When Daddy Bunker heard about the plan of Russ and Laddie to make a dog-cart, he at first thought the boys could not do it.
How are you going to harness Zip to the cart? he asked.
Oh, we can do it, declared Russ. "We can make a harness out of pieces of rope and some straps in the barn. And we can get a box and put some wheels on it for a cart. It'll be easy."
But maybe Zip won't let himself be hitched up, said Daddy Bunker. He wanted the boys to have fun while at Grandma Bell's, but he did not want them to go to a lot of work making something, and then be disappointed if it did not work.
Oh, I guess Zip won't mind being harnessed, said Grandma Bell. "Once we had a man working for us who had a small boy. This boy—his name was Bobbie—made a little cart and used to drive Zip hitched to it, and the dog pulled Bobbie all around very nicely."
Did he? Hurray! Then he'll pull us! shouted Laddie.
As soon as Russ and Laddie got back to Grandma Bell's house they began to look for things of which to make the dog-cart and the harness. Two wheels were all they could find, but Daddy Bunker thought they would answer very nicely.
I'll help you make the harness, said Tom Hardy. "I guess there are enough odd straps around the barn to make a harness for two dogs."
Russ and Laddie were glad to hear Tom say this. They felt that making the harness would be the hardest part of the work. The cart would be easier; at least so they hoped.
From the grocery store, down at the "Four Corners," where Grandma Bell traded, the boys, the next day, got a fine large soap box. It was quite strong, too.
And it's got to be strong if you boys are going to ride around behind that dog Zip! said the storekeeper. "He's a goer, Zip is! A goer!"
Tom helped the boys fasten the old baby carriage wheels to the box, and also helped them make a pair of shafts, just like those in between which a horse trots, only, of course, the ones for Zip were smaller. The hired man was as good as his word in the matter of a harness, and soon everything was in readiness for the first ride.
The only thing I'm afraid of, said Mother Bunker, "is that Zip won't let himself be harnessed. He may not like it."
But the big dog did not seem to mind in the least. He came when Russ called him, and he wagged his tail when the boys showed him the soap-box cart and the harness.
Now we're going to have some fun when you give us a ride! said Russ, patting Zip's shaggy head.
Bow-wow! barked the dog, as much as to say:
That's right! We'll have fun!
Daddy Bunker, as well as his wife and Grandma Bell, came out to see how the first trip would turn out. Tom put the harness on Zip. The dog only sniffed at it and wagged his tail. Perhaps he thought of the time when he had been harnessed this way by Bobbie.
Oh, it's nice! I like it! cried Mun Bun, when he saw the home-made dog-cart with the baby carriage wheels. "I want a ride now."
So do I, added Margy, who never liked to be left, out of anything in which her smaller brother had a share.
You little folks had better not get in until Russ and Laddie try it, said Mr. Bunker "And they had better keep on the soft grass when they start to drive Zip."
Why should we stay on the grass? asked Laddie.
So if you fall out of the cart you won't get hurt, his father answered with a merry laugh.
Oh, we won't fall out, declared Russ. "The cart is big enough for two of us."
And the soap box was large enough for Russ, Laddie and one more little Bunker, though two made a more comfortable load than three. Tom had nailed in a board for a seat, and really the dog-cart, though rather roughly made, was very nice.
Get in now, and let's see how you go, said Daddy Bunker. He was holding Zip by part of the harness that went around the dog's head. To this, which was a sort of muzzle, there were fastened two pieces of real horse reins, and by these Zip's head could be pulled to the left or the right, according to which way the little drivers wanted him to go.
He guides just like a real horse or a boat, said Laddie. Of course there was no bit in Zip's mouth, as there is in the mouth of a horse, for dogs have to keep their mouth open so much, to cool off when they are hot, that a bit would be in the way.
In the soap box Laddie and Russ took their places. Daddy Bunker handed them the lines and let go of the dog's head.
Gid-dap! called Russ.
Go fast! ordered Laddie.
Hold tight and don't get spilled out! begged Mother Bunker.
We will! promised Laddie.
Russ was driving and he didn't feel much like talking just then. He had to give all his attention to Zip.
Away trotted the dog, pulling after him the cart with the two boys in it. Over the grass he went, and when Russ saw that the dog seemed to know just what to do, and didn't show any signs of wanting to turn around and upset the cart, Russ turned his steed toward the path.
We can go faster here, where it isn't so soft, he said.
And Zip did pull the cart along at good speed. Around and around on the gravel paths he pulled the boys, and he seemed to be having as much fun from it as they were.
He goes very nicely, said Daddy Bunker, smiling.
I'd like a ride in the cart myself, if I were small enough, said the children's mother, laughing.
Yes, Zip is a good dog for the six little Bunkers to play with, observed Grandma Bell. "They'll have a good time with that cart."
Give us a ride! Give us a ride! begged Rose.
Yes, can't you take some of them for a turn now? asked Mrs. Bunker.
As soon as Laddie and I go around once more, promised Russ.
Zip didn't seem a bit tired, though he had run fast part of the time. Laddie got out and this made room for Rose and Violet, for Daddy Bunker said Russ had better stay in and do the driving.
But I'm going to drive after a while? when I learn how, declared Rose, and they said she might.
Zip gave Russ, Rose and Vi as nice a ride as he had given the two boys, and the girls clapped their hands in glee and laughed joyously as they rattled along over the paths.
