“Quick!” said Bill, as he was helping over Jack, who followed him; “we must run on like the wind; somebody may be coming to find out what’s the matter.”
They did not stop, as may be supposed, to repair the damage they had caused, but soon reaching a road which led in the direction they wished to take, they scampered on at full speed.
Tall trees grew on either side of the road, which, casting a dark shadow over it, would have effectually concealed them from view, even if anybody had been looking out for them. The darkness, however, also prevented them from seeing any one who might be ahead.
Sometimes indeed they had a difficulty in keeping in the middle of the road.
“I hope we’re going in the right direction,” said Jack; “I can’t see the star, and the road seems to me to have twisted about.”
“We must, at all events, go on,” answered Bill. “Perhaps we shall catch sight of the star again before long, and we must steer our course accordingly. There’s no use stopping still.”
They went on and on.
“There it is at last,” cried Jack.
The trees which lined the road were much lower, being indeed mere pollards, and allowed them to see the sky overhead.
Presently they heard a dog bark; then another and another. Could the brutes be barking at them?