Page:On to Pekin.djvu/65

Rh rear of the cart, and came to the ground with a splash just as the turnout went through a mud puddle six inches deep.

"Help! save me!" roared the young man, bellowing like a bull. "Don't let the hosses kick me to death!"

He continued to bellow and splash around in the mud until Gilbert, dismounting, went to his assistance. "You'll be all right if you'll only stand up," said the young lieutenant.

"All right? Do I want to be kicked to death?" demanded Nuggy Polk, as he sat up, and dug the mud from his eyes.

"You'll not be kicked to death. You landed in a soft spot, so I reckon there are no bones broken."

"But the hosses—"

"Your ponies and cart are half a mile from here by this time. They went off like a streak of lightning."

"Humph!" Nuggy Polk arose to his feet with difficulty, and dragged himself to where Gilbert stood. "Where's Jerry?" he demanded.

"Your companion was clinging to the cart seat the last I saw of him."