Indeed, the pleasures of that single afternoon were enough to repay the mill boys for all their labors. One and all they confessed, when later on heading for the camp, that they had never had such glorious fishing in all their lives.
Dan was found in camp fairly palpitating with satisfaction. Dick knew before a single word had been said that the pit was completed.
“Come out and see it, Dick,” urged the proud architect. And as there was still an hour and more before sundown, Dick gladly complied.
He found that the pit had been neatly covered with a matting of slender poles, upon which both earth and leaves had been deftly strewn. In fact, Dick might himself have stepped upon this disguising covering only that Dan caught his arm and held him back.
“You see where I’ve hung the bait,” he observed, pointing upward as he spoke. “The gorilla can’t reach it without stepping squarely out on the weak platform, and he’ll go plump down so fast there’ll be no chance for him to throw out those long arms of his and grab a branch above. I guess his goose will be cooked all right if only he browses around this way to-night, as I hope will happen.”
Dick shook hands with the originator of the pit trap.
“Here’s hoping he comes—and stays, Dan!” he said.
“You like the way we fixed it, then, do you, Dick?” demanded the other. For according to his way of thinking commendation from Dick was always to be accepted as a certificate of real merit.
“It couldn’t be better, Dan, and you have cause to be proud of your work.”
They had just returned to the camp when one of the boys was heard shouting: