At that moment shouting was heard far down the forest.
The noise came nearer and nearer, and our heroes waited patiently.
In five minutes' time into the tent bounded the great wolf-hound, gasping but laughing all down both sides, and with about a foot of pink tongue--more or less--hanging out at one side, over his alabaster teeth.
He quickly licked Roland's ears and Dick's, then uttered one joyous bark and made straight for Burly Bill.
Yes, Bill was burly, but Brawn fairly rolled him over and nearly smothered him with canine caresses. Then he took a leap back to the boys as much as to say:
"Why don't you rejoice too? Wouff--wouff! Aren't you glad that Bill has returned? Wouff! What would life be worth anyhow without Bill? Wouff--wouff--wow!"
But the last wow ended in a low growl, as Peter himself stood smiling at the opening.
"Why, Mr. Peter, we thought you were lost!" cried Dick.
Mr. Peter walked up to Bill and shook hands.
"Glad indeed to see you back," he said nonchalantly, "and you're not looking a bit paler. Any chance of a morsel to eat?"