The rest looked, but at first they could distinguish nothing. The Parson approached the spot and then they saw a most interesting sight. An unfortunate bullfrog, hopping about country during the night had gotten into trouble. A garter snake had him by the leg and was slowly swallowing him. (The Parson referred to it as “the process of deglutition.”)
It was rather an interesting sight, and ordinarily the plebes would have been glad to watch it; but now they were in a hurry.
“I wish we had time to stop,” said Mark. “Come on.”
And Stanard turned and gazed at him in consternation.
“Come on!” he echoed. “Come on! Do you actually mean to say that the scientific spirit has burned so low in your breast that you will not stop to witness a process of such extraordinary interest as this? Why, sir, a man might not see it once in a lifetime! I would stop an express train to watch it!”
“I’m sorry,” laughed Mark, “but we’re in more of a hurry than an express. Come on.”
“By Zeus!” gasped the Parson. “I will not go for one.”
“You may stay if you want to,” said Mark, good-naturedly. “But I’m going.”
He started away, the rest following.
“Do you mean,” roared the Parson, gazing at them indignantly, “that there is no one who cares to stay after all the scientific interest I have striven to awaken in you?”