taking them to market.

"Whose black fiend of a dog is that, running loose about a freight car?"
she exclaimed angrily.

"It is mine, good lady," said Fritz soothingly. "I did not wish him to
frighten your chickens."

"How do I know that you did not set him on them while I was asleep? If
he has hurt them, you will pay well for them."

"See, here is the cord that I hold him with," said the boy, taking it
from his knapsack. "I will tie it to his collar, and he will not go near
your chickens again."

But all that he could say was but oil to the fire, and Fritz found that
the wiser plan for him was to keep silent; while Pixy, understanding
that the storm of words had something to do with him, crept behind the
box on which his master sat and looked up at him with a very penitent
air.

The seats the boys had taken did not prove permanent, for at every
station some of the freight must be taken out, and some brought in, but
they enjoyed the trip, for the old woman and her chickens left the car
at one of the stations, and they had the place to themselves.

"Is this Frankfort?" they asked at every station.

"No," the guard replied, "and I expect you to ask at every stopping
place until we really reach Frankfort, and then you will not ask."