When they had gone a rod or so, Mr. Ribsam called out:
"Nicholas!"
"Yes, sir!" answered the son, wheeling instantly.
The father took the long stem of his pipe from his mouth, emitted a blast of vapor, and then shut his eyes and flung his head backward with a quick flirt, which meant that his boy should come to him.
Nick obeyed with his usual promptness, and paused immediately in front of his parent, while Sam Harper stopped short and looked backward at the two, with the purpose of waiting until the interview ended.
The old gentleman meant his words for both, and he therefore used the English tongue as best he could, and spoke loud:
"Nicholas, bears ish shtrong amimals as nefer vos: they can squeeze in der ribs of a ox of dey tried, I dinks, so looks out dot de bears don't not squeeze mit you."
"I will take good care, you may depend."
"His claws am sharp and he has big jaws; look outs for dem, Nicholas!"
"You may be sure I will."