treed a squirrel, or he's diggin' out a woodchuck, or somethin'."

But, true to the laziness that had made them what they were, neither
took the trouble to go to see what the disturbance was about.

"So you think we can get away with that job all right?" asked one,
evidently resuming a talk that had been interrupted.

"Sure thing," said the other. "Why, it's a cinch. A blind man can do it.
I took a squint at the place this mornin', an' it's like taking candy
from a baby."

Fred strained his ears to listen.

But the men had dropped to a lower tone, and, try as he might, he could
only catch a word here and there. Once when the tall man raised his
voice a trifle, he heard the phrases "apple tree" and "side window." But
this did not give him any clear idea of what was meant, nor did the
shorter man's grunt of "dead easy" help him out.

He beckoned to his companions, and, one by one, they crept up to take a
look at the tramps. Teddy had just taken his turn, when they were
startled at hearing a gruff voice, which they knew only too well,
speaking to the dog.

"What in thunder's the matter with yer, Tige?"

A frantic outburst of barking was the response.

"It's Sam!" murmured Teddy.

"Now we're in for it!" exclaimed Bob, and his voice was shaky.

"Keep perfectly still," whispered Fred. "He can't get in through that
door, anyway. He'll have to come round to the other door, and the minute
he does, we'll take down the bar from this one and bolt for the fence."

"Sumthin' doin', eh!" exclaimed the farmer, as he tried the door. "I
might have known that dog wouldn't have brought me over here fur
nuthin'. Come along, Tige," and the boys heard him running along the
side of the barn to the other door.

The tramps too had heard the farmer, and sprang to their feet, confused
and panic-stricken. Another instant, and the door flew open, and Sam
Perkins rushed in, with Tiger at his heels.

Coming from the bright sunlight into the twilight of the barn, the
farmer peered around, not seeing clearly for a moment. But the tramps
saw him plainly enough, as they saw also the pitchfork in his hand, and
they made a rush past him for the open air. Taken by surprise, Sam was
almost upset, and they took full advantage of the chance. A howl of pain
showed that Tige had nipped the taller one, but he shook the dog off and
ran after his companion, who was making a desperate effort to break the
record for speed.

Pulling himself together w