Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/336

 "‘Hoist 'em out,' commanded the captain, and the gang caught Tib's enthusiasm.

"‘Now, who's game for a little romp?' asked Tib, gently, of the actors, his brown eyes collecting in two needle-points. 'I want my own men for the leading parts in this game. Now, who's impatient to go?'

"Of course I said I was. Little Eva's husband said if he could have one drink he would play puss-in-the-corner with the devil, and Uncle Tom was on if he didn't have to black up. For the other operator, Tib selected a young fellow that was coming out to hold down a stool in his father's branch house in Melbourne, and he readily agreed to chip in if he could have time to write something pathetic to his parents. Tib reminded him the postman wouldn't have time to collect the mail before we returned, and so the five of us made ready. The captain ached to go, but realized he must remain behind with the rear-guard.

"I was for grabbing up a papaw root and dashing blindly into the weeds, but Tib held us all back as he outlined his scheme more fully. The mowing-machines would dazzle the natives, he contended, and while he and his men were trifling with the aborigines' superstitions the captain and his bullies were to rush in, surround the captive, or else cover Tib's retreat once he had rescued her. And, say, you never saw men work as did those boys on the