But twice during the meal they
stopped and plunged in the brook and took other long drinks; and
at the end Old Blacky lay down in a shallow place and rolled, and
came out looking like a drowned rat.
In the meantime Jack had got the grouse ready, and we ate it
about as ravenously as the horses did their corn. We had just
finished, and were talking about going, when a tall man on a
small horse almost covered with saddle rode up, and began to talk
cheerfully on various topics. After a while he said:
[Illustration: The Careful Corn Owner]
"Well, boys, was that good corn?"
We all suspected the truth instantly.
"He did it!" exclaimed Jack, pointing at me. "He did it all
alone. We're going to give him up to the authorities at the next
town."
The man laughed, and said: "Don't do it. He may reform."
There seemed to be but one thing to do, so I said: "It was
your corn, I suppose. Our only excuse is that we were out of
corn. Tell us how much it is, and we'll pay you for it."
"Not a cent," answered the man, firmly.
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