“I can’t swim,” he said. “Look at the plight I’m in. No one ever gets to this pasture. I come here to-day t’ put a ring in this critter’s nose. He broke away from the ropes I’d tied him with when I almost had it in, an’ he chased me into th’ water. He’s kept me here over an hour an’ I ain’t had my breakfast. Every time I try to get out he charges.”
“Why don’t you go away up or far down the stream where he can’t follow?” asked Bart.
“I’ve come down a mile from where I started,” the farmer said. “I’m plumb tired out an’ I know I’ll catch cold stayin’ in th’ water so long. If I ever git holt of that ’tarnation critter I’ll—”
He didn’t finish, for, while he had been talking he had been drawing near shore. The bull was watching him, and made another dash that sent the farmer scurrying for deep water.
“That’s the way he does it,” he said to the boys, his voice showing the despair he felt.
CHAPTER XX
FOLLOWED BY SANDY
“I have it!” exclaimed Frank. “Get into our boat and we’ll land you anywhere you want.”