I obeyed him, and the blaze flashed up higher once again, spreading a cloud of sparks on high to rise among the leaves and tinge the broad branches with a ruddy golden glow.
I gazed in all directions for the danger, and started with nervous trepidation every time the doctor spoke, his words being generally—“Throw on more wood.” But at last, after a terrible period of anxious silence, he whispered my name.
“Yes,” I said.
“This can’t go on much longer. I’m afraid the beast is coming nearer. Can you see anything your side?”
“Yes—no—yes, I think so,” I whispered back. “There’s a shadowy something just at the edge of the light. I think it is some kind of wild beast.”
“Is it the dog?” he whispered back.
“No,” I said. “Gyp always sleeps close to his master.”
“Do you think you could take steady aim at it, my lad?” he said.
“I don’t know,” I replied, “but I will try. Shall I fire at it?”
“Let me think,” he answered. “I don’t know whether it would be wise to fire, and perhaps only wound the creature.”