dy. "Plenty
more like that left! Hi! hold on there; what're you sneaking away for?
Not had your fill yet, have you, pup? I guess you've got a streak of
yellow in you! No prize dog about you. Well, good-bye then. Next
time I call I'll try and do better by you!"

The dog seemed half dazed by that last blow. Struggling to its feet it
began to run away, though hardly able to keep a direct course.

Frank arrived on the scene just too late to be of any assistance; but
then as it turned out, his cousin had not really needed help.

"Well done, Andy, old fellow!" he exclaimed, proudly, as he seized the
hand of his cousin, and shook it heartily. "I'm glad to own you as a
member of the Bird family. And you're dead game on dogs, that's sure."

"Oh! it was splendid!" exclaimed the girl and both boys now saw that
she was a very pretty little miss, with sparkling blue eyes, and golden
locks. "I shall never, never forget how brave you were. That terrible
dog would have bitten me, I just know. I was so silly to cross this
field to save time."

She insisted on shaking hands with each of the lads, though naturally
it was Andy who took the greater share of her attention.

Just then a loud hoarse voice broke in upon them. Looking up they were
surprised to see a big, rough looking man, evidently the farmer
himself, coming toward them. He carried a gun in his hands, and had
all the appearance of anger in his manner.

"Jest stand whar ye be, ye scamps!" he bellowed as he made threatening
gestures with the gun. "Don't ye try to run away, er I'll gie ye
somethin' ye'll never furgit. Maul my prize dawg, will ye, and on my
own private groun's? I got the law back o' me, and ye'll pay damages
er go to jail. Hear that, consarn ye?"

Of course neither of the boys thought of running. Why should they when
their precious aeroplane lay there close at hand? Evidently the
excited farmer had not yet noticed this; or if so may have taken it for
some new species of motorcycle. His entire attention seemed to be
wrapped up in keeping the boys from fleeing. He was figuring on taking
advantage of his rights, and exacting heavy toll for the assault on his
"dawg."

He came on until within ten feet of the boys. Andy still held that
useful monkey wrench in his left hand, having transferred it at the
time the girl insisted on his taking her little white hand in his.

The enraged and suspicious farmer must have just noticed this, for he