This was indeed, a great loss to me; but I consoled myself with the thought that I had one good horse left, yet he would hardly be sufficient to accomplish alone, the labor I had engaged to perform; nor had I the means to spare, to purchase another.

I therefore hired one, and commenced business again, with the determination to make up my loss by renewed diligence and perseverance.
I started in good spirits; but had proceeded but a few miles, when my remaining horse, which I had supposed perfectly sound, reeled and fell in the harness! And before I could relieve him of it, my noble animal and faithful servant, had breathed his last! Without a struggle or a movement he lay lifeless on the cold earth.

I was sad.

I deplored the loss of my good, and valuable team; but more the mystery and suspicion that hung over the event.

I returned home and sat down to devise some plan of procedure.
What could I do?
Half the means of our support had been suddenly and mysteriously snatched from us.