We crept forward, and then I felt a chill of dread, for there was a quick rustling sound, a loud bark, and though we could not see him, I knew that the great dog was coming at us full speed.
My first idea was to get up and run, but before I could put my intention in force, the dog was upon us, barking furiously; but the next minute, after knocking me right over, he was whining and fawning upon me, and giving a share of his attentions to Esau.
“Down! Quiet! Get out!” whispered Esau. “Why don’t you wipe your nose?”
“Here, Rough! What is it, lad? Hold him!” came from the direction of the block-house.
“Oh, it’s all up,” I whispered, as the dog set up a loud volley of barking.
“Seize him!” cried the voice, which I knew to be Grey’s; but the dog barked again, as if in remonstrance, and seemed more disposed to play with us than to seize.
“What is it then? What have you got?”
There was another burst of barking.
“Let’s go back,” whispered Esau.
“No, no, go on. Never mind the dog.”