"I am going to try a shot at that big fellow that seems to be the boss of the gang," said Walter after an hour had dragged away without the animals showing any signs of leaving.
"Don't do it," Charley advised, "you can't kill him with that small calibered revolver, and it will only make them madder than ever."
Walter put back his revolver with a sigh. "I guess you're right," he admitted, "but, I declare, it makes me mad the way that big brute is leering up at me."
Wearily the hours dragged away, the boys getting cramped and weary in the tree, and the besiegers showing no sign of abatement in their interest.
The darkness found two, very tired, hungry boys seated in the tree while the boars still grunted in a circle around them.
With the rising of the moon came the distant tolling of the chapel bell and the boys looked worriedly at each other.
"The captain and Chris will be frightened to death with that thing tolling and we absent," Walter said.
"Yes, the captain will be sure to believe that we are all dead," Charley agreed. "There is something unearthly about that ringing, but of course there is a natural cause for it if we could only discover it."
"After our experience last night I am almost ready to agree with the captain and Chris," said Walter.
"Except for its worrying those two, I would not mind it in the least," Charley declared. "I am more upset by our position here. I guess we will have to stay all night, those fellows below show no signs of leaving."