“Hurrah! He’s got him!” yelled Pepper, and his cheer was echoed by the others.
Both boys in the tree were somewhat out of breath and they did not descend at once. Finally Andy slid down and Coulter followed.
The lad who had the accident presented a most woebegone appearance. He was covered with black muck up to his armpits, and some of the muck was on his hands and face. Now that the danger was over the others had all they could do to keep from laughing at the unfortunate one.
“Coulter, you can thank Andy for saving your life,” remarked Pepper.
“I—er—I wouldn’t have tumbled into the hole if you hadn’t chased me,” grumbled Coulter.
“And we wouldn’t have chased you if you hadn’t tried to run away,” came from the young major.
“You had no right to stop me.”
“As I said before, I am taking the right, Coulter. I want you to confess something.”
“Me? I haven’t done anything.”
“You know what Reff Ritter did. I heard you talk it over.”