The boys learned, a few seconds later, that it was Mr. Mason, owner of the meadow, who had been so angrily shouting. They saw him as they walked up out of a little hollow to the top of a small hill. They also saw the farmer throwing stones at some object they could not see.
“It must be the deer,” said Teddy.
Just then Mr. Mason turned and caught sight of the three boys. He walked toward them, asking:
“Is that your deer that’s been running around my meadow?”
“No, sir,” answered Teddy, “it isn’t ours.”
“Did you see a deer?” asked Joe.
“I certainly did. Quite a big one, too.”
“Did it have any girls on its back?” asked Dick.
“Girls? Land sakes, what do you mean? What girls?” asked Mr. Mason, much surprised.
“My sister, and Teddy’s,” explained Dick. “Did you see them on the deer’s back?”