"Thank ye, my lad," said the man, running in for his hat; then pausing
for a moment, "Will you give evidence of what you saw if I should bring
the fellow up before a magistrate?"

"That I will," said Joe, "and glad too." The man was gone, and we were
on our way home at a smart trot.

"Why, what's the matter with you, Joe? You look angry all over," said
John, as the boy flung himself from the saddle.

"I am angry all over, I can tell you," said the boy, and then in
hurried, excited words he told all that had happened. Joe was usually
such a quiet, gentle little fellow that it was wonderful to see him so
roused.

"Right, Joe! you did right, my boy, whether the fellow gets a summons or
not. Many folks would have ridden by and said it was not their
business to interfere. Now I say that with cruelty and oppression it is
everybody's business to interfere when they see it; you did right, my
boy."

Joe was quite calm by this time, and proud that John approved of him,
and cleaned out my feet and rubbed me down with a firmer hand than
usual.

They were just going home to dinner when the footman came down to the
stable to say that Joe was wanted directly in master's private room;
there was a man brought up for ill-using horses, and Joe's evidence was
wanted. The boy flushed up to his forehead, and his eyes sparkled. "They