“If I only had my revolver, I’d fix him,” said Ben.
“Where is it, Ben?” whispered Bob, eagerly.
“In the tent there. I say, fellows,” he continued, “if you will keep his attention off to one side I’ll crawl in and get the pistol. Can’t you throw some sticks or stones at him, or poke him with a long pole? While you’re doing that, I’ll creep round to the other side and get into the tent. He won’t see me if you keep him busy.”
The suggestion of a pole met with no favor, but sticks and stones were more practical, and selecting a short club as a weapon of defence in case of an attack, the three boys drew off together a little farther into the woods and then began to throw the missiles at the crouching animal.
As their aim was poor they added shouts to their other “weapons,” and soon the camp was ringing with their calls, though the animal did not move and seemed to be alike fearless of their missiles and wild cries.
Ben, meanwhile, had crept stealthily around to the farther side of the tent, and when the uproar of his companions rose to its highest point, darted quickly into the tent, secured his revolver and then ran out again with a celerity which his friends might well have envied.
Possessed of his weapon he called to the boys, and as soon as they had joined him he stepped nearer the spot and cocked his pistol. He could still see their visitor in the same attitude and place where he had been when first discovered. The camp-fire flickered and the trees moaned under the night wind. The wash of the waves upon the pebbly beach was the only other sound to be heard, unless the rapid beatings of the hearts of the boys were audible to others besides their owners.
“Don’t move, fellows,” whispered Ben, as he slowly raised his revolver and took aim.
His warning apparently was not needed, for not one of the boys moved from his place. Each was intently watching that crouching form upon the roof, and waiting for the report of the revolver, which should either put an end to their suspense by killing the animal, or bring upon themselves the rush of an angry and perhaps wounded beast.