The boys shouted with laughter, while Jotham sat up and stared in disgust at the swaying dummy, wheezing:
“The blamed thing dodged!”
“Oh, Bubble!” shouted Mayfair. “It’s a wonder you didn’t burst when you struck the ground. Ha! ha! ha!”
“He! he! he!” mocked Jotham, sourly. “What made the hanged old thing do that?”
“That’s what it’s for,” asserted Renwood. “What would it be good for if it always hung still and let you tackle? A running man will dodge you if he can, and the dummy is made to do the same thing. That is so you’ll tackle quick and sure, and be on the watch for any move the other fellow may try to make.”
“Well, it wasn’t fair that time, for I warn’t ready for it to jump like that,” said Bubble, heavily rising to his feet.
“Try it again,” urged several.
“Excuse me!” Jotham protested. “I guess I’ll look on and see some of the rest of ye try it.”
“Hurroo!” cried Dennis Murphy, prancing off and spitting on his hands. “Oi’ll be afther havin’ a go at it, an’ let’s see thot bag av sawdust dodge me.”
“All right,” said Renwood. “Go ahead, Murphy.”