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"Then look here," said Ike; "suppose I take the broken ladder up into

the shed, and hang it up, and bring another When the ganger finds it

he'll think it was Shock broke it, and then you'll be all right, eh?

What do you say to that?"

"That I wouldn't be such a coward," I said stoutly "I shall tell Mr

Browns and picking up the broken ladder

"Here, give me that bit I'll soon be back Don't one, and anted a shorter one This'll just do"

"Then it won't cost a hundred pounds?" I cried

"No; nor a hundred pennies, boy It was only ammon I'll soon be

back"

I felt as if a load had been lifted off my breast as Ike came back at a

heavy trot with a fresh ladder and planted it for ainst the

apple-tree

"That's about safe," he cried "If you feel yourself falling, hook one

of your ears over a bough and hang on Never o"

"That's nonsense!" I said sharply, and Ike chuckled

"Look ye here, boy," he said, as I thanked him and ran up the ladder

withthe

gooseberries, where he never hardly co it You've had plenty of trouble already, and

er than yours"