There was a violent scuffle on
the ground, the sound of blows, and rapid breathing. With my
heart jumping I peered out of one of the back windows. There
was barely any light, but dimly I could see a tumbling mass
which squirmed and writhed on the ground. Something struck
one of the rear wheels so that Parnassus trembled. I heard
hoarse swearing, and then the whole body, whatever it was,
rolled off into the underbrush. There was a terrific crashing
and snapping of twigs. Bock whined, growled, and pawed madly
at the door. And then complete silence.
My nerves were quite shattered by this time. I don't think I
had been so frightened since childhood days when I awakened
from a nightmare. Little trickles of fear crept up and down
my spine and my scalp prickled. I pulled Bock on the bunk,
and lay with one hand on his collar. He, too, seemed agitated
and sniffed gingerly now and then. Finally, however, he gave
a sigh and fell asleep. I judged it might have been two
o'clock, but I did not like to strike a light. And at last I
fell into a doze.
When I woke the sun was shining brilliantly and the air was
full of the chirping of birds. I felt stiff and uneasy from
sleeping in my clothes, and my foot was numb from Bock's weight.
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