animals get hungry and thirsty, or they give
them just a little piece of cake--not enough to stay the hunger of a
tiny mouse. I licked up every crumb and wished as I did so that I had
a pocket in my side so I could take Mr. Noland something to eat.

"'Say, little dog, do you suppose you could carry a sandwich or two
back if I tied them on your back instead of around you neck? They
would be too heavy to tie around your neck,' said the storekeeper.

[Illustration]

"I barked and shook my head yes.

"'Well, I declare I believe this dog can almost talk, as well as
understand all that is said to him!'

"Then he made two big sandwiches, one of Swiss cheese and the other of
Bologna sausage, wrapped them in paper and tied them on my back with
string and the handkerchief in which I had brought the note. Then he
set a pan of nice cool water on the counter for me to drink. After
this he put me on the floor by the door, where he stood watching me
until I was out of sight.

"I can tell you Mr. Noland appreciated those sandwiches as much as I
did the luncheon he had given to me. And he said to the farmers who
were helping him, 'There is a good-hearted man and from now on I shall
buy all I can at his store. He deserves to be helped.' To which all
the farmers agreed and one and all said they traded with him
altogether as they had found he never cheated on his weights or gave
short measure.

"With the help of the farmers, the auto was soon up on the road and
hitched to the back of one of the farm wagons that was going our way.
Mr. Noland and I were in another wagon that was going the same way.

"In this manner we reached home just before dark. I tell you what;
give me an auto in preference to a horse! My back fairly ached from
trying to push those slow horses and it took hours to go over the road
we had traveled in minutes by automobile.

"I am pretty tired, so I guess I will bid you both good-by and go to
bed. Au revoir until to-morrow!"

"Not so fast!" said Button. "I am tired too, so I will turn in when
you do."

"I am not feeling any too spry myself," said Billy. "So if you two are
going to bed, I will also."

And presently the three Chums were fast asleep under the trees, living
over again in dreams their experiences of the day.

CHAPTER IX

THE CHUMS RUN AWAY

The next day when Billy, Stubby and Button were resting on the grass
on a side hill, Billy exclaimed in a petulant voice, "Say, fellows, I
am g