“What the deuce are they at?” he cried, peering through the darkness.
“Huh!” grunted Mandy. “Them's curs all right, but they ain't much dog. You wait till I see them fellows. They'll pay for this, you bet!”
“Do you mean to say these are not dogs?” cried Cameron, speaking in her ear, so great was the din.
“Dogs?” answered Mandy with indignant scorn. “Naw! Just or'nary curs! Come along,” she cried, catching his arm, “let's hurry.”
“Here!” he cried, suddenly wrenching himself free, “I am going to see into this.”
“No, no!” cried Mandy, gripping his arm once more with her strong hands. “They will hurt you. Come on! We're just home. You can see them again. No, I won't let you go.”
In vain he struggled. Her strong hands held him fast. Suddenly there was a succession of short, sharp barks. Immediately dead silence fell. Not a sound could be heard, not a shape seen.
“Come out into the open, you cowardly curs!” shouted Cameron. “Come on! One, two, three at a time, if you dare!”
But silence answered him.
“Come,” said Mandy in a low voice, “let's hurry. It's goin' to rain. Come on! Come along!”