It did not need Dan Shag to tell him this. Neither did it need this postmaster to tell him that the trouble all centered at his office. "You can put that man down as a cutthroat," declared Mr. Goings, as they rode away from the Tree. "But isn't that a singular office. By the way, I have seen that man's face somewhere before," continued the talkative Mr. Goings. "It may have been when I was this way before. Oh, yes, I have been over this same road—let me see—fifteen years ago. Time enough for me to have forgotten how everything looked. I do remember that the next place we shall come to is Greenbrier. It is situated at the junction of the river we have just crossed and the Little Kanawha, the streams making the Great Kanawha. Am I right?" "Yes, sir." Little Snap was growing suspicious of this voluble stranger, and he wished he might escape his company farther. CHAPTER XXIX. A RIVER LET LOOSE. Nothing of interest occurring at Greenbrier, the postboy resumed his journey, with the talkative stranger still beside him. "I was in luck," he declared, "when I chanced to meet you. I should have hated to have gone over this lonely road without company. I don't see how you can do it. Is it as lonesome below Salt Works?" "Until I get to Hutsland I think it is more dreary, though I have got so used to it I never stop to think of that." "Just so. Say, Dix, what do you think of Jason Warfield?" This question was asked so abruptly that Little Snap glanced up with a look of wonder. "I don't know as I have anything against him," he replied, after a moment's pause. "A safe answer. But I am going to tell you that I think he is a sneaking rascal. How long has he been in Six Roads?" "Fifteen years, I think." "Right the first time. I know, because he came there at the time I was through here before. Never'll get the nomination for Congress, will he?" "Feels confident of it." "Well, he is sure to get disappointed. Marion Calvert is the man." "So you know Mr. Calvert?" "By reputation. I have a mind to do a little electioneering while I am scouting over the country. Gee whiz! isn't this a wild country!" he concluded, for they were already entering the Devil's Bowl. Mr. Goings' exclamation of astonishment increased as they rode up the Tracks and approached the Narrows. "I want you to show me where you rode off the cliff into the river," said Little Snap's companion, very much to his surprise. "Oh, I heard of that a long way from here. Such news travels far and fast. Jerusalem! is it possible you went off there and came out alive? I never should have dared to do that. Now, you must tell me all about it. I am interested." The postboy retold his thrilling adventure, and as he began to talk he grew animated, and before Salt Works was reached he had given Mr. Goings a more extended account of himself and his adventures than he had realized while telling it.