Stacy began to sputter in an uncertain voice.
Professor Zepplin shook him roundly.
"Why didn't you get out of it? The water wasn't over my head, you
Chunk," roared Old Hicks.
Chunky eyed him sadly.
"It was the way I went in," he said, breathing hard as he wrung the water from his trousers by twisting them in his hand.
At that the irrepressible Hicks went off into another paroxysm of mirth.
CHAPTER XV
ROPED BY A COWBOY
The Professor had no sooner marched Stacy to his tent to wash the mud from himself and get into a clean suit of clothes, than the sheepmen came galloping back to camp. A few of them had been left out near the foothills in case of a surprise.
"Where's that boy who sent us off on this fool chase?" demanded Luke
Larue, riding right into the camp.