Hop Yet, we go now; if Dicky comes back, you blow the horn
yourself, will you?'
'All light, boss. You eat um dinner now; then go bime-by; mutton
heap cold; you--'
'Dinner!' shouted Jack. 'Confound your impudence! If you say dinner
again, I'll cut the queue off your stupid head.'
'Good!' murmured Polly, giving a savage punch to her blue Tam o'
Shanter cap.
'Jack, Jack!' remonstrated Aunt Truth.
'I know, dear auntie; but the callous old heathen makes me so mad I
can't contain myself. Come, Margery, let's be off. Get your shawl;
and hurrah for the one who comes back to blow the horn first! I'll
wager you ten to one I'll have Dick in auntie's lap inside the
hour!'--at which Aunt Truth's eyes brightened, and she began to take
heart again. But as he tore past the brush kitchen and out into the
woods, dragging Madge after him at a breathless pace, he shut his
lips together rather grimly, saying, 'I'd give five hundred dollars
(s'posin' I had a cent) to see that youngster safe again.'
'Tell me one thing, Jack,' said Margery, her teeth chattering with
nervousness; 'are there any animals in this canyon that would attack
him?'
'Oh, of course it is possible that a California lion or a wild-cat
might come down to the brook to drink--they have been killed
hereabouts--but I hardly believe it is likely; and neither do I
believe they would be apt to hurt him, any way, for he would never
attack them, you know. What I am afraid of is that he has tumbled
over the rocks somewhere in climbing, or tangled himself up in the
chaparral.
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