - - -During this long, anxious night how has it fared with Little Snap? Is -the return of Jack without him a good or an evil omen? - -Let us see. - -His most direct course to Volney was by the post road to Greenbrier, -after which he must take a more southerly direction by following the -left bank of the Little Kanawha to the Blue Stone River. From this -junction he was to ride ten miles within sound of this stream, when he -must leave the river road for one leading over the hills to the east. - -Though there was no moon, the night was made pleasant by a myriad of -stars in the mellow autumn sky, so he rode on with a hopeful heart that -he should have no trouble in finding his way. - -Not a light was to be seen at Daring's Diamond, but quite unexpectedly a -dim blaze shone from Hollow Tree, though he had not supposed the -postmaster had had time to get home from Six Roads. - -But every moment was of value to him, so he dashed past the lonely place -without slackening his pace, until he reached the homely village of -Greenbrier. - -Even then he was rushing on at the same headlong pace he had followed -since leaving home, when suddenly a familiar voice arrested his flight. - -"What in the name of George Washington are you riding like that for, Dix -Lewis?" - -The speaker was a Mr. Renders, whom Little Snap had always considered -friendly to him, so he reined in Fairy and quickly explained the object -of his long ride. - -"I am afraid it will prove a wild-goose ride, Dix, but I wish you -success. Say, I'll tell you how I can help you. I have a brother living -at the corner of the Blue Stone and Mountain roads, and he has a horse -you can get to finish your journey with, and leave yours there to rest -till you come back. I think it is about ten miles from my brother's to -Volney. A shift of horses will come in mighty handy about that time. Let -me write a line to Joe, which will make your chances doubly sure." - -Mr. Renders wasn't long in carrying out his intentions, and, thanking -him for his kindness, the postboy again urged Fairy on, the trusty Jack -keeping beside his mate without attention from his master. - -The Little Kanawha road was an extremely lonely one, but being nearly -level, Little Snap sped on with unabated speed. - -Thus he had swung around a sharp bend in the highway, when he was -surprised by a beseeching voice calling out: - -"Hold up, mister, a minute! Don't be scart, for I ain't a highwayman, -but I want a ride!" - -The speaker rose so nearly from the middle of the road that Jack had to -shy in order to avoid running over him. - -"I can't go no farther, mister! so please have pity on me." - -Owing to the thick growth by the roadside, it was too dark for the boy -rider to distinguish the features of the stranger. He was a burly framed -man, and seemed to be shabbily dressed. He carried a short, heavy stick, -whether for a cane or a weapon of defense Little Snap had no time to -consider. - -"You have a spare horse," continued the other, without giving the -postboy opportunity to reply to him. "Let me ride him, and you'll do the -greatest favor of your life. It is a case of got to with me, or I would -not ask it. I am on my way to see a dying mother, and I have walked till -I can't get one foot ahead of the other any longer." - -He had caught hold of Jack's rein, for Little Snap had put a bridle on -the horse before starting, and he was in the act of climbing into the -saddle. - -"Hold on, sir!" exclaimed Dix Lewis, sharply. "I do not doubt your -honesty——" - -"It's a case of must, mister! Let me ride him if for only a mile. He's -doing you no good." - -"I have got a long journey ahead—so long that I must have him fresh to -help me get there. I am sorry to refuse you." - -"It's such a small thing I ask of you, and you can do it just as well as -not. Think if your mother was dying and you were thirty miles from her, -and you should ask a man to let you ride a spare horse he had to see -her. I will give you a hundred dollars if you will let me ride ten -miles." - -Uttered in a pleading, earnest tone, the words touched the postboy's -heart. - -"Where do you wish to go?" - -"To the town of Volney. If you are any acquainted there you may know -Marion Calvert. He is my cousin. My name is Atwin, and I live in -Frankfort." - -"You know Marion Calvert? I am going to see him!" - -"You don't say so! Perhaps you are a relation of his?" - -"No, sir. I am going to see him on business. Every moment is precious to -me, too, for I must get back before morning." - -"I am sorry to have bothered you, but it was a case of necessity. You -are going to let me ride?" - -Little Snap was never so puzzled in his life. While not wishing to -refuse the man, he still knew it would jeopardize his chances of getting -back to Six Roads in season. - -While he hesitated a moment, the stranger moved nearer Jack, and -gathering himself to spring into the seat, said: - -"I shall never—whoa! Stand still, you brute!" - -Jack had begun to step backward, and flinging up his head, broke the -man's hold from the bridle. - -Then uttering a snort, Jack darted forward to Little Snap's side. - -"What sort of a confounded hoss have you got here?" cried the unknown, -again seizing the bridle, this time leaping nimbly into the saddle. - -"What is the trouble, Jack, old boy?" asked his master, wondering at the -creature's singular and unusual action. - -No sooner had the stranger gained the seat than the horse sprang -abruptly to one side, and rearing into the air, sent the man flying -heels over head into the bushes by the roadside. - -All of this was done so suddenly that Little Snap had not found time to -express his amazement. - -As if impelled by a newborn fear, Jack bounded up the road, with a -whinny of terror. - -"Hi, there! help—quick—he'll get away from me!" cried the man, -staggering to his feet and bursting through the bushes into the road. - -Though startled by this unexpected turn in affairs, the postboy had -presence of mind enough to see that the stranger was no longer a -supplicant for favors, but that a fierce determination to gain his ends -was apparent on his features and in his voice. - -He started to catch hold of Fairy's bridle, but with a snort of defiance -the creature threw back her head, and Little Snap, reading the other's -purpose, touched her smartly with the spur. - -At that moment the tramp of feet came from the growth, and the burly -figures of three or four men sprang into sight. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - LITTLE SNAP'S DISAPPOINTMENT. - - -"He's getting away!" shouted the man who had hailed the postboy. "Come -on, you lubbers!" - -If Little Snap had been taken off his guard at first, he was wide awake -enough now, and giving Fairy an encouraging cry, he was borne swiftly -away by the fleet-footed mare. - -Glancing back once more, he saw the four men in pursuit of him, but as -long as they were on foot, he had but little to fear from them. - -With their hoarse shouts ringing in his ears, he sped around a curve in -the road and out of their sight. - -After he had gone a couple of miles, finding that he was not likely to -be troubled by their pursuit, he slackened Fairy's speed, and improved -his first opportunity to bend over and pat Jack's head close beside him, -saying: - -"Noble boy, you knew more than your master that time. I wonder where I -should be now if you hadn't read that fellow's intentions better than I -did? I wasn't quite satisfied with him, but his story did throw me off -my guard. I have got to keep my eyes open sharper than that." - -Talking thus, half to his animal friends and half to himself, he rode -swiftly on toward Volney, the soft, clayey soil muffling the hoof -strokes of his horses so that they gave back no sound, his advance -scarcely breaking in upon the silence of the night. - -Soon after his escape from the waylayers, whom he judged the men to be, -he shifted upon Jack, giving Fairy a rest. - -To his joy he at last came to what he was confident was the corner of -the Blue Stone and Mountain roads spoken of by Mr. Renders. - -If he had had any lingering doubts about this, they were driven away at -sight of a farmhouse standing back a short distance from the latter -highway and nearly concealed by a clump of trees, and which he knew must -be the house of Mr. Renders' brother. - -An unnatural stillness seemed to hang over the place, and at first he -was inclined to ignore Mr. Renders' advice and keep on. But he knew only -too well that Jack and Fairy needed all the rest they could get before -completing their long journey. - -Accordingly, he advanced boldly to the door, and seizing the heavy brass -knocker, he raised a noise that must have aroused every inmate of the -house. - -Heads quickly began to appear from the windows, until he imagined he had -awakened a house full of people. - -"Who's there, and what is wanted at this unseemly hour?" demanded a -voice he felt sure belonged to the host. - -Little Snap quickly explained his situation, and as he finished -speaking, handed Mr. Renders the note sent by his brother. - -"Wait till I can strike a light, when I will read it, and if I think -favorable of what he says, I will be out in a moment." - -Then the window was closed, while a minute later a light shone from the -apartment. - -This last soon began to move about, and it was not long before the door -was opened, when Mr. Renders appeared fully dressed. - -"Hope you will excuse my delay, but I didn't keep you waiting longer -than I could help. So you have come from Six Roads?" - -"Yes, sir; and I have got to get back there before six o'clock this -morning, or I would never have troubled you." - -"Never mind that. I have called better men than I am out of their nests -on worse nights than this. In regard to a horse, I have one which can -take you to Volney and back in one hour, though I don't care about -having you crowd him quite as hard as that, unless it is necessary." - -"I will not hurt the horse. Can you let me have him? I will pay you -well——" - -"A fig for the pay! Dismount and turn your animals into that pen. I -claim a horse can rest better by having a chance to move about if he -wants to. I will feed them as soon as they have cooled off somewhat. I -will lead out my horse." - -Hardly able to comprehend that he was so well favored, Little Snap did -as he was told, and by the time he had seen Fairy and Jack in -comfortable quarters, Mr. Renders had his horse ready for him to spring -into the saddle. - -"He may need a little urging, but don't spare him. It is eleven miles to -Volney, and he is good for the trip and return without any more stop -than you will wish to make with Mr. Calvert. I think you will be -fortunate enough to find that gentleman at home." - -Mr. Renders then described Mr. Calvert's house to him, so he would have -no difficulty in finding it, when Little Snap began the second stage of -his journey. - -The road now more broken than it had been since leaving Greenbrier, -Little Snap rode on over hill and through valley, finding the horse -loaned him by Mr. Renders an exceptionally fine animal. He had consulted -his watch to find it was a quarter of two, when he looked ahead to see -what he believed to be the village of Volney. - -"Almost there," he muttered. "How glad I am. Now if I find Mr. Calvert -at home I shall be soon on my return journey. That is the house Mr. -Renders described, I am sure. How still it looks around it!" - -Speaking his thoughts thus aloud, Little Snap dashed into the spacious -grounds surrounding the quaint, old-fashioned dwelling he supposed was -the home of the man he had ridden so far to see. - -The occupant of the house proved to be more wakeful than he had -expected, for he had barely pulled rein under the enormous willow -growing by the door before a chamber window was opened, and a man's -voice demanded. - -"Who's there?" - -"My name is Lewis, and I am from Union Six Roads. Does Mr. Calvert live -here?" - -"That's my name, sir, though I do not recognize yours." - -"I carry the mail on the Kanawha route. Of course, you remember Dix -Lewis, to whom you sub-let the line?" - -"Wait a minute and I'll be down there." - -Giving the finishing touches to his toilet, as he appeared, Mr. Calvert -soon opened the heavy door and stepped out into the night. - -He was a man in the vicinity of forty, with a frank, good-natured -looking countenance, who seemed rather brusque in his movements and -manner of speaking. - -"I hardly remember your countenance, Mr. Lewis," he said, as he stepped -forward and extended his right hand; "but that is nothing strange, as we -never met but that once. What in the name of Congress has brought you -here at this unexpected hour? But excuse me, dismount, put your horse in -the barn, and come into the house before you begin your talk. I would -call one of the negroes, but they are so sleepy at this time of night -they are no good." - -"I can't stop," said Little Snap, as soon as he could find an -opportunity to speak. "I have to get back to Six Roads in season to take -the mail to the Loop to-day." - -"You won't do it, all the same. But what's up?" - -The postboy then made the other acquainted with all that had happened, -interrupted several times by Mr. Calvert, who finally exclaimed: - -"A bad pickle, I should say. But I am glad you have come to me. Of -course the only thing for you to do is to get out of it." - -"I cannot do that with honor to myself," said Little Snap, who had not -expected this from the contractor. "It would look as if I was really to -blame for all they have said." - -"Better let it look like that than to get your neck in the halter, or a -bullet through your head." - -The postboy could not help showing his surprise. Was it for this he had -ridden so far, and with such high-colored hopes? He had not dreamed of -anything other than assistance from the man who was behind him in his -undertaking. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING. - - -"You will go up to Six Roads and see what can be done?" he asked, while -his hopes sank lower and lower. - -"I can't. Say, tell you what I will do. I am intending to start for -Washington to-day; but when I get through there, and it won't take me -more than a week. I will come back by way of the Six Roads. I wish I had -let the plaguey route alone." - -"That will be too late to help me," said Little Snap. - -"I tell you, you want to get out of it as quick as you can. Let this -Shag you speak of carry the mail until I can get around." - -"I am afraid you do not understand the situation, Mr. Calvert. There is -some sort of a conspiracy to rob the government, and this Dan Shag is -one of those at the bottom of it." - -"Oh, nonsense! you have your suspicions and jump at conclusions. It may -be that some of them are trying to crowd you a little, seeing you are a -boy, but we all have to put up with such things. We laugh at them when -we grow older. Come into the house and have some refreshments and a few -hours' sleep before you attempt your long journey home. Jove! you showed -good grit in undertaking it." - -"I undertook it in the good faith that you would stand by me in this -affair, Mr. Calvert, and though it is worth something for me to know how -you feel about it, I am disappointed to find you do not care for the -welfare of the route, for whose success or failure you are really -responsible." - -"You are pretty blunt, I will say that for you. I am inclined to think -you will be a hard one for them to bluff down." - -"I shall stand up for my rights, Mr. Calvert, as long as I can. Can't -you come to Six Roads before you go to Washington? They are expecting -you." - -"You said Mr. Warfield still stands by you?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Then, I think I can fix you all right. I will give you a note to him to -stand by you until I come to town, though I still advise you to get out -of it." - -Little Snap saw that it was no use to urge him more, so he remained -silent, while Mr. Calvert hastily scribbled away on a slip of paper he -took from his pocket. When he had finished, he read: - - "VOLNEY, Va., Sept. 18. - - "MR. JASON WARFIELD, Union Six Roads, Va. - - "DEAR SIR: Stand by the bearer of this, Mr. Dix Lewis, in his - troubles as far as you think prudent, until I can see you. - - Your obt. servant, - - MARION CALVERT." - -"There, I think that will do the business. Sorry you don't feel like -coming in to rest until daylight. It's a long, lonesome ride before -you." - -Thanking him, Little Snap took the piece of paper, and carefully placing -it in one of his pockets, he wheeled the horse about to start homeward. - -"Hold on!" cried Mr. Calvert, as the postboy gained the road. - -Little Snap turned the horse and galloped back into the yard, wondering -and hoping. - -"I wanted to say that you will no doubt see the wisdom of my advice -before you get home." - -"If that is all you have to say to me farther, Mr. Calvert," said our -hero, somewhat sharply, "I will bid you good-night! My name is at stake -in this matter, and I will know the right and the wrong of it before I -am driven out." - -The postboy spoke more sharply than he intended, but the other's last -words had cut like a knife. Without waiting for a reply, he touched the -horse smartly with the spurs and sped down the road at a furious pace. - -"I should know he was a Lewis if I hadn't heard his name," muttered the -mail contractor, as he watched the boyish rider out of sight. "I ought -to have known better than to have let him fool with the business at the -outset, but Rimmon said he could do it. Well, I must get ready for my -start to the capital." - -His hopes crushed, so far as expecting any aid from Mr. Calvert was -concerned, Little Snap pursued his homeward journey with a gloomy mind. -Since midnight the sky had become overcast, so it was quite dark—too -dark for him to note his surroundings with any clearness. - -The ride back as far as Mr. Renders' seemed shorter than he had -expected, and he found that gentleman awaiting his coming. - -"You went pretty quick, but Jim don't show his journey a bit. I tell you -that horse can't be beat very easy. Pay? I don't want a red cent. I have -fed your horses, so they are all right to start. How'd you find Calvert? -He's cranky sometimes, but a fairly good sort of a fellow as men go. -Wish he might go to Congress rather than that old Warfield. Never liked -that old duffer; he's deceitful. Nothing of that kind about Cal. Hello! -Starting?" - -While Mr. Renders had been running on in his sort of haphazard way, -Little Snap had put the saddle on Jack's back and sprung into the seat. - -"I wish you would take pay for the use of your horse, Mr. Renders, but -if you won't, I am a thousand times obliged to you, and I hope I can do -you a favor some time. Good-night." - -"He's right after his business!" said the other to himself, as the -clatter of horses' hoofs died out in the distance. "That boy is bound to -succeed." - -Riding swiftly homeward, Little Snap was saying to his dumb companions: - -"I have to fight my own battles, and this trip has been for nothing. No; -not for nothing, for I know just what to do now. You needn't crowd on -quite so hard, Jack; we have plenty of time." - -Shifting from one animal to the other when he thought best, Little Snap -rode on through the night, unmindful of the gathering stormclouds, -though he kept a sharp gaze as he drew near the lonesome spot where he -had been accosted by the stranger. - -Not a sound broke the deathlike silence, save the dull tramp of his -horses' feet, and with a feeling of relief he had soon left the place a -mile behind. - -At Greenbrier the postboy shifted steeds, giving Jack another rest, -intending to return to him at Daring's Diamond. - -No one was astir at this place yet, neither was there any sign of life -at Hollow Tree. But he hadn't gone a dozen rods beyond the Tree before a -sharp voice commanded him to stop, and he suddenly found his way blocked -with a body of armed men. - -Three or four caught upon Fairy's bit with a force which dragged her -back upon her haunches, and Little Snap was nearly pulled from his seat. - -Realizing his desperate situation, the postboy dextrously slipped the -bridle from the mare's head, at the same time shouting for her to rush -on. Rallying, she made the wild attempt, and Jack, having already -cleared a way through the party, she followed upon his heels. - -Shots rang about the fleeing postboy's head, some of the bullets flying -uncomfortably near, but he fancied he was going to get away, when he -dashed furiously down the descent leading to Greenbrier bridge. - -As he came in sight of the stream with its high, precipitous banks, a -cry of dismay left his lips. Every bridge plank had been removed, and -only the stringers spanned the dark chasm of foaming waters! - -Retreat cut off, with no possible chance to ford the stream, Little Snap -saw at a glance that he was rushing into a veritable deathtrap! - -The cries of his pursuers rang exultantly in his ears. