Page:Frank Stockton - Rudder Grange.djvu/148

Rh Sweet-scented Balsam fir along this fence. I'll sell you three-year-old trees—"

"He's loose!" I shouted, as I dropped the chain.

In a second the agent was on the other side of the gate. Lord Edward made a dash towards him; but, stopping suddenly, flew back to the tree of the tramp.

"If you should conclude, sir," said the tree agent, looking over the fence, "to have a row of those firs along here—"

"My good sir," said I, "there is no row of firs there now, and the fence is not very high. My dog, as you see, is very much excited, and I cannot answer for the consequences if he takes it into his head to jump over."

The tree agent turned and walked slowly away.

"Now, look-a-here," cried the tramp from the tree, in the voice of a very ill-used person, "ain't you goin' to fasten up that dog and let me get down?"

I walked up close to the tree and addressed him. "No," said I, "I am not. When a man comes to my place, bullies a young girl who was about to relieve his hunger, and then boldly determines to enter my house and help himself to my property, I don't propose to fasten up any dog that may happen to be after him. If I had another dog, I'd let him loose and give this faithful beast a rest. You can do as you please. You can come down and have it out with the dog, or you can stay up there until I have had my dinner. Then I will drive down to the village and bring up the constable, and deliver you into his hands. We want no such fellows as you about."

With that, I unhooked the chain from Lord Edward and walked off to put up the horse. The man shouted after me, but I paid no attention. I did not feel in a good humour with him.