But Greenbrier River, as we have seen, was rapid in this vicinity, so our hero had to look sharp for himself, as he followed its course to a place where he could scale its precipitous bank. This he did not succeed in doing until he had got within a short distance of the wrecked bridge, where he had had his thrilling experience that morning. "Poor Fairy!" he thought, as he looked for trace of her, "you must have been killed outright by the fall. It was a fearful chance, but—hark! I hear horsemen coming." Not caring to take any risk, he sought the concealment of the bushes, to await the appearance of the riders. He didn't have to wait long before they dashed into sight, pulling up smartly at the sight of the chasm of roaring waters where the bridge should have been. A glad cry left Little Snap's lips, as he saw that the foremost horseman was John Rimmon of Six Roads, and regardless of his personal appearance, he bounded into the road. "Why! Dix Lewis, as I live!" cried the postmaster. "Where in the world have you been, and what has happened? You look as if you had been through fire and water." "I have nearly that," replied Little Snap, with a laugh. "I am glad you have come along, for I am afoot and pretty well used up. I have lost both of my horses. Poor Fairy will carry me no more on my trips to the Loop." "Don't be too sure of that, lad. She's safe and sound in your stable at this blessed minute. So is Jack, too! You see, their coming without you was what started us in your quest. "But the folks are too anxious about you at home for us to tarry here. Jump up here behind me, and as we ride along you can tell me your story. When we get to Diamond we'll hunt you up an extra horse and a dry suit of clothes. "Right-about face, boys, and seeing that you can get ahead faster than we, you can go on and tell them we have found the missing sheep all right." Mr. Rimmon's companions willingly complied with this request, without dreaming that it was a clever artifice on his part to hear Little Snap's full story alone. He had anticipated there might be some startling disclosures, and he was not disappointed, as the postboy told him all that had happened to him since leaving Six Roads, omitting the single fact of his father's presence among the outlaws in the cave. He hadn't the heart to tell that part. "My stars! adventures enough for a trip around the world. But say, Dix, if you had let me know that you were going, I should have put a stop to it, though I can see that it has resulted in gaining some valuable truths, which might not otherwise have been gained." "I promised mother that I would let you know I was going. I did call up to your house, but no one was stirring, and I thought it was too bad to disturb you. I did not think it would make any difference."