Then came the turn of Margy and Mun Bun, and they liked it more than any one, I guess, and didn't want to get out of the cart.
But Zip is tired now, said Mrs. Bunker. "See how fast he is breathing, and how his tongue hangs out of his mouth," for the dog had been pulling the cart for over an hour. "Get out, Mun and Margy, and you may have another ride after Zip rests."
The little children loved the dog, and wanted to be kind to him; so, when their mother told them this, they got out of the cart, and Zip was unharnessed and given some cold water to drink and a nice bone on which to gnaw.
If he was a horse he could have oats, said Russ. "But I guess he likes a bone better."
I guess so, too, said Grandma Bell, and she smiled.
With the dog-cart, taking rowing trips on the lake now and then, going fishing, hunting for berries and walking in the woods, the six little Bunkers at Grandma Bell's had a fine time that early summer. There seemed to be something new to do every day, or, if there wasn't, Russ or Laddie made it.
And I've thought up a new riddle, said the smaller boy one day.
What's it about? asked Russ.
It's about Zip, Laddie replied. "Why is Zip like a little boy when he's tired? I mean when Zip is tired. Why is he like a little boy then?"
'Cause he wants to sit down and rest, answered Russ.
Nope; that isn't the answer, said Laddie, shaking his head.
Why isn't it?
'Cause it isn't. I know the answer, and it isn't that. Tom helped me think the riddle up. Maybe it's an old one, but Tom said it was good. Why is Zip, when he's tired, like a little boy?
Russ thought for a while, and then he said:
I don't know. I give up. Why is he, Laddie?
'Cause his breath comes in short pants. You see when Zip is tired his breath is short—he pants, Tom told me. And a little boy, like you and me, Russ, wears short pants. So that's why Zip is like one.
Oh, I see! laughed Russ. "That's pretty good. I know a riddle too, Laddie."
What is it?
This. What makes a miller wear a white hat?
Laddie thought over this for a moment or two and then said:
He wears a white hat so the flour dust won't show so plain.
Nope; that isn't it, Russ declared.
Is it because nobody would sell him a black hat? asked Laddie.
Nope. Shall I tell you the answer?
No. Let me guess! begged the smaller boy.
He gave several other answers, none of which, Russ said, was right, and at last Laddie murmured:
I give up! Why does a miller wear a white hat?
To keep his head warm, same as anybody else! laughed Russ. "Tom told me that riddle, too," he added.
Well, said Laddie slowly, as he took off his own hat to run his fingers through his hair, "that isn't as good a riddle as the one about Zip's breath coming in short pants."
Maybe not. But it's harder to guess, said Russ.
Then the two boys, after waiting for Zip's breath to come out of short pants—that is, waiting for him to get rested—went for a ride in the dog-cart.
As they were going down the road they saw, coming toward them, a man with bright red hair. He was driving a horse and carriage.
There's Mr. Hurd, said Russ. "He's the one we thought was the tramp lumberman that got daddy's real estate papers."
I see him, said Laddie. "Look! He's waving to us! Let's go over and see what he wants."
Mr. Hurd was driving down a cross road, and waited for the boys to come up to him.
Hello, Russ and Laddie! he called, "I've got some news for you!"
News? asked Russ.
Yes. Do you remember when you took me for the red-haired lumberman that you thought had your father's papers: Remember that?
Yes, answered Russ, "I do. But you weren't him. I wish we could find him."
Maybe you can, said Mr. Hurd, and Russ looked at him in a queer way. What did Mr. Hurd mean?
"Are you sure this tramp lumberman who took the old coat with your father's papers in it, had red hair?" asked Mr. Hurd as Zip came to a stop near the carriage, and lay down in the shade, for, not being a big horse, the dog could do almost as he pleased when harnessed up.
Yes, he had red hair, said Russ. "But he really didn't mean to take the papers. I heard my father say. It was just a mistake."
Yes, I guess that was it, agreed Mr. Hurd. "Well, your father would like to get those papers back, wouldn't he?"
Indeed he would! exclaimed Russ. "He and mother were talking about 'em only last night. Daddy would like to get 'em very much."
Well, went on Mr. Hurd. "I'll tell you the news I spoke about. Do you know where Mr. Barker's place is?"
Yes, answered Russ. Laddie let his brother do most of the talking this time. "It's over on the road to Green Pond, isn't it?" and Russ, sitting in the dog-cart beside Laddie, pointed in the direction of the place he spoke of. It was about three miles from where Grandma Bell lived. Russ had heard his father, mother and grandmother speak of Mr. Barker's place. He was a man who owned many fields and woodlands.
That's right, Russ, said Mr. Hurd. "Mr. Barker's place is over by Green Pond. I see you know it all right. Well, now I heard yesterday that there is a red-haired lumberman working for Mr. Barker, cutting down trees for him, and getting ready to build an ice-house on the shore of Green Pond."
Is he a tramp lumberman? asked Russ.
As to that I don't know, answered Mr. Hurd. "That's what your father will have to find out for himself. But he can easily do that. All he'll have to do will be to go over to Mr. Barker's place—it isn't far—and ask for the red-haired lumberman. Mr. Barker has a big place, and hires a good many men, but almost anybody would know a red-haired lumber-jack. There aren't so many of 'em in these parts."
And if he's the tramp that got daddy's old coat then he must have the papers, said Russ.
