This was the match that started fire in the thrifty noddles of Tinkletown's best citizens.

Before they knew it they were bidding against each other with the true "horse-swapping" instinct, and the offers had reached $21.25 when the stranger unceremoniously closed the sale by crying out, "Sold!" There is no telling how high the bids might have gone if he could have waited half an hour or so.

Uncle Gideon Luce afterward said that he could have had twenty-four dollars "just as well as not." They were bidding up a quarter at a time, and no one seemed willing to drop out.

The successful bidder was Anderson Crow.
"You can pay me as we drive along.

Jump in!" cried the stranger, looking at his watch with considerable agitation.