"Twenty-five cents a pound," explained the clerk, groping for his
bearings.

"They might do," Hopalong muttered, forcing the article mentioned into
his holster. "Why, they're quite hocus-pocus. You take the brother to
mine, Johnny."

"Feels good, but I dunno," his companion muttered. "Little wide at the
sharp end. Hey, got any loose shot?" he suddenly asked, whereat Hopalong
beamed and the clerk gasped. It didn't seem to matter whether they
bought bacon, cold chisels, wedges, or shot; yet they looked sober.

"Yes, sir; what size?"

"Three pounds of shot, I said!" Johnny rumbled in his throat. "Never
mind what size."

"We never care about size when we buy shot," Hopalong smiled. "But,
Johnny, wouldn't them little screws be better?" he asked, pointing
eagerly.

"Mebby; reckon we better get 'em mixed--half of each," Johnny gravely
replied. "Anyhow, there ain't much difference."

The clerk had been behind that counter for four years, and executing
and filling orders had become a habit with him; else he would have given
them six pounds of cold chisels and corkscrews, mixed. His mouth was
still open when he weighed out the screws.

"Mix 'em! Mix 'em!" roared Hopalong, and the stunned clerk complied, and