"There's no one else to give the Beaver
call here. I wonder why the boy doesn't show up."
In the meantime, Antoine had been busy over the teapot and had not
noticed what was going on at the table.
"I'm fixing this tea up particularly strong," he said, facing the
boys with a smile on his lips, "so you mustn't wonder if it tastes
just a little bit bitter. There's nothing on earth will do a man
who's been exposed to the weather more good than a strong cup of
tea!"
The man poured the decoction into the tin cups and brought out a
couple of cans of condensed milk and plenty of sugar.
"You see," he laughed, "that I have all the luxuries of an effete
civilization! Put in all the sugar you like, if you find the tea
too strong. I have plenty of it!"
The boys used the sugar and milk liberally, and Will was about to
lift his cup to his lips when the Beaver call came again:
"Slap, slap, slap!"
Although the sounds were faint ones, they caught the attention of
Antoine, who, scowling, turned his face in the direction from which
they had proceeded. In a minute, he arose.
"What was that noise?" he asked.
"Did you hear a noise?" questioned Will.
"I thought I did!" replied the man. "Perhaps I'd better take a
look about the place.
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