ime he came back the two thieves had driven the bull home
and killed him for meat, so the man was obliged to go to his master and
confess that he had been tricked again.

After this the Black Rogue and the Shifty Lad grew bolder and bolder,
and stole great quantities of cattle and sold them and grew quite rich.
One day they were returning from the market with a large sum of money in
their pockets when they passed a gallows erected on the top of a hill.

'Let us stop and look at that gallows,' exclaimed the Shifty Lad. 'I
have never seen one so close before. Yet some say that it is the end of
all thieves.'

There was no one in sight, and they carefully examined every part of it.

'I wonder how it feels to be hung,' said the Shifty Lad. 'I should like
to know, in case they ever catch me. I'll try first, and then you can do
so.'

As he spoke he fastened the loose cord about his neck, and when it was
quite secure he told the Black Rogue to take the other end of the rope
and draw him up from the ground.

'When I am tired of it I will shake my legs, and then you must let me
down,' said he.

The Black Rogue drew up the rope, but in half a minute the Shifty Lad's
legs began to shake, and he quickly let it down again.

'You can't imagine what a funny feeling hanging gives you,' murmured the
Shifty Lad, who looked rather purple in the face and spoke in an odd
voice. 'I don't think you have ever tried it, or you wouldn't have let
me go up first. Why, it is the pleasantest thing, I have ever done. I
was shaking my legs from sheer delight, and if you had been there you
would have shaken your legs too.'

'Well, let me try, if it is so nice,' answered the Black Rogue. 'But be
sure you tie the knot securely, for I don't want to fall down and break
my neck.'

'Oh, I will see to that!' replied the Shifty Lad. 'When you are tired,
just whistle, and I'll let you down.'

[Illustration: HOW THE BLACK ROGUE WAS TRICKED]

So the Black Rogue was drawn up, and as soon as he was as high as the
rope would allow him to go the Shifty Lad called to him:

'Don't forget to whistle when you want to come down; but if you are
enjoying yourself as I did, shake your legs.'

And in a moment the Black Rogue's legs began to shake and to kick, and
the Shifty Lad stood below, watching him and laughing heartily.

'Oh, how funny you are! If you could only see yourself! Oh, you _are_
funny! But when you have had enough, whistle and you shall be le