—#{ To CARIBOO AND BACK }+-

“It may be an Indian,” reflected Jim, as the
pony made another brave start, seeming to
feel the hope that inspired his rider. “But
white or red, it’ll be some one to put us on the
trail again.”

A few minutes later Jim gave a yell of
delight. “Looks like the professor’s horse to
me; just the stiff, stalky gait he has. But that’s
not the old man on his back, now who—?”

Jim could hardly credit what his eyes told
him a minute later. Arthur Jane was riding
the professor’s horse, awkwardly enough to be
sure, and was coming to meet him!

’ Both horses now broke into a brisk gallop
and at the edge of last night’s trail they met.

“How in the name of—of all that’s funny,
did you come here?” Jim demanded. For once
it was he who found his tongue first.

Arthur explained at some length. The
‘professor had lent him the horse. The pro-
fessor wanted him to learn to ride, so he gave
it to him yesterday and again today when the
party had stopped for dinner.

Moreover Jim’s mother was distracted with
worry because he, Jim, hadn’t turned up the
night before. And Betty had called after him

[102]