But not without shouting to Shock, whom I suddenly remembered.

"Shock--Shock!" I cried; "look out for the cart." Not that I supposed

that the boys I left behind would run off with it and the old horse; but

there were more coils of rope swinging from the ladder, and there were

the sacks and Ike's old coat and whip.

I thought of all this in an instant as I ran, followed by the yells of

the young plunderer's companions.

I was not far behind, but he was barefoot, used to the place, knew every

inch of the ground, and while I slipped and nearly went down twice over,

he ran easily and well, pad--pad--pad--pad over the stones. He doubled

here and went in and out of the carts and wagons, dodged round a stack

of baskets there, threaded his way easily among the people, while I

tried to imitate him, and only blundered against them and got thrust

aside. Then I nearly knocked over a basket of peas built up on the top

of other baskets like a pillar, and at last nearly lost my quarry, for

he darted in at the door of a herbalist's shop; and as I went panting

up, sure now of catching him, I suddenly awakened to the fact that there

was a door on the other side out by which he had passed.

As luck had it, when I darted round I just caught sight of him

disappearing behind a cabbage wagon.

This time, as he disappeared, I tried to bring a little strategy to

bear, and running round another way by which I felt sure he would go, I

was able to make up all my lost ground, for I came plump upon him.

"Stop, you young thief!" I panted as I made a snatch at the rope and

his arm.

It was like catching at an eel. Just as I thought I had him he dodged

aside, dived under a horse, and as I ran round the back of the cart, not

caring to imitate his example, he was a dozen yards away, going in and

out of stalls and piles of vegetables.

I lost sight of him then, and the next minute saw him watching me round

a corner, when I again gave chase, hot, panting, and with a curious

aching pain in my legs; but when I reached the corner he had gone, and I

felt that I had lost him, and, thoroughly disheartened, did not know

which way to turn. I was about to go despondently back to the cart,

when, giving a final glance round, I saw him stealing away beyond some

columns.

He had not seen me, and he was walking; so, keeping as much out of sight

as I could, and rejoicing in the fact that I had recovered my breath, I

hurried on.




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