They had journeyed along the best part of two hours when they noticed the sun going under a cloud. This caused the trail under the trees to become dark.
“Gee! I wonder if we’re going to have a storm?” remarked Randy.
“Oh, maybe it’s nothing but a wind cloud,” answered Spouter.
They continued to move along the trail, and presently reached a small opening where there was a spring.
“Halt!” called out Jack, who was riding ahead with Spouter.
“What’s the matter?” questioned Gif quickly.
“Look there! Isn’t that a wolf?” asked Jack. He pointed with his rifle, which he had already unslung, and all the boys looked in the direction pointed out.
“Maybe it’s a dog,” put in Fred quickly.
“You don’t want to shoot somebody’s pet,” admonished Gif.
The animal had slunk away behind some brushwood, and now they saw it trying to retreat, pulling something through the dead leaves as it did so.