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - THE BUSHBINDERS' PLANS. - - -Little Snap's first impulse, as he saw the trap into which he had been -driven, was to turn at bay and meet his enemies in a hand-to-hand -struggle, as hopeless as his chances were. - -But at that moment Jack had reached the bank of the stream, and the -fleeing horse, instead of checking his speed or turning aside, sped like -an arrow out over one of the bridge stringers toward the other side! - -The postboy was not far behind the gallant steed, but he had opportunity -to see the horse rush safely the length of the timber, to reach the -clear way beyond. - -With a snort, as if of triumph, Jack renewed his swift flight now in -comparative safety. - -The sight of this feat caused the hopes of Little Snap to rise, and he -resolved to follow the example set by his equine friend. - -"On, Fairy!" he cried; "it is our only chance!" - -The pursuers suddenly stopped, as they beheld with amazement the daring -deed attempted by the fugitive. - -Fairy, seeming to realize the desperate part she was to act in the -startling undertaking, rushed fearlessly in the steps of her mate. - -Sitting firmly in his saddle, the postboy felt himself carried out over -the dark chasm, and he caught a gleam of the foaming waters hurling -their forces madly against the rock walls of the channel. The next -instant he felt a quiver run through the frame of the faithful steed, -and he knew that she was falling! - -Under the weight of her burden the mare somehow missed her footing, her -feet slipped on the treacherous way, and she tried in vain to recover -her equilibrium. - -Finding that she was falling, Little Snap freed his feet from the -stirrups just as horse and rider shot headlong into the boiling river! - -At that moment the pursuing party halted on the bank of the stream, -amazed witnesses of the mishap. - -Little Snap was carried completely over a stringer running parallel with -the first, and, lighter than the horse, struck in the water farther down -the stream. - -Fortunately, he escaped the jagged rocks of the banks, though the fall -deprived him for a time of his senses. When he came to a realization of -his situation, he found himself struggling in a mass of _débris_ which -had clogged the river a short distance below the crossing. - -In the midst of his efforts to extricate himself, he heard a voice just -above him. Then, as he peered out from his retreat, he saw some of his -enemies coming rapidly toward the place. - -"I can see him!" cried the foremost. "I knew he came down this way." - -"Give up, younker!" called another voice. "Ye mought as well, fer we air -sure to git yer." - -Letting go the branch upon which he had found himself clinging, Little -Snap hoped to elude his foes by swimming down the stream. But he found -himself so entangled in the mass of floating wood about him, that before -he could get clear, the party was in the water beside him. - -A sharp struggle ensued, but at its end the postboy was dragged out of -the water by the hands of the Burrnock gang. - -"Bind him, boys!" said the leader, exultantly. "That's gittin' him what -I call mighty easy. I tole yer the bridge racket would fix him." - -"What do you mean by this treatment?" demanded the postboy, as he found -himself bound hands and feet. - -"Keep cool an' ye'll find out quick 'nough, younker. Tote him erlong, -boys." - -Little Snap looked for some trace of Fairy, but in vain. - -Nothing further was said by his captors, while he was borne away into -the depths of the forest, subject to such thoughts and feelings as may -be imagined. What would they think at home of his non-appearance when -the time for his return came? Then he thought of Jack, and wondered if -the horse would keep on until he had reached Six Roads. He was certain -the steed would, and this gave him the only hope he felt in his -captivity. - -At last the captors and their prisoner reached the little opening -marking the top of the bluff overhanging the cave, where Little Snap had -once sought Ab Raggles. - -In the party which had effected his capture he saw Buzzard and Hawk -Burrnock, while the leader of the gang was none other than he who had -been chief spokesman in the cavern. This man the postboy soon found was -Bird Burrnock, the father of the four brothers. - -As soon as the underground room was reached, Bird Burrnock addressed the -captive as follows: - -"Time is too mighty short, younker, fer us to perlaver with yer. 'Tis -true we mought hev saved a good leetle slice o' yit by knockin' ye in -th' head when we pulled ye out'n th' river. To speak th' truth, I hoped -th' river would fix yer; but seein' yit wan't likely to, we got round in -season to take enny idee o' escape ye mought hev hed out yer head. - -"We know yer air wanted mighty bad up to th' Roads, but we want yer wuss -hyur, though they air playin' inter our hands. Still, yer mought give -'em th' slip. Yer can't us! But this ain't bizness. - -"To say nothin' o' th' shabby way yer treated th' boys, we hev a double -puppose in gittin' yer inter our grips. Yit don't make enny difference -to ye wot it is, so long es 'tis so. Now we hev got yer, we hev got a -leetle proposition to make yer, on which yer future happiness depends, -es th' parson would say. - -"'Tan't enny use fer me to deny, but we hev got our eye on thet mail -route, 'cos we think yit can be made a mighty payin' investment. Shag -wants to run in shacks with us, but we like yer grit well 'nough to make -a bargain with ye. Now, if ye'll 'gree to stand in with us, an' do th' -square thing, we'll not only give ye a shake in th' profits, but we'll -see thet ye don't hev enny trubble. All ye'll hev to do will be to stop -yer hoss long 'nough fer us to look th' baggage over. Mind ye, we do th' -sortin'. Further, we promise thet ye won't hev enny further trubble at -Six Roads, or ennywhere else. Is't a trade, younker?" - -Little Snap was so amazed at this audacious scheme that at first he -could not find tongue to reply to Bird Burrnock. - -"What if I refuse to enter into any such a contract?" - -"Then our own safety demands thet we put ye where ye can't trubble us -enny more. But ye won't?" - -"I'll not stand in with you!" - -At this declaration the little knot of listeners started excitedly, and -Bird Burrnock, the leader, uttered a fearful oath. - -"Then ye wanter die, younker?" he hissed. - -"Of course I do not, sir! But I cannot lend my aid to any such infamous -scheme. Why, it's robbery of the worst sort, and you cannot carry it on -for any length of time without being caught." - -"Thet's our lookout. Mebbe ye air shaky in thet direction, but I can -tell yer we air well heeled thet way. Why, th' most' influential -citizens o' th' Roads air in with us. There's th' judge, an' the -colonel. Then, too, we'll take keer o' Shag. Once more, will yer fall -with th' plan, or shall we be 'bliged to take desprit measures with -yer?" - -Little Snap realized that he was in the power of men who would hesitate -at nothing to carry out their unlawful purpose, and he thought of his -mother even then anxiously awaiting his return home, and imagined the -anguish she would feel upon his failure to come. He thought of his -father, so helpless to aid the others, and his younger sister and -brother, and the sorrow they would experience. Still, with these sad -reflections in his mind, and the dread consequence if he refused to -comply with the demands of his captors plainly before him, he hesitated -but a moment in his reply. - -"I cannot accept your terms." - -"Fetch erlong th' rope, boys," ordered Bird Burrnock, tersely. "I reckon -'twon't take us long to change his mind." - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - A STARTLING DISCOVERY. - - -Buzzard Burrnock quickly entered one of the dark recesses of the cavern, -returning a moment later with a coil of rope on his arm. - -"Make a loop in one end," commanded the elder Burrnock. "Be lively, too, -fer we don't want to fool with him hyur all day." - -When the rope had been arranged to their satisfaction, the noose was -slipped over Little Snap's shoulders, so the cord encircled his body -under the arms. - -"Drag him to th' pit!" cried the leader. "Reckon a leetle consideration -there'll take th' starch out'n him." - -Buzzard Burrnock and Hawk seized hold of the postboy, one on either -side, and half dragging him, he was swiftly taken along a winding -passage leading from the underground room, until the sharp voice of Bird -Burrnock ordered a halt. - -"Swing forward th' torch so's he can see wot's ahead," said the chief, -when Little Snap saw to his horror that he stood at the brink of a huge -fissure in the rock. - -"'Tis bottomless, es fur es we know. At enny rate, it's deep 'nough to -send you into eternity. Now, boys, lower him over th' hole, an' let him -down till he says he's willin' to agree to our terms. Hev it over es -quick es possible." - -"Look here!" exclaimed the postboy; "if you are in such haste and time -is so valuable to you, I will tell you how you can save this delay. You -waste time in thinking you can make me agree to your terms. My answer -was final." - -The outlaw waved his hand impatiently, when his followers pushed Little -Snap over the edge of the abyss, so he dangled from the rope held in -their hands. - -"Lower him away!" ordered Burrnock. "I reckon a taste o' thet -darkness'll bring him to his senses. Lower!" - -A thrill of dread ran through the postboy's frame as he sank lower and -lower into the unknown depths. - -"Why don't ye yell out?" demanded the outlaw chief, his dark visage -appearing over the rim of the rock. He was evidently disappointed at the -coolness of their victim. "Yell at th' top o' yer lungs; needn't be -'fraid o' ennybuddy hearin' ye! Haw! haw!" - -Then the speaker's coarse face disappeared, and Snap was dropped several -feet in a jerky manner. - -Though he felt that there was no avenue of escape for him, Little Snap -did not lose courage, and as he descended he threw out his hands to -catch upon the rugged wall. - -Once his fingers touched a rough edge of rock, but they slipped away, -and he found himself again sinking, when he brushed against a shelf, -which was wide enough for him to gain a good hold. - -Hope lending him strength, he clutched at the projection, to find that -he was able to hang there for a short time. He had, at the same moment, -the presence of mind not to allow the rope to slacken, and by holding on -the ledge with one hand, he held firmly on the line with the other, -managing to keep it straight. - -In a moment the men stopped lowering the rope, when the voice of their -leader demanded: - -"Air ye ready now?" - -"No! Do your worst; I will never yield!" - -Little Snap was really anxious to bring about a crisis now, knowing he -could not remain in his position long. - -"Let him go!" cried Bird Burrnock. "We can't fool with him. We can trade -with Shag." - -"Dix Lewis, th' consequence o' this is on yer own head. Good-by." - -The next moment the men let go the rope, when it went down with a -rattling sound. At the same time, in order to keep up the deception, the -imperiled boy uttered a piercing scream, which rang through and through -the subterranean passages with a startling effect, echo after echo -succeeding it, until it seemed they would never end. - -"He's done fer fas' 'nough," declared Buzzard Burrnock, peering into the -dark depths with a hasty glance, as if frightened at the place. - -A minute later Little Snap drew a breath of relief as he listened to the -sound of their retreating footsteps. - -Then he shifted his position so as to be more comfortable, while he -waited for them to get out of hearing. - -Though he had found a narrow support for his feet, his weight hung -largely on his arms, which were beginning to ache so that he knew he -must soon loosen his hold upon the rocks. - -In this dilemma he moved one foot to and fro, up and down, on the rocky -wall, hoping he might find a better standing place. - -In this he was so far successful that he changed his position to one of -comparative ease, when he drew his first long breath since entering the -place. - -It was too dark for him to see anything of his surroundings, and he soon -began to realize that there was small chance for him to ascend to the -top of the chasm. He hardly dared to move, for fear he should lose his -hold and fall headlong into the pit yawning below him. Such attempts as -he did make showed him the utter impossibility of climbing the -perpendicular side of the rocky wall. - -He made a discovery, however, which gave him a ray of hope. The shelf -upon which he stood extended farther than he could reach with his foot. - -Carefully then he moved along the precarious path, inch by inch, until -he had traveled several feet. Stopping then for rest, he happened to -thrust out one hand, when to his unbounded joy, he touched the opposite -wall! - -The fissure had narrowed so the sides here came within a short distance -of each other. - -Again he tried to climb to the top, and by pressing against the two -sides, he managed to ascend. - -With what gladness he finally found he was near the surface need not be -told. He was so weak from the ordeal that he fell exhausted a short -distance away from the brink. - -Quickly rallying, he tried to penetrate the gloom enough to enable him -to get away from the place; but only blinded by the cimmerian blackness, -he was forced to feel his way along as best he could, knowing that he -was likely to stumble upon his enemies at any moment. - -In fact, he had not gone far before the sound of voices reached his -ears. Listening a moment, he heard the harsh tones of Bird Burrnock give -some command to his followers. - -Obliged to advance, if he moved at all, he crept nearer to the outlaw -gang, moving with extreme caution, until he knew from the sound of their -voices he was close upon them. As if to verify this, a faint gleam of -light from their torch fell across his pathway. - -The leader of the party was saying something as he stopped, which he did -not hear plain enough to understand. Listening more intently for the -reply, he came near betraying his presence by a low cry, not at the -words spoken, but the tone in which they were given. - -It was his father's voice! - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - "WHAT JACK RIMMON SAYS, GOES." - - -The little crowd about the post office at Six Roads looked with -speechless amazement upon the riderless horse as the animal approached -at a furious pace. - -"Something has happened to Dix!" exclaimed Mr. Rimmon. "I feared it. -Come here, Jack; where is your master?" - -With a low neigh, the panting horse stopped beside him, the creature -trembling in every part. - -Even Dan Shag was moved to emotion, and for the time he forgot to repeat -his request for the mail pouch. - -"I wish you could speak, Jack," said the postmaster, patting the horse's -head. "Where did you leave him?" - -"It's pas' six!" broke in Shag. "Reckon ye'll let me hev th' government -traps?" - -"Not yet, Dan. Wait till we learn the fate of Little Snap." - -"Don't see wot thet hes to do with me. I hev been 'p'inted to carry thet -mail, an' every minnit ye keep yit frum me makes ye liable fer damages. -Reckon ye wouldn't want 'em to know at Washington 'bout this yer -foolery." - -Mr. Rimmon paid no heed to these words, which fact perhaps enraged the -impatient Shag more than any reply would have done. - -"Look hyur, Jack Rimmon! air ye goin' to let me hev thet mail—right -off—ter wunst?" - -Mr. Rimmon's reply fairly took away his breath. - -"No, sir!" - -At first the would-be mail carrier could not believe his ears. - -"Wot's thet ye say, Jack Rimmon?" - -"Stand aside now, Mr. Shag; there is more important matter on hand than -your business. I will talk with you about this mail matter when I have -more leisure." - -With these words, Mr. Rimmon, leading Jack by the bridle, started toward -the home of the Lewises. - -"Great guns!" exclaimed Shag, as soon as he could speak; "wot in -creation do ye mean? Foolin' with me, a United States officer, in thet -way! Where's Judge Claverton? I'll hev him tear this ol' shebang o' a -post offis down, but I'll hev thet mail bag!" - -A few of the spectators cheered him, but the majority followed the -postmaster toward the more exciting scene around the besieged house. - -At least that is what it looked to Mr. Rimmon, as he approached, with -Jack walking by his side. - -Foremost in the excited throng that had surrounded the home of the -postboy, was Sheriff Brady, who was speaking to Mrs. Lewis and the crowd -at his heels in almost the same breath. - -"Wait a minute longer, boys! Tell us where he has gone, Mary Lewis, and -we won't molest you." - -The overwrought woman was standing in the doorway with one of her -children