But still he held the bag
open. No 'possums came his way. Some few thousands of insects did.
A large part of these hopped into the bag. Others crawled in.
In the meantime Tad, his face wearing a grin, had walked away, but
instead of beating the bush for 'possum, he headed straight for the
camp. He heard the Rangers off to the left, as he emerged from the
bush. The men were laughing and talking. Butler reached the camp
ahead of them. When they came in they were amazed to see him
stretched out comfortably in front of the campfire, taking his ease.
"I thought you were hunting 'possum," cried Polly.
"I thought you were hunting 'possum," laughed the others.
The men looked into each others' faces, then burst out laughing.
"Where's the other one?" meaning Rector, who like Tad was to drive the
'possums in.
"He's hunting 'possum," answered Tad. An hour later Ned Rector came
sauntering in.
"Hullo, did you drive out any 'possum?" called Cad.
"Narry a 'poss," answered Ned carelessly. "I thought I'd leave them
for you fellows. I didn't want to hog the whole game, you know."
"Are the other two holding the bags open?"
"I don't know. I suppose they are. They'll be even with you for
that," answered Ned.
"By the way, Mr. Withem," said Tad strolling towards him, "I thought we
were going to meet Captain McKay here."
"The captain is not here," replied the lieutenant with some reservation
in his tone.
Pages:
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104