. David had never thought to
put Silas on his guard.

"I'll hold them things fur you, if you want to run back thar," said
Dan, reaching out his hand for the basket.

"No, I'll let it go until the next time I come down," answered David.
"A day or two will not make much difference."

"Whar did you get them ten dollars, any how?" asked Dan, as the two
once more turned their faces homeward.

"That's the money you tried to cheat me out of," replied his brother.
"Don says the loss was his and not mine."

"Did he give you ten dollars more?" exclaimed Dan.

"Not ten dollars more, for this is the first he has given me. You and
father got what I ought to have had."

"An' you never spent none on it, did you? I seen Silas shove it back
to you."

"Yes, I've got it safe in my pocket. I'm going to keep it, too."

"Wal, I'll bet a hoss you don't," was Dan's mental reflection. "I'd
oughter have some on it, an' if you don't give it to me without my
axin' you, I'll have it all. I'm the man of the house now, an' it's
the properest thing that I should have the handlin' of all the money
that comes in."

Of course Dan was much too smart to say this aloud. He knew that any
threats from him would put his brother on his guard, and then he
might whistle for the ten dollars. He said no more, and the two
walked along in silence until they came to General Gordon's barn.
Just as David was going into it, he met Lester Brigham riding out of
it. Lester scowled down at him, but David did not scowl back. He was
quite willing to forget that they had ever had any difficulty and to
be friendly with Lester, if the latter wanted him to be. It is
probable, however, that he would have had different feelings, if he
had known what it was that brought Lester over to Don's house.

David, as we have said, turned into the barn, and Dan, who had more
than his share of curiosity, would have given almost anything he
possessed to know what business he had there; but he could not go in
to see, for he dared not face Don and Bert after what he had done, so
he kept on toward home.

David deposited his basket and bundles on the steps that led to the
loft, and making his way around the north wing of the house, knocked
at the door, which was presently opened by Bert. David asked if Don
was in, and receiving an affirmative reply, was ushered into the
library, where his friend, wearied with his day's exercise, was
taking his ease on the sofa, which had been drawn u