CHAPTER XVII.
The Grayhound Outgeneraled.
The next morning, at an early hour, George and Harry arrived at the cottage, and, after a light and hastily-eaten breakfast, they set out.
Frank and Harry were armed, as usual, with their guns, while the others carried axes.

They crossed the meadow at the back of the orchard, passed through the cornfield which had been the scene of the 'coon-hunt, a few weeks before, and struck out through the woods.

The dogs were then sent out ahead, and they had not gone more than half a mile, when Sport uttered a long, loud howl, and, when the boys came up with him, he was running impatiently about with his nose close to the ground.
"A fox has been along here," said Frank, bending over and examining a track in the snow, "and the trail looks fresh." "Hunt 'em up! hunt 'em up!" shouted Archie, excitedly, waving his hand to the dogs.
Sport bounded off on the track like a shot, and Lightfoot followed close after.

Brave barked and howled furiously, and acted as if he wished very much to accompany them; but the swift hounds would have distanced him in a moment.
It must not be supposed that it was the intention of the boys to follow up the hounds--that would have been worse than useless.

Perhaps the chase would continue for several hours.