Ben bounded to the "coach" with an exclamation of surprise and gladness, and seized the handle as if to secure it from Jim, while he eyed him suspiciously. "I suppose you interfered with Kit's carriage?" he cried, wheeling it off. "It was too bad, Jim, I had to carry her down the road. What did you do it for?" "Stop that!" answered Jim, moaning again. "I was just having a bit of fun. It was safe enough, if you had only used your eyes better. Ah, dear! what will I do?" Ben felt half inclined to run off with his recovered treasure, but a better feeling prompted him to wait, and ask what was the matter. At first Jim did not reply, but upon Ben coming up to him, and asking if he were hurt, Jim broke down. "I've hurt my knee, and I can't walk. Mother'll want to know where I am, and I shall never get home?" "I could help you," said Ben; "put your arm in mine." "It isn't a bit of good, I can't walk a step." "Will you get in the coach? It is a very strong one, and I'll wheel you slowly," said Ben. Jim hung his head sullenly. It was a very humbling thing for him to get on to Kit's carriage, and be pushed along by Ben, but it was the only thing to be done, and, though he felt very much ashamed when he remembered his past conduct, after pretending to object a little to the plan, he allowed Ben to help him on to the perambulator. It was a good-sized double one, and so, without much difficulty, though suffering a great deal of pain, he seated himself. Very carefully did Ben wheel his vanquished enemy along, and very different were the feelings of the boys. "I'm glad I've got the 'coach,'" said Ben. "Kit's mother _would_ have been greatly upset if it had a been lost or stolen." "It would not have been lost or stolen," answered Jim, "I only wheeled it back into the bushes for fun." He did not say how the fun he had looked forward to, was to see the children search in vain, and commence their homeward walk in distress. "It wasn't _real_ fun," replied Ben. "When did you get your knee hurt?" "I was up in a tree, and I fell down," he answered, shortly. "You won't sneak about it, will you?" "No--no--o, but you had better tell the truth. I will not say how you vented your spite on Kit and me, but don't do it again, Jim. Kit's a real nice little girl." "No, I won't; that's truth for once; especially if you don't sneak on me." Jim did not tell how he climbed the tree to watch Ben's dismay at the loss of the coach, neither did he tell how a vivid flash of lightning alarmed him so that he hurried down too quickly and so fell on his knee. But he had been justly punished. Harry Gray met them half way and guessed pretty much how matters stood. He spoke a word of stern, yet kindly warning to Jim, who was heartily glad when he reached his own home. He was carried in to make the best of the adventure he could. Ben, after a good tea, went very happily to bed. CHAPTER XII. WHAT A LITTLE CHILD CAN DO.