with one of his odd, swift movements. He shoved Old Crabtree back
without ceremony and bending swiftly to the spot where the angry
farmer had been standing he picked up and pocketed a small rock.

"Wa'al land o' Goshen," gasped out the farmer, bewildered. "What in
ther name of time is this?"

"A splendid specimen of gneiss," explained the professor triumphantly,
"and now, Mr.--er--you were saying?"

"That I wants ter be paid fer ther damage ter my fence."

"How much do you want?" asked Jack, coming to the rescue.

"Reckon a dollar'll be about right."

"If you will let me lend it to you till we reach your home, I'll be
very glad to pay him," said Jack aside to the professor.

"But, my dear young friend, there is no necessity. He has ample
security till I can send him a check. Why, that bag of specimens is
worth fifty dollars at least."

"Them old rocks," sniffed the farmer, who had overheard this last
remark, "I wouldn't give yer ten cents fer a cartload uv 'em. They're
too small fer fences an' too big to throw at cows."

"You'd better let me pay him," said Jack, and the professor finally
consented to this arrangement.