ll, it was a tidy one," said the captain, laughing. "There, come
back to the house. But no more black pets, boys. If you want to make
companions, try the horses."

"And perhaps they'd run away with one."

"Or throw us."

"Or kick us."

So cried the boys one after another, and the captain uttered a grunt.

"Look here," he said; "I'm not going to sit up and watch to-night, but
if those horses are driven off by that black scoundrel, I'll hunt him
down with a gun."

"Not you, Ned," said Uncle Jack, with a chuckle.

"Don't you believe him, boys."

"We don't, uncle," they chorused.

"Ah, well," said the captain, laughing; "we shall see."

CHAPTER TWENTY.

"WE SHALL HAVE TO TRUST HIM."

"Whatever is the matter with that cow?" cried Aunt Georgie, as they sat
at their evening meal the next day. "Why is she lowing like that? It's
my poor Jersey, and--goodness gracious, what is the matter with her
tail?"

"Tail!" shouted the captain, springing up as the cow came clumsily
cantering up, followed by all the rest of the cattle, who added their
lowing to the Jersey's mournful bellow. "Tail! Here, quick, Jack--
boys, the guns; the poor creature has been speared."

It was plain enough. Speared, and badly, for the weapon stood firmly
just in front of the poor animal's tail, in spite of the frantic gallop
in which she had sought for relief.

"I can't leave the poor beast like this, Jack," cried the captain.
"Cover me if you see any one stealing up. No; there is no need. I can
see it all plainly enough."

The cow did not run away from him as he went close up, and with a sharp
tug dragged out the clumsy weapon, tearing his handkerchief afterward to
plug the horrible wound.

"Will she get better, father?" asked Norman.

"I hope so, boy. I don't think the point can have reached any vital
part. But you see, don't you?"

"Only the wound, father. What do you mean?"

"I'm afraid this is your friend Shanter's bit of revenge for my blow."

"Oh no, father," cried Rifle, indignantly. "Poor old Tam o' Shanter
would not be such a brute."

The captain smiled, and shrugged his shoulders. "Here, let's get all
the beasts into the enclosure," he said. "We do not want any more to be
speared;" and sending two of the boys forward to open the rails, the cow
was gently driven in, the rest of the stock following patiently enough
to the very last.

"Well," said Uncle Jack, emphatically, "I don't think I'm a vicious