Page:The Young Auctioneers.djvu/83

Rh "That blacksmith meant to bluff you off and keep the horse," said the auctioneer, "If you hadn't come back soon I would have gone off after you."

"Is the wagon damaged?" questioned Matt anxiously.

"Not in the slightest. I have examined everything carefully. And the stock is O. K. too. We can start off just as if nothing had happened."

"But we haven't decided yet as to just where we are to go," returned the boy.

"Oh, that reminds me!" cried Andy. "I meant to tell you before, but the fire drove it clean out of my head. I saw a fellow yesterday who is going to strike out up through Harlem to morrow. He was going to take the very route I had thought out. So I was going to propose that we take the ferry over to Jersey City, and strike out through New Jersey first."

"Well, one way will suit me just as well as another," returned Matt. "So New Jersey it is."

In less than five minutes later they were ready to start. The owner of the stable, nearly distracted over his loss, was around, and into his hand they thrust the money they owed him. Then Matt procured his valise, and without waiting to be