The sentry dog had saved its master!
"Nothing to be gained in chasing that fox to-night," growled Roque. "He's deep in the brush before this."
"I'd like to have got a pop at the dog, at least," complained Schneider, patting the stock of his rifle.
The boys having no desire to be the victims of any mistake of identity, marched forward, Billy waving the electric torch, and calling to Roque:
"It's us."
The passwords were unnecessary, for Roque knew all the time the boys were trailing him, but was restrained from objecting by fear of some word reaching the ear of the man they were stalking.
"You gadabouts," he admonished, "you should have been guarding the biplanes instead of prowling around in the dark like this."
The tone of the reprimand, however, was not one of great severity. The boys had disobeyed no order, for none had been given.
"As soon as day breaks," said Roque, as they plodded wearily down the road, "we will continue the hunt in the machines, though I doubt very much whether it will amount to more than a waste of time."