“Yes, sir; it was this way. A man from the village was chased by this ’ere pack last night. ’E was over at the stables to-night an’ ’e told me. I came out a ways and listened for a time, an’ when I ’eard ’em ’owl I let the big ’uns loose, thinkin’ as you ’ud not mind my doin’ it under th’ circumstances, sir.”
“You did just right, lad,” said Hallibut. “But did you bring their leashes, Dick?”
“Right ’ere in my saddle-bag, sir.”
“Well, you’d better tie ’em up before they happen on an Indian. This country is getting so’s Indians are becoming more valuable every day.”
Dick chuckled.
“They do ’ate Injuns an’ niggers, sir; an’, sir, that reminds me, there’s an old Injun from the Point by the name of Noah Sturgeon waitin’ up at th’ place to see you, sir.”
The Colonel knit his brows.
“Sturgeon,” he repeated; “Noah Sturgeon,—don’t think I ever heard of him——”
“Your ’orse, sir?” questioned Dick, looking about him.
“Never mind about my horse—I’m going to ride yours. You follow up and keep a tight grip on the hounds. I don’t want that old Indian to get eaten up.”