Page:Edward Ellis--Alden the Pony Express Rider.djvu/341

 Jethro and Shagbark looked into the handsome face that could not hide its grief.

Then in as few words as possible Alden told the dreadful story. As soon as he had finished Jethro with a countenance hardly less distressed, said:

“Al, you never let me tell you dat secret I wanted to tell you.”

“I have no patience to listen now: more important matters are on my mind.”

“But you’v got hear it or I’ll bust.”

“Go ahead,” said Shagbark, who saw that it had some bearing on the sore trouble of his young friend.

“You remember in St. Joe, when dat chap butted into you?”

“Of course, but never mind about that.”

“Do you know what he said to you?”

“I don’t remember, and I don’t care.”

“You neber had de rights ob dat; I stubbed my toe, bumped agin him and knocked him agin you. De minute he did dat, he turned to you and said, I beg your pardon! but you thinked he said something insulting, but he didn’t.”

Alden stared at Jethro.