ther
side of a wire fence that separated the road from the woods, as there
seemed to be a chance of making interesting discoveries there.

"Look at that red squirrel hanging head down to the bark on the trunk
of that tree!" exclaimed Billy Button; "I never noticed just how they
did that stunt before."

"Huh! lots of us are seeing things through a magnifying glass since we
joined the scouts," admitted Felix. "Seems as if the scales have been
taken from my eyes, and I find a thousand things worth looking at all
around me."

"Well, here comes one right now, Felix; and he's a bouncer at that!"
cried the third of the group that had invaded the woods beyond the
barbed-wire fence.

Even as he spoke there was a furious barking, and a savage-looking dog
came tearing swiftly toward them, evidently bent on doing mischief.

CHAPTER XII

THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE

"Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.

Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any
more than did Billy. Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead
of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl
through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they
hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of
defence.

The dog acted as if he meant business. They were trespassing on his
master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground
he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.

They had quite a lively time of it, what with the shouting, the loud
bursts of laughter from those scouts who were safe on the other side of
the fence, and the agonized cries of Billy Button, caught fast in the
grip of the barbed-wire, and expecting to be devoured.

Both Felix and Rob had luckily managed to secure fairly strong pieces
of broken limbs from the trees. With these they boldly assaulted the
dog, and kept him from jumping on the helpless comrade until some of
the others came to Billy's assistance, and by raising the wires allowed
him to crawl through.

Tom and George hastened to join in the fray for it was evident that the
savage dog would have to be beaten off before those who were in danger
could find a chance to reach the road again.

With four enemies against him the dog concluded that he had done all
that could be expected of him, and that it was now no dishonor to beat
a masterly retreat; which he accordingly did.

The boys pretended to chas