Part 23 (1/2)
His words were addressed to Jack, and they proved more strictly true than he intended; for just then Chokie, trying to get out of his stranded tub, tipped it over, and went out of it, upon his hands and knees, into the river By the tiround, the boys were all pretty good-natured
”How about those leeches, Link? Did you find any?” said Jack
”I'm too dizzy yet, to think about leeches,” replied Link ”I turned a soon so quick, I could see the patch on the seat of h to China,” said Wad, ”and expected, when I cae of the water, holding another tub for Rufe, if he should come too near
”Quit your nonsense now!” cried Rufe, ”and hand up that barrel”
”I'll quit if you will,--as the poultry-thief said when the old gobbler chased him 'Quit, quit!' says the turkey 'Quit your ownself!' says the thief And I',” said Wad
”Well! help on into shape,” said Rufe ”Then we'll fill our tubs and barrel without any on-boards were replaced and loaded without any further accident
The well-filled tubs were set one upon another, and Wad stood holding the placed the board seat over the barrel of water, sat upon it They found it a pretty sloppy ride; but they could laugh defiance at a little water now Chokie, it need hardly be said, did not ride in a tub of water, but walked between Jack and Rufe beside the oxen
CHAPTER XXI
PEAKSLOW SHOWS HIS HAND
”Hullo!” cried Link froon passed the potato-patch, ”there co the corner for home!”
Jack started with sudden excitement
”Can you see his team?”
”Yes; one of the horses looks like yours; and he has an extra horse led behind”
Jack ran up to the road to get a look, and ca back to the house, where the boys and their load of water had by that ti one of his own I aet my bridle, and call on him”
”You'll come back to dinner?” said Rufe
”Yes, if you'll havethe boys to astonish the family with their wet clothes, Jack, with the bridle on his ar Peakslow's yard, heout with his arlad to see you!”
”Same to yourself,” replied the old man ”Got my arms full o' this yer stuff, or I'd shake hands I've a lot on; but I thought I'd lug along suthin, or they wouldn't be glad to see ht about the horse?”