"I'll tell you what I'll give you if you don't!" cried Nat, angrily.

"What?"

"A good thrashing."

"You can't do it."

"Are you going to open the door?"

"No."

Fred had scarcely spoken when Nat pressed on the door, and the hook flew
from its fastening. As the door burst open, Nat leaped from the stairway
and caught the other boy by the collar.

"Now, then, that for locking me in," he cried, and boxed Fred's ears
soundly.

"Stop!" roared Fred. "Stop, Nat Nason."

"Will you behave yourself after this, and leave me alone?"

"Yes! yes!"

"Then, see that you do," went on Nat, and flung the other boy from him.
Fred picked himself up in a hurry, and ran below. He vowed he would get
square, but during Nat's stay at the farm he could not muster up courage
to do so.

CHAPTER XXV

BACK TO THE CITY

On the following day Nat arose at five o'clock, and put on an old suit
of clothes. Slipping downstairs he hurried to the barn, where he fed the
horses and then milked the cows. He was just finishing up when his uncle
appeared.

"Well, I never!" ejaculated Abner Balberry. "Right back into harness
ag'in, eh?"

"Yes, Uncle Abner; I thought I'd like a little taste of old times."

"You've done putty good to get through so quick, Nat. I wish Fred was
such good help."

"Doesn't he help at all?"

"Not unless you drive him all the time. His mother gits after him, an'
so do I, but it don't appear to do no good."

"He wants to go to the city and try his luck."

"Humph! He'd starve to death."

"Perhaps it might teach him a lesson."

"Well, he's got to do somethin' putty soon. I ain't goin' to support him
if he won't work."

For the balance of the day Nat helped his uncle around the farm. It was
rather hard work, but he did not complain, and Abner was greatly
pleased.

"Nat, if you git tired o' the city, you come back here," said his uncle,
on parting. "Remember, I'll make it right with you."

"I'll remember, Uncle Abner," responded Nat.

"Somehow, I guess I didn't use to understand you. You're a putty good
boy after all."

"It's kind to say so."

"An' it wasn't right fer me to say you sot the barn afire," added Abner,
earnestly.

"We'll let bygones be bygones," answered Nat, and then he shook hands
with his uncle.

When Nat started back for New York, his Uncle Abner drove him to the
railroad station at Brookville. Fred wanted to go for the ride, but his
mother told him he must stay at the