by him, I don't
care how much it costs. I'm scoutmaster, and he's patrol leader of the
Hillcrest troop, and if ye think ye kin do him a mean trick, then ye're
mighty much mistaken."

"But look here," McDuff angrily replied. "You seem to be making a big
fuss over nothing. And, besides, you've charged me with cheating that
boy, and I'll make you take back your words. Two can play at this
game."

"No doubt they kin," the captain reflectively answered as he moved
toward the door. "But look, Peter McDuff, it makes a great difference
who's in the right, and who kin back up his statements. It's no use
fer us to argue any longer. Come on, Rod."

"Wait a minute," the storekeeper called out, when he saw that the
captain meant business, "maybe we can arrange this affair without going
to law. I'm willing to come to some reasonable terms. What will you
take to settle? Split the difference, eh?"

"No. Not one cent less than what's comin' to the boy. That or
nothin'. I'll give ye five minutes to think it over," and the captain,
coming back into the store, seated himself upon a barrel of flour.

McDuff was angry, there was no doubt about that. Customers who came
into the store, and were waited upon by the clerk, were astonished at
the conversation which was going on between the two men. But McDuff
paid no heed to them. He wanted to get clear of this troublesome
countryman. He little realised that a few boxes of berries less would
cause such a fuss. He had done the same thing before, and had bluffed
out of paying. But now it was different. He stood in the centre of
the floor for a few seconds, frowning, and longing to express himself
in violent words. Presently he turned and went again into his office.
When he came out he handed the captain a new account.

"There, will that suit you?" he demanded. "Rather than have you say
that I cheated the boy, I am willing to pay him for more berries than
he ever sent me, and to give a higher price than they were bringing at
the time."

Captain Josh took the account and studied it carefully.

"That looks better," he remarked. "Eight dollars in all, and with the
freight deducted leaves just seven dollars. Yes, that will do, I
guess. Now fer the money."

When several crisp bills had been handed over, and the account
receipted, Captain Josh turned to the storekeeper.

"Jist a word before we go, Peter McDuff," he began. "It is well fer
you that ye've settled up thi