as father was," determined the boy. "I'll get ahead. If I work
for the benefit of other people for a few years, surely I'll win
the chance in time to at last work for myself."

In the midst of his ruminations a sound broke upon his ear--a
jarring note in the peaceful murmur of the woodland life. It was
the thud of a horse's hoofs.

Not the sedate tunk-tunk of iron-shod feet on the damp earth, but
an erratic and rapid pounding of hoof-beats which came on with
such startling swiftness that Hiram sat up instantly, and craned
his neck to see up the road.

"That horse is running away!" gasped the young farmer, and
he swung himself out upon the lowest branch of the leaning
tree which overhung the carttrack, the better to see along the
highway.



CHAPTER XI

A GIRL RIDES INTO THE TALE

There was no bend in the highway for some distance, but the
overhanging trees masked the track completely, save for a few
hundred yards. The horse, whether driven or running at large,
was plainly spurred by fright.

Into the peacefulness of this place its hoof-beats were bringing