b cut the strings
from Sweetclover and himself.

"Now is our time!" shouted he to Sweetclover and the Villain, who were
standing close by, and the Villain, catching Sweetclover by the hand,
ran away with her.

Holding the Showman at a distance, Kernel Cob backed his way off the
stage, joined the Villain and Sweetclover and all three ran out into
the street at the top of their speed, but the Showman was much faster
and was close on their heels when they came to a corner.

"Straight ahead!" shouted Kernel Cob while he turned and ran up the
other street. This puzzled the Showman just what Kernel Cob wanted,
and while he stood, wondering which one of them to follow, they gained
on him.

Feeling angrier with Kernel Cob than with the Villain and Sweetclover,
he made after him, but Kernel Cob had a good start this time and had
turned another corner, and seeing an open doorway, leaped in and was
well-hidden by the time the Showman came puffing by.

For a long time the Showman searched, but never thought of the door
behind which Kernel Cob was hiding and finally gave up the search and
went back.

After Kernel Cob had given him plenty of time to get away, he came out
cautiously and with great courage went back the way he had come,
anxious to find Sweetclover and the Villain.

When he came to the corner where Sweetclover and the Villain had gone
straight ahead, he followed on after them, but could find no trace of
them. Night was coming on and still he walked and being very tired
with all his running, he sat down on the roadside, for he was now out
in the country. And the moon came out and he watched it and thought of
the many adventures he had been in since Sweetclover and he were up
there and a great longing came into his heart to see her and if he had
not been a soldier, I am sure he would have cried, but he didn't.
Instead, he got upon his feet and looked about for some place where he
could spend the night.

This he soon found, for close at hand was a field in which some hay
had been stacked, and, careful not to arouse the dog, he crept under
one of the haystacks and soon was fast asleep.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER IX

The Villain and Sweetclover ran on and on till their legs would carry
them no farther and, being entirely out of breath, they came to a halt
at last. They were far out beyond the City, and, if they had not been
worried about Kernel Cob, they would have enjoyed the lovely fi