It was the boy’s plan, made up on the spur of the moment, to reach that door and push it wide open. Then in some fashion perhaps the frightened dog might be influenced to enter, when the door could be closed, and thus he would be held in a trap.
Perhaps Rob’s heart beat like a trip-hammer within him as he came close to that door, and he fancied he saw the dog starting to jump toward him. He snapped his fingers again and spoke kindly. It may be these expressions of good-will had a little effect on the beast; at any rate the advance movement was delayed, though the vicious snarling and whining continued.
Then Rob found that he could stretch out his hand and reach the door. He started to push it open, though it was no easy task.
Having accomplished this to his satisfaction, he began to back away, still keeping his eyes on the dog, and ready to seek some friendly place of safety in case of necessity.
The dog had seen his action. It must have known that an avenue of escape had been opened up by the pushing back of that door. Possibly the poor beast anticipated a safe return to the village where it had been at home among its kind.
“Look! it’s going to accept Rob’s invitation!” cried Tubby, excitedly.
“Smart dog!” said Andy; “he may save his bacon by that clever move.”
“There he goes in; now what d’ye think of that for a bright trick?” Hiram shouted.
That was just what the badgered dog did—slipped along the wall until it came to the partly open door, and then vanished from view.
“There goes Rob back! What’s he meaning to do now, I wonder?” Tubby exclaimed, in fresh consternation.