An Exciting Chase

But not without shouting to Shock, whom I suddenly remembered.

"Shock--Shock!" I cried; "look out for the cart." Not that I supposed
that the boys I left behind would run off with it and the old horse; but
there were more coils of rope swinging from the ladder, and there were
the sacks and Ike's old coat and whip.

I thought of all this in an instant as I ran, followed by the yells of
the young plunderer's companions.

I was not far behind, but he was barefoot, used to the place, knew every
inch of the ground, and while I slipped and nearly went down twice over,
he ran easily and well, pad--pad--pad--pad over the stones. He doubled
here and went in and out of the carts and wagons, dodged round a stack
of baskets there, threaded his way easily among the people, while I
tried to imitate him, and only blundered against them and got thrust
aside. Then I nearly knocked over a basket of peas built up on the top
of other baskets like a pillar, and at last nearly lost my quarry, for
he darted in at the door of a herbalist's shop; and as I went panting
up, sure now of catching him, I suddenly awakened to the fact that there
was a door on the other side out by which he had passed.

As luck had it, when I darted round I just caught sight of him
disappearing behind a cabbage wagon.

This time, as he disappeared, I tried to bring a little strategy to
bear, and running round another way by which I felt sure he would go, I
was able to make up all my lost ground, for I came plump upon him.