th which to
overcome the dangers which might beset them on the way.

Fritz brought forward his rusty knife; Paul had found an old pistol of
the time of the first Napoleon, in which lay no danger because it would
not shoot; and Franz had an old cutlass which hung by a cord at his
side. They praised each other's weapons, but Fritz and Paul could not
help envying the owner of the cutlass.

"Listen," said Fritz. "We need not always carry our own weapons upon the
journey, we can exchange when we feel like it."

Paul agreed heartily to this, but Franz was silent; he did not wish any
one to have a share in his new possession.

"I know what I can do," exclaimed Fritz. "Just wait a minute," and he
ran home, returning with a leather belt and a cord, and soon his knife
was hanging by his side.

"Why can't I wear my pistol in my belt like the men do in pictures?"
questioned Paul. "I will run home and get mine."

This was brought, and the three warriors were equipped to their hearty
satisfaction, for they had already provided their straw hats with plumes
from the cast-off tail feathers of roosters in their respective poultry
yards.

They decided to have beside other needed things in each knapsack a
drinking cup that they might slake their thirst along the way from cool
springs, or clear running water, or a convenient well or pump.

Franz had a silver watch which all agreed would be very useful. Paul had
a box of tapers which he considered equal to a wonder-lamp in a fairy
tale, and Fritz had a small compass, so correct in its bearings that if
they trusted to it there was not the least danger of losing their way.

"Oh," he continued jubilantly, "let us run and get our knapsacks and
hang them across our shoulders and go to the photographer and ask what
he will charge to take our pictures."

"Agreed!" cried the others gleefully, and they were about to go when
they heard the sound of hearty laughter, and turning, they saw the
father of Franz.

"Wait, boys," he said, "there is danger of being arrested on the way.
Don't you know that it is against the law to carry weapons?"

"But, father, people do carry them."

"Yes, but they take good care to keep them hidden."

"We could keep ours hidden."

"But where? Could Paul hide his pistol in his hat, and could Franz put
the cutlass in his vest pocket as if it were a tooth-pick? Oh no, boys,
lay aside the old weapons and travel along the public road as peaceable
citizens with n