The boys cheered on the dogs, and presently a dark object appeared, coming at full speed through the corn, and passed, at a single bound, over the fence.

The dogs, barking fierce and loud at every jump, were close at his heels, and both they and the game speedily disappeared in the darkness.

The boys followed after, picking their way through the bushes with all possible speed.
The chase was a short one, for the dogs soon broke out in a regular, continuous barking, which announced that the 'coon was treed.

The hunters, guided by the noise, soon came in sight of them, standing at the foot of a small sapling.

Brave and Sport took matters very easily, and seemed satisfied to await the arrival of the boys, but Lightfoot had caught sight of the 'coon as he was ascending the tree, and was bounding into the air, and making every exertion to reach him.
Frank and Harry stood ready with their guns to shoot him, and the others held their lanterns aloft, and peered up into the top of the tree, to discover his hiding-place; but nothing could be seen of him.
The sapling had grown up rather high, and all objects outside of the circle of light made by their lanterns seemed to be concealed by Egyptian darkness.
"He's up there, I know," said Archie.
And, laying down his ax and lantern, he caught hold of the sapling, and shook it with all his strength.