arn. He might have a worse place,
though, and perhaps he may before he is through."

Douglas was tired and slept soundly. The night was warm, and his coat
was all the covering he needed. It seemed to him that he had been
sleeping but a short time when he was awakened by a strange and yet
familiar noise. Opening his eyes, he could not for a moment imagine
where he was. Before him, and just outside the door, a herd of cattle
was trooping past. They were much startled to see a man lying in the
barn, and several of them had given vent to coarse bellows as they
stood staring in upon him. Presently he heard a man's voice shouting
to the cattle to "git along out of that. What's the matter with ye,
anyway?" Then a stick was hurled at them, which caused them to scamper
away. Soon the man appeared, and when he saw what had caused the
commotion among the cattle, he, too, stood and stared in amazement for
a few seconds. Then he took several steps forward, and held up the
stout stick he was carrying in his hand.

"Hi, what are ye doin' there?" he demanded.

"Haven't you eyes to see for yourself?" Douglas asked in reply.

"But don't ye know that this is private property?"

"That's just the reason I'm here. It's so very private that it suits
me fine."

"You have no business sleepin' in this barn."

"I'm not sleeping. I am as wide awake as you are. Do you own this
place?"

"No, but I have charge of it. It's Church property, and as I live jist
across the road I have been asked to keep an eye over it an' put all
intruders off."

Douglas liked the appearance of this fellow, notwithstanding his
pugnacious manner. He had an honest face, and bright blue eyes, in
whose depths lurked a merry twinkle. He took it for granted that this
was Jake Jukes who wanted a farm hand.

"Come and put me off, then," Douglas quietly remarked, as he rose
slowly to his feet. "I am anxious for a little excitement. It will
give me an appetite for my breakfast."

"Where are you goin' to git it?" the farmer asked.

"At your place."

"At my place!"

"Certainly. You are Jake Jukes, are you not? You want a man to help
with your haying, and I am going to stay."

"Great punkins! How d'ye know who I am?" and Jake looked his
astonishment.

"Oh, never mind that. Do you want me? That is more important."

"Well, I do need help very bad, but I must know what wages ye want
before I hire ye. I can't make an offer until I find out w