t's comment. "Sometimes
they lay like lead in a fellow's stomach and give him all sorts
of dreams."

"It wasn't the crullers," persisted the doctor's son. "I'm going
outside and investigate." And he stepped out in the direction
of the camp fire.

"Be careful," warned Snap. "If any wild beasts are around you want
to be on your guard."

The doctor's son looked around with care, but could see no trace
of the night visitor. He stirred up the camp fire and soon had a
bright blaze going. The others had followed him outside and they
stood shivering in the damp air.

"False alarm, I guess," said Giant, yawning. "What time is it?"

"One o'clock," answered Whopper, after consulting his watch. "Say,
this is a dandy way of breaking up one's rest," he added sarcastically.

"If you don't believe I saw something---and felt something---you
needn't," returned Shep tartly.

"Must have been a sand flea, or a water bug."

"Come, Whopper, don't get mad," came from Snap. "If Shep-----"

"There it is, behind the bushes!" burst out the doctor's son. "I just
saw its eyes shining!"

As he spoke he raised his shotgun. But the eyes had disappeared.

"I saw something," came from Giant. "See, it's moving---back
of the huckleberry bush."

Something was moving, that was evident, but what it was none of
the young hunters could make out. Shep raised his gun again.

"Shall I take a chance and fire?" he asked of the others.

"Might as well," answered Whopper. "It couldn't be anything but
a wild animal."

"Wait," cried Snap. He raised his voice. "Who is there?" he
called out. "Answer, or we'll shoot!"

For reply there came a sound that thoroughly astonished the boys.
It was the bark of a dog, low and uncertain. Then there stepped
into view a collie, wagging his tail doubtfully.

"A dog!" cried Giant. "Come here! come here!" he called, and
gave an inviting whistle.

Slowly the dog came forward, still wagging his tail doubtfully.
When he was quite close he sat up on his haunches and began to
move his fore paws up and down.

"He's begging!" cried Snap. "He must be hungry."

"I suppose he smelled our food and came for some," said Giant.
"Good little dog!" he cried. "Come here!" And as he snapped
his fingers the collie came up to him and allowed the small youth
to pat him on the head.

"That's your wild beast, Shep," said Whopper.

"Well, I knew it was something," answered the doctor's son. "That
dog must h