rsisted little Peter.

"Then why didn't you tell somebody?"

"All de folks was away and I didn't dare to go near it. He had a
hatchet, too."

"I say, Conrad, let us hunt for the tramp, and, if we find him, have him
arrested."

For obvious reasons this proposal of John Larkin did not meet Conrad's
approval. He was afraid of what the tramp would tell.

"I'll ask my father what to do," he replied, evasively. "The mischief is
done and there is no help for it."

Conrad was already looking more cheerful. An idea had come to him.

Now that the boat was destroyed, his father might be willing to buy him
another, and, if so, he might be persuaded to buy one as good as Andy's,
perhaps better. He turned to go home, and let the boys know that he did
not care for company.

On the way, not far from his own house, he encountered the tramp. At the
sight of this man, whose stupid blunder had cost him his boat, his eyes
blazed with anger.

But this the tramp did not see. He slouched up to his young employer,
saying, with a cunning grin:

"Well, did you see it?"

"Did I see it?" repeated Conrad, boiling over with fury. "Yes, I did."

"I did it pretty well, didn't I? I guess the boat isn't good for much
now."

"You stupid fool!" blazed out Conrad. "It is my boat that you ruined. I
have a great mind to have you arrested!"

"Your boat? It was the boat you pointed out to me."

"No, it wasn't. It was my own boat."

"Then where was the other boat? I didn't see but one."

"I don't know, but you might have had sense enough to know that you'd
got the wrong boat."

The tramp's hopes fell. He had intended to ask for another dollar from
Conrad, but he saw now that there was no chance whatever of his
obtaining it.

"You'd better get out of town as soon as you can," said Conrad, roughly.

"Why should I?" demanded the tramp, sullenly.

"Because you were seen destroying the boat."

"Who saw me?"

"A small boy who lives at the next house. You might be arrested."

"If I am, I'll tell the truth. I'll tell who put me up to it."

"And I'll deny it. Do you think any one would believe your word against
mine, especially as it was my boat that was ruined?"

The tramp saw the logic of this remark and walked away. He was seen no
more in the village.

"Now I'll tackle father," thought Conrad.

He directed his steps homeward and informed the squire of what had
happened.

His father frowned and looked displeased.

"If you are no