"What is up?" he asked of Hans Middlekauf.
"Haven't you heard?"
"No, what is it?"
"Why, there is a big black bull-dog, the biggest that ever was, that has run mad. He has bitten ever so many other dogs, and horses, sheep, and cattle. He is as big as a bear, and froths at the mouth. He is the savagest critter that ever was," said Hans in a breath.
"Why don't somebody kill him?"
"They are afraid of him," said Hans.
"I should think they might kill him," Paul replied.
"I reckon you would run as fast as anybody else, if he should show himself round here," said Hans.
"There he is! Run! run! run for your lives!" was the sudden cry.