"Those Injuns wouldn't hurt a flea," declared the ranchman, striding away so fast up the slope that the children had to trot to keep up with him.
"Do the Indians like fleas?" asked Vi. "I shouldn't think they would. Our cat at home doesn't."
"I know a riddle about a flea," said Laddie, more cheerfully. A riddle always cheered Laddie. "It is: 'What is the difference between a flea and a leopard?'"
"Jumping grasshoppers!" exclaimed Cowboy Jack. "I should think there was a deal of difference—in their size, anyway."
"No, their size hasn't anything to do with it," said Laddie, delighted to have puzzled the big man.
"A leopard is a big cat," said Russ. "And a flea can only live on a cat."
"Pooh! That isn't the answer," declared Laddie. "I guess that is a good riddle."
"It sure is," agreed Cowboy Jack, still striding up the hill. "What is the difference between a flea and a leopard? It beats me!"
"Why," said the little boy, panting, "it's because—because a leopard can't change its spots, but a flea can. You see, the flea is very lively and jumps around a whole lot——"
"Can't a leopard jump?" demanded Vi.