"We'll see when we come out at yonder opening."
The opening gained they looked back. Far up on the mountain they could make out a number of figures moving about. Soon the figures disappeared.
"They were the hounds, no doubt of it," declared Link. "Come, or they will catch us sure!" And they set off at a faster run than before.
The bottom of the mountain reached they traveled a fine highway for half a mile. Then they made a sharp turn to the left and went across a cornfield and into a patch of thin woods. They had just entered the woods when they came upon a campfire, around which were seated half a dozen dirty and disreputable looking tramps.
"Hi! wot do youse fellers want?" demanded one of the tramps, leaping to his feet, while several of the others did the same.
"None of your business!" cried Harry, and moved on, with Link beside him.
"Stop dem, Cully!" said another tramp. "They mean to give us away!"
"Hi, youse fellers stop!" roared the tramp who had first spoken, and he started to come after our young friends. Seeing this, three of the other tramps did the same.
"Don't let them catch you!" whispered Harry, thinking of the trouble he and Joe had had with tramps the fall previous.
"Not if I can help it!" answered Link.