"We could make a try at it," responded the others hopefully.
They slipped down the stairs. At the bottom, Bronco suggested they get spoons from the hotel kitchen. It was a matter of generalship to boost Roarer through the window, where his collision with pots and pans was no impediment to his triumphal return with a soup ladle and two large spoons. In the darkness Roarer was able to retain the ladle for himself, handing the spoons to the other boys. Thus equipped they sneaked to the rear of the church and crawled cautiously to the open door. One of the cans was within easy reach--the other two some distance from the door. Conversation was in full swing and every one's attention was directed toward the minister at the front part of the room.
"Slip her quick," whispered Bronco, "and then we kin pack her out on the prairie and eat all we want."
The plan was carried out successfully. Roarer and Bronco slid the freezer until it was outside the door. Swiftly they lifted the tin can from the tub of ice and hastened away with their prize, while Holy kept pace with them.
At a safe distance from the church, they paused and removed the cover. Roarer thrust his dipper down, but had to reach further than he expected. Deeper he scooped without reward. Once more he tried. It was too dark to see inside of the can.
"Say, are you tryin' to hog it all yourself?" protested Bronco.
Bronco wasted no time, and the other two listened to the click of his spoon against the tin can. After a few seconds, he raised up, saying, "All right, Holy. You're next!"
"How is it?" asked Holy as he leaned over the can.
"Fine as silk," was Bronco's recommendation.
"Best ice-scream I ever et," asserted Roarer.
Holy's spoon tattooed on the tin; it scraped forlornly, then there was breathless silence, a grunt, followed by the sound of an empty ice-cream freezer receiving several vigorous kicks accompanied by a terrific volley of cuss-words.
"You darn chumps," he gasped at last, "what made you go and take the one that hadn't northin' in it!"
"Oh, darn it all. What's the use," piped Roarer's gentle voice. "Let's go back and go to bed. Thar ain't nothin' else to do in this yere town."
They were settled in their beds when Limber opened the door and peered into the room.