"What report do you mean, Bob?" "You know well enough--the one about my father." "I don't know." "Ain't the Bartletts telling everybody that my father shoved 'em out of the iron works and that our money wasn't clean?" "I haven't heard it." "Bah! You needn't play the innocent. I know you, and I know Jack Bartlett, too." "I don't think your folks treated the Bartletts just right," went on our hero, resolved to stand up for his friends. "We treated 'em better than they deserved. If I had been my father I should have kicked old man Bartlett out." "Your father wouldn't have dared, Bob Bangs. But I am not going to quarrel with you. What brings you to this place?" "That's my business." "You needn't tell me if you don't wish to." "I am here to get a new horse. I am going to ride horseback after this," went on the rich boy, boastfully. "It's a horse that costs four hundred dollars, too." "Then you are in luck," was all Randy answered, and walked away, leaving the rich youth gazing after him doubtfully. CHAPTER XIV BOB BANGS AND HIS HORSE Randy continued to wander around the country town, taking in such sights as came to view. In the meantime Bob Bangs went after the horse he had mentioned. The rich youth had bothered his father for a horse for a long time and at last Mr. Bangs had consented to give him a steed. The horse was to be taken in exchange for a debt, and Bob had agreed to go to Leeville after him and take the animal to the summer resort at which he and his mother were stopping. It may be mentioned that the horse was worth only a hundred and fifty dollars, but the falsehood he had told in regard to the horse's value did not bother Bob Bangs in the least. He loved to boast upon every possible occasion. "Is he gentle?" asked the rich boy, as he approached the horse, that was standing in the yard of the former owner. "As gentle as a lamb," was the answer. "He--he won't run away, will he?" went on Bob, timidly. To tell the truth he knew very little about horses, although he pretended to know a great deal. "He never ran away in his life," declared the man who was disposing of the horse. "Then I guess it is all right," said the rich boy, and started to mount into the saddle, for the steed was ready for use. "Wait a minute." "What's wanted now." "I want you to sign a receipt first," said the man. "Oh, all right." The receipt was produced, stating that the horse was received in good condition and that the debt was canceled thereby, and the rich youth signed his father's name and his own under it. Then the man held the horse while the boy mounted. "All safe and sound?" asked the man. "Yes," answered Bob Bangs. "Good-day," and off he rode. "Good-day, and good luck to you," answered the man, and he smiled rather grimly to himself as he entered his house.