"But you see, Johnny, it was I who worried the life out of them! When you didn't come, I got dad started, and then I 'phoned the sheriff and offered a reward and big pay and everything, to get men out.

All the sheriff's men will get twenty-five dollars a day, Johnny, for hunting you.

And there was a reward and everything.

So don't blame the public for taking an interest in whether you were killed or not.

Blame me, Johnny--and dad, and the boys that have been riding day and night to find you." Johnny reddened.