"Oh," rejoined Ralph wisely. "Coyotes, eh?" But he did not lie down again. Instead, he listened more intently than before. Presently came another howl from some distance off.
"They're conversational beasts, aren't they?" inquired Ralph.
"What do you mean?" sleepily muttered Jack.
"Why, some friend of the one I just heard is answering him. Hark!"
Jack Merrill became suddenly interested as he heard the second howl. His eyes grew round as he listened intently, and he, too, sat up in his bed.
"Say," he remarked, "that is funny. And hark! there's another one—off there to the south."
"What do you suppose they are up to?"
"I've no idea, but I tell you what—if you like, we'll take the rifle and sneak out and see. What do you say?"
"Um—well, it's a bit chilly to go coyote hunting, but I should like to get one. Professor Wintergreen said at supper last night that he would like to have the hide of one of the beasts for his collection. Let's go!"
"All right. Just slip on a few clothes. The magazine of my rifle's full. Don't make a racket getting out of the house, though. I don't just know how dad would take it."