p your places, and
I'll see if I can't slide out back of Russ, and get help--or at least
a weapon to drive the bull away. A fence rail would do. Russ, stand
still. You make a good screen for me now, and the bull can't see me.
He may make a jump if he sees any of us moving. Such creatures often
do, I understand."

It seemed the best plan to follow, but there was no need of trying
it, for at that instant Sandy Apgar, who had returned, and who had
heard the cries, came bursting in on the scene.

For a moment, at seeing this new figure, and supposing, perhaps, that
it was a more active enemy than the others, the bull made as if to
leap forward, with lowered horns. But, fortunately, the young farmer
had an effective weapon in a pitchfork. Its sharp tines Sandy held
toward the bull, pricking the creature slightly. This was too much
for the beast, and with a bellow of pain, instead of rage, as before,
he turned, and with drooping tail crashed his way through the corn,
as he had come.

"Pesky gritter!" exclaimed Mr. Switzer, in his strong German accent.
"He nearly gafe me heart disease. Feel how he thumps inside my west,"
he appealed to Mr. Sneed.

"Ha! What do I care about your heart!" exclaimed the "grouch,"
inconsiderately. "My foot will be lame for a week where I hit it.
This is getting worse and worse--I suppose you'll be turning wild
tigers and lions loose on us next!" he cried in a highly aggrieved
tone to Mr. Pertell.

"This wasn't my fault," said the manager. "I did not invite the bull
here."

"No, I guess nobody did," laughed Sandy. "But I hope he didn't hurt
any of you."

"No, he only scared us," said Ruth, who had gone to the side of her
sister.

"I can't understand how he got out," went on the young farmer. "He's
kept in a field with a strong fence, and th' gate is always locked.
Th' hired man knows better than to let him out, too."

"It might be a good idea to see that he is put back in his
enclosure," suggested Mr. DeVere. "I'm sure we'll all feel safer if
we know he isn't roaming about the place when we pose for more
pictures."

"Indeed we will," agreed Mr. Pertell. "I can see you all looking
around nervously, instead of paying attention to the play, if that
bull isn't locked up."

"I'll attend to it right away," promised Sandy. "He's dangerous
enough, but he's afraid of this pitchfork. I can always manage him
with that. I'll go see how he got out. I don't understand it."

"I'll go with you,"