rail fence not far away.

"What is it, Jane?" they heard the farmer cry, as he dashed into
the house.

There was no reply, and coming to the door, the four boys saw
that the farmer's wife lay back in a kitchen chair in a dead faint.

"Sumbuddy hez killed her, I guess!" moaned Simon Lundy. "Oh,
where is the villain?"

"She isn't dead, only fainted," answered Shep, who had assisted
his father on more than one occasion. "Got some smelling salts
in the house?"

"I dunno. Ye kin look in the closets."

Shep and the others did so, and soon the son of the physician
found something that was beneficial. Yet it was several minutes
before the lady of the farm came to her senses and opened her
eyes.

"Where is he?" she murmured. "Take him away! Take him away!"

"Who are ye a-talkin' about, Jane?" demanded the husband.

"Thet---he---oh, Simon, is it you? Why didn't you come before?"

"Couldn't---cos I had these young whelps up an apple tree. But
wot is it all about anyhow?"