Every one had a fresh suggestion to make, so it was fortunate that the various opinions were concentrated into one by their leader.
"Now give us once more the signal, that we may all know it thoroughly," said Edward; and the stocking weaver blew his horn with all his might.
Scarcely had the sound died away, when Martina came running up and exclaimed: "Here are his clothes."
"Let the dogs smell the clothes," said Edward.
Martina would have been almost knocked down by the dogs who surrounded her, if Häspele had not had the sense to take the bundle from her.
"Call to the dogs,—'Seek Joseph'!" commanded Edward; "and now forward! march! Joseph is our battle cry."
"Halt!" shouted a deep powerful voice from the opposite side, "what is the matter?"
"Adam," cried Martina, rushing up to him, "what have you there? have you found our Joseph?"
"Our Joseph! what do you mean? This is the wolf that I killed with my cudgel."
"The wolf that tore our child to pieces," cried Martina, clenching her hands in agony, and staring down at the dead animal. Häspele, very properly, told Adam in few words what had occurred. Adam was still holding the animal by the neck, and now he shook the dead creature violently, and hurled it with superhuman strength far away over the ditch into the field. Then he said:—