Well, yes, I suppose so. Unless he's lost 'em or sold 'em, went on Mr. Hurd. "Your father said those real estate papers were worth money, so maybe the tramp that found them in the pocket of the old coat sold them."
Russ and Laddie looked sad on hearing this. Suppose, after all, Daddy Bunker should not get his papers back? That would be too bad!
As I say, went on Mr. Hurd, "I know only what some one told me. It was another man who works for Mr. Barker. He said a red-haired lumberman came one day last week, and Mr. Barker hired him. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a tramp, for regular lumbermen wouldn't be down here this time of year. They'd be up in the woods. But, boys, you tell your father to go have a look at this red-haired man over at Mr. Barker's place."
We'll tell him, said Russ. "And thank you."
Gid-dap! called Mr. Hurd to his horse, and down the road it went, the carriage soon being out of sight. Zip, the dog harnessed to the cart which Russ and Laddie had helped make, still lay in the shade. He was taking a good rest.
Oh, wouldn't it be fine if this is the lumberman daddy wants, and he could get back his papers? said Laddie.
Very fine, agreed Russ. "We'd better go back and tell him right away. Maybe he'll take us to Mr. Barker's place with him!"
Oh, maybe! cried Laddie. "Let's hurry home."
But you can not always tell what is going to happen in this world. If, just then, a white rabbit had not scooted out of the bushes and run through the woods right in front of Zip, perhaps this part of the story would never have been written. It is certain that if there had been no rabbit to chase, Zip wouldn't have run as fast as he did. For he ran very fast.
And, just as I told you, it was because the white rabbit popped out of the bushes right in front of the dog.
Bow-wow! barked Zip, as he saw the bunny. "Bow-wow!" and that meant: "I guess I'd better chase you!"
And that's what Zip did. Up he sprang from the grass, and after the white rabbit he ran. The dog started off so quickly that Russ and Laddie were almost thrown out of the cart. If they had not held to the sides of the box very hard they would have fallen out. As it was they were jerked and tossed about as Zip ran after the rabbit.
Oh, what's the matter? asked Laddie, who had not seen the bunny. "Did a bee sting Zip?" This had happened once, and the dog had run around yelping and barking, no one knowing what was the matter with him for a while.
No, I don't believe it was a bee, answered Russ. "It was a rabbit. Whoa, Zip! Whoa!" called the little boy, pulling on the leather lines.
But Zip did not stop. Very few dogs would, when once they had started to run after a rabbit."Bow-wow! Bow-wow!" barked Zip, and on he ran, faster and faster. He seemed to enjoy it very much.
It was a good thing the woods were not of the roughest kind just at this place, for otherwise the dog-cart would have been smashed to pieces. As it was it bumped and swayed from side to side, and Laddie and Russ had all they could do to keep from bouncing out.
Whoa! Whoa! called Russ, but Zip paid no attention. Nor did he care how much the little boy driver pulled on the lines. As Zip had no bit in his mouth to hurt him when it was pulled on hard, he was not going to stop. The leather muzzle around his nose did not hurt him as a bit would have done.
I don't know just how far Zip would have run after the white rabbit, if something had not happened to put an end to the chase. The rabbit, probably getting tired of being run after, suddenly darted down inside a hole. This was his burrow, or underground house, and once down in that, the rabbit knew no dog could get him.
So into his hole, as if he were going down cellar, went the bunny. And Zip, with a howl of disappointment, saw the rabbit disappear. The dog stopped at the outside edge of the hole, and barked as loudly as he could. Perhaps he thought he was giving the bunny an invitation to come up.
But the bunny never answered. They don't bark, but they can make a funny little squeaking sound at times. This one didn't do even that.
He's gone, Zip! You can't get him, said Russ.
Bow-wow, answered the dog, almost as if he understood what Russ said, and as though he answered:
Yes, he's gone, but I'll get him the next time.
He gave us a good ride, anyhow, didn't he, Russ? asked Laddie. "I guess he rode us 'most a mile."
Half a mile, anyhow, answered Russ. "And oh, look, Laddie! We can see Green Pond!"
They were up on top of a hill, and, looking through the trees, they could see, sparkling in the sun, the waters of Green Pond, about two miles away.
That's where Mr. Barker lives, said Laddie.
And maybe the red-haired lumberman is there with daddy's papers, said Russ. "Oh, Laddie! I know what let's do!"
What?
Let's go down to Mr. Barker's place and ask the lumberman if he's a tramp, and if he is the one that took the old coat. Let's do that!
All right, agreed Laddie. "It isn't far and Zip will ride us there and home again, so we won't get tired. If we get the papers won't daddy be glad?"
Terrible glad! Come on, we'll go!
And, calling to Zip to come away from the rabbit hole, Russ and Laddie in their dog-cart started on a trip which was to have a strange ending.
Along the road that led down the hill, and through the woods to Green Pond, went Zip the dog; pulling after him the cart in which Russ and Laddie rode.
I'm glad we're riding, said Laddie. "It would be awful far to walk to Mr. Barker's place at Green Pond and back again, wouldn't it, Russ?"
Oh, I don't know, Russ answered slowly, as he guided Zip around a turn in the crooked path. "I could walk it, but your legs aren't as long as mine. I walked two miles once, with daddy."
What'll we do when we see that red-haired lumberman? asked the smaller boy.
We'll ask him for daddy's old coat and the papers.
But maybe he'll want the old coat, suggested Laddie.
