And speaking of Patch of Heaven, back there, the bake sale was a success.

Everyone had came all the way from Chugwater to try some of Pearl's homemade goodies.

Later, after they had left, Sheriff Sam rode up to the farm.

"I trust your bake sale is being profitable?" he asked.

"You bet it is, chief!" said Peppermint Patty. "Marcie's inside the house, counting up the money we've made so far."

Marcie stepped out of the house, looking glum.

"Well, how much money do we have now, sweetie?" asked Pearl.

Marcie let out a sad sigh. "We've only made $250 dollars."

"Two-hundred and fifty dollars?!" everyone repeated in shock.

"Good grief!" exclaimed Peppermint Patty. "That means we're $500 dollars short."

"Still ain't enough, I'm afraid." said Sheriff Sam as he hammered a sign into the dirt.

Lucy glared at Charlie Brown. "I should've known better than to listen to you, blockhead!"

Then she stormed into the house.

The farm animals watched and were starting to get worried.

"I don't get it." said one of the little piggies. "Weren't the cows supposed to come back?"

"Daddy, what's going to happen if they don't come back?" asked another piggy.

"Oh, don't you worry, sonny." said Ollie. "I'm sure they'll be back soon."

"Hogwash!" said Jeb. "We all know they're never coming back."

Ollie chuckled a bit. "You don't know that, Jeb."

But Jeb went on. "Everybody knows that bovines are the most intelligent, crafty animals in the west."

"Yeah. He's right, you know." Larry said to the hens.

"Doesn't take a cow to figure it out. They saw the writing on the wall and flown the coop while the getting was good."

"What?" said Ollie.

"Oh, no! They tricked us and deserted us!" panicked Audrey.

Then all the other animals started to panic, while Ollie tried to calm them down.

"Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me!"

The animals stopped in their tracks and stared at Ollie.

Seeing that he got their attention, the pig cleared his thorat. "Let's not forget who we're talkin' 'bout. Audrey, remember when Grace helped you figure out why you crossed the road? And, Jeb, Miss Caloway knew just what to do when your head got stuck in that spittoon."

"Get off my case!" shouted Jeb.

"And Maggie was gonna make us all winners." Ollie went on. "I truly believe there ain't nothin' those three cows can't do."

As soon as he spoke, the animals saw Sheriff Sam place a box on the ground Inside the box that said, "Buy One. Get Three Free," were Audrey's chicks.

"Well, whatever they're gonna do," said Jeb. "They better do it soon!"

Before he left, Sheriff Sam turned to Pearl, who was staring out at the countryside.

"I'm so very sorry, Pearl." he said. "At least you did your best."

"Thank you, Sam." replied Pearl, not looking.

As Sheriff Sam rode off, Charlie Brown walked up to Pearl.

"So we're only $500 dollars short." he said. "But that doesn't mean we can't give up."

"Oh, what's the use?" groaned Pearl. "I'm just plum out of ideas."

"That's not true." said Charlie Brown. "There must be another way to save your farm."

Pearl just sighed. "Charlie Brown, I don't know what's worse; losing my farm to the highest bidder or knowing that...that my girls and your dog are lost and alone out there."