Part 9 (1/2)

Both lads watched the proceedings, powerless to prevent the catastrophe, and indulging in vain regrets that their firearms were not available, as beds, blankets, and suits of useful clothing were tossed overboard.

At length a heavy blanket became impaled upon the brute's horns, the folds falling over its eyes.

In vain the bull strove to toss aside the fabric; then, rus.h.i.+ng along the deck, it collided with ventilators, hatchways, and other obstacles, each obstruction increasing its anger. Wheeling suddenly, the bull darted through the entry port and vanished over the s.h.i.+p's side.

”Oh, the boat! The boat will be smashed to firewood,” shouted Andy, sliding down from his perch.

Terence had joined him, and, heedless of Ellerton's voice shouting to be released from his prison, the two lads rushed to the side of the vessel.

The animal had fallen upon one of the thwarts of the boat, breaking it completely in half, and was lying on the bottom-boards plunging wildly.

One kick in a vital place and the boat would be holed.

”There's enough damage done already,” muttered Andy. ”It's the only way,” and running aft he returned in a moment with a loaded rifle.

”How are you going to manage it?” asked Terence. ”You'll do almost as much damage to the boat with the bullet----”

”Shut up!” growled Andy, and, snapping the safety catch of the weapon, he swung himself without further delay into the stern sheets of the cutter.

The bull tried to rise, but in vain. Its head reared itself slightly above the gunwale; the rifle cracked.

”There's fresh beef at least, Terence. Throw Hoppy the tail end of a rope and get him out of that hole.”

Then, as Ellerton appeared, blinking in the strong suns.h.i.+ne, Andy continued:

”Throw those things into the boat, and look sharp. We've wasted enough time and precious cargo this morning--all for the sake of that brute.”

During the time the boat was being rowed sh.o.r.eward, Andy--usually so genial and even-tempered--preserved an almost sullen silence; while Ellerton, annoyed at having failed to bring the bull ash.o.r.e alive, was also ill at ease. Nor did the latter guess the cause of his friend's glumness till some days later, when he observed Andy repairing a rent in one of his garments. Even a graze from an infuriated bull is likely to cause discomfort, he thought, though there is no reason why others should suffer for it.

CHAPTER VII

THE EMBLEM OF EMPIRE

”You've been a long time,” remarked Mr. McKay, as the three youths made their appearance.

”Yes,” admitted Terence, ”I'm afraid we have; but we must blame Hoppy's bull.”

”Hoppy's bull?” asked Mr. McKay.

”Yes, the ox turned out to be a bull--and a tough customer he was,”

replied Terence, who then proceeded to give Mr. McKay a graphic description of how they had tried to unload the bull from the wreck.

”And how do you feel to-day?” asked Ellerton.

”Considerably better,” replied the injured man.

”You've been moved,” declared Andy, pointing to some marks in the gra.s.s.

”I plead guilty,” replied his father with a smile. ”Quexo dragged my couch out in the suns.h.i.+ne. I wanted to take an observation at midday.