Oh, well, he can have that, Russ answered. "Daddy gave him that, anyhow. But we can ask him for the papers."
S'posin' he hasn't got 'em?
What makes you s'pose so much? demanded Russ. "Wait till we get there, and we can tell what to do."
All right, agreed Laddie. "I can be thinking of a riddle. Maybe I could ask the lumberman a riddle, Russ. Could I?"
Maybe. But maybe he doesn't like 'em. Some folks don't.
I could ask him an easy one, about the miller's hat, or about why the tickets don't get mad when the conductor punches 'em.
No, don't ask him that one, Russ said.
Why not?
'Cause that one about the tickets is too hard—nobody knows the answer. You don't yourself.
I know I don't, but maybe the lumberman might. Maybe he'd like to answer it. I guess I'll ask him.
No, don't do it, advised Russ. "He's a poor lumberman, or he wouldn't want an old coat. And if he's poor he wouldn't pay money for tickets, so he wouldn't know why the conductor punched 'em."
Laddie thought about this a while.
All right, he said, finally, as Zip trotted along down the hill, and came out on a level road that led to Green Pond. "I'll make up a new riddle for the lumberman," he went on. "Or I could ask him about Zip's breath coming in short pants."
All right, ask him that, agreed Russ. "I hope he gives us the papers."
Mr. Barker's place was on the shores of Green Pond. In fact the man owned the whole pond—or little lake, for that was what it was—and all the woods around it. His house, a very big one, stood in the woods not far from the pond, and all about the house were beautiful grounds, with roads and paths leading through them. And around the house was a high iron fence, with gate-ways here and there.
Russ and Laddie, riding in their soap-box dog-cart, came along the public road. Ahead of them they could see the big iron fence around Mr. Barker's place. They knew it, for they had driven past it the week before with Grandma Bell, when she took the six little Bunkers and Daddy Bunker and Mother Bunker for a picnic ride in the big carriage.
There's the place, said Laddie, pointing.
I see it, returned Russ. "Now we'll drive in and find the lumberman and get daddy's papers."
Russ guided Zip up to one of the big iron gates, and as the boys turned into the drive a man came out of a little house near the entrance and held up his hand. It was just as the policeman does in the city street when he wants the automobiles and wagons to stop, so Russ called to Zip:
Whoa!
The dog had learned to stop when any one driving him said this, so now he halted and, being tired, he stretched out on the ground. His harness was loose, so he could do this.
Where are you boys going? asked the man at the gate.
We want to find a lumberman, said Russ.
A lumberman?
Yes. One works here and he has daddy's old coat and there are some papers in the pocket that daddy wants, Russ explained. "He's red-haired," he went on. "I mean the lumberman is, not my father."
Oh, said the man at the gate. "So you're looking for some one. But Mr. Barker lives here and you can't go in, I'm afraid."
We know Mr. Barker lives here, returned Russ. "We live over at Lake Sagatook—that is, we don't zactly live there, but we're visiting Grandma Bell."
Oh, are you some of the little children staying at Mrs. Bell's house? asked the gate-tender. "I heard she had company. I know her well, but I don't often get a chance to see her. So you're her company."
She's our grandma, explained Russ. "And we are the six little Bunkers—everybody calls us that. 'Course Laddie and I are only two Bunkers—there're four more at home—Rose, Vi, Margy and Mun Bun."
What's Mun Bun? asked the gate-man. Nearly every one asked this on hearing the funny name.
Mun Bun is our littlest brother, explained Russ, who was doing all the talking.
His right name is Munroe, but we call him Mun Bun for short.
Well, as long as you don't eat him for short I guess it will be all right, said the gate-man with a laugh.
Is that a riddle—about eating Mun Bun? asked Laddie.
No. That's supposed to be a joke, explained the gate-man. "Your brother's nickname is Bun, you say. Well, a bun is something good to eat, but I hope you don't eat your little brother—joke, you see."
Russ and Laddie laughed. They didn't exactly understand the joke, but they thought the gate-man was jolly and they wanted to be jolly too.
So you six little Bunkers—at least two of you—came to see Mr. Barker, did you? asked the man at the entrance.
No, we didn't zactly come to see him, answered Russ. "We want to see the lumberman that took daddy's ragged coat with the papers in the pocket—only he didn't know they were there and he didn't take the coat. That was given to him."
You want to see a lumberman? repeated the guard at the gate, for he was a sort of guard. "But we haven't any lumbermen here."
He's red-haired, Russ reminded him.
Oh, I guess I know whom you mean! said the gate-man. "There is a red-haired man cutting trees over in the woods. Mr. Barker is going to build a new dock for his boats in Green Pond, and there is a red-haired man chopping down trees for the work. He is a lumberman, I s'pose."
And is he red-haired? asked Laddie eagerly.
Yes, his hair is red. I remember now. He came here one day and asked if there was any work on the place. I was going to tell him there wasn't, when one of the gardeners said the foreman was looking for a man to chop trees. So this red-haired man was hired.
And is he a tramp? asked Russ.
Well, he did look sort of like that, ragged and dusty.
And did he have a ragged coat? Russ went on.
I didn't notice particularly, answered the gate-man. "He was pretty much ragged all over, I guess, but I didn't pay much attention to him, as I was busy. But he certainly was red-haired."
Oh, I do hope he's got daddy's papers! went on Russ. "Mr. Hurd told us about the lumberman," he went on, "and we came to see him."
