"Well, if you can point out the thief I'll arrest him," said the policeman. "Come, we'll take a look around." This was done, but the boy in rags could not be found. "Drat the luck! I suppose the money is gone fer good!" groaned Sammy, and he was right. For he never saw either the boy or his cash again. Sammy had expected to remain in the evening and see the fire-works, but now his interest in the celebration was gone. "Hain't got but two cents left!" he groaned. "Thet won't buy no supper nor nuthin! It's lucky I've got a train ticket back. But I'll have to walk to hum from the station, unless they'll tick me fer the stage ride." He walked around, still hoping to meet the lad who had robbed him. His perambulations presently brought him to a spot where there was a pond of water, in which some gold-fish were swimming. The gold-fish caught his eye and he paused to watch them as they darted about. He was leaning over, looking into the pond, when some boys came along on a run. One boy shoved another and he fell up against Sammy. As a consequence the country lad lost his balance and went into the pond with a loud splash. "Save me!" he spluttered. "I can't swim!" "Wade out; it's only up to your middle!" sang out a man, and arising, Sammy did as directed. He was covered with mud and slime and presented anything but a nice appearance. "This is the wust yet!" he muttered, and felt half like crying. "I ain't going to stay here no more--I'm goin' straight fer hum!" CHAPTER XI RANDY TO THE RESCUE The next day Randy went over to the Borden farm to finish up his work there. To his astonishment Sammy was on hand and apparently eager to go to work. "Well, how was the celebration, Sammy?" asked our hero. "No good." "That's too bad." "After this I'm a-goin' to stay to hum on the Fourth," went on Sammy, as he began to fork over the hay vigorously. "I ain't goin' to no city to be skinned." "Did they skin you?" "Jest about. A feller robbed me an' I was pushed into a duck pond." "That's too bad." "If I hadn't a-had my train ticket I'd had to walk home," went on Sammy. "As it was, I had to borrow fifteen cents on the stage, to pay fer thet ride. No more city celebrations fer me. I kin have all I want right here at Riverport." And then Sammy related his adventures in detail, to which our hero listened with much secret amusement. Over at the Thompson place the ground had been plowed up in part, and as soon as he left Jerry Borden Randy set to work in earnest to plant late vegetables. For what our hero had done for the Bordens he was paid in vegetables, and also received a rooster and four hens. This gave the Thompsons their own eggs, for which the lady of the cottage was thankful. Randy was at work early one morning, when Jack appeared. "Hullo, at it already?" sang out Jack. "I thought I'd find you still in bed." "I prefer to work when the sun is not so hot," answered Randy. "But what brings you out at such an hour as this?"