[CHAPTER XVIII.
WHAT HAPPENED TO DICK AND QUEEN OLIVE.]
When Dick Vincey felt the cold snout of an animal touching his face, a convulsive shudder ran over his body.
He thought that his earthly career was ended, for a certainty.
But, instead of being seized and torn to pieces by the horrible picuasus, as he supposed it to be, the animal uttered a low whine, and began licking his face.
Almost at the same instant the boy heard footsteps approaching.
Then it flashed across his mind that the animal who stood over him must be a dog.
He opened his eyes and strove in vain to pierce the inky darkness and see what it was.
The footsteps were coming nearer all the time, and fearful that the person who was approaching might turn in some other direction, Dick shouted out:
“Help!”