Sarah's Search for Treasure by Bertha Schwartz

Author:Bertha Schwartz [Schwartz, Bertha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: middle grade fiction
Publisher: Ambassador International
Published: 2018-01-16T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A Baby Horse and a Missing Donkey

TONY AND HIS TWO COMPANIONS raced after them. They easily caught the already-tired horses. Sarah could understand how the schoolmaster could identify them so easily. They were a matched pair of striking white and black mares.

One of the horse thieves slid from the saddle and tried to make a run for it. Red was on top of him instantly. The other man, a younger one, remained in his saddle, looking terrified.

As they brought them back, one of the miners shouted, “Horse thieves!”

“String ‘em up!” someone else shouted. “We don’t need them around.”

Sarah felt her stomach tighten with panic. She grabbed the kettle and spoon again and banged with all her might, hoping she would be heard above the roaring crowd. Gradually, they quieted.

“There will be no lynching!” Sarah said, firmly. “We will not act in haste.”

“Sarah’s right!” said the schoolmaster. “They are my horses. And I will have some say in the matter!” He turned to Sarah. “Do you have any idea what their punishment should be?”

“I don’t know,” Sarah shrugged. “It’s obvious they hate to work. I say we make them work and work hard.”

“That sounds like a good idea!” Mr. Douglas said. “They can start by mucking out the barn.”

A cheer went up from the men. “And chopping enough fire wood to last all winter.”

“And making the hay! By themselves!”

Suddenly, the crowd was noisy again, as suggestions rang out. Sarah could see the humor had been restored as the shouts got more wild and hilarious by the minute. The two horse thieves looked pale and scared.

The schoolmaster held up his hands for silence. Finally, he took Sarah’s kettle and banged on it again. “As you all know, horse stealing is a hanging offense.” He held up his hands to silence the crowd again, then glanced at Sarah. “If they cleaned out the whole barn, would that buy breakfast for all of us?”

“It sure would!” As the crowd cheered again, Sarah told the schoolmaster, “I’m not sure we have enough prepared for everyone, but we have enough that everyone can start.”

“Good enough.” The schoolmaster relayed the message, then suggested that everyone take a seat. Many sat on the porch, but the others just sat in the yard.

Sarah hurried in to start dishing out food, while Ma sliced some more bacon to fry. To Sarah, it seemed like a long time until everyone was satisfied.

When she and Ma finally sat down to their own breakfast, the schoolmaster stepped into the kitchen. He had surprised Sarah by helping. Now he grinned and pulled up an empty chair. Instead of sitting on it, he emptied the contents of his hat. Sarah stared in amazement at the coins and gold pieces that tumbled out. “That, Miss Sarah, is for breakfast. The miners suggested you use it for chairs or benches.”

“But I thought their breakfast was paid by the horse thieves.”

“They paid this because they didn’t think that was fair to you and your ma. There are two men here that finally admitted to being furniture makers.

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