Evening star., 1903-09-05
FOUR LITTLE INDIAN S
Or, How Carroll "0ot Even"
Ely ELLA. MARY COATES.
Copyright. 1902, by Henry T. Coates Co,
CHAPTER XIII.

ls tnlS Where we are3' exclaimed Peggy
in amazement, as she also recognized the
surroundings.
"IIushw cautioned Bob. Don't let him
hear you. We can sneak around through
the bushes. guess, and cut across the
fields home"
just then the old man threw down his ak
with disguised grunt He stopped pain
fully and took up the few little sticks he
had cut, and hobbled with them into the
house.
Lets walt and see what he does" whis-
pered Peggy, with curiosity. She had re-
garded Dave as q very mysterious person
age and had felt as II she was in the midst
Of a romance ever since she came to Uncle
Johns. CAROLS and Bob's account Of the
accident at the walnut tree had seemed to
her most thrilling. It appealed to nor sense
of tho dramatic. Ever since then Dawes
simplest actions had been invested with an
air Of dignity and mystery that made her
half afraid OF him.
What she expected to see while she and
Bob fingered in the shadow Of the woods
she hardly knew, but 1t was sure to be in
teresting whatever 1t was.
What Dave did do was to deposit the
wood on the kitchen floor near. the stove
and then come out OF the house. clambsr
slowly, with many exclamations OF pain.
into his old carriage. make a queer sort Of
sound to his horse, slap the reins on It's
back to wake 1t up. and drive out OF the
little yard and down the road.
But Peggy watched every movement with
eager eyes and bated breath.
"Did you see his wig?" she whispered to
Bob, as the old man had his foot on the
hadl"
II wonder why he has twoY' said Bob in
a low tone.
When the rickety old equipage was out Of
sight Bob walked up to where tho old mans
az wNa lying on the ground.
why, that isn't heavyt' he exclaimed.
picking It up and weighing 1t in his hand.
II don't see why he couldn't chop better
than he did could do 1t better than
that"
brought i. down with a great thud on the
chopping block.
Look out there. Peggy!'' he cried. a. ne
stepped back for another blow. Il might
hit you
"Oh, well. OF course. you can chop better
than h4 can: he's an old man. and he's got
stir back. guess." replied Peggy, skip
ping back we'll out OF reach OF Bob's sner-
getic blows.
II there was one form Of work that Bob
actually liked II was ohopplng wood. He
did 1t at home. and kept the cellar supplied
with q neat pile at the rate OF cents .
wheelbarrowful. And he was quite willing
to show Peggy just what he could do in
that direction.
He struck one furious blow after another
In quick succession, splitting piece after
piece Oh WOOO, untla L00 p0CSnlTa auOu GtOOQ
out on his forehead in huge drops, and he
had to stop for moment to wipe them
away.
Peggy had watched with admiration from
a safe distance. Now she came up.
LET me try" she said. putting out her
hand toward the ak.
Bob changed 1t to his other band so that
1t was out of her reach.
mo. you couldn't" he said. ''Giras can't
chop wood"
but let me try" pleaded Peggy, ut
Bob was not proof against tho fiattsry,
Peggy became tired, but she managed to
CHOP two small sticks in half, SO she did
not feel entirely vanquished. While she
was resting and envying Bob's clean-cat
strokes an idea came to her.
'rn tell you what, Bobr' she cried.
jumping up from the bench beside the door
on which she had been sitting. "Let's cut
up all his wood for him, and make aim
think the brownies did itt'
Bob paused moment. and cast doubtful
glance at her over his shoulder.
What for2'
''oh. Just to puzzle him little Come
on; l think 1t would be lots OF fun" Peggy
urged enthusiastically.
''But there aren't any such things az
brownies" replied the matter-of-fact Bob,
slowly.
"Oh. well-hrown Indiansr' laughed Psg-
gy, irrepressibly. TT doesn't matter, a
long as we fool him. should think you'd
be glad OF chance to bother him q little"
''Woli, I don't know Bob meditated,
way.
''oh. pshaxi Nonsense! Give me- the az
and let me have another whack at It !
can't cut very fast. but can do SOME"
meddle with Dawes woodpne7'' queried
Bob, doubtfully.
Peggy burst into ringing laugh.
why, you eooser' she cried We've
haan o1r 1xyf 49,
mite more II we go on and cut all his wood
for him: And. besides. he'll probably be
glad of it."
''That's sor' exclaimed Bob, with q COM
ical look. Il forgot that when began"
Peggy laughed again, and went on chop
ping furiously. making great deal OF noise
and chips. but not many cut sticks.
"All right. go ahead" Bob said suddenly,
minutes. 1t might be mischief they were
getting Into, but II so 1t was different
kind from their other misdemeanors, be-
cause the results OF this were to do good to
little amusement out Of it, why 30 much
the better. So when Peggy's arms were
tired Bob took hold with a will.
By taking turns at the AK Dave's small
supply OF sticks was soon reduced TO the
proper size. Then the children carried the
armfuls to the porch and piled the wood In
a neat pile there.
Wont old Davs be surprised when he
=
back Admfringly to take look at the pile
when she had deposited the last load
All this time the children had forgotten
all about the lunch they were 50 hungry for
a little while ago. The wood choppins had
been 50 Interesting that they had not given
a thought to anything else.
AS Bob stood mopping his forehead and
contemplating the result Of their hours
work Peggy's glance happened to tall on
the road.
She gave startled excl.mation and
pulled Bob roughly of Of the porch.
Dawes coming backv' she ejaculated
Come on, then; we'll have 20 run TOR it."
answered Bob. and they struck OF across
the fields at q great rate.
When they finally reached home they
found that lunch had been over for some
time Mrs. Mason. becoming alarmed at
Peggys and Bob's continued absence, had
sent Carroll and Billy. who had got home
Just as lunch was over. to look for them
James was about to start OF In another
direction. when the truants. hot and breath
less and ravenously hungry. appeared upon
the scene.
And weren't Carroll and Billy provoked
when they returned from their vain search
nm, hO,,p Lott 70 ADH