"All right; I'm here;" said Corrie, meekly.
"Then why don't ye speak?" said Jo, tartly.
"I'd advise you not to speak so loud," retorted the boy.
"Is the dark 'un there?" inquired Bumpus.
"What d'ye say?"
"The dark 'un; the lump o' charcoal, you know."
"Oh! she's all safe," replied Corrie. "I only hope she won't haul the clothes right off my body; she grips at my waistband like a—"
Here he was cut short by Keona, who gave utterance to a low, dismal wail that caused the blood and marrow of all three to freeze up, and their hearts for a moment to leap into their throats and all but choke them.
"Poopy's gone," gasped Corrie, after a few seconds had elapsed.
There was no doubt of the fact; for besides the relief experienced by the boy, from the relaxing of her grip on his waistband, the moment the wail was heard, the sound of the girl's footsteps, as she flew back to the entrance of the cave was distinctly heard.