im on the roof of the hen-house; but
he must be caught, and the three boys started after him, fully aware of
the difficult task before them.

To Mr. Stubbs's brother this flight and pursuit was simply the wildest
kind of a frolic, and he fairly screamed with delight as he leaped from
one tree to another, sometimes allowing them almost to touch him, and
then starting off at full speed until nearly out of sight.

For an hour this tantalizing work was continued, and the pursuers were
nearly exhausted. Half the time they had been running at full speed, and
the only chance for rest had been when they were trying to creep upon
Mr. Stubbs's brother unawares, which was just about no rest at all.

Leander, who was naturally a very slow-moving boy, and quite fleshy, was
more quickly tired than the others. When, for at least the twentieth
time, they thought they had the monkey within their grasp, and he darted
to the top of one of the tallest trees, Leander declared he could not
take another step, even though the life of the monkey and the success of
the circus depended upon it.

Of course, it was not to be thought of that they should leave their band
there exhausted and alone, so Toby decided they should rest as long as
Mr. Stubbs's brother remained in the tree, and it was determined to
occupy the time by eating the luncheon Aunt Olive had prepared.

During the last ten minutes of the chase, Leander's face had worn a very
gloomy expression; but it lighted wonderfully when the package of food
was opened, and Toby helped him to a very generous slice of bread and
meat.

Nor was Leander the only one who looked with favor upon the food. Mr.
Stubbs's brother had been a close observer of all that was going on at
the foot of the tree in which he had taken refuge, and he showed every
disposition to make one of the eating party.

Seeing his evident hunger, Toby was sure it would be possible to capture
the monkey by means of the food, and he walked around the trunk of the
tree, holding a piece of ginger-bread temptingly in his fingers.

The monkey came down from branch to branch, as if he had decided to
allow himself to be made a prisoner for the sake of the food; but, just
as Toby was about to seize him, he jumped back with a cry that sounded
much as if he were laughing because of the disappointment he had caused.

Then Joe tried his skill at monkey-catching, coming about as near
success as Toby had done; and Leander was roused to