"Hi! hi!" roared the farmer. "Git away! Drat the beasts! Now, Nat Nason, jest see what you've done!"

 

He struggled to his feet, and Nat at once became sober, for he realized that trouble was at hand.

 

"It's too bad, Uncle Abner——" began the youth.

 

"Too bad? I should say it was too bad!" cried the farmer. "An' all your fault, too!"

 

"I can't see how it was my fault. You told me to drive the cow up here."

 

"Don't tell me, Nat Nason! It's your fault. An' all that fresh milk gone to waste!" Abner Balberry gave a groan¹. "I don't know most what I'm a-goin' to do with you fer this."

 

"I can't see how it's my fault."

 

"You made the cows git frightened."

 

"No, I didn't."

 

"Don't tell me! Don't you know that milk is worth money?"

 

"Yes, but——"

 

"You scart thet cow out o' her wits," went on the farmer, his rage growing as he looked at the spilt milk. "Nat Nason, I tell you, you're a bad boy!"

 

To this the youth made no reply.

 

"I'm a-goin' to teach ye a lesson fer it!"

 

"Shall I milk Jule?"

 

"Yes, an' mind ye don't spill a drop nuther!"

 

Silently Nat went to work, and milked not only the new cow but also two of the others. By this time milking was over, and the lacteal fluid was carried to the spring-house to cool. Then the cows were allowed to wander down to the pasture for the night.

 

When Nat approached the kitchen again an appetizing odor of frying fish filled the air. The boy's uncle followed him.

 

"Supper is ready," said Mrs. Felton, cheerfully. "You had some trouble with the cows, didn't you?" she continued.

 

"It was Nat's fault," grumbled² Abner Balberry. "He made them run around an' upset everything. Nat, I said as how I was going to teach ye a lesson. You wash up an' go to bed at once."

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