Page:Boys of Columbia High on the River.djvu/175

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THE COMING OF THE HOUNDS
163

again as loud as he could do so. Perhaps some of the boys would hear, and at least carry the news to town.

And as he looked he caught a glimpse of something moving! Yes, there could be no mistake about it, for others immediately flitted after the first. The hounds were coming, hot upon the paper trail left by the hares perhaps half an hour back!

But upon looking the other way Frank saw that the two men were also hastening toward him. As they were so much closer they could easily reach the spot before the hounds came up.

Accordingly he shouted aloud.

"Hi! Ben Cloud! Sandy! George! this way! Come and help me! It's Frank Allen! Help! help!"

He heard the men utter words of anger; but his eyes were on the boys. They had stopped to look, and undoubtedly must have seen the burglars as they hurried along, but could not understand what it all meant.

Frank kicked his feet free, for the treacherous cord proved weaker than Joey had believed possible. He stumbled to his feet and started to run in the direction of the now advancing boys, whose astonished shouts attested to their interest.

Heavy steps behind him told Frank that he was being pursued by the furious men. He ran as best