on either side. Her inflamed eyes told that she had been -weeping. It had been a night she would never forget. - -"I repeat, Mr. Brady," she said, for the twentieth time, "that he has -gone to Volney to see Mr. Calvert, and that he will be back at six!" - -"Tell us something else; it will at least make a change, Mrs. Lewis. Of -course, we know better than that. You are knowing to where he has hid -himself." - -"It's past six!" cried some one from the crowd. - -"So 'tis," cried the sheriff. "I don't like to resort to any violence -with a woman. Wait one minnit longer. While we wait, tell us the truth, -woman." - -In vain she reiterated the truthfulness of her statement. - -The frenzied spectators would listen to nothing reasonable. - -At this critical moment little Sammy Lewis, dragging his boyish figure -to its full height with manly dignity, stepped in front of his imperiled -mother, crying: - -"You shall not hurt her! She has told the truth of Dix. We do not know -why he does not come; but he went to see Mr. Calvert. He will come back -as soon as he can." - -"What means all this outcry?" demanded the clear voice of Mr. Rimmon. -"Sheriff Brady, is it thus you perform the duties of your office with -such a rabble at your back?" - -Every one started in surprise at the appearance of the postmaster, and -low exclamations came from the lips of all at sight of the postboy's -horse. - -Mrs. Lewis seemed to comprehend the worst at a single glance. - -"My boy! what has happened to him?" she cried, rushing forward to Mr. -Rimmon. - -"Be calm, Mary. Let us trust he is safe." - -"But how came Jack here without him?" - -The appearance of the horse was then told in a few words, while numerous -conjectures were offered in regard to the rider. - -"You say he went away with both his horses," said Mr. Rimmon. "The fact -that this one has come back without any saddle shows that he must have -been riding Fairy at the time Jack got away from him, or was perhaps -sent ahead by his master to tell us that he is safe. I look upon it as a -good sign. - -"Cheer up, Mrs. Lewis; I guarantee that no harm shall come to you. Mr. -Brady, I advise you to withdraw your men. Dix Lewis will not be hard to -find when he comes." - -"If he comes!" said the sheriff. "You may not be aware, Mr. Rimmon, that -Warfield has concluded not to stand the boy's bail, and thus we must -have him." - -"I know nothing of this," replied the postmaster, sharply. "Why didn't -you or Mr. Warfield come to me in regard to the matter?" - -"Of course I did not suppose you would care to stand in for the runaway, -if Mr. Warfield did not. In that case it was my duty to capture the -scamp as soon as possible." - -"Give yourself no farther concern in that direction, Mr. Brady. I will -answer for the boy. Is that sufficient?" - -Mr. Rimmon was not the right man for Sheriff Brady to antagonize. -Besides being a person of good financial standing, he was known to be a -man of sterling integrity, and, to use a cant expression, "What Jack -Rimmon says, goes." So the officer said: - -"Of course, Mr. Rimmon. But I want to tell you that you are making the -greatest mistake of your life." - -"That's my lookout. Now go to your homes, every man of you, and when Dix -Lewis is wanted I will guarantee he will be on hand, or there will be -good reason for his not being there." - -Mr. Rimmon had barely finished speaking, when the clatter of a horse's -hoofs broke the silence following his words. - -The sound came from the road below the crowd, and looking hastily in -that direction, one and all saw a riderless horse coming swiftly toward -them. - -Every one recognized the animal as Fairy, the brown mare so often ridden -by the postboy. She was more exhausted than the bay had been, and in -addition to the flecks of foam dappling her sides, were clots of blood. - -If any evidence of a mishap to Little Snap had been wanting before, it -seemed supplied now. - -With a cry of anguish the bereaved mother fell in a swoon. - -The kind heart of the postmaster was deeply moved by this scene, and he -ordered the onlookers to stand back, until she could be restored to -consciousness. - -"This looks bad for the boy," he said. "Some of you care for the mare -and the horse, too. I want half a dozen of you to go with me in search -of him as soon as possible." - -Mrs. Lewis soon returned to life, when she was taken into the house, and -comforted as best she could be, her friends assuring her that everything -would be done to find Dix that was possible. - -Mr. Rimmon had meanwhile ordered his own horse to be saddled, and was -ready to start in quest of the missing boy, as Dan Shag returned to the -post office, accompanied by Justice Claverton and Morton Meiggs. - -"Reckon I'll take thet mail bag now," said Shag, with a sort of grim -humor in his looks. "Ye hev kept me waitin' quite a spell." - -Mr. Rimmon glanced hastily at the speaker and his companions, and then -toward the half dozen horsemen who were to go with him, before he said: - -"I am sorry to be obliged to refuse your request, Mr. Shag, but the fact -is I cannot recognize you." - -"Wot's thet mean?" gasped the amazed man. - -"Let me say a word," interposed Claverton. "Aren't you getting into -rather deep water, Mr. Rimmon?" - -"I am a good swimmer, judge, and——" - -"Hold on! that isn't the idee at all. Dix Lewis is out of the mail -business, and I have in my official capacity appointed Mr. Shag mail -carrier on the Kanawha route. Haven't I the authority in my official -capacity to do so?" - -"I haven't time in my present situation to argue that point, but I will -say that I am not going to be governed by your order at this time. - -"Come, men, if you are ready for a start, we will not delay any longer. -Bid Mrs. Lewis to be of good cheer, and assure her that we will send her -word as soon as we have learned anything in regard to his fate. - -"Good-morning, Judge Claverton, Mr. Shag, and Mr. Meiggs." - -While the surprised trio stood speechless witnesses, the little -cavalcade dashed down the road at a smart canter. - -"Did ye ever see ennything like thet?" asked Shag, as soon as he had -recovered his breath. - -"Rimmon is carrying a high hand," acknowledged Claverton. - -"Why can't we help ourselves to thet ol' sack? He ain't no right to keep -it arter this time o' day. Say th' word an' I'll git it in a jiffy." - -"Better let it alone. Jack Rimmon ain't a good man to buck against. All -we can do is to see what will happen next." - -Though both of his companions were prone to object to this inactivity, -they could do no better than to submit. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - AN UNDERGROUND RACE. - - -Let us see how it is faring with Little Snap. - -As we have seen, his surprise knew no bounds, as he listened to the -sound of the voice which was unmistakably his father's. - -Anxious to see if he could learn what his father's presence there meant, -while Bird Burrnock was speaking he cautiously advanced, crawling upon -his hands and knees. - -He soon paused as he found himself in a position to look into the cavern -room containing the speakers, though they were not in sight of him. - -He stopped abruptly as he heard his father's voice again answering the -outlaw chief. - -"The last of them must be put out of the way!" he was saying, "and I am -the man to do it." - -"Of course ye air," replied Bird Burrnock. "How soon can ye do yit?" - -Little Snap was about to make another move forward, hoping to be able to -get a view of the speakers, his hearing strained to its utmost tension -to catch every word that was spoken. - -He heard his father's voice again falling on the unnatural stillness of -the place, when suddenly he was startled by a sound behind him which he -recognized as the stealthy footstep of a man swiftly approaching him. - -Expecting to meet none but enemies there, he put the voice from his mind -instantly, and turned to look for some way of escape. - -As he glanced into the gloom encircling him, he saw the faint outlines -of a man's figure a few feet away. At the same time he perceived the -entrance to a passage running off to his left. - -It was his only avenue of escape, and without stopping to think whether -it might lead him to safety or into worse dangers, he darted along its -course. - -"Help!" cried the man in pursuit of him. "Quick! that boy! He's gone -this way!" - -While giving utterance to the exciting alarm, the speaker rushed upon -the heels of Little Snap, who found the way so crooked and filled with -bowlders that he could advance only with great difficulty. - -The cries of his pursuers were quickly answered by the others, and then -the fugitive heard the entire party in pursuit of him. - -The foremost almost within reach of him, the postboy continued his -flight as rapidly as possible, at one time actually feeling the hand of -his enemy on his shoulder, as he ran against one of the rocks often -blocking his way. But gliding around the obstruction, he succeeded in -eluding his pursuer. - -For several yards he found a clearer course, while a faint halo of light -filled the underground place. - -The cause of this was explained in a moment, when he came upon the -opening in the rocky passage discovered by him in his search for the -Raggles. - -Unable to cross this chasm, he suddenly found his flight cut off! - -Feeling sure of their victim now, with renewed cries, the outlaws rushed -to effect his capture. - -Little Snap's first thought was that he was fairly caught! But no sooner -had he recognized the spot than a desperate resolution entered his mind, -and he felt no hesitation in carrying it out. - -Ab Raggles had said that the water at the bottom of the fissure formed -an underground stream leading to the valley below, and that he and his -sons had followed it without trouble to safety. Why could not he do the -same? - -Wild cries came from his pursuers, as they saw him keep on to the very -brink of the abyss without checking his speed. Then, to their greater -amazement, they saw him plunge into the opening, to disappear instantly -from their sight. - -"Let th' fool go!" said Bird Burrnock. "He's saved us a heap o' trouble -in lookin' after him. He's out o' our way sure nough now." - -The fall to the water was greater than Little Snap had expected, and he -was nearly deprived of his breath by the force with which he struck the -subterranean river. But he quickly recovered himself, and as the current -was not swift, he was soon swimming along with the tide at a leisurely -rate. - -The stream was nearly straight, and the postboy had not gone far before -a streak of daylight told him that he was nearing its outlet. - -The mouth of the river seemed to be in the midst of the Greenbrier, and -so completely was the smaller stream swallowed up by the larger that, -excepting a slight increase in the current, there was no sign of the -addition of water. - -But Greenbrier River, as we have seen, was rapid in this vicinity, so -our hero had to look sharp for himself, as he followed its course to a -place where he could scale its precipitous bank. - -This he did not succeed in doing until he had got within a short -distance of the wrecked bridge, where he had had his thrilling -experience that morning. - -"Poor Fairy!" he thought, as he looked for trace of her, "you must have -been killed outright by the fall. It was a fearful chance, but—hark! I -hear horsemen coming." - -Not caring to take any risk, he sought the concealment of the bushes, to -await the appearance of the riders. - -He didn't have to wait long before they dashed into sight, pulling up -smartly at the sight of the chasm of roaring waters where the bridge -should have been. - -A glad cry left Little Snap's lips, as he saw that the foremost horseman -was John Rimmon of Six Roads, and regardless of his personal appearance, -he bounded into the road. - -"Why! Dix Lewis, as I live!" cried the postmaster. "Where in the world -have you been, and what has happened? You look as if you had been -through fire and water." - -"I have nearly that," replied Little Snap, with a laugh. "I am glad you -have come along, for I am afoot and pretty well used up. I have lost -both of my horses. Poor Fairy will carry me no more on my trips to the -Loop." - -"Don't be too sure of that, lad. She's safe and sound in your stable at -this blessed minute. So is Jack, too! You see, their coming without you -was what started us in your quest. - -"But the folks are too anxious about you at home for us to tarry here. -Jump up here behind me, and as we ride along you can tell me your story. -When we get to Diamond we'll hunt you up an extra horse and a dry suit -of clothes. - -"Right-about face, boys, and seeing that you can get ahead faster than -we, you can go on and tell them we have found the missing sheep all -right." - -Mr. Rimmon's companions willingly complied with this request, without -dreaming that it was a clever artifice on his part to hear Little Snap's -full story alone. - -He had anticipated there might be some startling disclosures, and he was -not disappointed, as the postboy told him all that had happened to him -since leaving Six Roads, omitting the single fact of his father's -presence among the outlaws in the cave. He hadn't the heart to tell that -part. - -"My stars! adventures enough for a trip around the world. But say, Dix, -if you had let me know that you were going, I should have put a stop to -it, though I can see that it has resulted in gaining some valuable -truths, which might not otherwise have been gained." - -"I promised mother that I would let you know I was going. I did call up -to your house, but no one was stirring, and I thought it was too bad to -disturb you. I did not think it would make any difference." - -"All's well that ends well, they say. By the by, I do not believe it -will be best to tell all you know of this affair just at present. There -is a mystery to me concerning the origin of all this trouble, and I -don't understand the actions of some of our leading citizens. In my -humble opinion it will be best to watch and wait in this matter a while. -I will stand by you if no one else does. Shag came round in a terrible -stew to have the mail pouch, but I knew better than to let him. - -"You can say that you went to Volney and saw Mr. Calvert, and in coming -back you undertook to cross the bridge stringers and fell in, which will -be the truth as far as you go. - -"In regard to that gang you saw in the cave, I don't know what to do -with them. We can't exactly arrest them, even could we catch them, as it -would bother us to prove anything against them. They are desperate -characters to handle, too. No doubt as soon as they find you have -escaped they will pitch into you again. If you have any scruples about -continuing on your route, I will get a trusty man to take your place. I -wouldn't blame you if you did, and it might be better so for a time. You -shall have your job back again when it is over." - -"I don't wish to give it up at this time, Mr. Rimmon. I thank you for -your kindness, and I want to go through with this. I am going to get at -the bottom of this matter if it is possible." - -"Spoken just like a Lewis. Well, you have one who will see you through. -You are true grit." - -"I am afraid I shall be late at the Loop, to say nothing of the other -offices," said Little Snap, with a slight laugh. - -"You won't be expected to go at all. If Uncle Sam's servants do not keep -the way open, he certainly cannot expect you to perform your task. -Perhaps by to-morrow it will be so you can go." - -"I will be ready then," replied the postboy, earnestly. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - THE REGISTERED LETTERS AGAIN. - - -Though his coming had been announced by those who had preceded Mr. -Rimmon and himself on their return to Six Roads, Little Snap's -appearance was hailed with various feelings of demonstration. - -The joy of those at his home knew no bounds, while his friends greeted -him with manifestations of delight. Others shook their heads, as if -there was something wrong, while still others openly avowed that they -would have been better suited if he had never come, or "words to that -effect." - -"We have had such a terrible experience since you went away," said Mrs. -Lewis. "I dread to have you carry that mail again, and I wish you would -not, my son." - -"I shall not have to go to-day, mother, and Mr. Rimmon says it is -possible I shall not have to go to-morrow, as it is proving quite a job -to clear the road at the Narrows, to say nothing of repairing Greenbrier -bridge." - -"I am afraid you will be killed, Dix. Sheriff Brady says the Blazed Acre -folks are bound to kill you." - -"Mother, I have no greater enemy or worse one than Mr. Brady, though I -do not understand why he is against me. Has father been home since I -started for Volney?" he asked, suddenly changing the subject. - -"No. I am growing more and more anxious about him. He seems to grow more -moody every day. I am so sorry for him, and I know not what can be -done." - -Little Snap offered such encouraging words as he could, though he could -not forget the fact of his father's presence among the outlaws of -Greenbrier cave. It was true he had not seen his countenance, but he was -none the less certain of the truth of the situation. He trembled for the -ultimate outcome of the mystery. - -Another thing puzzled him not a little, and that was the mention of the -names of "judge" and "colonel" by Bird Burrnock. He was at a loss to -understand who these associates of the desperadoes of Blazed Acre could -be. Justice Claverton was often called "judge," and Mr. Warfield in the -same tone frequently spoken of as "the colonel." With all the enmity the -first bore toward him, he could not think he was the one meant by the -outlaw, while it seemed preposterous that Mr. Jason Warfield, the -ambitious politician, could be spoken of in this connection. - -Naturally enough the affairs of the past few days were the general -themes of conversation at Six Roads. - -Though he kept aloof from the crowds that daily collected at all of the -public places, Little Snap heard sufficient for him to know he was the -object of many unfavorable remarks. It was certain his enemies were -improving the time to set public opinion against him as much as -possible. - -Dan Shag seemed everywhere present, repeating, in a loud tone, his -grievances, and continuing his threats against the postmaster, who -offered him no reply. - -Mr. Warfield was out of town, but in the afternoon of the same day he -got home from Volney, Little Snap was paid a visit by the politician's -secretary. - -"I felt it my duty to call upon you," said Mr. Jones, "relative to the -matter I know must be fresh in your mind." - -"I do not understand what you refer to," replied Dix, not at all pleased -with this call. - -"Nothing is so hard to understand as what we do not wish to understand," -said the other. "Of