“This storm will cover up their trail, so that I don’t suppose there’ll be any use looking for them to-morrow. When I hear them again, though, I’m going after them,” declared Ben. “They’ve got to be driven out of here, or they’ll kill everything in the woods.”
The boys renewed their pleas to be taken on the expedition, and were so persistent that Ben finally agreed to take them.
The balance of the evening was passed playing games and telling stories, till a glance at the clock showed the lateness of the hour.
Rising, Ben went to the door and looked out. Then he called for the others to join him. Standing there, the snow blowing into their faces, they heard the distant baying of the wild dogs.
“They’re like wolves,” declared Bill.
“Worse,” agreed Ben; and he closed and bolted the door.
XVIII
AN ENCOUNTER WITH WILD DOGS
“Snowshoes for a while,” prophesied Ben, looking out at the freshly whitened landscape next morning.
“I’m glad I brought mine,” said Bill.