It was plain that they considered the girls would not go far when they saw that the dog could be unleashed and set upon their trail. Nellie Agnew began to cry, but Laura was growing angry.
“Just wait till Bobby comes out of that tent. I’m going to start right off along the road——”
“You won’t ever dare to!” gasped Dora.
“Yes, I will. They won’t dare set a dog like that on us——”
Just then the little boy they had first seen ran out of the other tent. He was evidently aiming for his father, who was a low-browed man with huge hoops of gold in his ears, and a ferocious mustache.
But the little one had to pass the dog. He saw him, gave a shriek of delight, and ran straight at the huge and savage-looking creature!
The girls were, for an instant, greatly startled. Then they were amazed to see the little fellow roll the bloodhound over and laugh and shriek in delight—while the dog nuzzled the baby and seemed to like the play.
“My goodness!” cried Jess. “That dog’s nothing but a bluff!”
“I believe you,” said Laura. “I’ve heard of a dog’s bark being worse than his bite; but in this case his appearance is a whole lot worse than his real nature. I guess they just keep him for his fearful looks and his ability to trail anything.”
“Girls included,” murmured Dora. “I don’t want him trailing me.”