Page:The Young Auctioneers.djvu/216

200 very plainly to be seen, and now Matt saw, at a spot which was covered with loose stones, where the thief had branched off with his stolen outfit.

"That is the road he took," he announced to the others. "Had we followed him from here in the first place we would most likely have caught up to him by this time."

"Is that 'ere track the right one?" questioned the mountaineer eagerly.

"I believe it is."

"Then I'm off fer the reward!" shouted the brawny fellow. "Git up, Bones!" and he slapped the mule with the flat of his hand, and was off without another word.

"Ramson will get it, sure," grumbled one of the other men. "No use for us to go any further."

And he turned on his heel and started back for the village, followed by most of the others, leaving a single man to race after the mountaineer on foot.

Matt and Andy were not slow to urge their fresh horse forward. But the way was now even darker than before and also rougher, and it was with difficulty that the wagon moved along.

"I don't believe he went very far on this road," said Matt, bringing the horse to a halt. "I am going to follow that track on foot."

He sprang down from the seat, and with the light