14 Bosh-Bosh Oil.

dog, but I cannot waste time talking to you, I
must hurry on.”

“I am sorry,” said the dog, politely but very
firmly, “but this place you shall not pass.”

Gardner smiled.

“You funny little thing,” he said; “and how
are you going to prevent my doing so?”

“In this way,” and the boy suddenly found
himself seated in the path tripped by the nim-
ble little hound!

Three times was this repeated, till Gardner at
last sat down by the side of the path and glared
angrily at his small tormentor. Then he remem-
bered that he had a cracker in his pocket. Taking
it out he offered it to the little animal.

‘Thank you, I have already dined,” was the
dignified answer.

“Then don’t you want to come for a walk
with me?” and Gardner smiled persuasively at
the dog, who wagged her tail but said she had
just returned from a long walk.

The boy’s heart sank. There remained but
one more thing to try.