at my heels I turned and fired the second dreener. And, by Judas, I
missed him!

"Well, principle's all right, but there's times when even the best of
us has to hedge. I simply couldn't reach the farther fence, so I made
a quick jibe and put for the one behind me. And I couldn't make that,
either. Prince was taking mouthfuls of my overalls for appetizers. There
was a little pine-tree in the lot, and I give one jump and landed in the
middle of it. I went up the rest of the way like I'd forgot something,
and then I clung onto the top of that tree and panted and swung round
in circles, while the dog hopped up and down on his hind legs and fairly
sobbed with disapp'intment.

"Allie was rolling on the grass. 'Oh, DEAR me!' says he, between spasms.
'That was the funniest thing I ever saw.'

"I'd seen lots funnier things myself, but 'twa'n't worth while to argue.
Besides, I was busy hanging onto that tree. 'Twas an awful little pine
and the bendiest one I ever climbed. Allie rolled around a while longer,
and then he gets up and comes over.

"'Well, Reuben,' says he, lookin' up at me on the roost, 'you're a good
deal handsomer up there than you are on the ground. I guess I'll let you
stay there for a while as a lesson to you. Watch him, Prince.' And off
he walks.

"'You everlasting clothes-pole,' I yells after him, 'if it wa'n't for
that dog of yours I'd--'

"He turns around kind of lazy and says he: 'Oh, you've got no kick