"Nothing,but I have some men out.I am going east now,"he said."I wish,father,you would rub Flos down,blanket her,and if you can,walk her slowly an hour while she cools off.I am afraid I've ruined her.How much had you there?""I haven't stopped to figure,"said father."I think I'd better take the horse I have ready and go on one of the northwest roads.
The Pryor girl was here a few moments ago,and her mother saw a man cross their place about the right time last evening.He ran and acted suspiciously when the dogs barked.But he was alone and he didn't have a gun.""Was she sure?"
"Positive."
"Then it couldn't have been our man,but I'll ride in that direction and start a search.They would keep to the woods,I think!You'd better stay with mother.I'll ask Jacob Hood to take your place."So Laddie rode away again without even going into the house,and mother said to father:"What can he be saying to people,that the neighbours don't come?"Father answered:"I don't know,but if any one can save the situation,Laddie will."Mother went to bed,while father sat beside her reading aloud little scraps from the Bible,and they took turns praying.From the way they talked to the Lord,you could plainly see that they were reminding Him of all the promises He had made to take care of people,comfort those in trouble,and heal the broken-hearted.
One thing was so curious,I asked May if she noticed,and she had.When they had made such a fuss about money only a short while before,and worked so hard to get our share together,and when they would have to pay back all that belonged to the county and church,neither of them ever even mentioned money then.
Every minute I expected father to ask where I'd put the piece I found,and when he opened right at it,in the Bible,he turned on past,exactly as if it were an obituary,or a piece of Sally's wedding dress,or baby hair from some of our heads.He went on hunting places where the Lord said sure and strong that He'd help people who loved Him.When either of them prayed,they asked the Lord to help those near them who were in trouble,as often and earnestly as they begged Him to help them.There were no people near us who were in trouble that we knew of,excepting Pryors.
Hard as father and mother worked,you'd have thought the Lord wouldn't have minded if they asked only once to get the money back,or if they forgot the neighbours,but they did neither one.
May said because they were big like that was why all of us loved them so.
I would almost freeze in the catalpa,but as I could see far in all directions there,I went back,and watched the roads,and when I remembered what Laddie had said,I kept an eye on the fields too.At almost dusk,and frozen so stiff I could scarcely hang to the limb,I heard the bulldogs at Pryors'begin to rave.
They kept on steadily,and I thought Gypsies must be passing.
Then from the woods came a queer party that started across the cornfield toward the Big Meadow in front of the house,and I thought they were hunters.I stood in the tree and watched until they climbed the meadow fence,and by that time I could see plainly.
The traveller man got over first,then Leon and the dogs,and then Mr.Pryor handed Leon the gun,leaped over,and took it.I looked again,and then fell from the tree and almost bursted.As soon as I could get up,and breathe,I ran to the front door,screaming:"Father!Father!Come open the Big Gate.Leon's got him,but he's so tired Mr.Pryor is carrying the gun,and helping him walk!"Just like one,all of us ran;father crossed the road,and opened the gate.The traveller man wouldn't look up,he just slouched along.But Leon's chin was up and his head high.He was scratched,torn,and dirty.He was wheezing every breath most from his knees,and Mr.Pryor half carried him and the gun.When they met us,Leon reached in his trousers pocket and drew out a big roll of money that he held toward father."My fault!"he gasped."But I got it back for you."Then he fell over and father caught him in his arms and carried him into the house,and laid him on the couch in the dining-room.
Mr.Pryor got down and gathered up the money from the road.He followed into the house and set the gun in the corner.
"Don't be frightened,"he said to mother."The boy has walked all night,and all day,with no sleep or food,and the gun was a heavy load for him.I gathered from what he said,when the dogs let us know they were coming,that this hound took your money.
Your dog barked and awakened the boy and he loaded the gun and followed.The fellow had a good start and he didn't get him until near daybreak.It's been a stiff pull for the youngster and he seems to feel it was his fault that this cowardly cur you sheltered learned where you kept your money.If that is true,I hope you won't be hard on him!"
Father was unfastening Leon's neckband,mother was rubbing his hands,Candace was taking off his shoes,and May was spilling water father had called for,all over the carpet,she shook so.
When Leon drew a deep breath and his head rolled on the pillow,father looked at Mr.Pryor.I don't think he heard all of it,but he caught the last words.
"`Hard on him!Hard on him!'"he said,the tears rolling down his cheeks."`This my son,who was lost,is found!'""Oh!"shouted Mr.Pryor,slamming the money on the table."Poor drivel to fit the circumstances.If I stood in your boots,sir,I would rise up in the mighty strength of my pride and pull out foundation stones until I shook the nation!I never envied mortal man as I envy you to-day!"Candace cried out:"Oh look,his poor feet!They are blistered and bleeding!"Mother moved down a little,gathered them in her arms,and began kissing them.Father wet Leon's lips and arose.He held out his hand,and Mr.Pryor took it.
"I will pray God,"he said,"that it may happen `even so'to you."Leon opened his eyes and caught only the last words.
"You had better look out for the `Even So's,'father,"he said.
