of steam you might go out and finish the woodpile for me. I've got
to cut that wood this afternoon."

"No, thank you. I'm willing to hunt for the colored man in the
woodpile, but I'm a goat if I'll chop the wood. Why, I'd lose my
reputation in Chillicothe if I were seen doing such a common thing
as that."

"No, that would be impossible," answered Ned sarcastically.

"Eh? Impossible?" questioned Stacy.

"Oh, yes, yes, yes. I'll write it down for you so you'll understand
it and-----"

"He means that you can't lose what you don't possess," explained Walter.

Chunky grunted his disgust, but made no reply. The boys then fell to
discussing the proposed trip. Tad got out his atlas and together they
pored over the map of Arizona. After some time at this task, Chunky
pulled a much soiled railway map from his pocket. This gave them a
more detailed plan of the Grand Canyon.

"You see, I have to show you. When it comes to doing things Stacy
Brown's the one on whom you all have to fall back."

"You are almost human at times, Stacy. I'm free to admit that,"
laughed Tad. "Yes, this is just what we want."

Chunky inflated his chest, and, with hands clasped behind his back,