"Yes," assented the sheriff, "and he’s saved this county a heap of trouble, too—though, of course, we’d got the bosses back anyway," he added, hastily.
Gunga Din went back to the farm that night and revelled in good things to eat. Aunt Ellen, recklessly feeding him popped corn by the handful, said "Land’s sake" under her breath several times. She cried a little, too, but it was not with distress. There was no longer any doubt about the mortgage.
In Chicago the following day a man with a narrow-brimmed straw hat and a checkered vest was much mystified upon receiving the following message:
Washita Falls, Kan., September 3d.
You will be glad to hear it was well for a county and three States that we did not have to accept your kind offer to relieve us of Gunga Din. Just saved us ten horses, much trouble and expense. This county places him in the best zoo in the country.
Board of Supervisors.
"Now what the deuce does that awkwardly worded puzzle mean?" said the man with the checkered vest.
