So saying he gave Frank a kick with the point of his shoe, that made the youth squirm a little. Then both men strolled away out of Frank's sight.
He knew that they would not be apt to go far. Meanwhile, if the boys might only show up along the trail! Frank rolled over and over, his idea being to change his position, and even in a small measure broaden the distance separating him from his captors.
Minutes passed, and Frank managed to get on his knees, so as to watch for the coming of the squad of hounds. He heard what seemed to be a call, as if one boy had shouted to his mates to wait until he could catch up.
Surely the men must have also heard this. It would be apt to put them on their guard, since the fact of others being around threatened their plans with disaster.
He anticipated that they would be coming back to carry him further into the forest. If this happened Frank intended shouting his name again and again as loud as he could do so. Perhaps some of the boys would hear, and at least carry the news to town.
And as he looked he caught a glimpse of something moving! Yes, there could be no mistake about it, for others immediately flitted after the first. The hounds were coming, hot upon the paper trail left by the hares perhaps half an hour back!
But upon looking the other way Frank saw that the two men were also hastening toward him. As they were so much closer they could easily reach the spot before the hounds came up.
Accordingly he shouted aloud.
"Hi! Ben Cloud! Sandy! George! this way! Come and help me! It's Frank Allen! Help! help!"
He heard the men utter words of anger; but his eyes were on the boys. They had stopped to look, and undoubtedly must have seen the burglars as they hurried along, but could not understand what it all meant.