They halted, gasping, though their glances swiftly took in the whole affair.

They comprehended what Ripley had been doing, and how the dog had come upon the marauder.
By this time the other members of the party came in sight.

Fred still lay on the ground, scowling and fuming over his undignified position, while Towser still kept an eye open for business.
"Call this dog off!" Fred ordered again.
"How did the dog happen to catch you here ?" Dick asked quietly.
"Call this dog off and I'll tell you," snapped Fred.

"I was trying to do you fellows a good turn, but the dog had to interfere and get hold of the wrong party." "You were trying to do us a good turn ?" gasped Dick wonderingly.
"Yes---but it will be the last time, unless you call this dog off," snarled young Ripley.
Perhaps it is hardly necessary to say that not one in the party believed Fred's extraordinary story.
"Hazelton, get this dog of yours away, or I'll go to court and secure an order to have the beast shot!" snapped young Ripley.
But at this moment another voice was heard calling from the roadway: "Fred! Fred! Are you there ?" It was Squire Ripley's voice, though the lawyer himself could not be seen as yet.
"Yes, sir; your son is here," Dick answered.

"Come and see just how he is here!" "Get your dog off quickly, Hazelton!" urged Fred.
But Harry, at a slight sign from Dick, didn't stir or open his mouth to call off his dog.
Through the brush came the sound of hurried steps.