Perhaps Step Hen had just been thinking along these lines, and was prepared to hear a gruff voice call out to them that it was no use, and that they had better surrender.
“The way is blocked!” said Allan, also in a low, guarded voice, as the others crowded in toward him.
“In what way, Allan?” asked Thad, anxiously, his voice hardly louder than the soft murmuring night wind that gently shivered the leaves overhead.
“Look straight ahead,” replied the other. “It’s good I happened to glimpse the fellow before we bumped into him.”
“Goodness gracious!” ejaculated Step Hen.
He had of course done as Allan suggested, and to his surprise discovered two glow worms, or fire flies, or something similar, only they did not seem to come and go, but just burned steadily.
“What are they?” asked Giraffe, excitedly.
“Eyes,” replied Allan.
“A wolf?” whispered Step Hen, apprehensively.
“More likely a panther,” Thad answered back.