"The Judge meant it," said Jack. "They liked you. None of them pressed me to come visiting, I noticed. I'll leave you at Murdoch's and take the team to the stable, and then go to the office of the _Eagle_ and see the editor." But when they reached the Murdochs', good Mrs. Murdoch came to the door. She kissed Mary, and then said: "I'm so glad to see you! So glad you've come! Poor Mr. Murdoch--" "Jack's going to the office to see him," said Mary. "He needn't go there," said the editor's wife; "Mr. Murdoch is ill at home. The storm and the excitement and the exposure have broken him down. Come right in, dear. Come back, Jack, as soon as you have taken care of the horses." "It's a pity," said Jack as he drove away. "The _Eagle_ will have a hard time of it without any editor." He was still considering that matter when he reached the livery-stable, but he was abruptly aroused from his thoughts by the owner of the team, who cried excitedly: "Hurrah! Here's my team! I say, young man, how did you cross Link's bridge? A man on horseback just came here and told us it was down. I was afraid I'd lost my team for a week." "Well, here they are," said Jack, smiling. "They're both good swimmers, and as for the carriage, it floated like a boat." "Oh, it did?" laughed the stable-keeper, as he examined his property. "Livermore sent you with them, I suppose. I was losing five dollars a day by not having those horses here. What's your name? Do you live in Crofield?" "Jack Ogden." "Oh! you're the blacksmith's son. Old Murdoch told me about you. My name's Prodger. I know your father, and I've known him twenty years. How did you get over the creek--tell me about it?" Jack told him, and Mr. Prodger drew a long breath at the end of the story. "You didn't know the risk you were running," he said; "but you did first-rate, and if I needed another driver I'd be glad to hire you. What did Livermore say I was to pay you?" "He didn't say," said Jack. "I wasn't thinking about being paid." "So much the better. I think the more of you, my boy. But it was plucky to drive that team over Link's bridge just before it went down. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll pay you what they'll earn me to-night--it will be about three dollars--and we'll call it square. How will that do?" "It's more than I've earned," said Jack, gratefully. "I'm satisfied, if you are," said Mr. Prodger as Jack jumped down. "Come and see me again if you're to be in town. You're fond of horses and have a knack with them." "Three dollars!" said Jack, after the money had been paid him, and he was on his way back to the Murdochs'. "Mother let me have the six dollars they gave me for the fish. And this makes nine dollars. Why, it will take me the rest of the way to the city--but I wouldn't have a cent when I got there."