Well, you can do that, said the guard at the gate. "Just follow this road until you come to the lake. This lumberman—I think his name is Mike Gannon—lives by himself in a little cabin near the place where the new dock is to be built. He said he was used to living by himself, so the foreman told him he could camp out there. And there you'll find him, if he isn't chopping down trees in the woods. Just follow this road to the lake. Will your dog pull you there?"
Oh, yes, Zip is a good puller, said Russ. "He gave us this ride from Lake Sagatook."
And he ran after a rabbit! added Laddie. "And he might 'a' got it, only the bunny went down a hole."
They mostly do that when a dog chases 'em, said the gate-man. "Well, you just follow the road along until you come to the cabin where the red-haired lumberman lives—Mike Gannon is his name—and then you can ask him about the ragged coat and the papers. Stop and tell me about it on your way out."
We will, promised Russ and Laddie. Then Russ called to Zip:
Gid-dap!
Up jumped the dog with a bark, as much as to say "Good-bye!" to the gate-man, and down the gravel drive he trotted with the cart.
He was a nice man, wasn't he? observed Laddie.
Yes, terrible nice, agreed Russ. "I hope we find the red-haired lumberman."
I forgot to ask him a riddle, went on Laddie. "I mean the man at the gate. But I can ask him one when we go back."
If we have time, Russ said. "We can't stay too long, or mother and daddy and Grandma Bell will wonder where we are."
That's so, agreed Laddie. "Well, we'll just find the lumberman and get the papers and take them to daddy."
Only it was not going to be quite as easy as that, the boys were to learn.
Along the pretty drive, under the trees, they went in the dog-cart. Pretty soon they came to a part of the road where the little lake came close to the roadway, and, just beyond, was a log cabin.
There's where the lumberman lives, said Russ.
Yes, I guess he does, agreed Laddie.
And just then, all of a sudden, Zip saw a cat out in front of the cabin. With a growl and a bark the dog began to run toward the cat as fast as he could go, pulling the cart after him.
Whoa! Whoa! Stop! cried Russ.
Stop! Stop, Zip! yelled Laddie. "Stop!"
But the dog did not hear, or would not mind. Straight at the cat he rushed, and pussy, seeing a strange dog coming, and pulling a soap-box cart in which were two boys—pussy, seeing this strange sight—arched her back and made her tail get as big as a big bologna sausage.
"Bang!"
That was the soap-box cart hitting against a tree.
Tunk! Tunk!
Those were the soft sounds Russ and Laddie made as they were spilled out on the grass near the lumberman's cabin.
Bow-wow!
That was Zip barking at the cat.
Hiss-siss!
That was the cat making queer noises at Zip.
Wow-ow-ow-Yelp!
That was Zip howling because the cat scratched his nose.
For that's just what the cat did. Zip rushed at her so fast that he banged the cart against a tree, and turned it over on its side, spilling out Russ and Laddie. And Zip, not seeming to care what happened to his little masters, kept on after the cat.
But pussy was brave, and she didn't run and climb a tree, as most cats did when Zip chased them. She just stood, arching her back, making her tail big, and sissing queer sounds until the dog came near enough, when she darted out a paw, and the sharp claws scratched Zip on the nose. Then Zip howled and sat down to look at the cat. And the cat stayed right there looking at Zip.
For a moment or two Russ and Laddie didn't know just what had happened. But they scrambled to their feet. Then they saw Zip and the overturned cart and the cat, and they understood.
He chased a cat, said Laddie.
Zip, you're a bad dog! cried Russ, and he shook his finger at the pet. "Didn't Grandma Bell tell you not to chase cats?"
This was true. Grandma Bell had told Zip that, but, like boys and girls, he sometimes forgot. Zip wasn't a bad dog, and he never bit cats. He just liked to chase them once in a while.
Are you hurt, Laddie? asked Russ.
No. Are you?
Nope. Say! but didn't Zip run fast, though?
Terrible fast. Faster than when he chased the rabbit.
There were a few red spots on Zip's nose where the cat had scratched him. The dog licked them away with his tongue, and looked rather silly. It wasn't very often a cat stayed to fight him.
Russ and Laddie started for the overturned cart, to set it up on the wheels again, when the door of the log cabin opened and out came a red-haired man, whose clothes were quite old and ragged. He wore a pair of boots, into the tops of which his trousers were tucked, but he had on no coat. Russ and Laddie looked particularly to see if he had a coat, but he had none.
Hello! What's going on here? asked the man.
If you please, our dog chased your cat, said Russ, "but he didn't hurt him—I mean our dog didn't hurt your cat."
I'm glad of that, said the man with a smile. "That's a good cat of mine. I haven't had her very long, but I wouldn't want a dog to hurt her. But your dog seems to be scratched," went on the man, as he looked carefully and saw some more red spots of blood on Zip's nose.
Yes, your cat scratched him, returned Russ. "I guess Zip won't chase her any more."
I guess not, the red-haired man agreed. "So you had an upset, did you?" he went on as he noticed the overturned cart. "Did either of you get hurt?"
No, thank you, answered Russ. "We fell on the soft grass."
That's good, returned the man. "I suppose you belong up in the big house, though I haven't seen you before, and I didn't know there were any children up there."
No, we don't live in the big house, said Russ, for the man had pointed toward the residence of Mr. Barker. "We live over at Lake Sagatook—I mean we're visiting Grandma Bell—and we came to see you. We're two of the six little Bunkers."
