Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/141

Rh herself, but she was sure she had not given way to audible mirth. She had a feeling she had better not laugh too soon. The ram had scrambled to his feet and was backing off with the intention of returning once more to the fray.

Click! Rebecca was sure now she could hear something besides the steady beating of Faithful Heart and the rushing of the water. Again the ram charged bravely, but the little house was built on a rock foundation and the boards were of oak and once more the animal met with such stout resistance that he rolled over into the stream.

Click! "Ha! Ha!"

Rebecca was sure, now, that she heard a laugh. What the click was she could not divine, but, taking advantage of the prostration of her pursuer, she stood up and peeped over the top of the shed.

"Hallo! Who are you, anyhow? So you're what the old critter was after! Just hold still a minute, will you?"

She found herself confronted by a boy of about her own age. He was a bonny fellow, but his manner was rough and Rebecca instinctively drew back from him.

"You needn't be scared of me. I'm just gonter take your picture. I already got the ol'