"Not by a long shot," answered Leon quickly. "I am acquainted with almost everybody about here, and I won't take the risk. This man might know me. Let's hide and wait until he goes by."
Suiting the action to the word, Leon sprang into the bushes that lined the nearest fence and crouched down among them, his example being promptly followed by his cousin.
In a few minutes the wagon came up and passed their hiding-place, but not so the dog which trotted along a little distance in the rear, industriously exploring the bushes on each side of the road.
His sharp nose quickly revealed to him the presence of the runaways, and, bounding toward the thicket in which they were concealed, he set up a terrific yelping.
"Get out there!" said Frank, in a savage whisper, lifting his rifle above his head.
The dog saw the motion and beat a hasty retreat; but he went no farther than the middle of the road, where he stopped and barked furiously.
CHAPTER XXII. THE PRAIRIE HOTEL.
"Knock him down with something," whispered Leon, in great excitement, as he searched frantically about on the ground for some missile to throw at the dog.