like so many chickens with their heads off, when he suggested that
Kaiser would lead us to the place where you were. It was a grand
idea, and it worked, too," remarked Lanky, warmly.

"Oh, piffle! Cut that out. If I hadn't thought of it, somebody
else would have, in about a second. I just happened to get in
first, that's all. But we must rush Bones home in a hurry, before
he takes cold. A chill just now would knock him out of the game
to-morrow, and hurt our chances of a win," with which Frank
assisted the wet victim of the kidnappers to his feet.

Bones protested, but they would not listen to him. He was rubbed
down with many willing hands, and patted and pounded in a way to
start his circulation going at fever heat.

Kaiser hardly knew what to think of all this good-natured
tussling, and many times growled his disapprobation, so that a
word from his master was needed to influence him not to sink those
gleaming teeth in the limbs of Buster or Lanky.

All the while they were making for town. Fortunately, Bones did
not live a great distance off, and by making haste, they presently
reached his house.

Buster volunteered to remain over with him and see that he was
properly looked after.

"Somebody explain to Mattie King just why I can't get back!" he
called out.