The big tree was now
between them and the plum-pudding fire around which the Bad Dreams lay
asleep, so it really seemed as if they had a good chance of getting
away unseen.
"Hurry, hurry," Rudolf whispered, dragging Ann by the hand. "If we can
only get to those thick trees I am sure we shall be safe."
"If they only don't wake up!" she panted.
Just at that exciting moment Peter had to make trouble--as usual. He
stumbled and fell over a twisted root, hurt his knee, and gave a loud
angry squeal. Rudolf clapped a hand over his mouth and dragged him to
his feet, but it was too late--they were discovered. A tall form shot
up out of the grass just behind them, and instantly a loud war-whoop
rang through the woods.
"It's Thunder-snorer--it's the Indian," Rudolf cried. "Run for your
lives!"
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
CHAPTER XV
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
The Bad Dreams were all aroused by Thunder-snorer's war-whoop, and in
an instant the whole pack of them, headed by Manunderthebed, were at
the children's heels. Rudolf and Ann ran as fast as ever they could,
dragging Peter after them, but it was both difficult and dangerous to
run fast through that dark wood, especially as they had no idea in
what direction they ought to go. Each moment they expected to be
overtaken, each moment they seemed to feel Manunderthebed's long black
arm stretched out to drag them back to their prison--or to something
worse.
Pages:
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131