The question came from the foot of the tree, and, much alarmed,
the four gazed below, to see Pop Lundy standing there, with a
stout whip in his hand.

"I say, how much longer be you a-goin' to stay there?" went on
the mean farmer, with a glare at them.

"Oh, how do you do, Mr. Lundy?" cried Snap, as cheerfully as he
could. "We were just rowing by and we thought we'd sample your
apples."

"Really neow, thet was kind, wasn't it?" said the farmer, sarcastically.
"Jest come deown and ye can sample this cowhide o' mine."

"Thanks, but I just as soon stay here," came softly from Giant.

"Fine work to be cotched at," went on Pop Lundy. "Stealin' a
poor man's fruit. Come deown an' I'll tan yer hide well fer ye!"

He was very angry and now he shook his cowhide whip at them.

At that instant, quite unintentionally, Shep let an apple core
drop from his hand. Pop Lundy was looking up when the core hit
him plumb in the left eye.

"Yeou villain!" he cried, dancing around. "Want fer to put my
eye eout, hey? Oh, wait till I git my hands on ye, I'll show
ye a thing or two!"