“They’re sure to see us or find us out in a day or two,” said Bowler.
“A day or two!” exclaimed Wallas; “do you really mean we’ve got to stay here without food or shelter a day or two? I wish your New Swishford was in the middle of the sea.”
“So it is,” dryly observed Bowler.
“Fine fools you’ve made of us with your humbug and child’s play,” growled the other.
“You don’t want much making,” retorted Bowler; “and if you want to talk any more, you can talk to some one else.”
Wallas accepted the invitation, and growled all round till everybody was sick of him.
After a long absence Crashford returned without the umbrella.
“I couldn’t find it,” said he, sitting down. “It’s gone.”
“But you found the peaches, you blackguard!” said Bowler, springing up and pointing to some juicy remains still clinging to the delinquent’s coat. And in his righteous indignation he dealt the traitor a blow which sent him out of the tent.
A fight ensued there and then between Bowler and Crashford, unhappily, to the disadvantage of the former, who was no match for the practised hand opposed to him. The company interposed after a few rounds, and none too soon for the damaged though still lion-hearted Bowler.