"Don't scare the children, Bert," said Mr. Bobbsey, a bit sternly.
"Did you really hear something?"

"Yes, father. It's some animal walking, behind us. Listen and you
can hear it yourself."

They all listened. It was very quiet. Then from down the hard dirt
path they all heard the "pit-pat, pit-pat" of the footsteps of some
animal. It was coming on slowly.

For a moment Mr. Bobbsey thought of the wild animals of the circus.
In spite of what the men had said perhaps one of the beasts might
have escaped from its cage. The others in the little party evidently
thought the same thing. Mrs. Bobbsey drew her children more closely
about her.

"'Deed an' if it's one ob dem elephants," said Dinah, "an' if he
comes fo' me I'll jab mah hat pin in his long nose--dat's what I
will!"

"It can't be an elephant," said Mr. Bobbsey. "One of the big beasts
would make more noise than that. It may be one of the monkeys--I
don't see how they could catch them all--they were so lively and
full of mischief."

"Oh, if it's a monkey, may we keep it?" begged Flossie. "I just
love a monkey."

"Mercy, child! What would we do with it around the house?" cried
Mrs. Bobbsey. "Richard, can you see what it is?"