“Any fambly as yeou heard of?” Perk further wished to know.
“He told me he was a widower—I thought he must be up against some sort of mind trouble—it just impressed me that way, though he never let out a word of his personal affairs; but I never saw him smile, even when others in the party were cracking jokes, and laughing their loudest.”
“Huh! too bad sech a fine guy should a been sent out on a tough job like this one,” was all that Perk remarked, half under his breath, as though what Jack had told satisfied his curiosity, and further increased his respect for the brave brother officer whom he knew only by report.
These things were bound to crop up in his mind from time to time, and give him reason for further thought; for whatever the sad fate of Simeon might be it seemed to have some connection with their own fortunes.
Then Perk’s roving fancy came back again to the adventure through which they had so recently passed, with such wonderful success. Figuratively he patted himself on the back, because it had been wholly his conceit, that of setting their grim four-footed jailor on fire, and causing the beast to break the siege in hot haste.
“Huh! not so bad—fur me,” Perk told himself, with one of his queer chuckles. “Ole Perk he kin wake things up once in a coon’s age, if he sets his mind on doin’ the same. Kinder guess it’d pay me to sorter cultivate that streak o’ ingenuity—mebbe I’m movin’ along to be some sorter inventor like Tom Edison—yeou never kin tell ’til the time comes. ’Twouldn’t be so funny after all, come to think o’ it—my ole man had a gift thataway, even if he never did set the State o’ Maine on fire. Huh! if things keep on amovin’ like this, little ole Perk mebbe’ll amount to some punkins after all!”
CHAPTER XIX
Taking Great Chances
Jack could read his chum almost as easily as he might an open page. Consequently he readily surmised what was making the other feel so good—he saw Perk’s chest swell up, and his whole person partake of the joy that accompanied his secret thoughts. Not for worlds though would he wish to let the other know how it amused him.
“Let him enjoy the thrill while it lasts, the dear old chap,” he told himself in a whisper. “It isn’t often he plays the high hat role; and after all’s said and done his queer little game did pan out just fine—no shooting, or whooping things up; just making it hot for that ill-tempered live wire of a silvertop bear.”
What was causing Perk to feel so good was the thought of what would happen should any one ever again try to coax that identical bear to partake of the tempting fluid that had brought about his recent panic and flight.