“See there!”
“What is it?” said Wallace.
“A trap,” said Phonny. “It is a squirrel trap! and it is sprung! There’s a squirrel in it, I’ve no doubt. Let me get off and see.”
“Well,” said Wallace, “give me the bridle of your horse.”
So Phonny threw the bridle over his horse’s head and gave it to Wallace. He then dismounted—sliding down the side of the horse safely to the ground.
As soon as he found himself safely down, he threw his riding-stick upon the grass, and ran off toward the trap.
The trap was placed upon a small stone by the side of a larger one. It was in a very snug and sheltered place, almost out of view. In fact it probably would not have been observed by any ordinary passer-by.
Phonny ran up to the trap, and took hold of it. He lifted it up very cautiously. He shook it as well as he could, and then listened. He thought that he could hear or feel some slight motion within. He became very much excited.
He put the trap down upon the high rock, and began opening up the lid a little, very gently.