"I never shall get such another dog!" said Tarbox, half to himself, in a mournful voice. "Nobody dared to go across my ground when he was alive."
"Was that the dog that Anak killed?" asked Charlie.
"Yes," answered Robert, briefly. "He was a vicious-looking brute and deserved to die."
At that moment Tarbox chanced to notice the stick which had produced his downfall, and a new idea came to him.
He picked it up, and breaking it in two seized one piece and flung it with all his force at Robert.
The latter caught and flung it back, knocking off the farmer's hat.
Tarbox was naturally incensed, and began again to hurl the missile, but anger disturbed his aim so that this time it went wide of the mark.
"I say, Robert," said Charlie, "this is interesting."
"I'm glad you find it so," answered Robert. "I can't say I enjoy it."