"Now, listen, Ty," he shouted, after he had succeeded in attracting the attention of the other; "I'm going over to that spot that's farthest away. When the bull gets a good start for me, you slip down, and run for all you're worth straight to where the other fellows are waiting. Try and keep the trunk of the tree between you and the bull all you can. And if he chases you too hard, throw that red sweater aside. He may stop to toss it a few times, and that'll give you a chance to make the fence. Do you understand?"
"Yes, it's all clear enough; but hold his attention as long as you can, Elmer, because it looks like a whole mile over to that fence!" Ty called back.
So Elmer kept on around the field. The place he had selected as the scene of operations was exactly opposite where he had left the other three fellows; and he considered this a favorable circumstance, indeed, as it increased the chances of the boy in the tree.
When he had finally arrived, Elmer took the red bandana handkerchief from his neck, and climbed over the fence. Of course, not being a professional bullfighter, he did not mean to get far away from his base, and expected to make good use of that same fence when the crisis came.
Immediately he began to shout and wave that defiant banner, the bull took notice. Since the color that he detested so heartily seemed to have been transferred from the boy in the tree to the one on the ground, so the interest of the bull changed.
He instantly started on a mad run toward Elmer, galloping along in a way that seemed to indicate a desire to be out after business.
"Get down, quick, Ty, and run for all you're worth!" shouted Elmer, still waving his bandana, and at the same time trying to correctly gauge the speed of his enemy, so that he could get out of harm's way in ample time.
"Jump, Elmer!" shrieked Landy, who was perched on the top of the fence across the field, and could not tell just how close the bull had arrived to his chum.
Ty had meanwhile dropped out of the tree, and was heading for them as fast as his nimble legs, aided by his fright, could carry him. But as he had said, it was quite some distance, and his heart seemed to be in his mouth every second of the time he was in transit.
"There! Elmer's made for the fence at last!" cried Landy. "Oh, look at that rush of the bull, would you! But Elmer was too quick for him, and he's over the fence and out. Oh, my, just hear that crash when the old bull banged into the fence! Now, will you be good, you monster? He's looking around, and I just hope he don't see poor old Ty making this way!"