Fritz choked at the very thought of such a possibility, and Dick began to look about for the cause of the farmer's long conversation. At that instant there came a long whistle from outside the house, and with a bound the farmer reached the door and stood in front of it. Dick sprang from his stool, grabbed the old man roughly about the shoulders, and hurled him from his position at the door. He ran outside, followed by Fritz, who had started to his comrade's assistance, and discovered their two horses going at a gallop down the road, led by a young man on a third horse. "So that's their little game," cried Dick. "Come on, ve'll catch him," yelled Fritz, and started headlong in pursuit. Dick ran with him, but it was soon evident to both of them that the longer they ran the farther behind they got. So they slowed down to a walk, and as they reached the top of a long wooded hill, they stopped to get their breath. "I'll climb up that old tree, I guess," said Dick. "Maybe we can see something of the rascals from the top." "Yah, und I'll go too up," commented Fritz. So the two started climbing, and Dick gradually worked his way toward the upper branches of an aged oak. When he had almost reached the top he heard a loud crash, and looking below saw his good friend land with a dull thud on the mossy ground beneath. "What's the trouble?" called Dick. "Troubles enough," responded the startled boy. "Dot old tree is so shaky dot I don't see how you up climbed him." This statement occasioned so much laughter on Dick's part, that the old monarch of the forest in retribution pretty nearly landed him on the ground beside Fritz, and it was only by hurriedly grasping the nearest branches and steadying himself that Dick retained his position. "Veil, vhere is he at?" questioned Fritz, referring to the person whom they had seen making away with their horses. "Can't see him at all," Dick replied, scanning the road for a view of the vanished horseman. "That's funny, too, Fritz, for I can see way ahead of where he should be." "Maype he is hiding," conjectured the German. "By George!" ejaculated Dick. "How do you know his name?" asked Fritz. "Don't," responded Dick. "Look here, Fritz. There is another road running parallel with this one, a little further down in the valley." "Vell, dot don't help us any yet," replied Fritz. "One road is enough to valk on. No, yes?" "But I'll bet it does help us, you lazy goose. That fellow may have gone across to it through the woods, and if we hurry, we'll head him off." Dick came down rapidly and the two rushed off through the brush and timber toward the road which Dick had discovered. "Be a little careful about making any noise," cautioned Dick. "If that fellow hears us floundering about in this way, he will take alarm and ride off again, and then where would all your tree climbing and running help you?" "Py golly, running is bad, but no more shaky trees for me," replied Fritz.