course you have not forgotten those missing -registered letters of Mr. Warfield's." - -"No, sir; still I do not know why you should come to me about them. I -suppose the affair is being investigated." - -"No one would be more likely to know than you," was the significant -reply. "But to be frank with you, I have come for a confidential talk -with you, confessing that it was suggested by Mr. Warfield. He bears you -no ill will. In fact, he desires to help you all in his power, as his -past actions have shown. Now, upon his guarantee I can assure you that -nothing will be done with you if you will tell us the whole truth in -regard to this matter. - -"Please do not think we suppose you have taken the letters knowingly, -but we suppose that in some way you have lost them. Of course you are -not directly to blame in that case, though it does look bad for you, -particularly as you have denied it so stoutly. If you will candidly -acknowledge that this is the case, we will let the affair drop here, -save to explain that you have not been in any way to blame." - -Little Snap had listened to this speech without any interruption, and at -its close he said: - -"Mr. Jones, it is evident that you think I am either a fool or a thief. -I have told all I have to say in regard to the matter. Before you come -to me please investigate your post offices. I——" - -"So you call Mr. Rimmon a robber of the United States mail? It is a bold -utterance, for even a rash-headed youth to make, and I can promise you -it shall be taken for all it is worth. Good-day." - -"Perhaps I was too outspoken with him," said the postboy to his mother, -when he had explained the object of the other's visit, "but I could not -help it. That man is one of those who is at the bottom of my troubles, -and he it is who has caused Mr. Warfield to do as he has." - -The afternoon of the following day, as he had heard nothing definite -concerning the progress made in repairing the road, Little Snap called -at the post office, to find the place literally surrounded by loafers -and men engaged in discussing politics and the prospects of who was to -carry the mail on the Kanawha route. - -"I tell you that young Lewis isn't going," some one in the background -was saying, as Little Snap entered the building. "I hear Mr. Warfield is -going to fix up the matter in the way it should be." - -"Well, here comes Mr. Warfield to speak for himself," said another, and -our hero was somewhat surprised to see the politician appear upon the -scene. - -"It looks as though the road would be clear for you to-morrow," said Mr. -Rimmon. - -Then noticing Mr. Warfield, he added: - -"Glad to see you here, colonel. I wish you would step inside here, as I -have something of importance to say to you." - -"Have my letters been found, Mr. Rimmon?" - -"I regret to say——" - -"Yes, they have been found!" broke in Meiggs, in the midst of Mr. -Rimmon's words. "Here they are!" holding up one hand, in which were -clasped three or four badly soiled and abused letters. - -"I found them in an old stump between Hollow Tree and Greenbrier," -continued the speaker, while great excitement instantly began to come -over the crowd. "They have been opened, and I found with them a letter -belonging to Dix Lewis!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - DRIVEN TO THE WALL. - - -The excitement following Morton Meiggs' announcement of the finding of -the lost registered letters, and the sight of them in his hand, was so -great that Mr. Rimmon attempted to speak several times before he could -make himself heard. - -"We would like to hear the particulars in regard to the finding of the -letters, Mr. Meiggs," said the postmaster. - -"I can give them in a very few words, Mr. Rimmon. I was riding up from -Greenbrier, and got up to within about a mile of Hollow Tree, when I -thought I heard the rustling of paper in the bushes by the roadside. -Stopping my horse, I hadn't listened a great while before I knew I was -right." - -"Still I didn't think anything strange of that, and I was just going to -start along, when I thought I saw a bit of paper sticking out of a -hollow stump growing, or rather standing, for I suppose it had got done -growing, two or three rods away from the road. - -"I had the curiosity to investigate, so I got off my horse and went up -to the stump of a tree. Sure enough, there was a letter a-sticking out -of a crack in the dead tree. I pulled it out to find it was one of them -registered letters which had been lost or something done with them. - -"I began to look about the place, and to reward me for my trouble I -found all three of them registered letters of Mr. Warfield's, and I also -found one telltale letter sent to Dix Lewis. All of them were opened -just as I show them to you." - -It seemed a long time before any one spoke, after Mr. Meiggs' statement. - -"Let me see the letters," said the postmaster, reaching out his hand for -them. - -"Reckon that will be all the evidence you will need to show who the -guilty party is," said Meiggs, as he passed the letters to the other. - -"These are no doubt the missing letters," allowed the postmaster, "but I -fail to see how this proves that Dix Lewis put them there." - -"Who did, if he didn't?" demanded Clevis Claverton. - -"I do not pretend to answer that. It is a mystery that remains to be -cleared up." - -"Has the contents been taken from all of them?" asked Mr. Warfield, -looking over Mr. Rimmon's shoulder, as the latter examined the pieces of -mail matter. - -"The letters are here, but the money which they evidently contained is -missing." - -"Of course," said Dan Shag, with a shake of his head; "that was what he -was after." - -Little Snap had remained silent during this scene, but he was about to -speak, when the gruff voice of Justice Claverton fell on the ears of the -anxious throng. - -"Mr. John Rimmon, I feel obliged to say to you that I have so far -examined the laws and statutes as to find that you are not eligible to -be on this young culprit's bail, seeing that you are already holding an -office under the United States Government. Uncle Sam is pretty careful -in that respect. - -"In that case, Mr. Warfield, of course, wishes to be released, so the -prisoner is left without any bonds. It is therefore my duty to command -Sheriff Brady to take him to jail, there to await his trial at the next -term of court. - -"Mr. Brady, in my official capacity, I now order you to carry out the -mandates of the law." - -At this announcement greater excitement than ever reigned, during which -the sheriff pushed his way through the crowd toward the postboy. - -"This is too bad," said Mr. Rimmon. "Hold on a few minutes, Brady, while -I can say a word to the boy." - -"Talk fast, then," said the officer. "I think we have been too easy with -him so far." - -Unheeding this last remark, the postmaster motioned Little Snap to come -inside the office. - -"I have been expecting this," were his first words. "I fear I am -powerless to help you any farther, though I am none the less your -willing friend. Do you think of anybody who would be likely to help you -through?" - -"Not unless Mr. James Renders, of Greenbrier, will." - -"He would not be sufficient alone, supposing he would do it. Say, I am -going to call in Mr. Warfield, and see what he will do and what he won't -do. He has acted funny lately." - -In answer to the request of the postmaster the politician reluctantly -joined the two in their private consultation. - -"We wanted to speak to you alone, Jason," said Mr. Rimmon, "in regard to -your feelings toward the boy here. You have seemed to be his friend in -times past." - -"So I have, John; so I have," declared Mr. Warfield; "and I was never -more his friend than now." - -"That is what I thought. So these rumors of your withdrawal from his -bail are false? You are willing to stand by him longer, supposing we -could get some such a person as James Renders, of Greenbrier, to stand -in with you?" - -"I—well—ahem—do you suppose Renders will? I hardly think it." - -"Will you? I wish to know that before I speak to him or any one else. So -many stories are afloat that we don't know what to believe." - -"I think you can remain there," replied the other, ignoring the question -asked. "As far as I know there is nothing against it in the law." - -"Still, there is a doubt there, and until that is cleared away I am of -no good to the boy, though I am willing to do anything I can. But before -I can do anything, I must know just what you are willing to do. I ask -that you remain on his bail as a personal favor to me as well as to the -boy. Remember, you have never asked me for a favor in vain." - -To the surprise of his companions, Mr. Warfield seemed laboring under -some great mental strain. The perspiration stood out in beads all over -his face, while he trembled and moved uneasily. - -"I—the truth is, John, I wish I could grant you this favor. I don't -think the boy unworthy of all the assistance I could give him; but the -truth is, John, unavoidable circumstances over which I have no control -make it impossible——" - -"Ain't you 'bout through there?" broke in Sheriff Brady's voice. "The -judge is getting anxious that I do my duty." - -"I am coming," replied Little Snap, quickly. "Mr. Rimmon, I thank you -for your kindness; and you, Mr. Warfield, I do not wish to have you do -anything for me against your wishes. - -"Sheriff Brady, I am ready to go with you, though I am going to tell you -at the outset that somebody is going to suffer for this." - -"I don't do this, Dix, from choice," said the officer, laying his hand -on the postboy's shoulder. "I think myself Judge Claverton is a little -severe on you. By the way, I can save you the disgrace of this going to -jail if you will listen to reason. Resign this mail route without -further opposition, and I guarantee the matter shall rest here. I know -what I am saying, though I don't care for the mob to hear it. You will -resign and save all farther trouble?" - -The sheriff had lowered his voice to a tone a little above a whisper, -but Little Snap's ringing reply was loud enough for every person to -hear. - -"Never, Mr. Brady! Take me to jail if you wish, but I will not betray -the slightest trust reposed in me. I am innocent of the charges you -bring against me, and there can be no disgrace until you have proved me -guilty." - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - STARTLING SURPRISES. - - -"Bravo!" - -Sheriff Brady stopped suddenly in his movement to put the handcuffs on -his prisoner, and every person in the crowd of spectators uttered an -exclamation of surprise at the unexpected word spoken so sharply and -with the ring of admiration in it. - -Turning abruptly around, the spectators were amazed to see a horseman -nearby, he having ridden upon the scene unobserved by all. - -"Bravo for you, Dix Lewis!" cried the newcomer. "Upon second thought I -concluded that I did not give you the answer I ought, so I have come up -to see you, and help settle your trouble. What's up here, anyway?" - -"Marion Calvert, as I live!" exclaimed Jason Warfield. - -Little Snap had already seen the horseman, and his countenance had taken -on a brighter look. - -"I am glad to see you, Mr. Calvert. They have accused me of doing that -of which I am innocent, and there don't seem to be any one able to help -me out." - -"Don't, eh? Well, let me see what I can do," urging his horse forward -through the crowd to the post office door as he spoke. "Mr. Brady, what -do you think you are doing?" - -"I—the fact is, Mr. Calvert, there has been a little irregularity in the -boy's business, and we thought it was time to look into it. We didn't -mean him any harm, only we did it as a matter of self-protection." - -"I see," replied the mail contractor, in a tone which puzzled his -hearers. "The boy was down to see me about it, but I answered him rather -hastily at the time. Luckily I saw my duty before it was too late, and -at the sacrifice of some business obligations I am here. I think I came -at a good time, too. - -"I learned at Greenbrier that the road had not been fully cleared at -Kanawha Narrows yet. The bridge across the Greenbrier is not in passable -shape. But I have left word that if the post road is not passable -to-morrow morning I will have every official indicted. I should like to -know what you have been doing." - -"Attending to our own business," retorted Claverton, showing his -displeasure. - -"I should think you had been doing little else than to make war upon -this boy. You seem to forget that if there is any fault to be found I am -the one to complain to. I am under bonds to the United States Government -to see that the mail is carried on the Kanawha route in a proper -manner." - -"You can't stand between us and justice," replied Claverton. "My court -has found the youngster guilty of high misdemeanors, and if you wish to -father them, all right. Otherwise he goes to jail inside of——" - -"Go to jail yourself and take your court along with you!" cried the -imperturbable Calvert. "I will see the boy through now." - -"Defy the law, do you?" demanded Claverton, sharply. - -"Your law, yes! I forgot more last night than you ever knew. I want to -see you at your home, Mr. Lewis." - -"I give you warning, sir," said Claverton, as a last desperate resort, -"that the boy's bondsmen have thrown him over. He stands without any -backing." - -"Is that so? How is it, Mr. Warfield? I believe your name was first on -his paper." - -"Yes, sir, I—I——" - -"That's all right. How is it with the others?" - -"I have asked to have my name taken off," said Meiggs. "But I am on Mr. -Shag's bond." - -"I am off young Lewis' paper, but on Mr. Shag's," said Clevis Claverton. - -"Very well. I don't care a picayune about you two, or this Shag. You -will sign a new bond for the boy, Mr. Warfield?" - -To the surprise of Mr. Rimmon and Little Snap, the politician replied, -after a moment's hesitation: - -"Certainly, Mr. Calvert; anything I can do for him I will. I hope I may -have a little talk with you before you leave the town." - -"Yes. Now, Mr. Lewis, I would like to see you alone a little while. I -will see that that bond is fixed up all satisfactory, Mr. Claverton." - -"You can come right into my office," said Mr. Rimmon. "I will send my -man to take care of your horse, Mr. Calvert." - -Notwithstanding the bold utterances of Marion Calvert, the majority of -the spectators looked with favor upon him, and there were many outspoken -words in admiration of him. The crowd generally falls in with him who -shows a fearless attitude, even if he slightly oversteps the line drawn -for him, rather than the one who is weak and vacillating, though he -represents the cause they intended to espouse. Mr. Warfield had recently -acted in a manner disliked by several, and not understood by any. - -While the outsiders were discussing the situation _pro_ and _con_, -Little Snap and his two friends were trying to decide upon the best -course of action. Finally, when he had been made acquainted with the -true state of affairs, Mr. Calvert said: - -"I will look after the bonds on your mail contract, Lewis, and to give -Claverton and his backers no opportunity to make a fuss, I will see that -the proper bail is secured for you. To-morrow I will go to Salt Works -with you, and stay there to come home with you. I do not believe you -will have any farther trouble. I must go to Washington on the next day. -Be sure and keep your eyes and ears open, and at the least suspicion of -interference let me know. Mr. Rimmon will also be on the watch for you." - -"You needn't be afraid but Warfield will stand by you after this, for he -knows his chances of getting into Congress depend too much on what I do -for him to act differently." - -Having reached this decision, the plan was carried out as rapidly as -possible, and with complete success, so the following morning Little -Snap was promptly on hand for the mail pouch. - -So was Dan Shag, and in his disappointment, he exclaimed: - -"The day o' reckonin' ain't fur off, Dix Lewis, so carry a high hand -while ye can." - -As he had promised, Mr. Calvert accompanied the postboy on his trip as -far as Salt Works and return, though nothing occurred to hint of any -further trouble. - -The following day the contractor left for Washington, while Little Snap -started on his daily route alone. - -Naturally, he never rode through the Wash Bowl and along the Narrows -without recalling his startling experiences there and looking sharply -about him. - -Thus an uneventful week passed, until one afternoon, after having met -and passed Old Solitaire at his lonely vigil, he was suddenly made aware -that his battle was not over. - -Descending into the Bowl with his usual caution, he was passing a -particularly lonely place in the road, where an overhanging rock nearly -touched his head as he rode along, when his attention was attracted by a -shrill cry off to his right and lower down the basin. - -Turning for a moment to look in that direction, he was just in season to -catch a glimpse of the mail pouch as it was being whisked out of sight -over his head! - -Stopping Jack with a sudden jerk of the rein, it was fully a minute -before the surprised postboy could comprehend what had taken place. