"I'm going to Castleton," answered Abner.
Of course Rudolph's plan was manifest. When the hay was unloaded, of course Tony would have to get down. Then he would get hold of him.
"You can do just as you've a mind to," said Abner. "You'll be company to Tony and me, but you needn't put yourself out on our account, hey, Tony?"
There was a smothered laugh on top of the hay, which the tramp heard. His eyes snapped viciously, and he privately determined to give Tony a settlement in full for all his offenses just as soon as he got hold of him.
So they jogged on, mile after mile. Abner walked on one side, swinging his whip, and occasionally cracking it. The tramp walked on the other side of the road, and the boy rode along luxuriously embedded in his fragrant couch of hay. Abner from time to time kept up the tramp's illusions by calling out, "Tony, you must take keer, or you'll fall off."
"I'll catch him if he does," said Rudolph, grimly.
"So you will," chuckled Abner. "You'd like to, wouldn't you?"
"Do you hear that, Tony? He says you're his son," said Abner, grinning again.
There was another laugh from the boy on the load of hay.
"You won't find anything to laugh at when I get hold of you," muttered Rudolph.
From time to time Abner, as he thought how neatly the tramp had been sold, burst into a loud laugh, which was echoed from the hay wagon. Rudolph was not only angry, but puzzled.
"Does the boy hope to escape me?" he asked himself. "If so, he will find himself badly mistaken. He will find that I am not to be trifled with."
"Say, squire, what makes you look so glum?" asked Abner. "Maybe it's because I didn't let you in when you called so late last night. We don't receive visitors after midnight."
"How long has the boy been with you?" asked Abner, further.
"Since he was born," answered the tramp. "Ain't I his father?"
"I don't know. If it's a conundrum I give it up."
"Well, I am, and no one has a right to keep him from me," said the tramp, in a surly manner.
"I wouldn't keep him from you for a minute," said Abner, innocently.
"He can come down if he wants to. I don't stop him. You can come down if you want to, Tony," he said, looking up to where the boy's hat was visible.
Tony did not answer, and Abner continued: