"Did you see the hyena?"
"I think so, I thought I did."
"Do you think you hit him?"
"I really don't know. I think I must have been dreaming. I believe I let off the rifle in my sleep and then dropped it. My jaw hurts, so does my shin—damnably."
"Do you mean to say you fired the thing into the air?"
"I expect so; why?"
Black didn't wait to talk. He jumped up, pulled on his boots and bolted. As he ran he shouted: "Look out for the bullet!"
"Come back, you silly ass!" called Fernie after him. But there was no reply.
For a little while he could hear the shuffle of Black's unlaced boots as he hurried away, but not for long, as there was a wind blowing in the direction which Black had taken.
From time to time Fernie called, but there was no reply. He became alarmed for his pal's safety, so got up and dressed. With a lantern in his hand he wandered here and there, hullooing.