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - A LIFE FOR A LIFE. - - -Little Snap, it is safe to say, was never more thoroughly surprised in -his life. - -In the brief glance he had obtained of the disappearing mail pouch, he -had also seen that it had been snatched from its resting place by a -pole, with a hook attached at the end, in the hands of a man concealed -behind the bowlder. - -Then a movement among the rocks on the side of the mountain told him -that the audacious thief was making off with his booty. - -Without stopping to count the cost of the hopelessness of pursuit, the -postboy rose in his seat to an upright position, when he found he could -grasp a clump of stunted bushes growing on the side of the ledge and -high enough to enable him to gain the summit of the rock. - -The next moment he climbed upward with the agility of a cat, reaching -the side of the bowlder in season to see the robber fleeing around -another, somewhat higher on the mountainside. - -He was armed, but before he could bring his weapon to bear upon the -escaping man, the other had disappeared behind another pile of rocks. - -Evidently he had not discovered the fact that he was pursued, and being -careful only to keep his body from sight of the road, he ascended higher -with what celerity he was capable of exercising. - -Little Snap followed with swifter and lighter steps, carrying in his -right hand his heavy revolver for instant use. Confident that there had -been but one doing the robbery, he advanced with the firm determination -to have that mail pouch back in his possession, unless the fugitive was -smarter than he. - -Up, up, climbed the robber, watching the road intently, and stopping -every few steps to see why he had not aroused some outcry by his bold -theft. Evidently he was bothered to understand what the silence meant, -for he soon crept behind a sheltering bowlder, where he crouched in -waiting for several minutes, peering cautiously out from his retreat. - -During this time Little Snap lay flat on one of the jagged shelves of -rock jutting out on the mountain, his body concealed by a bunch of -bushes. - -The other was out of his sight, but knowing his position, the postboy -held his weapon in readiness to cover him the moment he should move. He -felt certain he had an advantage over his enemy which would result in -his success. - -In a short time he heard the man again moving, though his body was -hidden from him by the rock. Knowing it would not do for him to allow -the other to get too much the start of him, the postboy once more moved -cautiously forward. - -Around the rocky point concealing his foe from him he darted, to come -suddenly into full view of the man, whom he quickly recognized as Robin -Burrnock. - -The outlaw saw him at the same moment, and with a fierce imprecation he -whipped out a pistol and aimed point-blank at the postboy's head. - -Fortunately the weapon missed fire, and before he could repeat his -attempt, Little Snap leveled his revolver at Burrnock's heart, crying: - -"Stand where you are or I will fire!" - -With a hoarse laugh, the outlaw, unheeding the threat, leaped forward -upon a wider shelf of rock. - -Though not wishing to kill him, the postboy fired at the man's lower -limbs, hoping thus to stop his escape. But he missed his mark, and as he -cocked the weapon for a second shot, Burrnock hurled his own useless -weapon with such unerring precision at him that he dashed the revolver -from Little Snap's clutch. - -"Come on ef ye want me!" cried the outlaw, and vexed at his blundering -work, the postboy sprang nimbly up to the ledge beside the robber, -taking him so much by surprise that he was forced to drop the mail pouch -and defend himself against the attack of the plucky boy. - -Little Snap had thought to seize the sack and spring down upon the lower -rim of ledge out of the outlaw's reach before he could stop him. But -Robin Burrnock proved himself almost as nimble as his young assailant, -so the postboy found himself caught in the man's strong arms, when the -twain became locked in a hand-to-hand struggle for life or death. - -"The old Nick take ye!" howled the desperado of Blazed Acre, "I'll show -ye yer match wunst." - -The shelf was not more than four feet in width and six in length, while -the descent was nearly perpendicular to the road a hundred feet below, -so the combatants had small chance for operation, but each did his best, -knowing it was a fight to the bitter end. - -Little Snap particularly realized that it was life or death with him, -and though smaller and weaker than his antagonist, he made such a -desperate resistance that the outlaw found himself for once matched. - -To and fro, back and forth the two struggled, first one reeling back -against the steep side of the mountain and then the other, each in turn -recovering himself, to renew the contest with more earnestness than -before. - -Burrnock had succeeded in getting in a vise-like grip upon Little Snap's -throat, and our hero tried in vain to break from it. - -"Now, my leetle bantam, I'll see who is master!" - -With all the power he could muster, the postboy caught upon the wrist of -Burrnock's uplifted arm with his right hand, while with the other he -tried in vain to tear away the clutch at his throat. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - LITTLE SNAP'S SURPRISE. - - -In the brief time he felt himself succumbing to the overmastering -strength of Robin Burrnock, a thousand thoughts seemed to flit through -Little Snap's mind. It was a moment he would never forget. - -Once more rallying to throw off his antagonist, he struggled with -renewed power at the hand grasping his throat, while with the other he -kept aloft the brawny arm of the outlaw. - -"Think ye ken whup me, blast yer!" growled the aroused robber, maddened -to find himself thwarted, if but for a while, by the postboy. - -Little Snap was standing on the very brink of the shelf, with his back -toward the precipice, and as Robin Burrnock redoubled his exertions to -overpower him, he felt his footing give way and himself reeling backward -over the chasm. - -Instinctively, he loosened his hold on the outlaw's wrist, to throw out -his arm in a wild effort to save himself. - -In vain! - -With a cry of horror on his lips, he saw the fist of Burrnock descend, -and at the same time he went backward over the abyss! - -His cry was swiftly followed by one from the outlaw, as he, too, -staggered to and fro on the brink. - -Little Snap's fall caused him to lose his foothold, and while the -postboy fell, the outlaw was carried heels over head down the declivity, -another yell of horror awakening the silence of the lonely scene with -its startling intonations. - -Half stunned by the force of his fall, Little Snap found himself -clinging to the edge of the shelf, with the mail bag underneath him. - -Finding he had received no serious injury, he crawled to a safe position -on the rock, nearly overjoyed to find that he had really come out of the -ordeal alive. - -It was several minutes before he could realize he was safe and unhurt, -but as he finally knew, the force of his fall had been broken by the -mail pouch, and, saved from going down the rugged declivity, his life -had been spared. - -Anxious to know what had become of Robin Burrnock, he looked down the -descent to see his body near the bottom, lying as motionless as if he -were dead. - -In the road near where he had left him, he saw the faithful Jack still -awaiting his coming. - -"Noble fellow!" he exclaimed; "I will be with you in a minute," -beginning his descent into the valley. - -Though he found this no easy task, he soon succeeded in reaching the -highway, the mail pouch safely in his hands. - -Finding the outlaw had not yet moved, he went to his side, and turning -him over, saw that his neck had been broken. - -"I am sorry," said the postboy, "but I cannot see that I am to blame. I -was in duty bound to protect——" - -"Have no misgivings over what you have done, my boy," said a voice near -at hand, and, turning quickly, Little Snap saw with amazement Old -Solitaire at his elbow. - -"I witnessed the whole affair," declared the hermit, "but I was -powerless to help you, though in another moment I should have fired a -shot at whatever risk. You should thank Heaven that your life was -spared." - -"It was a narrow escape, Uncle Solitaire, and at one time I felt that it -was all over with me." - -"So thought I. But now that you are safe, I advise you to ride on to -Greenbrier and tell Mr. Renders what has happened. The authorities will -look after the body of the wretch." - -Little Snap would fain have said more to the strange man, but the old -man started back toward the Narrows as fast as he could walk. - -"Well, Jack, nothing is left for us but to go on," which he did, without -meeting any further adventure until Greenbrier was reached. - -Delivering the mail pouch over to the postmistress, he then sought Mr. -Renders, who listened with unfeigned wonder to his account of his -meeting with Robin Burrnock in the Wash Bowl. - -"Egad, Dix! that was a tough one, but I don't doubt your story. I will -speak to Squire Moran, and we will go up at once to look after the body. -You may be wanted later to give your evidence at the inquest, but I -don't apprehend you will have any further trouble. Better keep a sharp -lookout, though, for those hounds of Blazed Acre will be likely to pay -you off for getting rid of one of their number." - -Thanking him, the postboy returned to the post office for the mail. - -"Any trouble to-day, Dix?" asked Budd Grass, who seemed to divine that -something unusual had been happening. - -"Nothing more serious than the falling of one of the Burrnock brothers -down the side of Greenbrier and breaking his neck. Mail all right?" - -"It seems to be, and, judging by the size of the package, the Hollow -Tree folks won't have reason to complain this time. But you have not -told me all about this Burrnock's falling and—was he killed? Oh! how I -fear those men, and I tremble for you every time you go past. Which one -was this?" - -"Robin; but I can't give you any particulars. Good-day." - -The postboy found the postmaster at Hollow Tree impatiently waiting for -him. - -"Late again!" he growled. "I wonder what the Washington chaps would say -if they knowed 'bout it?" - -Without replying, Little Snap tossed him the pouch, amusing himself -while the other sorted the mail by stroking the neck of Jack and talking -to the horse as was his wont. - -In the midst of his simple talk Shag rushed out of his office, looking -uncommonly red in the face, as he shouted: - -"No mail for the Tree again! What does that mean?" - -Looking toward the speaker with surprise, Little Snap did not know what -reply to make. - -"Oh, ye needn't look so innercent, ye thievin' rat! Mebbe ye think ye -can make th' racket work ag'in, but I'll show ye ye can't! Where's th' -mail ye should hev fer this offis?" - -"In that sack, if anywhere. That is where it should be, if you haven't -taken it out." - -"I haven't, an' I can prove it by th' boys hyur," pointing to the three -men who had followed him from the building. - -Little Snap's surprise was great, though he did not have any doubt in -his mind that Dan Shag had taken out the package and was intending to -bluff him down. - -"Mr. Shag, if you haven't that mail in your office, then I do not know -where it is. I do know there was a lot for you here, or I know, at -least, Budd Grass, at Greenbrier, said so." - -"Projuce, then!" cried the postmaster. "I can prove by these men that I -haven't taken a thing out o' thet bag thet b'longed hyur." - -Little Snap stepped into the office, but, of course, the missing package -was not in sight. - -"I'll know the whys an' whurfor's o' this afore dark," cried the excited -postmaster, closing the door with a slam. "I'm goin' to Union Six Roads, -boys, an' ef enny one wants to know why th' offis is shut tell 'em." - -"T'other lot wuz found in th' feller's saddle pocket, Dan," said one of -the bystanders; "why don't ye look there fer this?" - -"'Tain't likely he'd do the same thing over ag'in," replied the -postmaster. "He'd be more sly this time." - -Little Snap had taken the pouch and was throwing it on the horse's back -at the time. - -"You can look if you want to, but you will not find——" - -Little Snap did not finish his sentence, for while speaking he had -thrust his hand into the depths of the pocket, and finding a bundle in -his grasp, he pulled out the missing parcel of mail! - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - THE STRANGE HORSEMAN. - - -The postboy's surprise was genuine, and had he pulled out a handful of -gold dollars he could not have been more astonished, though it might -have been in a different vein. - -"Wot'd I tell yer?" cried the man, exultantly. "Needn't look fur fer yer -letters, Dan." - -"I shall look fur an' sharp afore this matter is settled," retorted -Shag, taking the package. "Ye air all witnesses to wot has been done?" - -"O' course," was the general reply. - -Knowing it was useless for him to say more to them, Little Snap rode on -toward Daring's Diamond in anything but an enviable frame of mind. - -"We have got to look sharper than this, Jack," he said, speaking to his -horse. "There is something and some one at the bottom of all this, and I -do not understand it. One thing is certain; that package was not in my -pocket when I left Greenbrier. And another thing equally certain is the -fact that I saw no one after I left that post office. Then how came it -there?" - -Trying to solve this problem, Little Snap kept on toward Daring's -Diamond, and then to Six Roads. - -While stopping to have the mail sorted at the Diamond, he saw Dan Shag -ride past, and he knew the postmaster was hastening on to Six Roads to -spread the news of his latest trouble. - -"I have got to keep my eyes open sharper than this or they will get the -best of me yet. Push on, Jack! I am anxious to know how I shall be -received at the home office." - -About the same crowd as usual was gathered around the office at Six -Roads, and to the postboy's surprise, nothing was hinted of his recent -adventures. - -After supper he sought Mr. Rimmon, to tell him the particulars of his -last trip, the postmaster showing greater surprise than ever. - -"Whew! that is a tough one. Those Blazed Acreites mean you the worst -kind of harm, I fear. At least they will after this. You were gritty, -though. Let me advise you to take a guard from this time on for at least -a week." - -"I would if that would end the matter, but I do not believe it would. -The Burrnocks would naturally keep out of sight during that time, to -begin their work as soon as I went alone, so it would only prolong the -affair." - -"I don't know but you are right, Dix, but it puts you in a tight box. If -the Honorable Jason was in town I would call him for a consultation." - -"That would do no good. He is no real friend to me, though he feels -obliged to stand on my bond because Mr. Calvert says so." - -"Dix Lewis, you have hit the nail right on the head! In his anxiety to -get a nomination to Congress he is catering to every one, and he is -getting into the hands of some that are going to wreck him; mark my -words. What do you propose to do?" - -"Keep on; only, I promise you, Mr. Rimmon, I won't be caught like that -again." - -"Good! I hope you will come out at the top of the heap." - -The following morning, as the postboy was leaving the little village of -Six Roads, he was accosted by a man on horseback, who was a stranger to -him, and who showed by his personal appearance that he had ridden -several miles. - -"Young man," he said, "are you the postboy of the Kanawha?" - -"I carry the mail, sir, between this place and Upper Loop." - -"I thought I wasn't mistaken. I want to go to Greenbrier, and possibly -to a place called Salt Works, and as the road is a strange one to me, -perhaps you will have the kindness to allow me to ride with you. I can't -promise that I shall be very good company, but I will at least be -civil." - -He spoke with an air of honesty, and he looked like a straightforward -person. He was about forty years of age, and he rode a horse that Little -Snap saw was to all outward appearances the equal of his Jack. - -"Do you object to my company?" he asked, as Little Snap hesitated a -moment in his reply. "If you have any suspicions of me, I won't object -to riding a little in front of you, so you can keep your eye on me all -of the time." - -"I think I can trust you, sir." - -"Thank you. My name is Austin Goings, and I am not ashamed to say that I -am a Kentuckian, though it has been several years since I bade adieu to -the scenes of my nativity. May I ask your name?" - -"It is Dix Lewis, Mr. Goings. I am afraid you will find me to be poor -company, as I have been so used to only the companionship of my horse -that I must be dull." - -"Fine-looking horse, Dix," said the Kentuckian, at once assuming a -social companionship. "I should judge he might be fleet of foot. I am -rather proud of my own horse here, and if agreeable to you, we will have -a little spurt when we come to a suitable road." - -"I never race Jack, sir, unless it is a case of necessity. His work is -hard enough without my adding to it by any unnecessary hard driving." - -"Good on your head, Dix Lewis! I like that kind of talk. We shall get -along famously. How long have you been carrying this mail?" - -"Two years." - -"Must have begun pretty young." - -"Was a little over sixteen when I made my first trip." - -"I'll venture you are a gritty one. Ever have any trouble?" - -"None that I could not look after." - -"Don't be offended at my questions. I should judge there might be some -tough characters in this vicinity, and, naturally, one in your position -would be likely to run across them. If I am not mistaken, the Raggles -settled in this locality." - -"I never knew but one family by that name, and they have come recently." - -"I may have been mistaken. They were a bad gang, anyway." - -Little Snap making no reply to this, Mr. Goings dropped the -conversation, so that very little was said until reaching Hollow Tree. - -Dan Shag showed his surprise at seeing a companion with the postboy. - -"Reckon it's a purty good thing to hev a guard," he said, in a low tone. -"Had the colonel got home this mornin'?" - -"No, sir. Everything all right this morning?" - -"Alwus is goin' right, this way." - -It did not need Dan Shag to tell him this. Neither did it need this -postmaster to tell him that the trouble all centered at his office. - -"You can put that man down as a cutthroat," declared Mr. Goings, as they -rode away from the Tree. "But isn't that a singular office. By the way, -I have seen that man's face somewhere before," continued the talkative -Mr. Goings. "It may have been when I was this way before. Oh, yes, I -have been over this same road—let me see—fifteen years ago. Time enough -for me to have forgotten how everything looked. I do remember that the -next place we shall come to is Greenbrier. It is situated at the -junction of the river we have just crossed and the Little Kanawha, the -streams making the Great Kanawha. Am I right?" - -"Yes, sir." - -Little Snap was growing suspicious of this voluble stranger, and he -wished he might escape his company farther. