“What do I think it’s wuth? Why, a thousand dollars won’t cover my damage! I jest had that barn repaired t’ hold my crops, an’ here ye come along, an’ rip it all t’ smithereens! A thousand dollars——”
“What’s that?” cried Jerry, reappearing at that moment. “A thousand dollars!”
“He says we damaged his barn that much,” explained Bob.
“Nonsense!” exclaimed the tall lad.
“No nonsense about it!” spluttered the farmer. “An’ ef ye don’t settle I’ll have ye arrested. Sam an’ Bill I reckon ye’d better git them cords ready arter all.”
“Why, we have only torn off a small piece of the cornice and some of the eaves,” said Jerry, pointing to where the damage had been done.
“Hu! It’s easy enough fer ye t’ say that, young feller, but it ain’t so easy t’ git my barn fixed. Either ye pay me a thousand dollars, or ye go t’ jail, th’ hull three of ye—no, by gum! There’s another one of ye—there’s four!” as he caught sight of the professor who, seeing that he could be of no service, was calmly looking over his note-books. “Is he yer father?” asked the farmer. “If he is, he can pay th’ damage. Folks what go about in airships must have lots of money.”
“No, he’s not our father,” replied Jerry shortly, “and we haven’t lots of money. We are willing to pay you a reasonable sum for damaging your barn, but a thousand dollars is out of the question.”
“It is, eh? Well, mebby when ye’ve been in jail a couple of days ye won’t think so. Sam an’ Bill, take ’em, an’ tie ’em, while I hitch up, an’ git ready t’ bring ’em over t’ Lafayette, t’ th’ court house. I’ll show ’em they can’t make no monkey of me!”
“Nature did that for you,” murmured Ned, “and saved us the trouble.”