The two boys were on their feet in an instant, while the animal, with another tremendous bay, hastily withdrew its head.
"It's only a dog!" cried Bob, beginning to laugh.
Before the camp-fire, which, piled high with fuel, was springing into life again, stood two dark figures, who viewed with unconcern the precipitous exit of seven boys from two huts.
The big animal had rushed to one side, where its eyes shone like two orbs of green light from the darkness.
"Hello!" exclaimed one of the strangers.
"HELLO!" EXCLAIMED ONE OF THE STRANGERS
"Hello!" cried Bob.