"Why, poor and able to see, of course," Peter answered decidedly. He paused momentarily, then continued: "I shouldn't so much mind being blind if it wasn't for Father—if he didn't trouble about it, I mean. I heard him tell some one once that he would make any sacrifice if by doing it he could give me my sight. I'm glad you're going to see my Father, Tom; you know he's coming to Chilaton at the end of the month, and Aunt Harriet says she shall insist on his staying a few days at any rate."
"I shall like to see him," Tom admitted frankly; "he's going to take you back with him, isn't he?"
"I believe so. He misses me, I expect—not that he sees a great deal of me when I'm at home, because he's away in the city all day, but we generally have a little while together in the evening. Listen! What's that row?"
"I don't hear anything."
"I do. Your ears are not as sharp as mine. It's far away, but it's coming nearer. I hear dogs barking, and men's voices shouting, and a cow bellowing."
"A cow bellowing?" echoed Tom. He listened intently, then sprang to his feet.
"Yes, I hear now," he said quickly; "there's something being driven along the road. We'd better get somewhere out of the way." He had no fear of cows or any kind of cattle himself, but he was anxious to put Peter in a place of safety; so he hurried him across the green to a five-barred gate in the hedge. The gate was locked, but the blind boy climbed it easily, and dropped into the meadow on the other side, whilst Tom held Bounce, and Tim dragged himself through the bars.
"I must lift Bounce over," Tom said; "he's too big to get between the bars like Tim. Steady, Bounce!"
With some difficulty, for Bounce was a good weight, he succeeded in lifting the dog over the gate, Peter receiving him on the other side.
"Quick, quick, Tom!" cried Peter nervously; "I believe there's a mad bull coming! Listen how it's bellowing! Oh, here you are! That's right! What a fearful noise! Can you see what's going on?"