and all leaped ashore. They made their way through the bushes
into the orchard proper and then hurried for the tree that seemed
to be bearing the best of the fruit.

"These apples are certainly all right," remarked Shep, biting
into one which was extra juicy. "We may as well take all we can
carry of them."

It was no easy task to get at the apples, which were rather high
up, and one after another the boys got up into the lower branches
and then mounted higher. Here they stuffed their pockets until
it was impossible to carry another one.

"Well, boys, how much longer be you a-goin' to stay up there, hey?"

The question came from the foot of the tree, and, much alarmed,
the four gazed below, to see Pop Lundy standing there, with a
stout whip in his hand.

"I say, how much longer be you a-goin' to stay there?" went on
the mean farmer, with a glare at them.

"Oh, how do you do, Mr. Lundy?" cried Snap, as cheerfully as he
could. "We were just rowing by and we thought we'd sample your
apples."

"Really neow, thet was kind, wasn't it?" said the farmer, sarcastically.
"Jest come deown and ye can sample this cowhide o' mine."

"Thanks, but I just as soon stay here," came softly from Giant.

"Fine work to be cotched at," went on Pop Lundy. "Stealin' a
poor man's fruit. Come deown an' I'll tan yer hide well fer ye!"

He was very angry and now he shook his cowhide whip at them.

At that instant, quite unintentionally, Shep let an apple core
drop from his hand. Pop Lundy was looking up when the core hit
him plumb in the left eye.

"Yeou villain!" he cried, dancing around. "Want fer to put my
eye eout, hey? Oh, wait till I git my hands on ye, I'll show
ye a thing or two!"

"Mr. Lundy, supposing we agree to pay you for the apples?" questioned
Snap, after an awkward pause.

"How much?" demanded the farmer, cautiously. He was a good deal
of a miser and money was very dear to him.

"Oh, a fair price."

"Don't pay him a cent," whispered Giant. "Let us all drop and
run for it."

"If we do that he may report the matter at home and make trouble
that way," went on Snap. "He can't charge us only a few cents
for what we have taken."

"Will ye give me a dollar fer the apples?" asked Pop Lundy.

"A dollar!" ejaculated Whopper. "Humph! I can get a barrel of
these apples for a dollar!"

"No, yeou can't! I'm a-goin' to git six dollars fer 'em---they're
the best in these air parts. Make it a dollar an' I'