Both dogs pricked up their ears, and rushed to the bush. Timmy was once again kept back by his big collar and barked furiously.
George got up and marched to the bush. If theres a cat there, it wont have much chance against two dogs, she called to Anne. Come away, Tim. Hey, you little dog, come away, too.
Timmy backed out, and George pulled out the small dog very firmly indeed. Hold him, Anne! she called. Hes quite friendly. He wont bite. Im going to find that cat.
Anne held on to the small mongrel, who gazed at her excitedly with his one good eye and wagged his tail violently. He was a most friendly little fellow. George began to crawl into the bare hollow space under the big gorse bush.
She looked into it, not able to see anything at first, because it was dark there after the bright sunlight. Then she got a tremendous shock.
A round, grinning face stared back at her, a face with very bright eyes and tousled hair falling on to the forehead. The mouth was set in a wide smile, showing very white teeth.
Mee-ew-ee-ew-ee-ew! said the face.
George scrambled back at top speed, her heart thumping. What is it? called Anne.
Theres somebody hiding there, said George. Not a cat. A fathead of a boy who is doing the mewing.
Mew-ee-ew-ee-ew!
Come out! called Anne. Come out and lets see you. You must be crazy!
There was a scrambling noise and a boy came headforemost from the hollow space under the bush. He was about twelve or thirteen, short, studily built, and with the cheekiest face Anne had ever seen.
Timmy rushed at him and licked him lovingly. George stared in amazement.
How does my dog know you? she demanded.
Well, he came growling at me yesterday when I was in my own camp, said the boy. And I offered him a nice meaty bone. Then he saw my little dog Jet – short for jet-propelled, you know – and made friends with him – and with me too.
I see, said George, still not at all friendly. Well, I dont like my dog to take food from strangers.
Oh, I couldnt agree more, said the boy. But I thought Id rather he ate the bone than ate me. Hes a nice dog, yours. He feels a bit of an idiot wearing that collar, doesnt he? You should have heard Jet laugh when he first saw it!
George frowned. I came here to be alone so that Timmy shouldnt be jeered at, she said. Hes got a bad ear. I suppose you were the fathead who tied a blue ribbon on his tail?
Just for a joke, said the boy. You like frowning and glaring, I can see. Well, I like joking and tricking! Your Timmy didnt mind a bit. He took to my dog right away. But everyone likes Jet! I wanted to find out who owned Timmy – because, like you, I dont like strangers messing about when Im camping out. So I came along.
I see. And you did all the clucking and quacking and hrrr-umphing? said Anne. She liked this idiot of a boy, with his broad friendly grin. What are you doing – just camping – or hiking – or botanizing?
Im digging, said the boy. My fathers an archaeologist – he loves old buildings more than anything else in the world. I take after him, I suppose. There was once an old Roman camp on this common, you know – and Ive found a place where part of it must have been, so Im digging for anything I can find – pottery, weapons, anything like that. See, I found this yesterday – look at the date on it!
He suddenly thrust an old coin at them – a queer, uneven one, rather heavy to hold.
Its date is 292, he said. At least, as far as I can make out. So the camps pretty old, isnt it?
Well come and see it, said Anne, excited.
No, dont, said the boy. I dont like people messing round me when Im doing something serious. Please dont come. I wont bother you again. I promise.
All right. We wont come, said Anne, quite understanding. But dont you play any more silly tricks on us, see?
I promise, said the boy. I tell you, I wont come near you again. I only wanted to see whose dog this was. Well, Im off. So long!
And, whistling to Jet, he set off at a furious pace. George turned to Anne.
What a peculiar boy! she said. Actually – Id rather like to see him again. Wouldnt you?
Chapter Four
THAT NIGHT
It was now tea-time, according to Annes watch and also according to everyones feelings, including Timmys. Timmy felt the heat very much and was always wandering off to the little spring to lap the crystal-cold water. Anne wished that she and George had a big jug that they could fill – it was such a nuisance to have to keep running to and fro with just a mug.
They had tea – biscuits, a sandwich each, and a bar of rather soft chocolate. George examined Timmys ear for the hundredth time that day, and pronounced it very much better.
Well, dont take off that collar yet, said Anne. Hell only open the wound by scratching if you do.
Im not going to take it off! said George, touchily. What shall we do now, Anne? Go for a walk?
Yes, said Anne. Listen – you can hear those sharp, metallic noises again – thats the boy at work again, I expect. Funny boy he must be – coming to dig about all on his own with his comical little dog. I wish we could see what hes doing.
We promised we wouldnt, said George. So I dont feel that we even ought to go and peep.
Of course not! said Anne. Come on – lets go in the opposite direction, George – right away from the boy. I hope we shant get lost!
Not while Timmys with us, silly! said George. Youd find your way home from the moon, wouldnt you, Tim?
Woof, agreed Timmy.
He always says yes to whatever you say, George, said Anne. I say – isnt it a lovely evening? I wonder what Julian and Dick are doing?
George immediately looked downcast. She felt that her two cousins had no right to go rushing across France when she wanted them at Kirrin. Didnt they like Kirrin? Would they be having magnificent adventures on the Continent, and not want to spend even a week at Kirrin? She looked so lost in miserable thoughts that Anne laughed at her.
Cheer up! At least I am here with you – though I agree that compared with Ju and Dick Im very poor company, and not at all adventurous!
They had a lovely walk, and sat down half-way to watch hordes of rabbits playing together. Timmy was very unhappy about this. Why sit down to watch silly rabbits? Rabbits were made to chase, werent they? Why did George always put a restraining hand on his collar when she sat down to watch rabbits? He whined continually, as he watched with her.
Shut up, Timmy, you ass, said George. Youd only spoil the entertainment if you sent them to their holes.
They watched for a long while and then got up to go back to the camp. When they came near, they heard the sound of low whistling. Someone was about that evening, quite near their camp. Who was it?
They came round a big gorse bush, and almost bumped into a boy. He got out of their way politely, but said nothing.
Why – its you! said George, in surprise. I dont know your name. What are you doing here? You said you wouldnt come near us.
The boy stared, looking very surprised. His tousled hair fell right across his forehead, and he brushed it back.
I said nothing of the sort, he said.
Oh, you did! said Anne. You know you did. Well, if you break your promise, theres no reason for us to keep ours. We shall come and visit your camp.
I never made you any promise, said the boy, looking quite startled. Youre mad!
Dont be an idiot, said George, getting cross. I suppose youll be saying next that you didnt act like a hen, and a duck, and a horse this afternoon…
And a cat, said Anne.
Balmy! said the boy, looking at them pityingly. Quite balmy.
Are you coming here again? demanded George.
If I want to, said the boy. The water in this spring is better than the one over by my camp.
Then we shall come and explore your camp, said George, firmly. If you dont keep your promise, we shant keep ours.
By all means come if you want to, said the boy. You seem quite mad, but I daresay youre harmless. But dont bring your dog. He might eat mine.