"Sure enough," exclaimed Charlie, "he knows that Frank is not here, and he has gone to find him. Isn't he a knowing dog?"
"I don't believe he will find him," said Nat, "for he is up on a beam in the shed."
Nat had scarcely uttered these words, before a shout from Frank and a bark from Trip announced that the former was discovered.
"There," said Frank, as he came up to the goal with Trip skipping and jumping at his side, "wasn't that well done? I told you he would find you, and none of us could do it quicker."
"Let us try it again," said one of the boys, "I guess I'll puzzle him this time."
Again they all sought hiding-places, while Trip waited at the goal for the well-known signal—"whoop;" "whoop;" "whoop." None of the boys knew the meaning of this better than he, although he was only a dog.
Soon the signal was given, and away went Trip in high glee. Over the wall—around the barn—into the shed—back of the house—behind the woodpile—under the boards—here and there—he ran until every boy was found. Again and again the experiment was tried, and Trip won fresh laurels every time.
"You've torn your pants, Nat," said Frank.
"I know it. I did it getting over the fence. I haven't done such a thing before, I don't know when."
While exhausting "hy-spy" of its fun, Sylvester Jones came along with a bit of news.