“Shoot ’em when they come out!” advised Biff, capering about.
The dog suddenly disappeared into the mouth of the den. The lads heard a yelp of pain, and the dog emerged again, his tail between his legs. He scuttled between their legs and headed down the home trail, howling. A moment later he was lost from view.
The lads looked at one another blankly.
“What happened to him?” demanded Biff.
“One of the foxes must have bitten him,” Joe said.
A shout from Chet interrupted him.
“Look!”
He was pointing over among the trees. The boys saw a tawny object flash against the snow, then another. The foxes had emerged from their den by the back entrance, evidently alarmed by the intrusion of the dog, and were fleeing for their lives back toward the ravine.
Chet flung his rifle to his shoulder. He was trembling with excitement, but he managed to aim at the foremost fox, and pressed the trigger.
There was only a dull click!