They went on a little farther, and saw a man standing in the barn door with a dog beside him. The dog barked, but wagged his tail, to show that he was friendly.

   Russ and Laddie came to a halt, but the man waved his hand to them and asked:

   "Are you some of the six little Bunkers?"

   "Yes, we're two of 'em," answered Russ.

   "Well, that leaves four. They're in the house, I suppose. Mrs. Bell told me you were coming to-day."

   "Are you the hired man?" asked Laddie. "And is that Zip?"

   "That's who I am, and that's who he is. Come and meet Zip. He's a fine dog and loves boys and girls."

   Zip soon made friends with Laddie and Russ, and the boys, who felt sure they would like Tom Hardy, the hired man, ran about the barn, seeing all sorts of chances in it to have good times.

   "Oh, I know we'll like it here!" said Russ.

   "'Course we will," agreed Laddie.

   Zip followed the boys about the barn as they poked into all the nooks and corners. Tom, as every one called the hired man, was busy about his work and paid little attention to Laddie and Russ.

   It was about half an hour after the boys had gone out to the barn, and Mrs. Bunker was wondering if they were all right, when Laddie came running to Grandma Bell's house, very much excited and out of breath, crying:

   "Oh, come quick! Come quick!"

   "Mercy me! what's the matter now?" asked Mrs. Bunker.

   "Russ can't stop! Russ is going and he can't stop!" panted Laddie.

   For a moment or so no one seemed to know what answer to make to Laddie. He stood there, all out of breath, looking at his father and mother and Grandma Bell, who were sitting on the side porch.

   "What—what did you say?" asked Mr. Bunker.

   "It's Russ," Laddie answered. "He's going and he can't stop! I tried to make him, and he tried himself, but he can't stop, and he's running like anything!"

   "What in the world does he mean?" 

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