CHAPTER XXV.STARTLING SURPRISES.
"Bravo!"
Sheriff Brady stopped suddenly in his movement to put the handcuffs on his prisoner, and every person in the crowd of spectators uttered an exclamation of surprise at the unexpected word spoken so sharply and with the ring of admiration in it.
Turning abruptly around, the spectators were amazed to see a horseman nearby, he having ridden upon the scene unobserved by all.
"Bravo for you, Dix Lewis!" cried the newcomer. "Upon second thought I concluded that I did not give you the answer I ought, so I have come up to see you, and help settle your trouble. What's up here, anyway?"
"Marion Calvert, as I live!" exclaimed Jason Warfield.
Little Snap had already seen the horseman, and his countenance had taken on a brighter look.
"I am glad to see you, Mr. Calvert. They have accusedme of doing that of which I am innocent, and there don't seem to be any one able to help me out."
"Don't, eh? Well, let me see what I can do," urging his horse forward through the crowd to the post office door as he spoke. "Mr. Brady, what do you think you are doing?"
"I—the fact is, Mr. Calvert, there has been a little irregularity in the boy's business, and we thought it was time to look into it. We didn't mean him any harm, only we did it as a matter of self-protection."
"I see," replied the mail contractor, in a tone which puzzled his hearers. "The boy was down to see me about it, but I answered him rather hastily at the time. Luckily I saw my duty before it was too late, and at the sacrifice of some business obligations I am here. I think I came at a good time, too.
"I learned at Greenbrier that the road had not been fully cleared at Kanawha Narrows yet. The bridge across the Greenbrier is not in passable shape. But I have left word that if the post road is not passable to-morrow morning I will have every official indicted. I should like to know what you have been doing."
"Attending to our own business," retorted Claverton, showing his displeasure.
"I should think you had been doing little else than to make war upon this boy. You seem to forget that if there is any fault to be found I am the one to complain to. I am under bonds to the United States Government to see that the mail is carried on the Kanawha route in a proper manner."
"You can't stand between us and justice," replied Claverton. "My court has found the youngster guilty of high misdemeanors, and if you wish to father them, all right. Otherwise he goes to jail inside of——"
"Go to jail yourself and take your court along with you!" cried the imperturbable Calvert. "I will see the boy through now."
"Defy the law, do you?" demanded Claverton, sharply.
"Your law, yes! I forgot more last night than you ever knew. I want to see you at your home, Mr. Lewis."
"I give you warning, sir," said Claverton, as a last desperate resort, "that the boy's bondsmen have thrown him over. He stands without any backing."
"Is that so? How is it, Mr. Warfield? I believe your name was first on his paper."
"Yes, sir, I—I——"
"That's all right. How is it with the others?"
"I have asked to have my name taken off," said Meiggs. "But I am on Mr. Shag's bond."
"I am off young Lewis' paper, but on Mr. Shag's," said Clevis Claverton.
"Very well. I don't care a picayune about you two, or this Shag. You will sign a new bond for the boy, Mr. Warfield?"
To the surprise of Mr. Rimmon and Little Snap, the politician replied, after a moment's hesitation:
"Certainly, Mr. Calvert; anything I can do for him I will. I hope I may have a little talk with you before you leave the town."
"Yes. Now, Mr. Lewis, I would like to see you alone a little while. I will see that that bond is fixed up all satisfactory, Mr. Claverton."
"You can come right into my office," said Mr. Rimmon. "I will send my man to take care of your horse, Mr. Calvert."
Notwithstanding the bold utterances of Marion Calvert, the majority of the spectators looked with favor upon him, and there were many outspoken words in admiration ofhim. The crowd generally falls in with him who shows a fearless attitude, even if he slightly oversteps the line drawn for him, rather than the one who is weak and vacillating, though he represents the cause they intended to espouse. Mr. Warfield had recently acted in a manner disliked by several, and not understood by any.
While the outsiders were discussing the situationproandcon, Little Snap and his two friends were trying to decide upon the best course of action. Finally, when he had been made acquainted with the true state of affairs, Mr. Calvert said:
"I will look after the bonds on your mail contract, Lewis, and to give Claverton and his backers no opportunity to make a fuss, I will see that the proper bail is secured for you. To-morrow I will go to Salt Works with you, and stay there to come home with you. I do not believe you will have any farther trouble. I must go to Washington on the next day. Be sure and keep your eyes and ears open, and at the least suspicion of interference let me know. Mr. Rimmon will also be on the watch for you."
"You needn't be afraid but Warfield will stand by you after this, for he knows his chances of getting into Congressdepend too much on what I do for him to act differently."
Having reached this decision, the plan was carried out as rapidly as possible, and with complete success, so the following morning Little Snap was promptly on hand for the mail pouch.
So was Dan Shag, and in his disappointment, he exclaimed:
"The day o' reckonin' ain't fur off, Dix Lewis, so carry a high hand while ye can."
As he had promised, Mr. Calvert accompanied the postboy on his trip as far as Salt Works and return, though nothing occurred to hint of any further trouble.
The following day the contractor left for Washington, while Little Snap started on his daily route alone.
Naturally, he never rode through the Wash Bowl and along the Narrows without recalling his startling experiences there and looking sharply about him.
Thus an uneventful week passed, until one afternoon, after having met and passed Old Solitaire at his lonely vigil, he was suddenly made aware that his battle was not over.
Descending into the Bowl with his usual caution, hewas passing a particularly lonely place in the road, where an overhanging rock nearly touched his head as he rode along, when his attention was attracted by a shrill cry off to his right and lower down the basin.
Turning for a moment to look in that direction, he was just in season to catch a glimpse of the mail pouch as it was being whisked out of sight over his head!
Stopping Jack with a sudden jerk of the rein, it was fully a minute before the surprised postboy could comprehend what had taken place.