The men looked at one another in astonishment. The action of the dog was unaccountable, but Captain Dawson’s explanation sounded reasonable.
“That shows we are on the right track and he has come to guide us to where they are awaiting him.”
There could be no doubt of it. The actions of the brute said as plainly as so many words: “Come with me and I will take you straight to the people you want to see.”
Instead of following Timon at once, the party kept watch of him. He trotted a dozen steps and then paused and looked back. Observing that he was not understood, he emitted several more barks, took a couple of steps and then repeated the performance. His object was so evident that Captain Dawson said:
“That’s as plain as the nose on your face; the animal is worth a dozen guides like you, Vose.”
“Then why don’t you foller him?” sulkily asked the latter.
“That’s what we shall do; come on.”
Observing that the captain left his horse standing, the parson inquired the reason.
“They are of no use to us and will be only a bother; leave them here until we need them; I will follow the 299 dog and you can take what order you choose, but,” he added with unmistakable earnestness, “every one of you must keep in the background till I’m through.”
Timon held his motionless position until the four men had taken several steps toward him and there could be no error as to their intention. Vose Adams observed that he was following, without a hair’s variation, the course he had in mind.