ce
now, because I'm first."

Apparently no one else was hankering after fresh milk just then; at
least none of the scouts gave any indication of meaning to accompany the
bold invader.

"If you're really intending to go over the fence and try the milk
supply," suggested Paul. "I'd advise you to leave that red neck scarf
that you're so proud of wearing, behind you, Fritz."

"Yes, that's so," broke in Seth, "cows, as well as bulls, don't fancy
anything red, I've been told. Better leave it with me, Fritz."

"Huh, think I ain't on to your little game, Seth Carpenter," declared
the other, making no move to take off the necktie in question, "don't I
know that you've always wanted that scarf? Ain't you tried to buy it off
me more'n a few times? Not much will I let you hold it. That tie stays
by me. If the poor old cow don't like it, she can do the next best
thing. Now, watch me get my fill, fellers. Milk is the staff of life,
more'n bread; and I always did like it fresh. Here goes."

He clambered up on the top of the fence, while all the other scouts
watched to see how the operation turned out.

"Take care, Fritz," warned Eben, solemnly, "she's got her eye on you,
all right, and she's stopped chewing her cud too. P'raps she may turn
out to be a hooker; you never can tell about cows. And chances are,
she's got a calf up in the barn. You see, a cow is always ugly when she
thinks they're agoin' to steal her calf away, like they did lots of
other times."

"Oh! rats!" sneered the valiant Fritz, drawing his staff over with him,
so as to get a purchase on the ground within the field, and ease his
intended jump.

"Listen, Fritz," added Jotham, "see that little enclosure just back of
where she stands? Looks like it might have been fenced off to protect
some fruit trees or something. Well, if I was in your boots now, and she
made a jump for me, I'd tumble over that same fence in a hurry. A cow's
got horns the same as a bull, and you'll be sorry if ever she tosses
you."

But Fritz had evidently made up his mind, and would not allow anything
to deter him. The more the other scouts threw out these hints the
stronger became his determination to carry his clever scheme to
completion. And when he said he was fond of fresh milk Fritz only told
the truth; though the chances were he would never have accepted such a
risk only for the badgering of Eben and Seth.

Using his long staff in a dexterous way he dropped lightly to the
ground