about had come upon the animal

    When Caesar reached the place where he had tethered the horse, he was grievously disappointed at not finding him. One of the miners in roaming about had come upon the animal, and knowing him to be Jefferson Pettigrew's property, untied him and rode him back to Oreville.     The dwarf threw up his hands in dismay.     "The horse is gone!" he said in his deep bass voice, "and now I must walk back, ten long miles, and get a flogging at the end for losing time. It's hard luck," he groaned.     The loss was fortunate for Fred and Otto who would otherwise have found it hard to keep up with the dwarf.     Caesar breathed a deep sigh, and then started on his wearisome journey. Had the ground been even it would have troubled him less, but there was a steep upward grade, and his short legs were soon weary. Not so with his pursuers, both of whom were long limbed and athletic.     We will go back now to the cave and the captors of Rodney. They waited long and impatiently for the return of their messenger. Having no knowledge of the loss of the horse, they could not understand what detained Caesar.     "Do you think the rascal has played us false?" said Roderick.     "He would be afraid to."     "This man Pettigrew might try to bribe him. It would be cheaper than to pay five thousand dollars."     "He wouldn't dare. He knows what would happen to him," said John grimly.     "Then why should he be so long?"     "That I can't tell."     "Suppose we go out to meet him. I begin to feel anxious lest we have trusted him too far."     "I am with you!"     The two outlaws took the path which led to Oreville, and walked two miles before they discovered Caesar coming towards them at a slow and melancholy gait.     "There he is, and on foot! What does it mean?"     "He will tell us."