Part 18 (1/2)
”I like dem murders. Da vos alvays make dem goose skins mine back town.”
At this there was a general roar.
”'Goose skins' is good,” came from Fred.
”Vot you laffin' at, hey?” demanded Hans.
”Nothing.”
”Dere don't been noddings to laugh at by a murder, not so?”
”That's true, Hansy,” said Sam.
”Maybe of you vos killed, you vould sit ub and laugh at him, hey?”
”I shouldn't laugh,” said Tom. ”I'd keep quiet about it.”
”Yah, I know you, Tom Rofer. I bet you sixteen cents I vos a better actor mans as you been,” continued Hans, warming up.
”I don't doubt it, Hansy. Some day we'll put you on the stage.”
”Of I got on der stage, I make me a hundred dollars a veek, I pet you my head!”
”Maybe you'd make two hundred, Hans,” suggested Songbird.
”You all peen jealous of vot I can do. But some day I vos show you, you see!” cried the German youth, and rode on ahead, somewhat out of sorts.
They had resolved to camp out that night in true hunter fas.h.i.+on, and approaching a spot that looked inviting, they came to a halt. The place was some distance from the road and ideal in many respects, being on high ground and with a spring of pure water flowing into a tiny brook but fifty feet away.
As they had no tent, they proceeded to make a shelter of boughs, and covered the flooring with the same material. In the meantime, a campfire was lit, and two of the number set about preparing the supper which had been brought along.
”This is all very well, when one has his stuff with him,” observed Fred. ”But if we had to go out and shoot game or catch fish, it would be a different story.”
”Pooh, as if we haven't done that!” cried Tom. ”I shouldn't like anything better than to go out into the woods for a month.”
By the time the shelter was in readiness for the night, the supper was cooked, and all sat around the campfire to partake of the meal.
A certain part of it had been slightly burnt, but to this n.o.body paid attention, although it would have been noticed if this had occurred at home or at a hotel. But camping out makes such a difference, doesn't it, boys?
”Supposing some wild animals came along to eat us up?” said Sam when they were finis.h.i.+ng their meal.
”Are there any wild animals around here?” questioned Songbird.
”I am sure I don't know. There may be bobcats in the timber.”
”Vot is a popcat?” asked Hans.
”It's a kind of a wildcat--very strong and very fierce.”
”Of dot peen der case, I ton't vonts to meet Mr. Popcat.”