f the
structure. He scrambled to the top and gave his chum a hand. Then
on came the ram and hit the side of the frail building a resounding
whack with his head. Snap escaped by less than a foot; and then
both boys stood upright on the top of the shed wondering what they
had best do next.

CHAPTER III

A TRICK THAT FAILED

"We are in a pickle, Snap."

"It certainly looks like it, Shep."

"How long do you suppose that ram is going to keep us here?"

"I don't know---maybe you'd better ask him."

"I wouldn't feel quite so bad if I had on my, regular clothing
and my shoes. But with this thin outfit---"

"Here he comes again!" was the cry, and crash! the head of the
ram struck the shed once more, causing it to tremble greatly.

"I really think he's trying to knock the old thing down!" was
the comment of the doctor's son.

The boys tried to look across the river, but could not because of
a heavy clump of bushes growing between the shed and the water's edge.
They heard a distant cry and wondered what it meant.

"I believe that is Giant and Whopper calling," said Snap.

"More than likely they are tired of waiting for us. Maybe they
are dressing."

A few of the sheep had come up and were gazing curiously at the
boys and the ram. Then the ram commenced to walk around the shed,
viewing it speculatively from all sides.

"Looks like a warrior, doesn't he?" said Shep. "Wish I had a
brickbat to throw at him."

"Here's a short board!" cried Snap, and tore off a piece that was
partly loose. "I wish I could reach him with this."

"Wait, I'll coax him over," answered the doctor's son, and put down
a leg over the edge of the roof. At once the ram charged, and as
he did this Snap threw the board at him, hitting him in the side.
This so surprised the animal that he turned and ran away a distance
of several rods.

"Now is our chance! Come!" yelled Snap, and leaped from the roof
of the shed on the river side. His chum followed, and once again
the pair put for the stream with all speed. They kept out of
sight of the ram as much as possible and he did not see them until
they were almost at the water's edge. Before he could come up they
dove into the stream and swam out several yards.

"Say, that's what I call a narrow shave!" cried Shep, when he and
his chum realized that the danger was over. "I want nothing more
to do with that ram."

"It's a pity we lost the strawberries," returned Snap. "Howev