"I know two ways to make you," answered Ned.
"How?"
"Place some food down here under you on the ground—something that has an odor and something you like."
Stacy did not reply, but a troubled expression appeared on his face.
"What is the other way?" asked Tad, chuckling over the situation.
"I am not going to tell you. That's a dark secret. Are you coming down, Stacy Brown?"
"I am not, Neddie Rector."
"Very good. Stay there all the rest of the day if you want to."
"I just love to be up a tree. There's another 'gator out there. Pass me up a gun and I will shoot him. Look, there's a whole pond full of them."
"No you don't. You don't catch me that way. I know what you are up to. You are trying to stampede us down to the lake, then you will clamber down and make a get-away. No, sir, there isn't anything green in my eye that you can notice," retorted Ned.