Well, it was established, but how?
Archie thought: "Brag is a splendid dog, but Holdfast is better.

Perhaps we may have a chance to test the courage of this mighty man of valor." Johnny soliloquized: "Does this fellow imagine that we are green enough to believe that he would stand and let a lion walk up within ten paces of him?
Hump! a good-sized rabbit would scare him to death." Frank, who had taken but little part in the conversation, told himself that he had never become acquainted with a boy as deserving of pity as was Arthur Vane.

He was not a desirable companion, and Frank hoped that he would not often be thrown into his society.
For a long time the boys rode in silence, keeping their horses in an easy gallop, and presently they entered the woods that fringed the base of the mountains, through which ran a bridle-path that led toward the old fur-trader's ranch.

Two young hounds belonging to Johnny led the way, Johnny came next, and Frank and Archie brought up the rear.

They had ridden in this order for a short distance, when the singular movements of the hounds attracted their attention, and caused them to draw rein.