Page:Rover Boys Down East.djvu/196

186 "I didn't want to git in no trouble."

"Want me any more?" asked Caleb Belcher.

"We may want you," answered Dick. "Stay here for a couple of hours, anyway."

"My price is twenty-five cents an hour."

"All right—and there's a dollar on account," and Dick passed the money over.

A fairly good horse and wagon were brought from the barn, and the boys and Tony Carew got in. Then the horse was urged forward, and over the uneven road they bumped, in the direction of the village of Shaville, a sleepy community, with one store, a blacksmith shop, a church,, and about a dozen cottages.

When Shaville was reached the boys com menced a diligent search for some news concerning the carriage with the white and the black horse and the dilapidated top. At first they could find nobody who had seen such a turnout, but presently they met a tramp whom Sam stopped, and he gave them news that was surprising.

"I see 'em!" cried the tramp. "Say, boss, give me a dollar an' I'll tell you all I know."

"Youll tell all you know without the dollar!" cried Dick, and grabbed the knight of the road by the collar. "Come now, tell me, quick!"

"Don't hurt me!" yelled the tramp. "I was only foolin'. Course I'll tell you."