“What’s that?” the lad asked.
“A naturalist is a scientist who travels to little-known places to collect wild animals for a museum or college,” explained Bob.
There was a glint of interest in young Spike’s eyes. He had absorbed this definition eagerly.
“Does he shoot with a big rifle, and camp out?” Spike demanded.
“That’s exactly what he does,” Bob replied. “And he usually has plenty of adventures, too.”
“Boy! That sounds swell! Wonder what it feels like to fire one of them guns.”
“Feels all right after you get used to it,” Joe said.
“How do you know?” Spike asked, as though he felt that Joe was talking of something that he knew nothing about.
“My friend has fired them,” explained Bob. “And so have I.”
At once the lad was all excitement.