grammar school boy. "If he tries it on, all we've got to do is
to ask him, 'How's horse flesh, Rip?'"

In spite of himself Dick could not help laughing at the thought
of the mortification of the lawyer's son when he should be teased
on so tender a point. Then Dick asked:

"Mart, is your uncle at his stand now?"

"I reckon he is," nodded Heckler.

"Let's go over there and see him."

"You're going to try to take the ride with us, then?" asked Mart.

"I think so."

"Bully!" glowed Mart, who, like most of the younger boys of Gridley,
was a great admirer of the leader of Dick & Co.

Billy Heckler, a man of thirty, was, indeed, to be found at his
stand.

"Dick wants to go up to Lake Pleasant with us on Monday," Mart
began, but Dick quickly added:

"I understand, Mr. Heckler, that you're going up to the lake without
a load."

"Yes," nodded the truckman.