Oscar kept his mind on these matters all the way home. He could have started for the city the very next day, if it had not been for the fact that the committee wished to see some of his specimens.
Those he decided to take with him must all be mounted over again, and that was very particular work and could not be hurried. The birds must all be perched in trees, and the standards that supported the trees, as well as the board on which the black fox was placed, must be painted and covered with moss and leaves preserved in paraffine, to make them resemble the ground in the forest.
After that, neat boxes must be made in which to pack the specimens for transportation; and when Oscar had thought it all over, he decided that the work could not be done in less than a week.
He told his correspondent so in the letter he wrote to him as soon as he reached home, and set the following Wednesday for the start. He added a piece of information that must have delighted Professor Kendall.
He said that the gun had been recovered with but very little effort; that it was safe in his (Oscar's) hands, and that, in order to save express charges, he would take it with him when he went to Yarmouth, if its owner would consent to wait so long for it.
When the letter had been dropped into the office, Oscar went home again and resumed his work upon the black fox. While the specimen was growing into shape under his skilful hands, he was suddenly startled by a loud scream of terror, which sounded from the street, and was immediately followed by angry bays and growls from Bugle.
Oscar, wondering what could be the matter, ran out into the yard with all haste, and was greatly amazed to see Sam Hynes standing in front of the gate holding fast with both hands to the loose, thick skin on the back of the hound's neck.
The animal had reared himself upon his hind legs, and was struggling desperately to reach Leon Parker and his cousin, Frank Fuller, who stood a little further down the sidewalk, trembling with fear and begging Sam not to let go his hold upon the enraged brute.
They knew that the hound recognized them, and was determined to take revenge on them for what they had done that morning.
Had they taken to their heels, the animal would have become more determined than ever. Their safest course was to stand still and trust to Sam's grip.