"Well, not exactly," Nat replied. "But I guess Rod knows."
"No, I don't, either," confessed Rodney. "But I'm sure Thump does! Hi, Thump!" he called to his pet. "Take us home!"
But, instead of barking, and rushing off through the storm as he should have done, Thump drooped his tail between his legs and whimpered, cuddling close to Rodney's legs.
"Oh, he's afraid of something!" whispered Addie. "Thump doesn't know how to lead us home. He's lost, too, and he's afraid of something!"
Truly, the dog did act strange, and as if a little fearful of what was going to happen. The wind was howling and moaning through the bare branches of the trees. The snow flakes were swirling down thicker than ever. All about the children was a pale, frosty mist through which they could see nothing.
Suddenly Weezie whispered:
"I hear some one coming!"
They all listened. Above the noise of the storm they could hear the breaking and snapping of twigs and branches on the ground, as heavy feet trod on them.
"Maybe it's the circus elephant coming for us," said Addie in a low voice.
"Elephants don't come out in winter," declared Nat. "It's too cold for them."