"After him!" cried Bart. "He'll smash the ladder!"
The boys started off after the animal but they were at considerable
disadvantage. Bart had let go of the strap by which he was leading the
donkey, and Fenn, who was also in front, had jumped to one side as he
heard the beast break into a run. So the steed passed both of them. As
for Frank and Ned, in the rear, they could not get ahead of the donkey
because of the long ladder sticking out behind and swaying to and fro. By
this time the animal was some distance in advance, running along one of
the wider trails that led through the wood.
"We must catch him!" cried Frank. "He'll smash the ladder and we'll be in
a fix then!"
The donkey seemed to be enjoying the sport. Faster and faster he ran,
braying at the top of his voice. The ladder knocked against the tree
trunks, sometimes throwing the animal to one side but this did not
stop him."
"Cut ahead through the woods and try to catch him!" cried Ned to Bart,
who was a little in advance.
Bart did so. He saw, through the trees, where the trail turned, and
gliding between the bushes, he reached the path ahead of the donkey that
was coming down it full speed.
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