“Whee! that’s going some,” admitted Billy, showing a certain amount of interest. “And he doesn’t like to give up, does he, Bud? He is like some fellows I know.”
“Give up? Why, that ant never will quit trying!” was the enthusiastic reply. “Every time he misses connections, and then ant and pack roll down to the very bottom again. But he holds on like grim death to his prize, which, I take it, must be the biggest dinner he ever tried to tote home, and he’s some proud of it.”
“What else does he do?” asked Hugh, smiling at the gentleman, who had looked toward him and nodded.
“Why, he lets go and runs around the pack to see what’s the matter,” continued Bud. “Then he just grabs hold once more and starts up the old track. Mebbe he’s been doing that same thing all morning. Blamed if I can stand it to go away and never know that he did get up in the end! Here, you poor, game little runt, I’m just going to lift both you and the prize pack to the top of the heap, hanged if I’m not!”
And picking up a strong leaf, he proceeded to do as he said, after which he gave a satisfied chuckle and muttered:
“Run out of sight like you was scared, did you? But I guess you’ll come back after your prize, and it’ll please you to find that it’s up on top. But you deserve all you got, that’s right; and I’m glad to help you.”
Mr. Perkins drew in a long breath. There was a look on his face that expressed volumes as he watched Bud getting ready to shoulder some of his traps. No doubt this trifling exhibition of the interest a boy could take in the small things around him, and the sympathy that game little ant’s actions had aroused in one who was naturally as heedless as most boys, determined the gentleman more than ever to investigate the movement that could cause such a happy condition of mind.
They were soon on the move again. If Mr. Perkins felt pain or weakness, he managed skillfully to conceal the fact from his young friends, for he kept up a running fire of talk all the while they were tramping along the trail.
Hugh guessed that he must be suffering, and as if incidentally, he would every little while mention the fact that they were getting closer to the road. Finally he pointed out the place where they would strike it, and added:
“There is a farm just a little way below, sir,—near where we left our wheels this afternoon,—and I know Mr. Appleby pretty well. If he is at home, we’ll be able to get him to drive you to town, all right.”