and the boys picked their way carefully along, for they had no
desire to hurt their bare feet. Reaching the patch, they began
a hunt and soon discovered a corner where the berries were thick
and sweet.

"Say, this is prime!" observed the doctor's son, smacking his lips.
"This would suit Giant and Whopper to a T!"

"Wonder if we can carry any over to them, Shep?"

"I don't see why not. A little water won't hurt them. In fact
they ought to be washed, they are that full of sand."

"Who owns this patch?"

"Old Tom Ashenbury."

"Well, we had better keep out of his sight, or he'll be after us with
his gun. Don't you remember how he chased us once, when we were
walking through his peach orchard?"

"Indeed I do. But we are doing little harm here. In a few days
all these berries will be rotten. I guess he has given up picking
them."

In moving around the boys had found a couple of old berry baskets,
and these they now proceeded to fill. The task was about half
completed when Snap suddenly straightened up.

"What was that?" he asked.