When the gourd was full he poured
it in our jug, and at my offering to pay for it he was almost
insulted. "Not a cent, not a cent!" he exclaimed. "Al'ays glad to
'commodate a neighbor. Good-night; coming down in the morning to
swap hosses with you."
He went back to the house, and we started for the wagon.
"He wouldn't have got quite so wet if he hadn't kept so close
to the cow," said Ollie, as we walked along.
"What he needs," said I, "are eave-troughs on his cow."
V: ACROSS THE NIOBRARA
The next morning dawned fair. We were awakened by Old Blacky
kicking the side of the wagon-box with both hind-feet.
"If that man with the ever-blooming cow comes down," said
Jack, "I'll swap him Old Blacky."
Just then we heard a loud "Hello!" and, looking out, we found
the man leading a small yellow pony.
"I just 'lowed I'd come down and let you fellers make
something out of me on a hoss-trade," said the man.
"Well," answered Jack, "we're willing to swap that black
horse over there. He's a splendid animal."
"Isn't he rather much on the kick?" the man asked.
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