“Very likely, Jem,” said Don, laughing.
“Ah, and as soon as you’d done it, ‘thankye, my lad,’ says the tiger, ‘that tooth’s been so bad that I haven’t made a comf’table meal for days, so here goes.’”
“And then he’d eat me, Jem.”
“That’s so, my lad.”
“Ah, well, this isn’t a tiger, Jem.”
“Why, he’s wuss than a tiger, Mas’ Don; because he do know better, and tigers don’t.”
“Ramsden, ahoy!” came from below them in the ravine.
“Oh, crumpets!” exclaimed Jem. “Now we’re done for. All that long swim for nothing.”
“Back into the cave,” whispered Don. “Perhaps they have not seen us.”
He gave Jem a thrust, they backed in a few yards, and then stood watching and listening.