"Who owns the orchard?" questioned Whopper.

"Pop Lundy," answered Snap. "The meanest farmer in this district."

"Then he won't give us any apples," declared Whopper.

"We'll have to make an appropriation," said Giant, coolly. "He
owes me some, anyway. I once did an errand for him in town and
he hardly gave me a thank you for it."

"If he catches us he will make it warm."

"We'll keep our eyes peeled."

After a few words more the rowboat was run up under some bushes
and all leaped ashore. They made their way through the bushes
into the orchard proper and then hurried for the tree that seemed
to be bearing the best of the fruit.

"These apples are certainly all right," remarked Shep, biting
into one which was extra juicy. "We may as well take all we can
carry of them."

It was no easy task to get at the apples, which were rather high
up, and one after another the boys got up into the lower branches
and then mounted higher. Here they stuffed their pockets until
it was impossible to carry another one.

"Well, boys, how much longer be you a-goin' to stay up there, hey?"