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - A RIVER LET LOOSE. - - -Nothing of interest occurring at Greenbrier, the postboy resumed his -journey, with the talkative stranger still beside him. - -"I was in luck," he declared, "when I chanced to meet you. I should have -hated to have gone over this lonely road without company. I don't see -how you can do it. Is it as lonesome below Salt Works?" - -"Until I get to Hutsland I think it is more dreary, though I have got so -used to it I never stop to think of that." - -"Just so. Say, Dix, what do you think of Jason Warfield?" - -This question was asked so abruptly that Little Snap glanced up with a -look of wonder. - -"I don't know as I have anything against him," he replied, after a -moment's pause. - -"A safe answer. But I am going to tell you that I think he is a sneaking -rascal. How long has he been in Six Roads?" - -"Fifteen years, I think." - -"Right the first time. I know, because he came there at the time I was -through here before. Never'll get the nomination for Congress, will he?" - -"Feels confident of it." - -"Well, he is sure to get disappointed. Marion Calvert is the man." - -"So you know Mr. Calvert?" - -"By reputation. I have a mind to do a little electioneering while I am -scouting over the country. Gee whiz! isn't this a wild country!" he -concluded, for they were already entering the Devil's Bowl. - -Mr. Goings' exclamation of astonishment increased as they rode up the -Tracks and approached the Narrows. - -"I want you to show me where you rode off the cliff into the river," -said Little Snap's companion, very much to his surprise. "Oh, I heard of -that a long way from here. Such news travels far and fast. Jerusalem! is -it possible you went off there and came out alive? I never should have -dared to do that. Now, you must tell me all about it. I am interested." - -The postboy retold his thrilling adventure, and as he began to talk he -grew animated, and before Salt Works was reached he had given Mr. Goings -a more extended account of himself and his adventures than he had -realized while telling it. - -"It is a great satisfaction to have met you, Dix, and if I can arrange -my business in season I am going back with you as far as Diamond." - -These were Mr. Goings' parting words, and as Little Snap left Salt -Works, where he had changed horses, he said, to himself: - -"I don't know whether I am anxious or not for your company, Mr. Goings. -If you do go back with me, I shall ask you a few questions in regard to -yourself." - -Below Salt Works the road wound down the valley for a couple of miles, -when the base of Flat Top Mountains was reached, where a long ascent had -to be made. - -As at the Narrows, though the passage was wider, the Great Kanawha found -its way along a rocky gorge, the banks of which were in places hundreds -of feet in height. - -Near the summit of the post road's greatest elevation, was a shelf of -rock overhanging the stream, that was called "Lover's Leap," one of the -three hundred dizzy crags in the United States bearing that favorite -name. - -After passing this spot, the post road, in making its descent on the -west side of the mountain, wound away from the Kanawha, until the sullen -roar of that river was supplanted by the musical ripple of a smaller -stream, called Tripping Waters. - -About two-thirds the way up this narrow valley the road led across this -river, following its west bank to its outlet into the Kanawha at a point -where the rugged mountain defile opened out into the broad basin of the -western slope. - -Little Snap was leisurely approaching the pole bridge that spanned -Tripping Waters, when all at once a deep roaring sound reached his ears. - -Abruptly reining in his horse, he listened for a moment, to find that -the sound was rapidly increasing. - -It seemed nearer, too, and more deadly in its sound! - -He glanced wildly up the valley, but from his position he could see -nothing to explain the heavy, booming thunder still growing louder and -louder! - -He had never heard anything like it. - -The ground beneath him began to tremble and the mountain to shake! - -He touched his horse smartly, fearing to remain there longer. - -But the animal had not taken the second bound before the heart of Little -Snap seemed to come into his mouth, as he suddenly realized the meaning -of the awful sound. - -A mile above, a dam had been built across the river to hold back the -water for the benefit of a mill at the lower end of the valley. - -This barrier had broken down, and the flood let loose! - -"Fly, Tom!" he cried to his horse. "It is a race for life! On! on! It is -overtaking us! We are lost!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - A RACE WITH A RUNAWAY RIVER. - - -Though the Postboy of the Kanawha was not borne on by his gallant Jack -in that fearful ride with the flood of Tripping Waters, he sped down the -post road at a flying pace. - -The blooded bay that he rode seemed to have a realization of the awful -peril from that pursuing wall of water. - -Higher and higher rose that deafening thunder, until it dulled the -postboy's hearing and fairly made his senses reel. - -Glancing wildly back he saw that the foaming avalanche of water was -sweeping everything before it! - -The narrow valley was completely filled from mountainside to -mountainside! - -There was no way for him to scale the rugged heights overhanging him in -season to escape the flood. - -His only hope lay in continued flight—in reaching the mouth of the -valley before he could be overtaken by the monster at his heels! - -Every moment saw it so much nearer, but while life and his fleet-footed -horse were left him he was bound not to lose courage. - -Just before reaching the extension of the mountain gorge, the defile -made an abrupt turn, bringing him who followed its course into a sudden -view of the wider regions beyond. - -Almost the first sight to greet the comer's eye was a rambling wooden -building standing half on the land and half over the stream. - -This was called Swett's Mills, and a few rods below stood the house of -the owner. - -Even under the spell of his own great danger, Little Snap realized the -deadly peril of every one at this place. - -Thus, as he dashed on, he shouted to them a warning of their impending -doom. - -"The river has broken through the dam! Flee for your lives!" - -The men at the mill had already been called from their work by the -unaccountable noise up the valley, and as the postboy sped into sight, -they saw behind him the frightful wall of water. - -Instantly Mr. Swett recognized peril, and shouted: - -"Run for your lives, boys! Help me save my family." - -Little Snap was already abreast of the mills, and he saw Mrs. Swett and -her little child just leaving the house, with cries of terror. - -"Run, Mary!" shrieked her husband. "The flood is upon us!" - -In her fright, the poor woman started to run, catching at her child and -missing it. - -With a loud cry the little one fell to the earth, Mr. Swett running -toward it as fast as he could. - -Little Snap sped past him, and reining his bay close to the struggling -child, he leaned over in his seat until he could reach the helpless one. - -Then he lifted it up in front of him, and keeping on with unabating -speed, swept down the valley. - -Mr. Swett's companions had sought safety on the mountainside, and he -himself ran down the road after his terrified wife. - -A short distance beyond, the valley of the Kanawha was reached, and the -great danger was mainly over. - -None too soon was this escape accomplished, for Little Snap had not -checked the speed of his horse, as he dashed up the side of the -declivity near the road, when a deafening crash told him that the -runaway river had reached the mills. - -The next moment the floodwall seemed to burst, the water spreading out -on either hand with startling effect. - -It was such a sight as those few witnesses had never seen before and -never wanted to again. - -The deep channel of the Kanawha was suddenly filled to overflowing, so -the entire valley was under water. - -Trees, earth, rocks, many of them of large size, and _débris_ of -everything it had found in its course was scattered high and low by the -swollen stream. - -"It was a narrow escape!" exclaimed Mr. Swett. "We owe our lives to you, -Dix Lewis, for in saving Flossie here you gave the rest of us a chance -to get away. See! the old mill is gone, and everything in it! But we -must be thankful that no lives were lost." - -The flood subsided almost as quickly as it had come, leaving the marks -of its awful desolation. - -Not a tree was left standing in the whole range of its fearful path, nor -an object that its giant power could move. - -The road, as far as could be seen, was entirely obliterated, only a -rock-strewn gulley showing where it had been. - -Not a piece of the timber of Swett's Mills was to be seen, and the -foundation itself had been swept away! - -The house had been lifted bodily up and carried several rods, but -standing higher than the mills, it had escaped the heavier part of the -onset, so it had not been utterly ruined. - -Mr. Swett was inclined to take his loss philosophically. - -"I don't understand the cause of that breakage, for it was only -yesterday that I was examining that dam, and could find no sign of a -leak." - -Seeing that he could be of no benefit to the sufferers, as soon as he -had given his horse a breathing spell, the postboy resumed his journey, -feeling extremely thankful over his providential escape. - -"I shall prize you next to Jack now, Tom," he said, stroking the -faithful creature's neck. "If you had been one whit less fleet it would -have been all over with me. How I tremble now, though it is all over!" - -At Hutsland, Little Snap's first stopping place—in fact, the first town -he came to—he told of the disaster in Tripping Waters Valley, his story -being listened to with open-mouthed wonder. - -With as little delay as possible, a gang of men started to the scene, -ready to do what they could toward restoring the fortunes of Mr. Swett -and his family. - -Meeting with no adventure, the postboy reached Upper Loop, and upon his -return he was accompanied by a party of a dozen men, who were going up -to see the work of desolation. - -Thus when Little Snap got back to the place he found a large crowd -gathered about the mouth of the valley. - -"You will have hard work to get through, Dix, but I suppose it would be -hard work to stop you. Some of us will go up with you, if you wish it." - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - A STARTLING RELIC OF THE FLOOD. - - -Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his -destination, often finding it difficult to get along. - -But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot -where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge. - -Of course there was no trace of this left. In fact, there was not a -single familiar feature on the landscape of that doomed valley. - -The stream had subsided, so he had no trouble in fording it a little -above where the bridge had been. - -Every vestige of vegetable growth was swept away, leaving the scene but -a waste of rocks, and he could now look up the defile even to where the -ruined dam stood out like a skeleton of rock. - -Little Snap stopped for several minutes to gaze upon the sight, but he -was about to move on, knowing that he had already lost so much time that -he would be a couple of hours late, when a dark object, suspended from -the branches of a tree on the mountainside above the reach of the flood, -caught his attention. - -Riding a little nearer to it, he saw that it was a man's coat. - -"Is it possible some one was in the valley above here at the time?" he -exclaimed. "Stand where you are, Tom, and I will get it." - -With considerable hard climbing, he gained a position from which he -secured the coat. - -It was a blue jean jacket, looking the worse for wear. - -"No great loss to the owner nor prize to me," he thought, as he returned -to the side of his horse. "But it has a decidedly familiar look. I -wonder if there is anything in its pockets to tell the owner's name?" - -Beginning an investigation, he quickly drew forth a sheet of paper, -which, from its crumpled condition, showed that it had been thrust away -hastily. - -Smoothing it out as best he could, he saw that one side was written over -in a coarse, sprawling hand. - -He easily read, while a look of anxiety came over his features: - -"SIRS: Why is it you do not act more promptly and effectively? This -delay is dangerous, and I am not going to brook it any longer. It puts -every man of us in double the danger we should risk in quick, decisive -action. I am going away for a few days, and I shall expect this work to -have been finished before I get back. Look sharp, then, and get that -route clear. We have fooled with that boy too long already." - -There was no address nor signature to this obscure message, while the -writing was in a hand unknown to Little Snap. - -He read it over several times, and then examined the coat more closely. - -No other paper was found, but when he had finished his survey of the -garment he exclaimed: - -"I have seen that jacket before, I am sure. I have it! It was on Pewee -Burrnock's back! - -"How about this letter. It is evident I am the one that is meant. Ha! I -have a clew in regard to that, though I never saw that handwriting -before. It looks as if the writer was trying to disguise his hand. That -paper is just like that Mr. Rimmon and Mr. Warfield used in making out -my bail, but I don't know which furnished it." - -The hoof strokes of a horse caused the postboy to look up, when he -discovered a horseman approaching from the direction of Salt Works. - -A second look showed him that it was Austin Goings. - -"I hoped I had seen the last of him. But I don't believe I will let him -see this coat." - -Little Snap quickly decided to conceal the garment under his saddle, and -he had just accomplished this purpose as the horseman rode up. - -"Hello, Mr. Lewis! I am glad to meet you again. I have heard of your -adventure here, and I could not refrain from riding down to see the -place. Particularly as I hoped to have the pleasure of your company -back." - -Little Snap was remounting his horse, and he made no reply to the -speech. - -Mr. Goings was extravagant in his praises of the postboy's ride for -life. - -"It must have been a thrilling situation. At Salt Works, where the whole -account is known, they look upon you as a hero." - -"But you seem to be in a hurry to move on, so I won't detain you. We can -talk as we ride along." - -"I am two hours behind time," said Little Snap. - -"But no one can blame you for that, under the circumstances. They should -reward you for heroic conduct instead." - -The postboy making no reply to this, nothing farther was said, until, as -they were leaving Tripping Waters Valley they met a party from Salt -Works going down to view the scene of the flood. - -Little Snap had to speak briefly to them, but he hardly stopped his -horse. - -At the post office he was again plied with questions, all of which he -answered as briefly as possible. - -"I suppose you are anxious to get on toward home," said the postmaster. -"I don't blame you. Before you get along to-morrow we will fix up the -road as best we can for you, though it will be some time before it will -be in the condition it was this morning. I see that Goings is intending -to ride up with you." - -"Yes; do you know anything of him?" - -"Not a thing; supposed he was a friend of yours. As near as I can make, -he is looking after the political interests of Colonel Warfield, though -he is doing it on the sly." - -"He didn't speak very favorably of Mr. Warfield to me as we were coming -down this morning." - -"It's a funny way he has of drawing people out. All the same, he is -working his best for Warfield. There is going to be a mass meeting here -soon." - -Without stopping to say more, Little Snap left the office to find Mr. -Goings waiting for him at the door. - -Springing into the saddle, the postboy resumed his journey at a pace -which made it impossible for his companion to keep up a conversation, -until they came in sight of the live oak, where Old Solitaire was wont -to be seen. - -Little Snap discovered him as soon as he came in sight of the place, and -the next moment his companion exclaimed: - -"Look! what old duffer is that!" - -"Has my letter come to-day?" came the old, familiar question, while the -squirrels suddenly stopped their nimble movements, and began to chatter -as if with fear. - -It may have been the sight of the strange horseman which had alarmed -them. - -The old hermit himself was eying the latter closely, as Little Snap gave -his oft-repeated reply. - -"I am sorry to trouble you," said the disappointed man, "but I have -waited so long. Take this to her, and I am certain that to-morrow I -shall get my letter." - -The postboy took the proffered missive, and he and Mr. Goings were about -to ride on, when the hermit suddenly stepped in front of the latter, -saying: - -"Who is this who rides with you to-day Postboy of the Kanawha?" - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII. - THE NEWS THAT REACHED HOME. - - -"A friend, old man. Stand aside and let me pass," said Austin Goings, -quickly. - -"Does he speak the truth, boy?" demanded Old Solitaire, catching hold of -the rein of the stranger's horse. - -"Indeed, uncle, I do not know," admitted Little Snap, frankly, surprised -nearly as much as his companion at this interference. "He asked my -company this morning, and we rode to Salt Works together. He has -appeared friendly." - -"You do wrong to trust any man at this time. Stranger, you will tarry -with me while the boy rides on." - -An exclamation of displeasure left Austin Goings' lips, and he struck -his horse smartly, intending to break the animal from the old man's -grasp. - -But the hermit's hold proved stronger than might have been expected, for -the struggling horse failed to clear itself from the hand laid on its -bit. - -"Let go that rein, old man!" cried the aroused rider, "or I shall forget -your years and lay violent hands on you." - -"Ride on, Dix!" ordered Old Solitaire. "I will look after this man." - -Fearing that the opposition might end in more serious trouble, the -postboy hesitated. If the two men should come to blows, he felt certain -this Austin Goings would handle the old hermit roughly. - -"I do not think he means me any harm, uncle. I will look out for -myself." - -"He has no business here with you," said the hermit. "Man, if you are -honest, go back the way whence you have come." - -"Who are you who dares to interfere with my conduct?" demanded the -other, sharply. - -"Were I to tell you, you would still be as ignorant as I am concerning -your identity. Let the boy go on in peace. When he has been gone ten -minutes you shall follow if you wish." - -Austin Goings looked from the speaker to the astonished postboy, and -then back to the old hermit, the squirrels all the while keeping up a -continuous chattering, as they ran excitedly to and fro. - -Finally he said: - -"It may be best to humor the old man, Dix Lewis; so ride on, and I will -abide his pleasure. I will not harm him, neither shall he me." - -Little Snap was impatient to go on, and though not without some -misgivings, he resumed his tedious journey toward Kanawha Narrows. - -Looking back as he turned an angle in the road, the last that he saw of -the singular twain they had not moved. - -Old Solitaire was still holding the stranger's horse by the bit, while -the horseman was gazing intently at him. - -"It all beats me!" thought Little Snap. "I don't see as I can do any -better than to keep on. I think Old Solitaire is able to take care of -himself. At any rate, Tom, you and I have evidently all we can look -after." - -The postboy found that the account of the flood in Tripping Waters -Valley had preceded him to Greenbrier, and the postmistress asked him -for the full particulars. - -What a ride that must have been, Dix! I don't see how you escaped. But -have you heard," she continued, lowering her voice to a whisper, "that -any one was concerned in the affair. I mean that any one had tampered -with the dam?" - -"No, Miss Grass. I hope no one has that fearful work to answer for." - -"And you neither saw nor heard of any one at the time or after?" she -asked, unheeding his words. - -"I saw no one, Budd. Neither did I hear any one. Have you heard that any -one was concerned in it?" - -"Oh, no. That was one of my foolish questions." - -Little Snap had made up his mind not to mention the finding of Pewee -Burrnock's coat until he had met Mr. Rimmon, so he said nothing of it, -but took the mail pouch and left the office. - -As might have been expected, knowing the man as he did, he found the -Hollow Tree office closed, and for a wonder, no one was around its door. - -In this case the postboy could do no better than to carry the mail -belonging here on to the next place. - -"I suppose Mr. Shag will try and make me trouble because I am late. But -in this case I have a reasonable excuse, I think." - -Of course it was now an hour after dark, and though he was urging Tom on -at more than his usual pace, he could not manage to get in at Six Roads -until after the hour of closing the post office. - -Riding at the gait he was following it was not likely that Mr. Goings -would overtake him, supposing the latter should follow him. - -But Little Snap was within half a mile of Daring's Diamond, when he -heard the sound of a horseman, who, he fancied at first, was pursuing -him. - -In a moment the rider came into view from ahead, however, and he was not -long in recognizing Sammy mounted on Fairy! - -At sight of him his brother stopped, when our hero exclaimed: - -"Why, Sam Lewis! What has brought you here?" - -The little fellow was so excited and out of breath that it was some time -before he could speak. - -Then he gasped in an almost inaudible tone: - -"Where—where have you been, Dix?" - -"Why, on my way home, of course. What has happened?" - -"Everything bad! We heard that you had been killed. Mother—father!" - -Then, overcome by the ordeal through which he had passed, Sammy fell -forward on Fairy's neck in a faint, and he would have fallen to the -ground had not Little Snap caught hold of him. - -"What can have happened?" exclaimed the postboy, as he took the limp -figure in his arms. