"Thank you!" said Robert, relieved; "you are very kind. And what will your mother say when she sees you bringing such a looking tramp home with you?" "Don't trouble yourself about that," said Fred. "Mother will understand it. She'll see that even if you do look like a tramp you're not a professional." "That's just what I am," responded Robert, smiling. "I am a professional—circus rider." "You don't say so!" exclaimed Fred, with something of interest. "Are you a bareback rider?" "Yes." "We've got a horse in the barn. Won't you try riding on him?" "Oh, the horse has to be trained as well as the rider: I can't perform on a horse that has never been in the ring." "Then how did you happen to be with this man that served you such a trick?" Robert explained. Quarter of an hour's walk brought them to a substantial farm-house occupied by Fred's family. He introduced Robert to his mother—a pleasant-faced lady, who received our hero cordially, especially after she had been informed of the manner in which he had been treated by his employer. Fred took Robert up to his own bedroom, where he placed one of his own suits at his disposal. The soiled suit was taken down-stairs, where it was first dried by the fire and afterwards brushed clean till it once more assumed the respectable look which rightfully belonged to it. Meanwhile Fred went round to the hotel to ascertain whether Fitzgerald had made his appearance. He ascertained that he had returned and reported that the boy had gone on to the next town, where he was to join him. He paid the bill of both, took both valises and drove to the nearest railway station. "He's taken French leave!" said Fred. "He evidently never expects to see you again." "He may be disappointed in that," said Robert, quietly; "I may appear to him when he least expects it. I intend to find out if I can what was his object in throwing me into the well." "That's where I'm with you!" said Fred. "I wouldn't let him go unpunished for such an outrage." When Robert came to reflect upon his situation, however, he felt embarrassed. His bills, of course, had been paid by Fitzgerald, and he had not yet received any wages. The consequence was, that while he was nearly two thousand miles distant from his starting-point, he had but a dollar and a half in his pocket. He might, to be sure, write to Dr. Grey for a portion of his savings, but it would take some time for the remittance to arrive. CHAPTER XXVIII. ROBERT SUBDUES A HORSE.