“There ought to be plenty of apples on that branch,” I said, as I went along.
“What branch?” the kid wanted to know.
“The old railroad branch,” I told him. “Don’t you know that apples grow on a branch?”
I guess none of us knew anything about that old branch but Hervey Willetts. That fellow knows about the funniest things and places. He can take you to old shacks in the woods and all places like that. He knows all the farmers for miles around camp. He knows where you can get dandy buttermilk. And he knows where you can get killed by quicksand and a lot of other peachy places. He says that’s the kind of sand he likes because it’s quick. He believes in action, that fellow.
I said, “As long as you know where we’re going suppose you be leader for a little while.”
“I’ll be leader,” Pee-wee shouted.
“Let Hervey be leader,” they all said.
So I fell behind and I was glad to get rid of the job of leading for a little while. But, oh boy, it was some job following! That fellow swung up into trees and turned somersaults over stone walls and hopped on one leg over big rocks—good night, we didn’t have any rest.
“You wanted ginger,” he said.
“Sure, but we didn’t want cayenne pepper,” I told him. “Have a heart.”