They both bent forward and listened once more. Peter, in the intentness of his attitude, lost his balance, and was obliged to lift his foot hastily and with noise. "S-s-sh!" hissed the major.
After a minute Peter spoke quite loudly: "Oh, shucks! I don't believe yeh heerd anythin'."
The major made a frantic downward gesture with his hand. "Shet up, will yeh!" he said in an angry undertone.
Peter became silent for a moment, but presently he said again: "Oh, yeh didn't hear anythin'."
The major turned to glare at his companion in despair and wrath.
"What's th' matter with yeh? Can't yeh shet up?"
"Oh, this here ain't no use. If you're goin' in after 'im, why don't yeh go in after 'im?"
"Well, gimme time, can't yeh?" said the major in a growl. And, as if to add more to this reproach, he climbed the fence that compassed the woods, looking resentfully back at his companion.
"Well," said Peter, when the major paused.
The major stepped down upon the thick carpet of brown leaves that stretched under the trees. He turned then to whisper: "You wait here, will yeh?" His face was red with determination.