Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/203

 it's because of the men he has eaten. Down, you devil! down!' he cried, jumping to the hyena's cage and striking him with his cane to distract their attention. Reynolds was lying quiescent at the time, and at the blow promptly raised his head in amazement. 'Snarl!' hissed Tib, in English, and Reynolds made good with a long-drawn hoot that sounded like a barn-owl suffering from diphtheria.

"‘These idiots will see their finish yet, Billy,' cried Tib to me, in disgust. 'It's them to the salty brine all right, I guess.'

"This caused the quartet to overdo it as they attempted to cinch freedom by cunning acting. None of them had ever read nature stories, however, and only Tib's ready cane and warning—'Back! back! Not too near!'—saved the day. 'Where I can approach with impunity,' he explained, turning easily to the alcalde, 'you would feel their cruel fangs. Ah, bite, would you?' This to the bear, who was lying perfectly quiet, and Tib gave him a poke that brought a cloud of dust from his flanks, whereat he raised his paw to straighten his head, that now was at right angles with all the laws of nature.

"‘Behold the lion about to spring!' shrieked Tib, thrusting into the ribs of the king of the forest and thus bringing him into a more reasonable posture.

"‘Fer th' love iv—o-o-o-gh!' spoke and snarled Murphy, in his rich brogue.