Then he and Allan took their places. All was ready for the arrival of Giraffe, who as he ran was trying to shout something to them. It must have been sweet music in his ears to catch the sound of the motor working, and realize that an avenue of escape was opened up to him; for Giraffe could not have had much liking for all those hoes and sickles and clubs.
His long legs got him over the ground in ample time. As he arrived at the side of the car Giraffe stopped and shook his fist toward the oncoming mob, which action caused another outburst of frantic shrieking.
Bumpus leaned over, and gripping the attenuated scout, actually dragged him a board. Safety first was one of the stout boy’s favorite mottoes; and with all those angry natives on the run in their direction he did not believe in taking unnecessary chances.
As the car started off with a rush Allan looking back saw the mob waving their various weapons menacingly. They seemed very much disappointed because of missing a chance to beat Giraffe up; but that worthy, standing in the car, continued to make derisive gestures at them as long as they were in sight.
“But whatever did you do to them, to get their dander up so bad, Giraffe?” asked Bumpus, after the other had calmed down enough to resume his seat.
“Not a thing,” snapped the tall scout, vigorously. “I waved to ’em as I drew near the houses. They seemed to be clustered in a bunch as if they’d been talking over something. Then one woman pointed at me, and say, if the whole pack didn’t make a break in my direction. Well, I thought at first I’d stand and try to explain; but when I saw those curved sickles and those big hoes swinging through the air, and heard how they whooped it up, why, I guessed it’d be a heap healthier for a fellow of my size in a different atmosphere. So I ran.”
“I should say you did,” Bumpus told him, admiringly; “why, Giraffe, you just flew, that’s what you did. I warrant you only hit the high places right along. But what do you suppose they had against you to make ’em act like wild hyenas?”
Giraffe was not the fellow to try and hide behind excuses when he had made a mess of things. In this case, however, he expressed himself most emphatically.
“I tell you I never did a single thing to that bunch of crazy people!” he went on to say loudly, so that the others could all hear him. “I hadn’t a chance to, for you see they started at me before I got close enough to speak. I was just waving my hand to ’em, social-like, when one woman gave a screech, and then they commenced to make Rome howl. Wow! they’re certainly a queer lot, these French peasants. I’d like to know what there is about my looks to make ’em so hopping mad. I knew I was homely, like Abe Lincoln, but I didn’t think it’d get me into such a peck of trouble as all that.”
“There must have been a reason for it,” said Thad over his shoulder; “though we may never find it out. Those people are as a rule friendly to strangers, and willing to accommodate. Something queer has happened to upset them, I should say.”