With a puffing snort, and a great crackling of brush, up rose the peaceful cow that had so startled Tess and Dot Kenway.
“Oh, Neale! come back!” shrieked Agnes, as she saw the wondering cow looking over the bush at her.
“What’s the matter?” the boy demanded, while Tom Jonah approached the cow curiously.
“The cow!”
“Oh, she won’t hurt you,” declared Neale O’Neil.
“Just the same I’m afraid of her,” said Agnes. “See her now!”
The cow was shaking her horns at the dog, and threatening him.
“Like enough she has a calf hidden away there in the brush,” said Neale. “And——Cricky!” suddenly he added; “I bet she scared the kids.”
“Oh, Neale!”
“Sure! That’s what’s the matter. They saw her and ran. And they ran in the wrong direction, of course,” Neale continued, with very good judgment.