“I must get him started after me again, you see,” Roger commenced to explain.
“Yes, of course!” Dick managed to say as he found a few seconds of relief while the animal stood pawing the ground, and apparently debating within his mind what course he should take next.
“I’m a little the more agile, you see,” continued Roger, “and likely to tire him out in the end, if put to it.”
“All very well,” Dick told him, “but where do I come in?”
“Oh! I figured on your loading your gun, and fixing him in a hurry!” said Roger, with a laugh.
Dick even joined in that expression of merriment. Strange that up to then neither of them seemed to have given the first thought to the fact that he gripped a fire-arm in his hand, which it would take only a short time to put in serviceable condition.
“Well said, Roger! and, if you can coax the old fellow to make a change in his program, I’ll look after the gun part of the affair, I promise you.”
“Look out, he’s after you again, Dick!”
Dick knew that long before Roger could get the words of warning framed, and he was speedily making his rapid circuits around the tree with the snorting animal hot on his heels.
With the intention of carrying out his part of the arrangement Roger now started to shout and make all manner of derisive gestures by which he hoped to attract the attention, and excite the ire, of the raging animal.