Though all this was really work, it seemed so much like play to Jerry and Oscar, that they actually forgot to be lazy.  The consequence was, the job was done before they thought of it.  Gathering up the heaps of small twigs scattered around them, they threw them into the cart, and found they had quite a respectable load; respectable in bulk at least, though not a very heavy burden for Billy.  Taking their seats upon the top of the mulching, which was almost as soft as a load of hay, they drove back to the barn, and alighted.  Mr. Preston now appeared, and led the horse into the orchard, where, with the aid of the boys, he scattered the birch twigs around the young trees, so as to protect their roots from the fierce heat of the sun.  There was not enough for all the trees, but he told them they need not get any more at that time.

After dinner, Mr. Preston said he should have to go over to the Cross-Roads himself, as he wanted to see a man who lived there; but he told Oscar he might go with him, if he wished.  Oscar accepted the invitation, and they were soon on their way, leaving Jerry not a little disappointed that he could not go with them.  Oscar handed his letter to the postmaster, who marked it with the stamp of the office, and deposited it in the mail-bag, Mr. Preston stopped to purchase a few articles in the shop where the post-office was kept.  When he was ready to start, he inquired: 

“Have you mailed your letter, and paid your postage, Oscar?”

“I ’ve mailed it, but I did n’t pay the postage,” replied Oscar.

“That was n’t right,” said his uncle; “when you mail a letter to a friend, you should always pay the postage.  If you pay it now, in advance, it will be only three cents; but if the postage is not paid till the letter is delivered, it will be five cents.”

“I did n’t think of that,” said Oscar; “I wonder if it is too late to pay it now?  I ’ll go and see.”

On making known his request, the postmaster drew forth the letter from the bag, and imprinted another stamp upon it.  Oscar paid the three cents, and departed, with his uncle.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE RECALL.

Oscar was bent upon going a-gunning.  He had allowed his mind to dwell upon the idea, until it seemed to him as though he could no longer resist the impulse to play the sportsman, without a sacrifice of his happiness.  His uncle, it is true, had tried to dissuade him from it, and had positively refused to lend him his gun.  But there were other guns in Brookdale, and everybody was not so particular as Mr. Preston about trusting boys with fire-arms.  Why could n’t he borrow a gun of somebody else?  So he asked himself; and by-and-bye he put the same question to Jerry.  Jerry heartily entered into the proposal.  He thought Jim Oakley would lend him a gun.  At any rate, he was not afraid to ask him.  Jim was a famous gunner, in that region.  He had several fowling-pieces; and if he would not lend them his best rifle, it was not likely that he would refuse them one of his old guns.  So Jerry reasoned, and Oscar fully agreed with him.  They went to see Jim, that very afternoon, and by dint of teasing, they got the gun, together with a small quantity of powder and shot.  Thus armed, they set out for the woods, in quest of game.