"There, I guess that will do," observed Ned, as he daubed a bit of pine
gum on a small crack. "I'll wager it doesn't leak a drop. The paddle is
better than when you first made the trip, Frank."
"I'm glad of it. It was so rough before it blistered my hands."
In the meanwhile Bart and Fenn had reached Mr. Armstrong's house.
They found the farmer had a long, light ladder, and was willing to
let them take it.
"Hope you aren't going t' rob an apple orchard or raid a hen roost," he
said with a laugh.
"Nothing like that," Bart assured their friend. "Now if you'll lend us
your donkey we'll be much obliged."
"My donkey! Good land! Are you going t' start a circus and have the
donkey do tricks?"
"Not exactly," Bart replied, and then, thinking it was only fair to
explain why they wanted the ladder and the animal, the boys told Mr.
Armstrong something of Frank's story. The farmer was in sympathy with
them at once.
"I wish I could help you," he said eagerly. "Can't I go 'long?"
"We're much obliged," replied Bart, "but I guess we can do better alone.
We're thankful for the ladder and the donkey.
Pages:
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196