Then suddenly, after lying down for some time trying to imagine that it was all some terrible dream, there was a quick, short bark; and unable to bear this, the lad uttered a wild cry, and then, from the terrible tension being taken so suddenly from off his nerves, he burst into a hysterical fit of laughter.
The next minute Grip was licking at his face, following it up by the same endearment bestowed upon the other two, and then bursting into a prolonged fit of barking.
Chapter Fifty.
News from Grass.
“Ydoll! Ydoll! Look! look!” cried Joe, suddenly. “Here, Grip! Grip! Quick!”
But Gwyn had seen and caught at the dog’s collar as soon as Joe had shouted to him; and as rapidly as his trembling fingers would allow, he untied the string which bound a white packet to the ring in the dog’s collar.
It was a note written in pencil, the words large, and easy to see; but they seemed to sail round before the lad’s eyes, and minutes had elapsed before he could read in his father’s bold hand:—
“Try and keep a good heart. Grip has shown us the way, and, please God, we’ll reach you before many hours have passed. Tie a handkerchief to the dog’s collar if you get this, and are all well. Send him back at once.
“Arthur Pendarve.”