kens, took leave of his friends, and rode home in
triumph.

CHAPTER XXVII.

VINNIE IN THE LION'S DEN.

When Link the next morning went to the spring for water he found that
the Peakslow boys (it could have been nobody else) had, by a dastardly
trick, taken revenge for the defeat of the day before.

Link came limping back (his ankle was still sore) with an empty pail,
and loud complaints of the enemy.

"They've been and gone and filled the spring with earth and leaves and
sticks, and all sorts of rubbish! It will take an hour to dig it out,
and then all day for the water to settle and be fit to drink."

"Those dreadful Peakslow boys! what _shall_ we do?" Caroline said
despairingly. "No water for breakfast, and no near neighbors but the
Peakslows; but their well is the last place where we should think of
going for water."

"I'll tell you what _I_'ll do!" said Link. "I'll go to-night and give
'em such a dose in their well, that they won't want any water from it
for the next two months! I know where there's a dead rabbit. The
Peakslows don't get the start of us!"

"I don't see but that one of the boys will have to go to Mr. Wiggett's
for water," said poor Caroline, bemoaning her troubles.

"Rufe and Wad are doing the chores," said Link, "and I'm lame. Besides,
you don't catch one of us going to old Wiggett's for water, for we
should have to pass Peakslow's house, and it would please 'em too well."

"Let me take the pail; I will get some water," said Vinnie.

"Why, Lavinia dear!" Caroline exclaimed, "what are you thinking of?
Where are you going?"

"To Mr. Peakslow's," Vinnie answered with a smile.

"Going into the lion's den! Don't think of such a thing, Lavinia dear!"

"No, by sixty!" cried Link. "I don't want them boys to sass you! I'd
rather go a mile in the other direction for water,--bother the lame
foot!"

But Vinnie quietly persisted, saying it would do no harm for her to try;
and putting on her bonnet, she started off with the empty pail.

I cannot say that she felt no misgivings; but the consciousness of doing
a simple and blameless act helped to quiet the beating of her heart as
she approached the Peakslow door.

It was open, and she could see the family at breakfast within, while the
loud talking prevented her footsteps from being heard.

Besides Dud and Zeph, there were three or four younger children, girls
and boys, the youngest of whom--a child with bandaged hands and
arms--sat i