Oh, you're two of the six little Bunkers, are you? asked the man. "Well, if the other four are as nice as you I'd like to see them. You say you came to see me?"
Yes, sir, answered Russ. "You're the lumberman, aren't you?"
Well, yes, I used to be a lumberman when I could get work at it, answered the man standing in the cabin door. "I know how to cut down trees and all that sort of thing."
And you have red hair, added Russ.
Yes, you're right, I have got red hair, and the lumberman ran his fingers through it as though to pull out some and make sure it had not changed color.
Is your name Mike Gannon? asked Russ.
That's my name, little Bunker—I don't know your first name.
It's Russ, and his is Laddie, and Russ pointed to his brother.
By this time the cat, seeing that Zip was not going to chase her any more, had taken the arch out of her back and her tail looked like a small frankfurter sausage, and not like a big bologna one.
Well, Russ and Laddie Bunker, I'm glad to see you, said Mr. Gannon. "And so you live over at Lake Sagatook, and not here at Green Pond. Why did you come so far?"
To see you, answered Russ.
To see me! exclaimed the red-haired lumberman in surprise. "Well, I'm no great sight to look at, that's sure. But still I'm glad to see you. Are you sure you wanted me?"
You're red-haired, said Russ slowly, as though going over certain points.
That's right, said the lumberman.
And you cut down trees, went on Russ.
Correct.
And were you ever a tramp? Russ asked.
Well, yes, you could call me that, admitted the red-haired man, speaking slowly. "I'm a sort of tramp lumberman. I never like to stay long in one place, and so I'm roving all over. You could call me a tramp."
That's good, said Russ.
Well, sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't, said Mr. Gannon. "It isn't so bad tramping in the summer, but in the winter it isn't so nice. You get cold and hungry."
I meant it's good 'cause you're the very one we want to see, went on Russ, who felt quite big and grown-up, now that he and Laddie had come this far alone. "Now where is the ragged coat?"
The ragged coat? questioned Mr. Gannon. He did not seem to know what Laddie meant.
Didn't you get a ragged cent from my daddy's real estate office about a month ago? went on Russ in surprise. "It was in Pineville, where we live when we aren't visiting Grandma Bell. Did you get a ragged coat there?"
Pineville—Pineville? murmured the red-haired lumberman to himself, as if trying to remember. "Yes, I did tramp through there and—Hold on!" he cried. "I remember now! I did ask at an office if they had an old coat they could give me. I hadn't one worth wearing. I did get an old coat, and, as you say, it was ragged."
Our father gave you that, went on Laddie. "Or he told one of his real estate men to do it."
Yes, that's right—I remember now. I did beg a coat from a real estate office, said Mr. Gannon. "And that was your father's place, was it? Well, I'm glad to meet you boys. Your father was kind to me. But Pineville is a long way from here. It took me almost a month to walk it, stopping to work now and then."
We came in the train, said Laddie, "and I know a riddle about the conductor punching the tickets, but I don't know——"
Russ didn't want his brother to get to talking about riddles at a time like this. So he interrupted with:
And have you got that ragged coat now, Mr. Tramp—I mean Mr. Gannon? Have you got that coat now?
Have I got that ragged coat, you mean? asked the man.
Yes. Our daddy wants it back!
Mr. Gannon looked a bit surprised.
Not to wear, explained Russ quickly. "He doesn't want it to wear. You can keep it, I guess. But when he told the clerk in his office to give the coat to you there were some papers in one of the pockets and——"
Real estate papers, broke in Laddie, remembering this part.
Yes, real estate papers, said Russ. "They were in the pocket of the old, ragged coat, and my daddy would like awful much to get 'em back. Have you got the coat?"
Mr. Gannon did not speak for a moment or two. He seemed to be trying to think of something. Then, as Russ and Laddie looked at him, and as Zip sat looking at the cat, the red-haired tramp lumberman said:
Well, now, it's a funny thing, but I have got that old coat yet. It's too ragged for me to wear—it got a lot more ragged after your father gave it to me—but I sort of took a liking to it, and I kept it. I've got it yet.
Where is it? asked Russ eagerly.
Right here in my cabin. Mr. Barker lets me stay here while I'm cutting down trees to build his dock. I like to be by myself. I've got the coat here. I'll get it.
He went inside and came out a moment later with a ragged coat in his hand. It was tattered and torn.
This is the coat your father gave me, said the lumberman, "but I'm sorry to say there are no papers in the pockets. You can look yourself if you like. There isn't a paper at all!"
As Russ watched, the red-haired man thrust his hands first into one pocket and then into the others. But no papers came out. Russ looked sad and disappointed. So did Laddie.
This is the coat all right that I got at a real estate office in Pineville, said Mr. Gannon. "But every pocket was empty when I got it. I remember feeling in them. There were no papers at all. If there were ever any in the pockets they must have dropped out before I got the coat. The pockets are full of holes, anyhow. I'm sorry!"
So were Laddie and Russ. They watched while Mr. Gannon went through each pocket of the ragged coat once more. But it was of no use. No papers were to be found.
Come on, Laddie, said Russ in a low voice to his brother. "We'd better go back home. Good-bye!" he called over his shoulder to the red-haired lumberman.
Good-bye, answered Mr. Gannon. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I haven't your daddy's papers."
