pointed nose and a big, bushy tail, sprang out and ran down the little hill, on which the smoke-house stood.
"Why—why!" cried Mr. Trimble. "There was an animal in there after all! I didn't know it."
"A fox! It's a fox!" cried Bunny Brown. He had once seen in a book a picture of a fox, and this animal looked just like the picture.
"Yes, that's a fox sure enough, and I guess it's the one that's been taking my chickens!" cried Mr. Trimble. "I wish I had my gun! I'd shoot the critter!"
He picked up a stone, and threw it at the fox, but did not hit the running animal. Then something queer happened.
Splash, who was being held by Bunny and Sue, gave a sudden bark. Then he gave a sudden jump. He went so quickly that he pulled Bunny and Sue after him, and they both fell down in the dirt. But it was soft, so they were not hurt.
They had to let go of Splash's collar, though, and the dog now began to run after the fox, barking again and again.
