“What is it there, boys?” the dogs barking wildly in reply.
Just then a shrill whistle rang out, and directly after a man shouted.
“All right, sir, here!”
“What’s the matter with the dogs, Belton?”
“Dunno, sir. Dingo, perhaps.”
“Or something else. Here: go and see if that scoundrel’s all right.”
“He’s all right, sir. I’ve been twice. Just come from there now.”
“Humph! That’s right, my lad. But they seem very uneasy.”
“Well, yes, sir, they do,” said the man; “but they often have a fit like this. Lie down, will yer!”
There was a general rattling of chains at this, while every word had come distinctly to Nic’s ears in the soft silence.