By the time the men had washed and dressed the rigs began
to arrive. These were quickly loaded with brushes, paste
cans and paper, all with scarcely a sound, the men speaking
in subdued tones by Phil's direction.

The darkness before the dawn was over everything.

At last all was in readiness.

Phil handed each man his route.

"Now, boys, it is up to you. I look to you to put the Greatest
out of business, for one day at least. You should be out of town
and on the first daub inside of thirty minutes. I will go with
you and pick up the breakfasts; then you will go it alone.
Don't leave a piece of board as big as a postage stamp uncovered.
Wherever you strike a farmer, make him sign a brief agreement not
to let anyone cover our paper. Pay him something in addition
to the tickets you give him. Here is an agreement that you can
copy from. Make your route as quickly as you can and do it well;
then hurry back here. I may need you."

"Hooray!" muttered Rosie the Pig.

"Hold your tongue!" commanded Billy, "Think this is a Fourth of
July celebration?"

"Go ahead!"

Phil hopped into one of the wagons, and off they started. It was