lock an' chain."

"I can get the lock and chain off 'm Sarah Jane's cabin."

"Yo' mama don't 'low you to go to her cabin," said Billy.

"My mama don't care if I just borra a lock and chain; so I 'm going to
get it."

"I'm going to be the perlice of the gang," said Frances.

"Perlice nothing. You all time talking 'bout you going to be the
perlice," scoffed Jimmy. "I'm going to be the perlice myself."

"No, you are not," interposed Lina, firmly. "Billy and I are the tallest
and we are going to be the guards, and you and Frances must be the
prisoners."

"Well, I ain't going to play 'thout I can be the boss of the niggers.
It's Sarah Jane's chain and she's my mama's cook, and I'm going to be
what I please."

"I'll tell you what do," was Billy's suggestion, "we'll take it turn
about; me an' Lina'll firs' be the perlice an' y' all be the chain-gang,
an' then we'll be the niggers an' y' all be the bosses."

This arrangement was satisfactory, so the younger boy climbed the fence
and soon returned with a short chain and padlock.

Billy chained Jimmy and Frances together by two round, fat ankles and
put the key to the lock in his pocket.

"We must decide what crimes they have committed," said Lina.

"Frances done got 'rested fer shootin' craps an' Jimmy done got 'rested
fer 'sturbin' public worship," said the other boss.

"Naw, I ain't neither," objected the male member of the chain-gang, "I
done cut my woman with a razor 'cause I see her racking down the street
like a proud coon with another gent, like what Sarah Jane's brother
telled me he done at the picnic."

The children played happily together for half an hour, Billy and Lina
commanding, and the prisoners, entering thoroughly into the spirit
of the game, according prompt obedience to their bosses. At last the
captives wearied of their role and clamored for an exchange of parts.

"All right," agreed Lina. "Get the key, Billy, and we'll be the
chain-gang."

Billy put his right hand in his pocket but found no key there; he tried
the other pocket with the same success; he felt in his blouse, he looked
in his cap, he jumped up and down, he nearly shook himself to pieces all
without avail; the key had disappeared as if by magic.

"I berlieve y' all done los' that key," concluded he.

"Maybe it dropped on the ground," said Frances.

They searched the yard over, but the key was not to be found.

"Well, if that ain't just like you, Billy," cried Jimmy, "you a