The light is good right now, and I believe I
can make a fair picture, with Ralph pressing his board down on the
chimney-top, and the smoke oozing out around him. Now to see how
much the prowler can stand for."
"He peeked out just then, and must have seen us, Hugh, because he
pulled in again," Bud shrilly cried. "Guess he don't think much
of human beings. He must have had some experience with the little
shooting sticks they seem to just point straight at him, and then
with the cough he feels an awful pain. P'raps he's a better
smoker than you think. What if he just declined to run the
gauntlet as long as we stand here."
"It's only a question of time," Hugh assured him. "He can only
stand for so much, and then he'll make the rush, no matter what
happens."
"The smoke's coming out thicker and thicker, let me tell you,"
Bud continued, fairly dancing in his nervous excitement. "If
he can stand that much longer I'll believe he's a regular old
salamander."
"He won't," Hugh assured him. "He's pretty nearly all in right
now. Twice we've seen him peek out as if he wanted to get the lay
of the land, so he could make his rush. The third time he's apt
to come. So everybody get your breath ready to let out a whoop
that'll make him think the end of the world has arrived for keeps.
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