THE BATTLE OF THE BOUNDARY FENCE.
The little party set off, watched by Vinnie with a good deal of anxiety. The dog was left in the edge of the corn; and Jack, with a good milky ear in his pocket, followed Mr. Betterson into the buckwheat-field.
"There's Wad and his dad after prairie chickens," said Zeph.
"Yes," said Dud, "and here comes Rufe after you. He'll give you Hail Columby one of these days, when I ain't round."
"I'll resk him," muttered Zeph.
"Look here, you young scape-grace!" Rufe called from over the fence, "I've come to take you at your word. Want to fight me, do ye? I'm ready, if you're particular about it."
"Come near me, and I'll sink a stun in your head!" said Zeph, frightened.
"You've got that phrase from the Wiggett boys," said Rufe. "I'd fight with something besides borrowed slang, if I was you."
Betterson meanwhile brought down a prairie chicken with a grace of gesture and suddenness of aim which Jack would have greatly admired if he had not had other business on his mind.
The bird fell in the direction of the boundary fence. Jack ran as if to pick it up, at the same time giving a low whistle for his dog. He stooped, and was for a minute hidden by the fence from the Peakslow boys,—if, indeed, Rufe gave them leisure just then to look in that direction.