Slowly and sadly Russ and Laddie drove their dog-cart back toward Grandma Bell's house. They went slowly because it was uphill from Green Pond, and Zip was tired. He had chased after a rabbit and a cat, and he had pulled Russ and Laddie all the way. No wonder the dog was tired. So the boys did not try to drive him fast.
And the two boys were sad because, though they had found the right red-haired tramp lumberman—the same one that had Daddy Bunker's ragged coat—still the real estate papers were not in it.
It's too bad, said Russ, as Zip walked along.
Yes, agreed Laddie.
I thought surely we'd get the papers, Russ went on.
And I didn't ask him any riddle, said Laddie.
Oh, well, never mind that, went on Russ.
Maybe I can ask him again, though, said Laddie, brightening up. "We can have daddy take us there, and I can ask him then."
What would daddy want to take us there for? asked Russ.
To see the old coat. Maybe Mr. Gannon has another, and that has the papers in.
I don't guess so, answered Russ. "Gid-dap, Zip."
Zip didn't "gid-dap" very fast, but he kept on going. And when he came to the top of the hill, and began to trot down toward Lake Sagatook, he went faster. I think he knew he could have a good rest in the barn, and also have some hot supper.
For it was getting near to supper-time. The sun was going down in the west, and in a little while it would be dark. Already the shadows were longer, and it was already a little dark when the boys drove through little patches of wood.
But they did not get lost, for Zip knew the way back, and soon the dog-cart was rattling up the gravel drive of Grandma Bell's house.
There they come! cried a voice, and there was a general rush to the porch. Daddy and Mother Bunker, with Grandma Bell, Jane the hired girl, and the four little Bunkers looked at the wanderers.
Where in the world have you two been? cried Mother Bunker.
We were worried about you, said her husband.
And we were just going to get Tom to hitch up the horse and go to look for you, added Grandma Bell.
Were you lost? Rose asked.
Did the old ram chase you? Vi wanted to know.
Margy and Mun Bun toddled down the steps to look at Zip, who had stretched out on the grass, still hitched to the cart.
Oh-oo-o-o! His nose is all scratched, said Margy. "Does it hurt you, Zip?" she asked, gently patting him, and the dog wagged his tail.
Did some other dog bite him? asked Mun Bun.
No, a cat scratched him, answered Russ.
What cat? the children's mother wanted to know.
It was the red-haired lumberman's cat, Russ went on. "We went to his cabin, over at Green Pond, where Mr. Barker lives. His name is Mike Gannon—the tramp lumberman, I mean. Mr. Hurd told us about him, and we went to see him and——"
I forgot to ask him a riddle! broke in Laddie.
Never mind about riddles now, my dear, said Mother Bunker softly. "Let us hear what Russ is saying."
Did you really find a red-haired tramp lumberman? asked Mr. Bunker.
Yes, answered Russ. "And he had your ragged coat, but the papers weren't in it, Daddy. And he was sorry and so were we and I'm hungry!"
So'm I! added Laddie, before the words were fairly out of his brother's mouth. "I'm awful hungry!"
But what does it all mean? asked Mrs. Bunker. "Have you two boys really been somewhere?"
We found the red-haired tramp lumberman, I told you, said Russ, "but he didn't have those papers."
Let me hear all about it once again, begged Daddy Bunker. He seemed as much excited as Russ and Laddie had been when they first saw Mr. Gannon.
First let me get them something to eat, said Grandma Bell. "We had our supper—an early one," she went on, "but I saved some for you boys. You shall eat first, and then tell us your story."
I guess Zip wants to eat, too, said Laddie. "He didn't catch the rabbit and the cat scratched him."
I'll have Jane give Zip a good supper, said Grandma Bell. "And there is strawberry shortcake for you boys."
Oh, goody! cried Russ.
Laddie clapped his hands in joy.
And, taking turns, between bites, as it were, when they were eating supper, Russ and Laddie told of having met Mr. Hurd, who had spoken of the red-haired lumberman working at Mr. Barker's place.
So we went there, and Zip chased his cat, explained Russ. "And we upset, but he was nice and he showed us the ragged coat, only the pockets were full of holes and there weren't any papers."
Well, that's too bad! said Daddy Bunker. "You two little boys were very kind to do as much as you did, though."
Do you suppose, by any chance, this tramp lumberman might know something of your papers, Charles? asked Grandma Bell.
I'll go over and see him in the morning, said Mr. Bunker.
May we go along? asked Rose. "I'd like to see the cat that scratched Zip."
He won't scratch him again, Laddie said. "They're good friends now."
I don't want to see Zip scratched, returned Rose. "I just want to see Green Pond and the red-haired man and the cat."
I'll tell you what we can do, said Grandma Bell. "We can all go on a picnic to Green Pond to-morrow. We'll go in the carry-all and take our lunch. I know Mr. Barker, and he'll let us eat our lunch in his woods. Then you can ask the red-haired man about the lost papers, Charles."
Mr. Bunker said this would be a good plan, and the next morning, bright and early, after the lunch had been put up, the six little Bunkers, with their father and mother and grandmother, started for Green Pond.
In a little while they were traveling along through the woods, down the same hill on which Zip had chased the rabbit. This time Zip had been left in the barn with Tom Hardy. Daddy Bunker was driving the horse.
Here's the gate where the man told us about Mr. Gannon, said Russ, pointing out the driveway. The man on guard knew Grandma Bell, and let them go on through. They were soon at the log cabin.
