“We were just lucky enough to catch them at home,” explained Frank.
“And smart enough to shoot ’em on the run,” declared Amos Grice. “It takes some shootin’ to get a fox, lads, for they’re mighty tricky rascals. Well, now I can sleep in peace at night and I’ll know that my chickens are safe. I can sure breathe easier now that I know them two thieves are through with chicken stealing.”
He took the boys back to the store and, by way of showing his gratitude, insisted on filling their pockets with crackers and apples.
“You’re welcome at my store any time, lads,” he told them. “If ever you need any more supplies, come right to me and—and I’ll sell ’em to you at wholesale price.”
Seeing that this, to Amos Grice, was the height of generosity, the boys thanked him warmly.
“We’ve had a rare good morning,” declared Frank, “and we’re much obliged to you, Mr. Grice, for telling us about the foxes. We wouldn’t have missed that chase for anything.”
“I’m more’n obliged to you,” said the old man.
“I guess we’d better be getting back to the island. It’s lunch time now,” said Chet.
Before they left, the boys cut the brushes from the two foxes and when they returned to Cabin Island that afternoon they placed the prizes in a place of honor above the fireplace.