“We’ll go out on the hills and look for her this afternoon,” said Roy, eagerly.

“If Aunt Judy will let us,” added Dudley.

But Miss Bertram having gone out to lunch with some friends could not be asked, so the two boys set out after their early dinner with light hearts.

“It’s doing old Roger good, and ourselves too,” said Roy; “I’m longing to have a good outing, and we needn’t be back very early, for granny isn’t well enough to see us to-day, nurse said.”

It was a delicious afternoon for a ramble; a soft breeze was blowing, and the sun was not unpleasantly strong.  The boys did a good deal of looking for the missing donkey, but also managed to combine with that a few other things, such as bird-nesting, picking wild strawberries, and enjoying themselves as only boys can, when roaming about in the open air.  At last rather late in the afternoon they spied in the distance a donkey, and delighted to think their quest was at an end, they hastened up to it.

Dudley had brought some carrots in his pocket, but the donkey was utterly indifferent to such a dainty; she waited till the boys were nearly up to her, and then with a kick up of her heels away she galloped, evidently enjoying the chase.

“Won’t I give her a licking when I catch her,” shouted Dudley, wrathfully, as after a long and tiring race, they stopped a minute to rest; “let us leave her and go home, Roy.  I’m sure it’s tea time, for I feel dreadfully hungry, and we’re miles and miles away.  I’ve never been so far before.”

“Oh, we mustn’t give up,” Roy replied, with his usual determination; “we won’t be beaten by an old donkey, and when we do catch her, we will both get on her back and ride her home.  Come on, let us have another try!”

“We haven’t got a halter, that’s the worst of it.”

[Illustration:  “’Now then, you rascals, what are you doing to my donkey?’”]

But Dudley plucked up courage, and in another half hour they were successful; Roy seated on the donkey’s back, and Dudley holding firmly to her tail.

“Now then—­away with you—­hip—­hip—­hurray!”

Away they tore, both donkey and boys in best of spirits now:  but before long they were brought to a standstill.  A man brandishing a huge stick sprang out in front of them.

“Now then, you rascals, what are you doing to my donkey?  Get off it this instant!”

“It isn’t your donkey, it’s old Roger’s, and we’re taking it home to him.  Don’t you cheek us!  You’re a rascal yourself!”

Dudley spoke angrily, but as he noticed the donkey stop instantly, and begin to sidle up toward the man an awful fear smote him, and Roy added quietly,

“You see you may be a thief or any one, for all we know, and it isn’t likely we’re going to let you have the chance of stealing old Roger’s donkey.  You go away and leave us alone.  We’re going home now—­Gee-up.  Come on, Dudley.”