urn
into the woods at your right. You can't miss it, for you'll see their
tents and wagons. But take my advice, mister, and don't buy any horses
of the gypsies. You can't trust 'em."

"I'm not going to buy any horses," said Mr. Brown with a smile. "We're
only going to try to get back this little boy's pony which we think the
gypsies may have taken."

"Oh, that's different. Well, I wish you luck!"

"Did you see my pony?" asked Bunny. "He was awful nice, and he could do
tricks!"

"No, little man, I'm sorry to say I haven't seen your pony," answered
the farmer of whom Mr. Brown inquired the way. "I haven't been to the
gypsy camp, but a friend of mine bought a horse and it was no good. I
don't like gypsies."

"Well, perhaps some of them are good," suggested Mr. Brown. "Did you
happen to see, among them, one tall, dark man, who wears a red
handkerchief around his neck, has gold rings in his ears and when he
smiles he shows his white teeth."

"A lot of the men are like that, and some of the women," said the
farmer.

"Is that so?" asked Mr. Brown. "I hoped you might know this particular
man. He called himself Jaki Kezar, and he wanted to buy our pony."

"Only I wouldn't sell Toby to him," put in Bunny.

"And so," went on Mr. Brown, "we think this man may have come to our
stable in the night and taken away the children's pet."

"Well, that's too bad," said the farmer. "I hope you get the pony back.
Just go on for about a mile, and then turn into the woods. You can't
miss the place, but you'll find it terribly muddy and wet."

"Well, we're ready for that sort of thing," said Mr. Brown with a smile
from under his yellow hat.

Bunny's father took hold of his little boy's hand on one side, and
Bunker Blue on the other, and together the three plodded along through
the storm, the mud, and the rain.

It was rather hard walking for little Bunny Brown, but he was a brave,
sturdy chap, and he was not going to complain or find fault, especially
after he had begged to be taken. But his legs did get tired, for the
rubber boots were heavy, and, at last, with a sigh, he said:

"I'm glad we didn't bring Sue along."

"Why?" asked Mr. Brown, with a smile at Bunker Blue.

"Because she'd get awful tired, and she'd have to be carried," said
Bunny. "I guess you or Bunker would have to carry Sue, if she was with
us, Daddy."

"Maybe we would," said Mr. Brown with another smile. "Maybe you would
like to be carried yourself, Bunny