On they went, with no sound breaking the stillness of the cold night save the grinding of the iceboat runners and their skates on the ice.
Suddenly from out of the darkness among the trees which lined the farthest shore came a dismal howl that caused nearly every one to jump in alarm.
“My gracious! what was that?” exclaimed Andy.
“Dat mut be a ghost, suah!” cried Pickles, as he sprang away from the voice.
“It’s the most unearthly sound I ever heard,” put in Harry.
“And don’t you know what it is?” asked Jack, with a merry laugh.
“No,” said Boxy. “What is it?”
“Nothing more nor less than the bark of a fox. There it goes again.”
“Goodness! I never knew a fox would get up such a dismal noise,” exclaimed Boxy. “Why, it’s enough to give one the creeps.”
“Wait till you get into the woods on the other side of Rock Island Lake, and you’ll hear sounds to make your hair stand on end, I’ll warrant.”