"How big was it, Julie?" now asked Mrs. Vernon.
"It went so fast that I couldn't see well, but I should say it was about as big as a very large cat,—maybe larger if we were closer," said Julie.
"Dear me, if we didn't have to go for Jake we might sit and wait for it to appear again. If it is a beaver, I'd love to watch it build a dam," sighed Ruth.
"I hope Jake won't want to chase it, on our way back," Betty worried, as the thought struck her.
"We'll hold Jake on a leash. And if he doesn't make a fuss we might creep over and watch for the animal's appearance again," added Julie.
"Then the sooner we go and get Jake, the sooner we'll be back here," was the sensible remark of Joan.
The scouts now hurried along the trail and soon reached the bungalow, where a splendid Airedale was sleeping in the sunshine. He was stretched out full length right in the way where one would have to pass to go up the steps to the verandah.
"Oh, are you Jake?" called Julie quickly, when she saw the dog.
"Isn't he a beaut?" cried Joan, admiring the shapely form as it jumped up to growl at the visitors.
"Why, Jake, don't begin our relations with a growl! Don't you know we have to keep the peace all summer?" laughed Julie, snapping her fingers to the dog.