Page:Edward Ellis--Alden the Pony Express Rider.djvu/325

 bet, the guest did not think it well to mention it.

Having thanked the men for their hospitality, Alden rose to go. Addressing the one who had announced his intention of carrying the mail to the next station, he asked:

“Did you have any trouble in getting through last night?”

“Who? Me? None at all,” replied the rider with a grin, “’cause I didn’t go.”

“Which one of you made the trip?”

And Alden looked from one face to the other. The tallest man, the chief speaker replied:

“None of this crowd went.”

“Hasn’t the mail been sent on? Then I shall take it after all.”

“Oh, the mail reached the station long ago if all went well; one of the party in camp over yonder took it.”

This was strange and Alden asked:

“How was that? I don’t understand it, when you refused me the chance.”

“I should have given you the chance, if you hadn’t been tuckered out; the fellow who took the mail was as fresh as a daisy and eager for the trip.”

A suspicion flashed upon Alden.