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - THE GATHERING STORM. - - -It seemed a long time to the anxious postboy before his brother opened -his eyes. - -"I found you, Dix," he said. "I told mother I would if she would let me -go on Fairy." - -"What has happened, Sammy?" - -"I don't know just what it is, Dix; but mother has been crying all the -afternoon. She got a letter somehow, saying that you had been killed, -and that if she and father valued their lives, to move out of Six Roads -before to-morrow morning. Then, when you did not come, she was sure you -had been killed, and she is nearly crazy." - -"Well, it is not as bad as she thought, for you see I am as well as -ever. Now let us hasten home as fast as we can, so as to relieve her -suspense." - -Sammy having fully recovered his usual self by this time, he remounted -Fairy, and, side by side, the brothers galloped on toward Daring's -Diamond. - -It had been Little Snap's idea to have his brother ride on, to get home -as soon as possible, while he stopped to have the mail sorted. - -"Tell mother I am all right, and that I will be along as soon as -possible. Let Fairy go at her best." - -With Sammy's good-night ringing in his ears, Little Snap dashed up in -front of the post office, where he was met by an excited crowd. - -The postmaster was just locking the door of his store, in which he kept -the post office. - -"Here he comes, as true as you live!" said the well-known voice of -Morton Meiggs. - -"You have done your worst to-night, it seems, Mr. Lewis," he added, -turning to the postboy. - -"The mail, Mr. Anderson," said Little Snap, paying no heed to the words -of Meiggs. - -"The hour is past for me to keep the office open," replied that -official, "and I refuse to accept the mail pouch unless you can show -proper reason for coming in at this late hour." - -"That's it, Anderson; stand up for your rights," interposed Meiggs. "We -will soon know how long we have got to put up with this treatment. I -expected letters to-night, which it is dollars' damage to me not to get -before this time. But, as I said, we shall soon know how much longer -Uncle Sam is going to permit this way of doing business." - -Little Snap waited until Meiggs had finished speaking, when he said to -the postmaster: - -"Mr. Anderson, if you have heard of the terrible disaster in Tripping -Waters Valley to-day, you know I have sufficient reason for coming in -late. If you have not heard of it, you will in due season. Will you take -the mail or not?" - -"Bring it in," was the curt reply. - -"It does not belong to me to do that. I have brought it as far as the -law requires me to. I will wait here the allotted seven minutes; if at -the end of that time you have not sorted the mail, I shall go on to the -next office." - -"Bully for you, Little Snap!" cried some one from the crowd. - -Without speaking, the postmaster stepped down from the step and took the -pouch, to carry it into the office. - -A part of the crowd followed him into the building, Meiggs among the -rest. - -Little Snap was beginning to get impatient over the long time the -postmaster was taking in sorting the mail, when the latter appeared at -the door. - -"Look here, Lewis! There are letters missing. I have advice that there -were a certain number of registered letters in the mail, and five are -not here. How do you account for that?" - -"I do not know, Mr. Anderson. Why should you expect me to know?" - -"For the very best reason in the world!" broke in Meiggs. "The reason -that you know about their loss and where they are." - -"Is the pouch ready for me, Mr. Anderson?" asked the postboy. "The time -is up." - -"Hear the impudence!" again broke in Meiggs. "Are you going to let him -bluff you like this, Anderson?" - -"I don't understand it," admitted the postmaster, hesitating in his -manner. "You must be knowing to this." - -"Are you going to let me have that mail, or must I go on without it?" -asked Little Snap. - -"How is it the Tree mail has not been taken out?" asked Mr. Anderson. - -"The office was closed when I came along, and I could do no better than -to bring its mail along. I will leave it in the morning." - -"I should think you would—after you have had a night to look it over." - -"I don't see as I can do any better than to let him have the bag," said -Mr. Anderson. - -"Do so, and you will lose your own head," cried Meiggs. "This has gone -as far as it is going. I understand two of those missing letters were -for me. I want my letters. Now, Mr. Lewis, give up those letters, or you -don't leave this yard." - -"I should like to see you stop me," replied Little Snap. "I know my -footing, and, for the last time, I demand that mail pouch, Mr. Anderson. -I am needed at home at this very moment. I have enough to contend with -outside of those who should be my supporters." - -Little Snap showed by his tone that he was in earnest, and as he -concluded, the postmaster threw the pouch across Tom's withers, saying: - -"Where is the man who went down with you?" - -"Coming on the road now, as far as I know. Come, Tom, we must get home." - -At that moment Morton Meiggs stepped forward to catch hold of the bridle -rein, motioning to some of his followers to surround the postboy. - -"Stand back, sir! I warn you to get out of my pathway." - -He touched Tom lightly as he spoke, when the horse bounded forward at a -smart canter, sending Meiggs reeling backward to the ground. - -Without farther interference Little Snap rode on toward Six Roads. - -"I wonder what has come over Mr. Anderson," he thought. "And I am more -puzzled than ever for the disappearance of those letters—if any are gone -this time. It don't look now as if Dan Shag had a hand in it." - -In consideration of the fact that he had been more than commonly on the -watch on this trip, it was no wonder he felt more than ever anxious. - -Then the thought of the trouble at home drove the matter from his mind -for the time. - -Little Sammy Lewis must have urged Fairy on at a rattling pace, for -Little Snap did not overtake him, until as the latter was turning up at -the post office, he saw his brother riding up the street toward their -home. - -"Is Mr. Rimmon in the office?" asked the postboy, as he handed over the -mail pouch to the clerk. - -"No; he left town this forenoon, and we do not expect him back for two -or three days. How is it you are so late to-night, Dix? Some of them -have been raising a great hurrah because you have not come before. I -told them there must be good reasons for your delay. What has happened?" - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - LITTLE SNAP FINDS A CLEW. - - -In his anxiety to get home, Little Snap did not stop to answer the -clerk's question, other than to say: - -"I will tell you all about it in the morning. I am sorry Mr. Rimmon is -not here." - -This fact was a great disappointment to him, and he did not know of any -one else to whom he cared to divulge what he had learned. - -But before he did anything else he must know what had taken place at -home, which he reached a minute later. - -Sammy had already dismounted from the panting Fairy, and was explaining -to his mother what he had done. - -"Why, here he comes, mother! He got here almost as quick as I did." - -At sight of Dix, Mrs. Lewis ran forward to meet him. - -"Oh, my son, where have you been? They said you were dead, and I have -suffered untold agony." - -"But you see I am safe and sound, mother, so cheer up. I got belated on -my downward trip, that is all. Has anything new taken place since I went -away?" - -"Let Sammy take care of the horses, Dix. Come into the house; I have -something I want to say to you." - -"Has father been at home to-day?" asked Little Snap, as he followed his -mother into the house. - -"Yes; he was here nearly all of the forenoon. He took Gyp and went away -about half-past twelve. I have never seen him so strange appearing. He -walked the floor nearly all of the time, and he kept talking to himself. -Oh, Dix, I am worried to death. He had hardly left the house, before -this piece of paper was thrown into the window. I did not see who -brought it. You can read it yourself." - -This was what the postboy read: - - "MR. JOHN LEWIS: You are advised to leave Union Six Roads as - soon as possible—you and your family. That boy of yours will be - dead before you get this. A word to you ought to be sufficient." - -Like the message Little Snap had found in Pewee Burrnock's coat pocket, -there was neither address nor signature to the note. - -He saw, too, that the handwriting and the kind of paper were the same as -the other. - -"I will keep this, mother," he said, folding the sheet and putting it -into his pocket. "Do you know what called Mr. Rimmon out of town to-day? -It must have been something of importance, or he would have told me." - -"I don't know, my son, though Sammy has heard some startling stories -about town in regard to him. Here comes Sammy; he can tell you. I have -been too worried to think of anything." - -"Mr. Rimmon has failed!" said Sammy, who had heard enough of his -brother's question to reply. "They say his accounts at the post office -are short, and that he has gone off with all of the money he could get -hold of. He has beat Johnson Jewett out of two thousand dollars." - -"Hold on, Sam Lewis! That can't be true!" - -"It is; everybody says so." - -"It seems to me, my son, that we have enough to think of at home without -troubling ourselves about Mr. Rimmon, or any one else." - -"So we have, mother, but Mr. Rimmon's troubles concern us. At least, I -have depended on his help to meet these enemies of ours. I am at a loss -to know who could have sent that message, but I am sure no harm will -come of it." - -"Why should they say you were dead, Dix?" - -"It's all a mystery, mother, and I will confess that the worst part of -it is, I don't seem near to a solution." - -"What shall we do?" - -"There is but one thing we can do, mother; and that is to keep our eyes -and ears open, and go along about our business." - -"I should feel better if your father was in a different state of mind." - -"Can you not think of any possible reason for his present condition? He -was not always so." - -"Indeed he was not. John Lewis was considered one of the likeliest young -men in Munroe County when I married him. I wish we had always stayed -there. But he thought he could better his fortune by emigrating to Boone -Lick." - -"How long did you live there?" - -"Three years. You were a baby when we came away." - -"Didn't father do as well as he had expected?" - -"No; and, besides, he got into trouble with a family by the name of -Raggles, and——" - -"What was the first name of that man, mother?" asked Little Snap, -showing excitement. - -"I never knew exactly, but I think it was Nick. I know there was a big -family." - -"Did you ever hear of an Absalom Raggles?" - -"I have heard your father speak the name. I think he was a cousin of the -others." - -"Did father ever have trouble with him?" - -"Never, that I know of. Hark! I believe there is some one at the door." - -"It is a noise at the barn. I must go out and see if Sammy has cared for -the horses properly. It has been a hard day for them. Come, cheer up, -mother, and it will come out all right." - -"But aren't you going to eat any supper?" - -"When I come in, perhaps. To speak the truth, I am not hungry." - -Little Snap talked until late in the night with his mother, and when -they retired both felt in better spirits. - -"At last I have got a clew," he said to himself. "I can't realize it, -but it looks as if Ab Raggles had something to do with all this trouble. -Just now I am bothered to know what these stories mean about Mr. -Rimmon." - -Though he did not sleep much, Little Snap was on hand at the post office -the following morning, where he found a large crowd of men collected. - -He noticed prominent among them Sheriff Brady and Justice Claverton, who -nodded their heads and whispered something to each other at sight of -him. - -"I have heard it threatened that this shall be your last trip," said the -post office clerk, as he handed the mail pouch to the postboy. - -"What do these stories mean that we hear about Mr. Rimmon?" - -"I don't know. Of course, I do not believe them. He was called away very -suddenly, and it was something in regard to the post office. I believe -there is a government detective somewhere around, looking into the -trouble. All the things make the people talk. I wanted to tell you last -night that another complaint has been sent in by Claverton and the -others." - - - - - CHAPTER XXXV. - THE TRUTH AT LAST. - - -Little Snap, without stopping to reply, sprang into the saddle and -dashed away, meeting no one until he reached Daring's Diamond. - -"I owe you an apology, Dix," was the postmaster's greeting, as he came -down the steps to meet him. "Since you were here last evening I have -heard of your thrilling experience with that runaway river, and I hope -you will forgive me for speaking as I did. You deserve special reward -for your bravery, and you are going to get it, too." - -To the postboy's surprise, a dozen others pressed around him, with kind -words of praise. - -"What is that we hear about Mr. Rimmon?" asked Mr. Anderson. "Of course, -I don't believe the stories, and Jason Warfield's friends are making a -mistake in circulating them. By the way, boys, I suppose you all know -there is to be a big rally here to-night for the ambitious colonel. He -is to address the people on the issues of the day, as he calls them." - -"Have you found anything of those missing letters?" asked Little Snap. - -"Not a sign. That beats me. It is the first time we have lost anything -here. But the culprit is sure to be found out soon." - -Then, stepping nearer to the postboy, he whispered: - -"There's a government detective somewhere in these parts. But mum's the -word." - -His spirits still in the ascendant, Little Snap pursued his way, to be -met at the Hollow Tree with an altogether different reception. - -"'Pears to me yer stock of imperdence is equal to yer rascality," said -Shag, who was sitting in the doorway, smoking a black clay pipe. - -"Here is the mail pouch, Mr. Shag. You were not here last evening, so I -could not leave yesterday's up mail." - -"The rules and regulations don't say I shall keep the offis open all -night to 'commodate a postman who comes erlong when he's a mind to." - -"You knew well enough I would come as soon as circumstances would -permit." - -"I know a mighty sight better thet ye won't hev a chance to repeat yer -slipshod way o' doin' bizness arter to-day. Put thet in yer pipe an' -smoke it." - -Having delivered this speech, Mr. Shag entered his humble office to sort -the mail, followed by Little Snap, who had firmly decided to watch every -postmaster on the route as he handled the mail. - -When Shag had clumsily gone through with his examination, he handed the -pouch back to the postboy without comment. - -Though plied with questions, Little Snap made his trip without any -incident worth recording, until he got back to Salt Works, when he was -met with the surprising statement: - -"What does this mean, Dix Lewis? Here is a letter directed to 'Old -Solitaire, care of Dix Lewis.'" - -Unable to credit his ears, Little Snap leaned forward so he could read -the address. There was no mistake, though he could hardly believe it. - -"It's for the old man, sure," said the postmaster. "At last his -long-looked-for letter has come." - -"Yes, and I am so glad. I will take it to him, Mr. Rawson." - -Never had Little Snap watched for the old hermit as he did that day, -while he climbed the ascent leading to the live oak. - -"He is there! I wonder what he will say? I hope he will let me know the -message it brings. - -"Hurrah, Uncle Solitaire!" he cried, the next moment, rising in his seat -and waving the missive over his head; "it has come at last!" - -Somehow, he was disappointed at the calm manner in which the other took -the letter. - -"All things come to the patient, and I knew it would come some time. -Please accept my thanks, Postboy of the Kanawha, and if you do not find -me at my post to-morrow, you shall meet me elsewhere." - -With these words he turned away, and Little Snap had nothing to do but -to ride on. - -"Who can it have been from, and does it contain good news or bad? I -would give considerable to know. What could he have meant by saying I -might see him elsewhere?" - -Busy in his mind over such reflections, the postboy safely passed the -wildest part of his long journey, to come into Greenbrier on time. - -"Well," said Budd Grass, the postmistress, as she took the pouch from -his hands, "I judge by your promptness that you have got through to-day -without trouble." - -"No trouble; but I have got a bit of news to tell. Uncle Solitaire has -got his letter at last." - -"You don't say! How I would like to look over his shoulder while he -reads it. I have always felt a strange interest in that man. There is a -new book on the shelf near you. Perhaps you would like to look it over -while I am sorting the mail. I find it is terribly tedious to wait in -idleness." - -Little Snap took the book, as she had suggested, but while apparently -scanning its pages, he stood so his gaze did not leave her. - -No postmaster on the route had escaped his scrutiny so far, and he was -determined that even the fair Budd Grass should not escape. More than -that, he was resolved to be doubly vigilant, for it had at last dawned -upon his mind that at this office he had more reason for suspicion than -at any other. - -It so happened that no one was in sight, a fact that he regretted. - -With deft fingers the postmistress ran through the several pieces of -mail matter, until the postboy's heart fairly stopped its beating, as he -saw a letter thrust dextrously up one of her flowing sleeves. - -Scarcely had this letter disappeared before it was followed by another! - -Still turning the leaves of the book, Little Snap stood there and saw -her secrete four letters in that same roomy receptacle. - -Then she calmly closed the pouch, and fastened the strap as she had done -hundreds of times before. - -Little Snap felt a peculiar feeling of wonder and pity steal over him as -he realized what his discovery meant. But as she started to hand him the -pouch, he exclaimed, sharply: - -"Hold, Budd Grass! You move at the peril of your life!" - -Her countenance suddenly lost its color, as she asked, in a husky voice: - -"What do you mean, Dix Lewis?" - -"Just what I say, Miss Grass. You are not to move until I tell you that -you may!