Mark listened to the shouts and joining in the merriment of his friends. But suddenly he started back with a perfect gasp of delight.
“What’s the matter?” cried the others.
By way of answer Mark turned and whispered:
“Not a sound now!” he cried. “Do you hear me? Gee whiz, what a joke!”
He raised himself upon his elbows and drew a long, deep breath; then he waited.
One of the yearlings, a big, burly fellow named Rogers, was just at that moment doing likewise, drawing his breath for a shout. He had come a little closer to test the effect.
“Hello!” he roared, at the top of his lungs.
And a moment later Mark answered him:
“Hello-o-o!”
Rogers started back and gazed at his companions in amazement.