76 OLD BLACK BASS 



similar to that of the rooster when he calls 

 his hens to a morsel of his finding. 



With a kindly flap of the tail, Sober made 

 for it, pathetically grateful to Leaper. But 

 ere she could get it Old Black Bass rushed 

 in and gobbled it down. 



It was too much even for Leaper. His 

 position was similar to that of a suitor whose 

 offering to his lady has been ruthlessly 

 thrown out by an angry rival, and that be- 

 fore the lady's very eyes. 



Sober dropped back, a questioning eye 

 on Leaper. The others saw the act and 

 closed in, curious as to the probable effect. 

 Old Black Bass, by his attitude of raw dis- 

 dain, fanned the incident to open insult. He 

 craved a break with Leaper. 



To Leaper it was more an affair of prin- 

 ciple than a personal affront. He had been 

 doing a good deed and his work had been 

 broken in upon by selfishness. All the 

 altruism born within him rose to the con- 

 flict. 



The others sensed the impending strug- 

 gle, for they remained near to watch. 

 Nervousness was the portion of many; yet 

 not a few meant to watch for signs that Old 



