There was a little movement outside the tent. Jerry heard Johnson give a startled exclamation, and then he heard another voice triumphantly cry out:
“I have it! It is a very valuable specimen. I am a thousand times obliged to you.”
Jerry threw back the tent flap, and saw standing beside Johnson a small man, with a very large pair of spectacles on; and the little man was carefully putting into a box a big, buzzing fly. Jerry knew, almost before he had left the tent, whom he was going to see. I presume my readers have already guessed who it was, but, if not, Jerry’s excited exclamation will tell you.
“Professor Snodgrass!” he cried. “Where did you come from? I haven’t seen you since you captured the horned toad in California.”
“That’s so, Jerry. It has been quite a while. But I was just fortunate enough to capture the most perfect specimen I have ever seen of a green horse-fly.”
“I didn’t know green horses were ever bothered with flies,” remarked Jerry, a twinkle in his eyes, while he shook hands with the professor, an example which was followed by Ned and Bob, who came outside when they heard the mention of their scientific friend.
“Ah, Jerry, you will have your joke, I see. You know what I mean. But wait. There! now I have him safely put away,” and the scientist thrust into a small box the protesting insect.
“Did you get that off me?” asked Johnson.
“I did, my man. You may consider that you have been a great aid to science to-day,” added Uriah Snodgrass.