"
The animal had "butted into" the scene in a most uncalled-for manner,
and now was butting its massive head against the frail green stalks
of corn, knocking them aside, pawing the dirt and shaking its head
at the frightened players.
For a moment, after their first outcries, the players were silent.
Alice, who had shown just the least inclination to faint, now stood
upright again, and with a vivid blush, released herself from Paul's
arms.
"I--I'm all right now," she said, softly, straightening out her
shirtwaist.
"You won't be if that bull comes for us," he answered. "Here, get
behind me. I'll see if I can scare him off."
"Oh, no! Don't!" she begged. "That might make him worse. See, he is
quiet now."
And indeed the animal had not moved much beyond the spot where he had
broken through the rows of corn to interrupt the moving pictures.
"Something's got to be done," said Mr. Pertell, in a quiet voice. "I
think it will be best if none of you moves. Keep 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.
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