, and immediately started to walk toward the spot where the cow
stood.

She had raised her head a little, and appeared to be observing his
coming with certain suspicious signs.

"Go slow, Fritz; she don't like your looks any too much!" warned Paul,
who had climbed to the top of the rail fence, the better to see what
happened.

Perhaps Fritz himself may have felt a little qualm just about that time,
for the actions of the cow were far from reassuring; but he was too
proud to show anything that seemed to savor of the "white feather"
before his chums, especially after making all the boasts he had.

And so he kept grimly on, even if his knees did begin to knock together
a little, when he actually saw the cow suddenly lower her head, and
throw up the dirt with those ugly looking short horns, to one of which
he had so recently declared he meant to secure the coin he would leave,
to pay for all the milk he expected to consume.

Paul had called out once or twice, words of warning. He also suggested
that it would be wise for the adventurous one to turn back; because, if
appearance went for anything the animal had a bad temper, and would be
apt to give him more or less trouble.

But that had no effect on Fritz, who, having embarked on the venture,
did not mean to back down until absolutely forced to do so.

And so the other five scouts, ranged along the fence, watched to see
what would happen. Perhaps their hearts were beating just a little
faster than ordinary; but if so, that was not a circumstance to the way
Fritz felt his throbbing like a trip hammer, even while he kept steadily
moving ahead.

He started to utter what he meant to be soothing words, as he approached
the gentle bovine. He had heard farmers talking to their cows when
starting to do the milking act, and thought it the proper caper. But
Bossy must have finally made up her mind that this trespasser had a
suspicious look, and meant to carry off the little calf that could now
be heard calling away off beyond a rise where a farm house and stable
evidently lay.

Suddenly she lowered her head, and started toward Fritz. Frenzied shouts
arose from those who were watching the proceedings from a safe distance.

"Run, Fritz! she's coming!" bawled one.

"Remember the fence over there, Fritz, and what I told you!" cried
Jotham.

Fritz did not take the trouble to reply. He could hardly have done so
even had he so desired, for just then he was most actively employ