“What is it, Tige—a cat under there?” spoke the farm boy, his voice apparently nearer.
Just then, under the dog’s pulling, the tarpaulin slid clear off to the ground. Dave was dazzled by a blinding glare of sunlight.
The farmer boy sprang upon a wheel hub and looked down into the wagon box, the dog clawing and panting at his heels. The eyes of the amazed lad fell upon Dave.
“For goodness sake!” shouted the farmer boy. “Where did you come from?”
CHAPTER XIX
ANOTHER MISTAKE
Dave Dashaway’s limbs were stiff and his lips were sore. He could not move nor speak. He tried to smile to reassure the farmer boy, who looked startled and scared.
The latter swept aside the loose litter of straw and bags. The minute he got a view of Dave’s condition he turned pale, jumped down from the wheel hub and shouted out wildly:
“Father, father—come here quick!”