Hurrying along in this headlong fashion they soon stopped, all pretty
well out of breath.

Although Herbert had laughed at their tardiness, he was the most
exhausted and the first one to wish to rest.




CHAPTER XV.

A SURPRISE.


All this time the baying of the hound continued, the sounds showing that
he had circled and was approaching the boys, who were not a little
astonished at the unexpected turn of affairs.

"That's a pretty dog," laughed Herbert; "he is making fools of us all."

"There isn't any need of that so far as _you_ are concerned," retorted
Nick, losing patience with the slurs of their companion. "You had better
wait till you find out what it means before you condemn Bowser."

Herbert made no answer, for the dog was now so close that the interest
of all was centered on his actions.

"My gracious, what a terrible racket he makes!" exclaimed Nick; "there
must be something unusual to excite Bowser like that."