“Oh, Dan——”
But Paul’s protest came too late, and he received the contents of the hat full in his face.
“There,” said Dan with satisfaction, “I’m thinkin’ that’ll be enough, an’ bring you to, all right. How you feelin’?”
“All right now.” His voice was stronger, but still weak. “That thing ’most killed me, didn’t it?”
“You’re a long way from dyin’ yet, but you were havin’ a rare fine fight with th’ varmint, an’ when you kills un you faints. Feelin’ stronger? I’m thinkin’ a bit more water’ll be helpin’ you, now.”
“No! No, Dan!” plead Paul, trying to rise, but still too weak. “Don’t throw any more water on me. I’m soaked and freezing with it now.”
“Well, maybe you’re havin’ enough,” said Dan, uncertainly. “Dad says th’ best thing t’ bring a feller around when he gets done up is plenty o’ water.”
“What kind of an animal was that? When it came leaping at me I thought my time had come.”
“’Twere a lynx, an’ a wonderful big un, too, an’ nice an’ fat. He’ll make fine eatin’. How’d he come t’ fight? I never heard o’ one fightin’ before. They always runs.”
“Why, I shot him, and thought I’d killed him, and when I came over without the rifle he jumped on me.”