p went down to the lake and looked for
Andy's boat.

There was but one in sight--Conrad's--but he never doubted that this was
the one he was to destroy. He waited till half-past eight, when he
considered it dark enough for his purpose.

He carefully laid the shavings in one end of the boat, covered them over
with pieces of board, which, with the help of the hatchet, he split into
smaller pieces, and then set them on fire.

The flames blazed fiercely and did considerable damage to the boat, not
ruining it, however. But to finish the work he used the hatchet, and
hacked vigorously at the woodwork till it was mutilated and its
usefulness and beauty spoiled.

The tramp contemplated this work with satisfaction.

"I've done the job pretty well," he chuckled to himself. "I'd like to be
lookin' on when the boy sees it."

Now that he had done the job he wanted his pay. Conrad had agreed to
meet him at an old ruined barn not far from his house at eight o'clock
in the morning.

"It won't do to call for me earlier," he said, "for it might excite
suspicion."

From the breakfast table Conrad directed his steps to the barn.

The tramp was sitting outside, smoking a pipe.

"I've been waiting for you," he said. "I haven't had any breakfast."

"Did you do the job?"

"Did I? Well, I reckon. That boat ain't no good any more."

"Do you think any one saw you do it?"

"No; it was pretty dark, and there wasn't no one round. It may have been
found out by now. Give me the two dollars and I'll be off."

"You are sure you did the job? You are not deceiving me?"

"No, I'm not. You can go and see for yourself."

This, however, did not seem prudent. Conrad wished some one else to
discover the ruined boat.

After all, there was no reason to doubt the tramp's word. His avowed
hostility to Andy made it quite certain that he had done his work.

"Here's the money," he said.

"And here's the hatchet."

"I wish it was back in the toolhouse where it belongs," thought Conrad.
"However, I'll manage to get it back without any one seeing me."

He decided to return to the barn at once, carrying the hatchet with him.
He was not to do it without observation. Just before he reached the barn
he met John Larkin.

"What are you doing with the hatchet, Conrad?"

"Oh, I have been using it in the pasture."

"I didn't know but you were going to imitate George Washington and cut
down a cherry tree."

"Perhaps I have," said Conrad, with a sm