The two men looked our whole outfit over, scrutinizing it very closely, and showed no signs of wanting to buy, and did not even ask our price. I then said: "Gentlemen, we will sell you this whole rig cheap, if you wish it." Finally, after I had repeated several times that I would sell it dirt-cheap, the old gentleman ventured to ask what I considered cheap? "Well, sir," said I, "you can have the whole outfit for twelve hundred dollars." "Great Heavens!" he exclaimed. "Do you call that cheap?" "Well," I answered, "you needn't buy unless you want to." They then drove off, when I said: "Frank, those men have had a full description of us and our rig, and we'd better skip." Frank said he had a trade about worked up with the landlord's father, who lived three miles from there. He wanted to trade a fine horse for our carriage, and thought it best to take our chances of staying to close it up. After dinner the landlord accompanied us to his father's farm. We had to travel one mile west and two north. On our way there, and about a half mile from town, we had a conversation with a young farmer acquaintance of the landlord, who said if we didn't make a deal as we expected, he would give us a trade of some kind on our way back. On reaching the farm we found a handsome four-year-old colt unbroken, but as we could see, a valuable animal. We traded our carriage for it and a cheap saddle and bridle. When we came to look the carriage over we found an iron brace broken, and the bargain was, that we were to take it back to town and pay for getting it repaired, and then leave it in care of the landlord. We started back, the landlord and myself walking and leading the colt, while Frank drove our horse and buggy. When we reached the young farmer's place above-mentioned, he came out to the gate; and after we were several rods past the house, called to the landlord, who went back. I noticed that the farmer talked in a very loud tone till the landlord got close to him, when he then spoke very low. Just then Frank came driving up, when I said: "There's something in the wind. I'll bet that farmer has talked with some one since we went up there, who has told him about the patent-right deal." I then explained the actions of the farmer. Frank said it did look a little suspicious, but thought it might possibly be a mistake. As a matter of caution Frank drove on to the hotel, where he unhitched the horse, and prepared to start on horseback as soon as we arrived with the colt, which I was to ride. [Illustration: A FOUR MILE CHASE.--PAGE 234.] As soon as the landlord returned to where I was, he showed considerable anxiety and nervousness, which convinced me more than ever that I was correct in my surmises. He talked but little, on our way to the hotel. When we arrived there his wife came out and had a private talk with him, I then said: "Well, landlord, we will allow you one dollar for the carriage repairs and you can have it done yourself."