Daddy Bunker knocked on the door, but there was no answer.
I guess he isn't at home, said Grandma Bell.
Are you looking for the lumberman—the red-haired man who cuts trees? asked a gardener, coming along just then.
Yes, we should like to see him, said Daddy Bunker.
Well, he's over in the woods, chopping. I'll call him for you.
They all waited at the cabin, and soon there came the sound of some one tramping through the bushes along the shore of the pond. Then the red-haired man came into view.
Oh, ho! he exclaimed, as he caught sight of Russ and Laddie. "The two little Bunkers who came to see me yesterday!"
All of us are here now—the whole of the six little Bunkers, said Russ. "And here is my father, and mother and Grandma Bell, too!"
Well, I'm sure I'm glad to see you all, said Mr. Gannon, who had an axe over his shoulder.
We came to see about that ragged coat, explained Daddy Bunker. "I guess my two boys told you why I wanted it. I remember you now. You are the man my clerk gave the coat to, back in Pineville, aren't you?"
Yes, and I want to thank you. That coat seemed to bring me good luck. I got work right after you gave it to me, and I've been working ever since, though I did tramp a lot.
Well, I'm glad to hear you had good luck, said Daddy Bunker. "But I'm sorry you didn't find the real estate papers I left in the coat pocket. They must have been in when my clerk let you have it, but perhaps they dropped out."
I guess they must have, said the lumberman. "I never saw any of them, and I wore the coat right after you gave it to me. I'll get it and let you see for yourself."
He set down his axe outside the log cabin and went in. Pretty soon he came out again with, the ragged coat—the same one he had showed to Laddie and Russ.
Here it is, said the red-haired tramp lumberman, as he handed the garment to Mr. Bunker, "It's just as I got it from you. I don't wear it much now, as I have another. But you'll find no papers in the pockets."
Yes, that's the old coat I used to wear around the office, said Mr. Bunker, as he took it from. Mr. Gannon. "And I'm sure I put those papers in the inside pocket, and then I forgot all about them."
As he spoke he reached his hand down in the pocket of the old coat. The pocket must have been pretty deep, for Daddy Bunker's hand went away down. Then a funny look came over the face of the father of the six little Bunkers.
He pulled out his thumb, and his whole hand, and, instead of pulling out a plum, as Little Jack Horner did, Mr. Bunker pulled out—the missing papers!
Look what I found! he cried. "Hurray! The very papers I want!"
Were they in the coat? asked the red-haired lumberman in amazement.
They were, said Daddy Bunker. "Away down inside the lining. They slipped through a hole in the pocket. And there they have been all this while—in the lining of the old coat."
And I never knew it, said Mr. Gannon. "Are you sure they are the papers you want?"
The very ones, answered Mr. Bunker, glancing at them. "And they are worth a lot of money, too. I am very glad I found them."
So am I, said the lumberman. "I would hate to think I lost the papers out of the old coat, even though I didn't know they were in the lining. Well, I'm glad you have them back."
Oh, but this is good luck! said Grandma Bell.
And Russ and Laddie brought it to us, for they found out where the coat was, said Mother Bunker.
But we wouldn't have known if Mr. Hurd hadn't told us, said Russ.
And maybe we wouldn't have come, only Zip chased the rabbit, added Laddie.
Well, it was good luck all around, and I have my papers back, said Daddy Bunker. "And now we'll go on with the picnic."
Daddy Bunker gave the lumberman some money, as his share in the good luck, and told him when he was through working for Mr. Barker to come to Pineville.
I'll give you work there, said the children's father.
All right, I'll come, promised Mr. Gannon. "And the next time any one gives me an old coat I'll look in the torn lining, as well as in the pockets, and if I find any valuable papers I can give them back right away."
Then he told of having tramped from place to place after leaving Pineville, wearing the old coat, until he reached Green Pond.
It's just like a story in a book, said Rose.
Yes, it surely is, agreed Daddy Bunker, as he put the valuable papers into his coat pocket, that had no hole in it.
Then the six little Bunkers and the others went on to a lovely spot on the shore of Green Pond and ate their picnic lunch.
Oh, it's just lovely here, said Rose, as she gave Mun Bun another small piece of cake.
I wish we could stay forever, added Laddie. "I like it! I can think up awful good riddles here."
It's fun to sail boats, said Russ, as he whistled a merry tune.
And there are so many things to see and do at Grandma Bell's house, added Vi.
I won't throw any more dollies down the well, promised Margy, who remembered her little trick.
That's good! laughed Mother Bunker. "But, nice as it is, we can't stay much longer. We are going somewhere else."
Where? asked Russ eagerly.
Well, we have an invitation from your aunt to spend the last of July and part of August in Boston, said his mother. "Would you like to go?"
We love Grandma Bell, but we would like to go to Boston, answered Rose.
And what the children saw and did there you may learn by reading the next book in this series, to be called: "Six Little Bunkers at Aunt Jo's."
We did have such a lovely time! said Rose on their homeward way. "Didn't we, Russ?"
Yes. And I'm glad daddy got his papers. Oh, look! There goes a bunny! and he pointed. "Margy—Mun Bun! Look! There's a bunny like the one Zip chased," and Russ turned to the two small children.
But Mun Bun and Margy were fast asleep on the seat between Mother Bunker and Grandma Bell.