“As for meself,” he added, “it’s verra curious but I never even saw a black fox in all me trapping experience. They do be verra rare, they tell me. I have a good woman and three bairn at home, and a thousand dollars would be a muckle fortune for us, but I dinna expect sich luck to come my way. Ye are verra fortunate I must say, Ethan, lad.”
Of course Lub had to titter at that, when X-Ray gave him a kick on the sly, as if to warn him to behave himself, so that their great secret might not be endangered by Ethan having his suspicions aroused.
Presently Lub began to yawn and stretch at a great rate. That might be taken for a sign that he was becoming sleepy, and wanted to turn in. They had their several places portioned off under the temporary shelter, so that if Lub chose he could crawl in when he pleased.
He was evidently of a mind to do so, and had even started to rise to his feet, when the others heard him give vent to an exclamation.
“Didn’t that logger say Baylay owned several dogs, fellows?” he demanded.
“Why yes, he did,” replied X-Ray, quickly; “but what makes you ask such a thing as that, Lub?”
“Because I reckon then he must be somewhere around here right now, for there’s a strange animal nosing about in the shadows over where I threw what scraps were left of our supper!”
At that every one looked. Sure enough they could see a moving figure, that did look like a pretty good-sized dog.
Phil, however, uttered a low word of caution.
“Sit tight, everybody!” he hissed, “until I reach out and take hold of my gun!”