Part 34 (2/2)
”Well! I don't know of any other water. Oh! Hear those dogs bark.”
”Don't you s'pose I've got ears?” snapped Sammy.
”They sound awful savage.”
”Yes. They've got some savage dogs,” admitted the boy.
”Will they bite us? Oh, Sammy! will they bite us?”
”Not if they don't catch us,” replied the boy, staggering on, bearing the heavier end of Dot while Tess carried her sister's feet.
They suddenly burst through a fringe of bushes upon the open road.
There was just starlight enough to show them the way. The dogs were still barking vociferously back at the Gypsy camp. But there seemed to be no pursuit.
”Oh, my gracious! I've torn my frock,” gasped Tess. ”Do wait, Sammy.”
The boy stopped. Indeed he had to, for his own breath had given out.
The three fell right down on the gra.s.s beside the road, and Dot began to whimper.
”You stop her, Tess!” exclaimed Sammy. ”You said you could. She will bring those Gypsies right here.”
”Dot! Dot!” whispered Tess, shaking the smaller girl. ”Do you want to be a prisoner again? Keep still!”
”My--my knees are cold,” whined Dot.
”Je-ru-sa-lem!” gasped Sammy explosively. ”_Now_ she's done it! We're caught again.”
He jumped to his feet, but not quickly enough to escape the outstretched hand of the figure that had suddenly appeared beside them. A dark face bent over the trio of frightened children.
”He's a Gyp!” cried Sammy. ”We're done for, Tess!”
CHAPTER XXV--IT MUST BE ALL RIGHT
As Mrs McCall told Ruth Kenway when she arrived with Luke and Cecile at the old Corner House, the other Kenway sister and Neale O'Neil had not started out on their hunt for the Gypsy encampment alone. Mr.
Pinkney, hearing of the absence of the smaller girls, had volunteered to go with the searchers.
”Somehow, my wife feels that Sammy may be with Tess and Dot,” he explained to Neale and Agnes. ”I never contradict her at such times.
And perhaps he is. No knowing where that boy of mine is likely to turn up, anyway.”
”But you do not suppose for one instant, Mr. Pinkney, that Sammy has come and coaxed my sisters to run away?” cried Agnes from the tonneau, as the car started out through Willow Street.
”I am not so sure about that. You know, he got Dot to run away with him once,” chuckled Mr. Pinkney.
”This is nothing like that, I am sure!” declared Agnes.
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