Tim and Tip

by James Otis

That night seemed a long one, and when the morning came each one looked anxiously out at the sky, gaining but little comfort from the view. The clouds were dull and gray; and though the rain was not falling as furiously as it had been, it was still coming down in the same determined way.

Tim made an addition to the rather small slices of bread and cake, in the shape of two raw eggs to each boy; and though some of them rebelled at the uncooked food, they were wise enough to suck them before they grumbled very loudly.

After breakfast some of the boys who had been the most determined to join the hunting party the night before, concluded to wait a while longer before setting out, and the consequence was that no one save Tim, Bill, and Bobby had the courage to brave the drenching which it was certain they must get.

This time Bill had a more effective weapon than the one he used at the bear hunt. He had borrowed a fowling-piece of quite a respectable size, and had brought with him a supply of powder and shot.

When Tip was called to join the party he did not display the animation usual with him when invited out for a day’s sport, and Tim blamed him severely for it. But he went, however, and Tim’s scolding seemed to have very little effect upon him.

Believing they should come back staggering under the weight of game which Tip would find and Bill would kill, the boys left the tent, going up the path, since they did not dare to strike through the thickest part of the woods, for fear of getting lost.

Bill covered the lock of the gun with the corner of his jacket, to prevent the cap from getting wet, and on they went, rapidly getting a drenching both from the rain and the water which came from the branches of the trees.

For some time Tip steadily refused to run among the bushes, but after much urging he did consent to hunt in a listless sort of way, barking once or twice at some squirrels that had come out of their holes to grumble at the weather, but scaring up no larger game.

Just at a time when the hunters were getting discouraged by their ill-luck, Tip commenced barking at a furious rate, and started off through the bushes at full speed.

Bill was all excitement; he made up his mind that they were on the track of a deer at last, and was ready to discharge his weapon at the first moving object he should see.