Woodchuck youngster."

So she did, that very evening. When Spot came to drive the cows home she
told him that there was a young son of Mrs. Woodchuck who spent most of
his time in the clover-patch. "I know you'll be interested to hear the
news," she said.

Old Spot shook his head.

"It's no use," he growled. "I've known for weeks what was going on in
that field of clover. It's full of Woodchucks. But I never can catch
them. They always have a sentinel--a watcher--who whistles if I try to
surprise them."

"But I don't want you to _catch_ them," the Muley Cow explained. "I only
want you to _scare_ them. And most of all, I want you to frighten that
young Billy Woodchuck. He's the greediest of the lot."

"I could chase them home a dozen times a day and they'd always come back
again," said old Spot with a sigh.

The Muley Cow saw that she could expect little help from him. And it
made her feel a bit peevish.

"We need a good, young dog on this farm," she declared. "One that's not
old and fat and lazy!"

Now, Spot knew better than to argue with the Muley Cow. But he couldn't
help saying to her, "Let's see! You and I are just the same age, aren't
we?"

And for once the Muley Cow wished she had horns to prick somebody with.

XVIII

ONE APPLE TOO MANY

It was a long time since the Muley Cow had jumped the pasture fence. By
making her wear a poke for a while Farmer Green had taught her to behave
herself. But there came a day, finally, when she made up her mind that
just one more jump wouldn't do any great harm.

There had been a strong wind during the night, which had whipped a good
many red apples off the trees. It was when the Muley Cow smelled them
that she decided that she would jump the fence. She wanted to get into
the orchard before anybody could pick up the apples and take them to
the cider mill. So over the fence went the Muley Cow.

She had a pleasant time eating apples--until something happened to put
an end to her feast. Something kept the Muley Cow from swallowing
another mouthful.

* * * * *

It was lucky that Johnnie Green felt hungry. He went to the orchard
himself to fill his pockets with apples, when he saw the Muley Cow--his
own Muley Cow--acting in the strangest manner. She was staggering about
among the trees and making the queerest sounds.

Johnnie Green ran quickly to the barn and called to his father. "There's
something wrong with the Muley Cow