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVI. - OLD SOLITAIRE'S SECRET. - - -The postmistress turned still paler as Little Snap resolutely faced her, -and the mail bag fell from her hand. - -"You are trying to frighten me, Dix," she said, but the sound of -footsteps at the door caused her to leave the sentence unfinished, while -a wild, desperate look came into her eyes. - -The newcomer was Austin Goings. - -"Whew! what is the trouble, Dix Lewis?" he asked. - -"I wish you would call in Mr. Renders as soon as possible." - -"What! have you caught the thief, my boy?" asked Mr. Goings, as his -countenance lightened. "In that case, I am more capable of helping you -than Mr. Renders. I am post office inspector, and I am here with full -authority to arrest whomever I find has been tampering with Uncle Sam's -property. What is your charge against this woman, Dix Lewis?" - -"She has four letters in her sleeve, and I have reason to——" - -"It's a mistake!" she broke in, excitedly. "If there are any letters in -my sleeve they got there by accident. They are large—oh, my Lord, there -are!" - -The last exclamation was called forth by the sudden appearance of the -concealed mail as she held her arm so the sleeve was turned downward. - -Austin Goings was already entering the private office, when she turned -to him with an agonizing look, saying: - -"Don't arrest me, sir! It was an accident." - -"If it was, you shall have ample time to prove it. But for the present, -Miss Grass, you must consider yourself my prisoner." - -By that time a crowd had begun to collect about the office, among the -rest Mr. Renders, to whom the inspector said: - -"I shall have to put the office in your charge for a short time, Mr. -Renders." - -As may be imagined, the arrest was causing great wonder. - -"Have you made any farther discovery, Dix?" asked Mr. Goings of the -postboy. - -"No, sir." - -"This was a good day's work, my boy. I hope you will excuse all -uneasiness I may have caused you, but to carry out my purpose it was -best no one should know my identity. Mr. Calvert assured me you were all -right, but I wished to prove it to my own satisfaction. If you will wait -long enough for me to put this prisoner under proper care, I will ride -up with you." - -Hardly able to comprehend the strange turn of affairs, Little Snap -gladly waited until the inspector could join him. - -"She takes her arrest hard," said the latter. "Mark my word, she will -soon make a confession, and if we don't get the gang before, we shall -have no trouble in hunting them down now. You have earned a good -reward." - -"She was the last one I suspected," said Little Snap. "She always seemed -so friendly, but yesterday I felt sure the trouble was there." - -"Well, I came in the nick of time to see the fun. Calvert claimed that -you could handle them, only give you time. But the government has had so -many complaints lately that it thought it was best to investigate. None -of us dreamed that you were so well assisted." - -They were still talking about the arrest of Budd Grass, when they came -in sight of Hollow Tree, to see a dozen mounted men in front of the -place. - -"I sent some of the boys on ahead, for we have got to pay Blazed Acre a -visit. Hello! what is up?" - -Ab Raggles had suddenly appeared upon the scene, looking more uncouth -and haggard than ever. His clothing was torn almost in shreds, and his -hands and face were bleeding from several scratches and cuts. - -He seemed to see no one but Little Snap, to whom he cried: - -"Come with me, Dix Lewis, to Greenbrier Cave." - -"What is it?" asked the postboy. - -"Oh, such doings! They have got 'em all fast in th' cave. You must come -to once—you an' the rest." - -"But what is wanted?" - -"I can't tell you. Your father sent me. It's 'em Raggles-Burrnocks, an' -yer father's there with the rest!" - -Little Snap afterward declared that was the most terrible moment of his -life. In an instant his discovery in the cave flashed through his mind. -The brief rejoicing he had felt the moment before to think that his -troubles were near an end, were now more than counterbalanced by the -feeling of dread that crept over his soul. - -"Let us get there as soon as possible," said Mr. Goings. "I half -expected something of this kind. You can go with us, Dix. I will be -responsible—hello! here comes Calvert himself. He will take charge of -the mail until we get back. I calculate there will be no complaining if -you do not get in late to-night, with the news that you will bring." - -Little Snap could make no reply to these hurried words, and all too soon -it seemed to him they were ready to start toward the cave, Ab Raggles -leading the way. - -"Reckon you fellers will hev an easy time o' it a baggin' th' game some -one else has nabbed fer ye." - -"Fast are they?" asked Mr. Goings. - -"I should say so. He's got 'em shut up in th' cave—every galoot o' 'em. -Jess fixed a rock so es to slide it down over the hole thet led inter -the place. Then, when they was all in he shot th' stone on." - -Ha! there's th' old duffer now, a-waitin' for us!" - -They had got in sight of the cave, and sure enough, on the summit of the -rock overlying the place stood the figure of the victor, as described by -Ab Raggles. - -Little Snap looked up to recognize Old Solitaire! - -The old hermit's garb was sadly disarranged, and the flowing white beard -and hair were hanging on one side of his head, presenting a ridiculous -appearance! - -"We came as soon as we could, Mr. Lewis," said the inspector. - -"No need to fret, Mr. Goings, for I have them as safe as a squirrel in a -box trap." - -Little Snap started at the sound of that voice, and then as he looked -closer, he cried: - -"Father! father!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXXVII. - CONCLUSION. - - -He whom the postboy had known simply as Old Solitaire tore off the -balance of his disguise, and, rushing to Dix's side, said: - -Thank God, my son, for this hour. I will tell you all when we get home. -But now we must look after our prisoners." - -"Did you have any trouble in catching them?" asked Mr. Goings. - -"None after I had overpowered the guard. You will find him on the shelf -below. When I had secured him, I slipped the rock down over the mouth, -and there they were. They have been doing some tall growling, but they -seem quiet now." - -"How had we better get at them?" - -"Let all of us get down in front of the place, and when we have moved -the stone enough, tell them to come out one by one. The passage isn't -wide enough to admit of more than one at a time, and I think they are -glad enough to get out by this time." - -Acting upon this suggestion, in less than half an hour it had been found -that the imprisoned men were willing to come forth upon the terms -proposed. - -Then, the inspector and his men standing in readiness to receive the -outlaws, they were commanded to appear one at a time. - -"Attempt to make a rush and we will shoot you down like dogs." - -The first man to come forth was Bird Burrnock, and he was followed by -his sons, Hawk and Buzzard. - -The appearance of the fourth created a sensation. - -It was Jason Warfield! - -"I can explain this," he said, with some of his oldtime independence. - -"So he can explain," said Mr. Lewis; "but that explanation will send him -to State's prison for life." - -Four other men were captured—all of them belonging to the inhabitants of -Blazed Acre. - -With what talk and wonder the return to Hollow Tree was made my readers -may imagine. - -"I think there will be no more trouble," said Inspector Goings, "though -I can claim small share in the honor of the victory." - -During the ride to Daring's Diamond, where the prisoners were to be left -for safe keeping, the wonderful surprises of the recent developments of -affairs were talked over and discussed. - -The following facts were then learned by those who had not dreamed of -them before, though I cannot do better than to let Mr. Lewis tell them -in his own words: - -"You wonder, my son, more than the others, perhaps, my reason for being -in this disguise. To explain it I must go back to the days when I lived -in Boone Lick, and you were nothing more than a prattling babe. - -"There I incurred the lifelong enmity of a numerous family by the name -of Raggles, Nicholas Raggles being at the head of the crowd. In a -hand-to-hand fight with three of them one day I was nearly killed, and -it was years before I fully recovered from the effects of that blow. - -"As soon as I was able I removed to Six Roads to live, my old home. You -may judge of my surprise, when I found myself soon afterward followed by -one of my enemies. But he came under another name, and, throwing off the -ways of his father, he aspired to move among the better class of people. - -"I hoped he had forgotten, or overlooked, his ill feeling toward me, and -I think I should not have been troubled by him had not the rest of his -relatives come after him, to settle nearby, but under names not their -own. I felt all this boded me ill, so I put myself on my guard. - -"I need not tell you now that the first of those to follow me was he you -have known as Jason Warfield. The others were the Burrnocks, of Blazed -Acre. - -"But I had no open trouble with them, no doubt partly because they -considered me an imbecile, until you began to carry the mail of the -Kanawha. At almost that very time they planned their systematic scheme -of robbery, aided and abetted by Trencher Raggles, known to you as Jason -Warfield. - -"Then it was that I conceived the idea of assuming the disguise of the -hermit, in order to watch over you and to lay some trap whereby I might -bring my enemies to justice. Later I joined them under another disguise -to learn their secrets, but they proved too wily for a long time. - -"When this stranger, whom we now know as Mr. Goings, appeared, I was -puzzled, and I stopped him as I did below the Narrows. When you were -beyond hearing, he and I soon came to an understanding, and have worked -together since. - -"He sent me the letter I got to-day, apprising me that the time to -strike at the cave had come. To explain how I could get back and forth -so quickly and readily, I would say that I found a passage through the -mountain which served me an admirable purpose. - -"With all that I knew of the Raggles, I will confess that I had not had -any suspicions against the postmistress of Greenbrier, but now I believe -her to be connected with the Raggles', if not to be one of them. - -"You must pardon me for the way in which I have deceived even you. I -considered it would be safest, though I have often had hard work to keep -from betraying my secret. It is over at last, I am thankful to say, and -I am sure that I am myself as of yore." - -"How glad mother will be," Little Snap exclaimed. "I can hardly believe -it all." - -"A good job of work has been done," said Mr. Goings. "By the way, Dix, -had you missed the postmaster of Hollow Tree?" - -"I did when I came back from the cave. I had not before." - -"He has gone on ahead of us under an escort, though I do not believe we -shall prove anything against him. He was more of a tool in the hands of -our political friend ahead. His audience will be somewhat surprised, I -anticipate. Fool! he might have succeeded had he followed the right -road." - -The surprise at Six Roads was only equaled by the joy of those most -interested in the events as our party reached that place. - -Mr. Rimmon was on hand to welcome our hero, and none showed greater -pleasure outside of those at home. - -Here were many tears of joy wept that night, and as long as they lived, -the family would never forget that occasion. - -And now, with a few words of explanation, we must bid them farewell. - -Old Solitaire's part has, no doubt, been sufficiently described. It will -be remembered that he appeared only in the afternoons, and immediately -after Little Snap passed him he would cross the mountain to be on the -watch on the other side. - -Ab Raggles, though a cousin to Bird, was not in sympathy with the other, -and he afterward, with such help as was given him for the part he acted -in the capture, became quite a respectable citizen. In regard to the -postboy's adventure the night he came over the mountain on horseback, he -was thrown from Jack's back by a wire having been stung across the path -by the Burrnocks. - -She who was known as Budd Grass confessed to the entire plot of the -Raggles' of whom she proved to be a sister. She had stolen all of the -mail, and either put it into Little Snap's saddle pocket when he was not -looking, or secreted it in the tree where Shag once found it. - -She, with her relatives, had to pay the penalty of wrongdoing. - -Trencher Raggles, alias Jason Warfield, received the severest punishment -of them all, though he was more talented and had higher aspirations than -the others. His downfall was a startling surprise to the citizens of Six -Roads. - -The Clavertons and Morton Meiggs, who had been tools of his, disappeared -soon after his arrest. - -As Mr. Goings had said, nothing could be proved against Dan Shag, so he -was allowed his freedom, though he was postmaster of Hollow Tree no -longer. In fact, that office was discontinued at once, and to-day not a -house stands where once existed Blazed Acre "City." - -It was found that the Burrnocks had caused the breakage in the dam of -Tripping Waters, and in that awful undertaking Pewee lost his life. The -note found by Little Snap in his pocket was written by Jason Warfield. - -Of course, the stories told of Mr. Rimmon were false, and he remained -the postboy's friend as long as he lived. - -Marion Calvert obtained the office of congressman, and he served his -constituents with entire satisfaction. - -Mr. Lewis had fully recovered from his sufferings, and he led a useful -life. - -Little Snap finished his term of carrying the mail without further -trouble. Here I wish to say that Warfield's conduct toward him had been -about what might have been expected of a man in his situation. He had -pretended to help him for the name of it, while at the same time he was -plotting against him. I will say this in his favor, which he claimed at -his trial, that he would have been a different man had it not been for -his relatives dragging him down. They knew his secret, and were -continually threatening to expose him if he did not help them in their -unlawful work. - -When he finished carrying the mail our hero was assisted to a more -congenial occupation by Mr. Calvert, and eventually became an honored -citizen of the Old Dominion, though he never did her a better service -than when he was known as Little Snap, the Postboy. - - THE END. - - - Did you like this story? - Yes? Then let us help - you to select another. - - _Some of Street & Smith's - Books for Young People - by Popular Authors...._ - - A COMPLETE LIST WILL BE SENT - .... UPON APPLICATION .... - - - STREET & SMITH'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. - -=BOOKS FOR BOYS.= - - THE CREAM OF JUVENILE FICTION. - - Boys' Own Library. - - A selection of the best books written by - the most popular authors for boys. - -The titles in this splendid juvenile series have been selected with -care, and as a result all the stories can be relied upon for their -excellence. 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But he has great difficulty in finding his uncle, who has -mysteriously disappeared. He sets out to locate him. In this effort Rob -meets with all sorts of exciting adventures, and is more than once in -great danger at the hands of lawless men. He comes near to failure at -times, but finally wins out by means of his cleverness and indomitable -pluck. In the end he rescues his uncle from a band of outlaws and saves -a large treasure, which those outlaws were trying to obtain. Rob's -horse, Silent Sam, and his dog, Trumps, play an important part in the -story, and cannot fail to win admiration and affection. Rob himself is a -hero whose example of courage, honesty and manliness can be followed -with profit. There is not a dull page from beginning to end of the book, -and no better story for bright, healthy boys could well be imagined. - - Handsomely illustrated. Bound in cloth, stamped in colors - and gold. Price, per volume, $1.25 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - Transcriber's Note - -The original spelling and punctuation has been retained. - -Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - -Italicized words and phrases in the text version are presented by -surrounding the text with underscores. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Little Snap The Postboy, by Victor St. Clair - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LITTLE SNAP THE POSTBOY *** - -***** This file should be named 54930-0.txt or 54930-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/9/3/54930/ - -Produced by David Edwards, readbueno and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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