Following their glances, Dick saw in the street what is commonly known in small towns as the "hoss wagon"---a vehicle built for the purpose of removing dead horses. "There goes Fred Ripley's bargain!" chuckled one of the boys. At that moment Fred Ripley himself turned the corner into Main Street. "And there's Rip himself," laughed another boy. "Hey, Rip! How's horse flesh?" But Fred, flushing angrily, hurried along. "What's up?" asked young Prescott as the group of boys came along. "Haven't you heard about Fred's pony?" asked one of the crowd. "I know he bought a pony," Dick answered. "Yes; but Squire Ripley had a veterinary go down to the Ripley stable this afternoon, and look the pony over," volunteered the ready informant. "Vet said that the pony would be worth a dollar or two for his hide, but wouldn't be worth anything alive. So Squire Ripley ordered the pony shot, and that cart is taking the poor beast away." "Is your canoe going to be a winner?" asked another boy. "We expect so," Dick nodded. "Great joke on Rip, isn't it?" grinned another. "I can't say that his misfortune makes me especially happy," Prescott answered gravely. "Well, I'm glad he was 'stung' on his pony," continued the other boy. "Rip is no good!" "There is an old saying to the effect that, if we got our just deserts we'd all of us be more or less unhappy," smiled Dick. "Rip won't be so chesty with us smaller boys," predicted another grammar school boy. "If he tries it on, all we've got to do is to ask him, 'How's horse flesh, Rip?'" In spite of himself Dick could not help laughing at the thought of the mortification of the lawyer's son when he should be teased on so tender a point. Then Dick asked: "Mart, is your uncle at his stand now?" "I reckon he is," nodded Heckler. "Let's go over there and see him." "You're going to try to take the ride with us, then?" asked Mart. "I think so." "Bully!" glowed Mart, who, like most of the younger boys of Gridley, was a great admirer of the leader of Dick & Co. Billy Heckler, a man of thirty, was, indeed, to be found at his stand. "Dick wants to go up to Lake Pleasant with us on Monday," Mart began, but Dick quickly added: "I understand, Mr. Heckler, that you're going up to the lake without a load." "Yes," nodded the truckman. "Then it struck me that perhaps I could arrange with you to take up our canoe and some bedding, and also let the fellows ride on the wagon." "How many of you are there?" inquired Billy Heckler. "The usual six," Dick smiled. "If you can do it, how much would you charge us?" "Fifteen dollars," replied the driver, after a few moments' thought. Dick's face showed his disappointment at the answer. "I'm afraid that puts us out of it, then," he said quietly. "I had hoped that, as you are going up without a load, anyway, you might be willing to take our outfit up for a few dollars. It would be that much to the good for you, wouldn't it?"