the large packs. Once undone no one would help him lash them together
again, so grumbling and growling, the fat boy tugged with the ropes
until he had taken a secure hitch about each of the three packages.
They made him tie the three before they would allow him to eat the
biscuit and cold bacon that he had got out.

While Stacy was munching his cold lunch the others were lashing the
packs to the lazy ponies and preparing to start again, every one being
anxious to reach the mountains before night fell. But the fat boy was
surly as well as sleepy. He felt aggrieved. That his companions
should sit down to a meal, leaving him asleep on his pony, filled Stacy
with resentment and a deep-rooted determination to be even with them.
He was already planning how he could repay his companions in their
own coin.

"Better not try it," suggested Tad carelessly as he passed the fat boy
on his way to get his pony.

"Try what?"

"To get even," answered Tad laughingly.

"How do you know that I was thinking of such a thing?"

"Perhaps I read your mind."

"Humph! You better learn to read your own before you go prying into mine.
I'll show you what I'm going to do."

"Cinch up," interrupted the voice of Professor Zepplin. "We have no